Page 117 of Enchant the Dawn

Dominic laughed as he gave Maddy’s shoulders a squeeze. “Like my father always said, it’s good to have a witch—or three or four—in the family. Come on, ladies. Let’s go home.”

Chapter 48

Maddy stayed close to home the next few weeks. Being kidnapped and turning Jasper into a rodent had left her badly shaken, even though everyone assured her his fate was no more than he deserved. On some primal level, she agreed. He had been a despicable creature, devoid of conscience. He had done horrible things. Had his plan succeeded, he would have killed Ava without a qualm. But that didn’t ease her guilt. She had killed a man.

And although she hadn’t mentioned it to Dominic, she’d had a horrible craving for blood since that night. Was it a punishment for what she’d done? Or had it been sparked by her violent act in taking a human life? Either way, she was too embarrassed to mention it.

She should have known she wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret from Dominic for long.

* * *

Except for going out to hunt every few nights, as he was doing now, Dominic had stayed close to Maddy since the night of Jasper’s death. He knew she was feeling guilty for what she’d done. It hadn’t been part of their plan for Maddy to kill the warlock. Ava had intended to do that. Had wanted to do it. And so had Dominic.

But Maddy had reacted instinctively. Her enemy had come rushing out of the house with murder in his eyes and she had taken action without thought. It still amazed him that she had responded before anyone else.

Dominic fed quickly and willed himself back to the house. He found Maddy on the sofa in the living room, staring at the wall.

“Maddy?”

She looked at him blankly for a moment, then forced a smile. “You’re back early.”

“Yeah.” Sitting beside her, he draped his arm around her shoulders. “Talk to me, love. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

“I killed a man. Shouldn’t that bother me?”

“It was self-defense, done on the spur of the moment. And technically, he was killed by a cat. You had no way of knowing that would happen. You have no reason to feel guilty.”

“But I do! And I’m . . .” She clapped a hand to her mouth.

“You’re what?”

“Nothing.”

She wasn’t going to tell him, he thought. But he couldn’t help her if he didn’t know what was wrong. He let his mind brush hers, ever so lightly, and then grunted softly. He should have known what was troubling her. It was perfectly normal. For vampires.

“You need to feed. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I couldn’t.”

“Once you feed, the craving will pass. And you’ll only have to do it twice a year.” Rolling up his sleeve, he said, “You’ll feel better if you drink a little.”

“Why am I feeling this way?”

“It’s natural.” His mind brushed her again. “Killing “Jasper aroused your hunting instincts, that’s all.”

“That’s all!” she exclaimed. “It might be natural for you, but it’s not for me!”

“I’m afraid it is now.” Biting into his wrist, he offered her his arm.

And waited.

Maddy stared at the dark red blood. She craved it as nothing else, but still she hesitated.

Until the scent of it threatened to drive her crazy.

Taking hold of his arm, she drank. And drank. Why had she waited so long for this? The power of it spread through her, strengthening her bond with Dominic, filling her with a warm, sensual pleasure like no other. It chased away her doubts and eased her guilt.

Dominic brushed a kiss across the top of her head. “Don’t take it all, darlin’,” he murmured.

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