Enchant the Night - Amanda Ashley Page 0,45

exist.”

Callie frowned, wondering how that was even possible in this day and age, what with drones and Google Earth. Had the vampires who lived here warded this place and somehow managed to block modern-day technology?

“Well, I’ve got to go,” Wendy said. “I think you’ll find most of the town’s residents friendly enough once they get to know you. Well, all except Chloe. She . . .” Wendy glanced at her watch. “Oh! I’ve really got to go! It was nice meeting you.”

“Thanks. It was nice meeting you, too.”

“I’m sure we’ll run into each other again,” Wendy called over her shoulder as she hurried down the aisle. “It’s a small town, after all.”

Feeling as though she had stepped into an episode of The Twilight Zone, Callie stared after her. A town inhabited solely by vampires and their human companions. Who would ever believe it?

* * *

A rumble of thunder followed Callie home. She had no sooner stepped inside and closed the door than the rain came, a gentle patter against the windows.

She put the groceries away, ate breakfast, and then went into her room and unpacked her clothes. A glance at her phone showed it was only 11 AM. The day stretched before her and she found herself again wondering what she was going to do here while Quill was at rest. There wasn’t much to see in town. She didn’t have a car, so she couldn’t go far.

She glanced at the TV and shook her head. How did they even get TV here? And lights and heat if the mortal world didn’t know the town existed? She puzzled over it for a moment, then snapped her fingers. She knew just how to spend the day.

Grabbing the suitcase and the box that held her grandmother’s magical accoutrements, she went into the kitchen and spread the contents on the table. Opening the grimoire, she flipped through the pages. There were instructions for making talismans and amulets to heal the sick or win someone’s affections, and other information on how to cast spells—some of which hinted at dark magic. Ceremonial magic was used to summon spirits. White magic summoned angels. Dark magic summoned demons to do a witch’s bidding. A note in the margin in Ava’s hand warned of the danger in experimenting with black magic.

Callie frowned. Why on earth would anyone in their right mind want to summon a demon? She shook her head as she perused spells that would cause someone’s crops to fail, make their cows go dry and their chickens refuse to lay. It seemed unlikely that those spells were much in demand in this day and age. She grinned as she wondered if modern-day witches were responsible for computer viruses and other technological glitches.

She turned a couple of pages. Surely there was some innocuous spell she could try her hand at that wouldn’t burn down someone’s house or summon a demon from the underworld.

Closing the grimoire, Callie put on her grandmother’s pentacle, then opened the notebook of handwritten spells for beginners and turned to the first incantation. Concentrating on gathering her power, she flicked her hand at a candle on the windowsill and spoke the words to summon fire.

She gasped with surprise when the candle sprang to life. Unable to believe the small flame was real, she took a few steps toward the window for a closer look, then held her finger over the flame. “I did it, Grandma,” she murmured as she felt the heat. “I really did it!”

* * *

A whisper of magic roused Quill from his rest. He bolted upright; then, when he realized the spell had been cast by Callie, the tension drained out of him. Curious, he got out of bed, pulled on a pair of pants, and padded into the kitchen.

He found her bent over a notebook, muttering to herself.

She looked up when he entered the room, a broad smile spreading over her face. “I made magic!”

“I know. I felt it.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “It was strong enough to wake me.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He joined her at the table, his gaze moving over the handwritten text. “What are you going to try next?”

“I don’t know. Got any ideas?”

“You could try summoning an object to you.”

Frowning, she thumbed through the pages. “Here’s one.” Brow furrowed, she read the ritual for summoning. Glancing around the kitchen, she focused on one of the apples in the bowl on the sink. She took several deep breaths, spoke the required words, and watched in amazement as one of