Enchant the Night - Amanda Ashley Page 0,41
if she would ever have the nerve to wear it.
* * *
In the morning, Callie ate breakfast, then spent the rest of the day cleaning the house from top to bottom so it would be spotless when Vivian arrived. She watered the plants, changed the sheets on the bed, went through the refrigerator and dumped her leftovers, emptied the dishwasher.
By the time she’d showered and dressed, the sun had set but there was no sign of Quill.
Going to the guest room, she rapped on the door. His was the only room she hadn’t dusted or vacuumed. “Quill?”
When there was no answer, she peeked inside. The bed was made. There was no sign of him. Chewing on her thumbnail, she wandered through the house. Where was he? Why had he left without telling her? Had he even stayed the night? And if not, where had he gone?
In the kitchen, she made a cup of hot chocolate and carried it into the living room. Curling up in a corner of the sofa, she sipped her cocoa, then bolted upright. Had he gone hunting? What if that Knight had found him again and been successful this time? Oh, Lord! Putting the cup aside, she went in search of her cell phone.
Her imagination went into overdrive when he didn’t answer.
Where could he be?
She paced the floor for several anxious minutes and then called him again.
* * *
Quill stared at the two Knights. They were both young, probably not more than twenty years old, and looked scared half to death. He was leaving town just in time, he thought ruefully. The place seemed to be crawling with the Knights of the Dark Wood, although these two didn’t seem to be a problem. They had come upon him while he was looking for prey. Now that they’d found him, neither of them seemed to know what to do next. New initiates, he thought, and almost felt sorry for them.
“Why don’t you both just run along,” Quill suggested, careful to keep his voice mild.
The Knights glanced at each other, their expressions uncertain.
He could almost hear their thoughts. Should they let him go? Or attack? How would they explain it to the others if they turned tail and ran? Quill shook his head. If these two didn’t grow some backbone, the Knights would be looking for two more brothers.
While they were making up their minds, his phone rang again.
Deciding to make the decision for them so he could answer the call, Quill vanished from their sight.
He answered on the second ring. “Callie, is anything wrong?”
“I guess not. I was just wondering where you were. And then I started wondering if you’d tangled with that Knight again.”
“No, although I ran into a couple of his brothers. But don’t worry. These two were harmless.”
“Are you coming home?”
Home. He liked the sound of that. “I’m on my way.”
* * *
She was waiting for him at the front door. Sweeping her into his arms, he knew that he would always be home as long as Callie was there. “Are you ready to go?” Stepping inside, he dropped a small duffel bag on the floor.
“You never said how we were going to get there.”
“I’m taking us the quickest way I know how.”
“So, we’re flying?”
“In a way.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m going to transport us there.”
Callie stared at him. “What? How?”
“Using one of my amazing vampire powers.”
“Can’t we just drive?”
“This is faster.” He tapped the end of her nose with his forefinger. “When you’ve perfected your magic, you’ll be able to do it, too. But for now, we’ll do it my way. Where are your suitcases?”
“In the bedroom.”
Nodding, he went to get them while Callie walked through the house one last time to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. When she returned to the living room, Quill was waiting for her.
“Got everything?” he asked.
“I guess so. Oh, wait.” Grabbing her handbag, she located her house key, stepped out on the front porch, and slid the key under the potted fern in the corner.
“All set?” he asked when she locked the door behind her.
“Yes.”
“Can you carry my duffel?” he asked.
“Sure.” Pushing the strap of her handbag over her shoulder, she picked up his bag and held it against her chest.
Quill tucked her smaller suitcase under his arm and picked up the second one by the handle. “Come here,” he said, holding out his free hand. When she stood beside him, he wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close. “Trust me. There’s nothing to