Page 63 of Enchant the Dawn

“That’s understandable, all things considered.” He cupped her cheek in his palm and kissed her lightly. “I need to go check in with Ava,” he said. “Are you going to be okay here alone?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll call you later.”

“All right.”

Dominic sighed. He hated to leave her, but he needed to find out if Ava had learned anything new about the Knights. He kissed Maddy, long and deep, savoring the sweet taste of her lips. troubled by the faint darkness that lingered there.

“Don’t forget to lock up after me.”

Maddy nodded as she followed him to the door, her lips still tingling from his kiss.

Later that night, as she got ready for bed, she found herself thinking about marriage again, imagining Dominic as her husband, sharing her life with him, bearing his sons.

Sons who would grow up to be vampires and have sons of their own.

It was a long time before sleep came.

* * *

After checking in with Ava and learning she hadn’t made any progress in locating the Knights’ stronghold, Dominic left the house to go hunting in the city. He was aware of being watched, knew the eyes following him belonged to members of Claret’s coven. He frowned into the darkness, wondering if they were trailing him at her orders, of if they had some mischief of their own in mind.

After easing his hunger, he walked along Bourbon Street, then ducked into a nightclub. A moment later, one of the vampires passed in front of the doorway.

Dominic was on him before the vampire knew what hit him. “Why are you following me?”

“I’m not.”

“Like hell. What do you want?”

“Nothing.” The vamp twisted and turned, trying to escape, but Dominic held him fast. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll break your fool neck.”

Knowing that wouldn’t kill him, the vampire snorted.

Leaning closer to the vampire’s ear, Dominic whispered, “And then I’ll rip out your heart and burn it.”

“I don’t mean no harm,” the vampire gasped. “I’ve just never seen a Hungarian vampire before.”

“You’re lying.” Dominic sank his fingers into the man’s chest.

“All right! All right! She asked me to follow you.”

“Why?”

“She don’t want no one else to have you. Just her.”

Muttering, “That I believe,” Dominic turned the vampire loose.

Rubbing his chest, the vampire vanished.

Dominic heaved a sigh. This was getting out of hand, he mused as he turned and headed for home. Something had to be done about Claret. The sooner, the better . . .

Chapter 25

Keeping well out of sight, Jasper followed Dominic and the woman at a distance, waiting for his chance. Time after time, he’d let one opportunity after another to catch the pair slip by. But it had to be tonight.

The Elder Knight’s patience was rapidly running out. And so was Claret’s. He swore as he followed Dominic and the girl out of the movie theater to the parking lot. How the hell had he gotten into this predicament? And if and when he managed to capture Dominic, how the hell was he going to decide who should get the vampire—the witch or the Knight? No matter in whose favor he decided, the other one was going to be mad as hell. He couldn’t decide which was more dangerous, the Elder Knight or the Transylvanian vampire. Both were powerful. Both were ruthless.

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