Page 88 of Enchant the Dawn

Smiling faintly, she cut a long, slender branch from the tree.

They spent the rest of the afternoon shaping and sanding the wand.

“You can decorate it or paint it,” Ava remarked. “You can carve designs into the wood, or just leave it plain. Whatever makes it feel like your own.”

Maddy held the wand in her hand and closed her eyes. She liked the feel of it, the weight of it. She smiled as it warmed in her hand. She had thought to decorate it with stars or half-moons, but in the end, she left it plain, with only a light coat of varnish to protect the wood.

When it was dry, Maddy ran her fingertips over the wand. She shivered as she felt a trace of magic flow through her.

Ava smiled her approval. “Excellent. With time and practice, you’re going to be a powerful witch.”

“As good as you?”

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Ava said with a teasing grin. “It does take time to master one’s craft. Most witches tend to possess one particular area of expertise, whether it’s earth, wind, fire, or water. Some rare ones possess the power to call on all four of them. Dominic’s mother is one of those, as am I.”

“How will I know which power is mine?”

“That knowledge will come to you in time. You must be patient,” Ava said. Then, changing the subject, she asked, “Have you seen Jasper?”

“No. When I didn’t have any luck returning him to his own form, he hopped away. I don’t know where he is now.”

“If we’re lucky, a predator got him.”

Maddy grimaced, unsettled by the image of a snake or some large bird dining on the toad.

* * *

The Elder Knight paced the floor of his bedroom, his anger and frustration fanning his fury. His rage summoned the wind, and it blew through the stronghold, toppling trees and tearing the roof off one of the buildings. Try as he might, he could find no trace of the Hungarian vampire, though Jasper had mentioned that a Transylvanian vampire known as Claret was also interested in Falconer. Odd, he thought. Why would she want Dominic? The two types of vampire were known to be enemies. Was she also after his head?

Perhaps he needed to locate this Claret. Perhaps she could tell him where to find Dominic.

As he prepared to transport himself back to New Orleans, he wondered, briefly, about Jasper’s fate.

* * *

Claret lifted her head from her prey’s neck as dark magic rippled through the misty night air. She thrust her prey aside as a man clad in black materialized beside her. Before she could vanish, that same magic moved over her, rendering her immobile and helpless.

“You are Claret, are you not?” he asked imperiously.

She nodded.

“You are familiar with Dominic Falconer?”

She nodded again.

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know. He’s left the city.”

His power drove her to her knees. “Do not lie to me!” he roared as he pulled a sword from the air and laid the glittering blade against the side of her neck.

“He’s in Oregon.”

“Where in Oregon?”

She tried not to answer, but the words were pulled from her throat. “In Portland.”

“I am told you want him,” he said, eyes narrowed. “Why?”

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