Page 80 of Enchant the Dawn

“I know the Elder Knight by reputation,” Ava remarked. “He’s a powerful wizard.”

“What about Jasper?” Dominic asked. “Whose side is he on?”

“I don’t think we have to worry about him anymore,” Ava remarked. “I think he’s dead, perhaps by the hand of the Elder Knight. Perhaps it was Claret’s doing. All I know is, I can’t locate him anywhere. What about Maddy? We can’t leave her here alone. . . .”

Ava cleared her throat as Maddy entered the room, a cup in one hand, a plate in the other. “Thank you, dear.”

Maddy glanced from Ava to Dominic. “Were you talking about me?”

“I was just telling Dom how pleased I am that the two of you found each other,” Ava said smoothly. “Have you set a date for the wedding?”

* * *

That night, after Ava and Maddy had gone to bed, Dominic questioned the Knight again. He needed to know how many men were at the stronghold, if they had a new witch, how many Knights guarded the entrance. It was common knowledge that there were only thirteen active Knights at any one time, but they had members in training in just about every big city across the country, and others waiting in reserve that could be called up at a moment’s notice, if necessary. When he had all the answers he needed, he wiped the memory of what had happened from the man’s mind and sent him on his way. He just hoped he wouldn’t regret it later.

He paused on his way downstairs to look in on Maddy. She slept on her side, one hand tucked beneath her cheek, one bare foot peeking out from under the covers. His heart swelled with love as he bent down to brush a kiss across her brow.

Her eyelids fluttered open. “Dominic?”

“Yes, love. Go back to sleep.”

When he turned to leave, she reached for his hand. “Are you mad at me? You left so abruptly tonight. I was afraid . . .”

“It had nothing to do with you. It’s Ava. Sometimes she . . . never mind, sweetheart.”

“What were you and Ava whispering about when she sent me into the kitchen?”

“Nothing you need to worry about right now.” And maybe never, he hoped.

“You’re keeping something from me. I know it.”

“I discovered the location of the Knights’ stronghold.” Eyes wide, she sat up. “You’re not thinking of going there? Dominic, tell me you’re not!”

“It’s the reason I came here in the first place.”

“But . . . that’s madness. They’re hunting you. You can’t just walk in there.”

“When I’m ready to go, I won’t be alone.”

“Oh? Do you have an army somewhere I don’t know about?”

“No.” He grinned in spite of himself. “Just Ava.”

Maddy stared at him. He had to be kidding! Wasn’t he?

Chapter 33

Finding Dominic had been all too easy, Claret mused. She had finally realized his witchy mother had cast some sort of protection spell around him so that her kind couldn’t find him after tasting his blood. And she had to admit it was a masterful spell. But his mother’s enchantment didn’t prevent Claret from following the trail of her own blood. And the only vampire who had bitten her recently was Dominic. She could have followed the scent of her own blood blindfolded. Why hadn’t she thought of it before?

The house was dark, protected by a double layer of wards erected by both witch and vampire. Barring an invitation, there was no way for anyone—mortal, witch, or vampire—to cross the threshold.

She glanced at the small wire cage that held Jasper. In his present form, the toad could get inside with no problem at all. But in this form, he was also useless. What would his fate be if he slipped inside? There was no love lost between Jasper and Ava. Would the witch take pity on him and return him to his mortal form? Or destroy him?

She didn’t really care what happened to Jasper. Her main interest in seeing him restored to his human self was to help her thwart the Elder Knight and thereby keep Dominic alive. She was determined to have Dominic at her mercy again, to be able to glut herself on his blood—and his power—whenever she wished. And she feared she might need Jasper’s help to accomplish it.

Muttering, “Good luck,” she opened the little cage. “Remember your promise.”

He croaked once as he hopped out of the box.

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