Enchant the Night - Amanda Ashley Page 0,75
jade green dress stained with dark spots that Callie realized were blood. Even without being told, Callie knew that the woman was a vampire. The Transylvanian kind that killed their prey. Preternatural power radiated from her, similar to Quill’s and yet different.
Callie looked at Quill, one brow raised.
“This is Claret,” he said. “Claret, this is Callie.”
The woman nodded at her. “I’m sorry for the intrusion. I had nowhere else to go.”
“I found her outside,” Quill explained. “Her coven was attacked by hunters tonight. She’s the only one who got away.”
“I’m . . . I’m sorry,” Callie said. “Would you like to get out of that dress?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“My room is down the hall. You can wash up in there. I’m afraid none of my clothes will fit you, but . . .”
“I’ll take her to my room,” Quill said. “I’ve got a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt she can wear.”
Callie stared after them a moment, then dropped down on the sofa. Was he crazy, inviting that woman into their house?
Meowing softly, Ebony jumped up beside her. Callie stroked the cat’s fur, feeling the tension drain out of her. Until Quill returned.
“How could you bring that woman into our house?” she demanded, keeping her voice low.
“She says she’s in danger.”
“And now so are we. I don’t want her here.”
“Calm down, love.” He sat on her other side. “Transylvanian vampires can’t be awake during the day, and she’ll be gone tomorrow night.”
“How did she find you?” Callie asked. Then, remembering, she lifted her hand to silence him before he could answer. “Your blood. You said she could follow it. Did you know she was going to do it so soon?”
“She didn’t come here for me, but because she had nowhere else to go.” Even as he said it, he had his doubts. Still, it was better to have her here, where he could keep an eye on her.
“If you believe that, you’re a fool. I’m going to bed.”
“Callie . . .”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” She stalked toward her room with Ebony at her heels.
Quill stared after her. Dammit. He looked up when Claret glided into the room. Although she was tall for a woman, she managed to look petite in his sweatpants and one of his T-shirts. Her hair flowed over her shoulder like a river of red silk.
“I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble.”
“Why did you come here? And don’t give me that story about having nowhere else to go.”
“I wanted to see the woman who captured your heart.”
Quill snorted. “What’s the real reason you’re here?”
Her gaze moved to his throat. “I’m thirsty.”
“Are you telling me there’s no blood left in New Orleans?”
Laughing softly, she padded toward him, lithe as a tiger on the prowl. “I’ve wanted more of your blood since the moment I tasted it.”
Quill shook his head. “That’s your misfortune.”
She paused, her gaze narrowing, and then she took another step forward.
He watched her eyes, knew the exact moment when she’d made her decision. She sprang toward him, eyes blazing, fangs extended, her hands like claws as she reached for him.
He caught her around the throat and held her at arm’s length. “I don’t know why the hell you’re really here, but you’ve got two choices. Either you get the hell out of my house and stay out, or I’ll kill you.”
She glared at him, her eyes red with hunger and fury.
“Which will it be?”
“I’ll go.”
“Your invitation is forever revoked. Be gone.”
When he loosened his hold, she vanished from sight.
“Well, that was something to see,” Callie remarked from the doorway. “I knew she was up to no good.”
“Spying on me, were you?”
“Why did she want your blood so badly?”
“It’s old and rare and like catnip to her kind.”
“Is that why she really came here? To feed on you?”
“I’m not sure. She could have been telling the truth about her coven being attacked. But I have my doubts. The blood on her dress wasn’t vampire or human.”
“You could tell that just by looking at it?”
“No. From the smell.”
“So, she made the whole thing up about having nowhere else to go?”
“I think so, but I could be wrong. The minds of Transylvanian vampires are difficult to read.”
Callie glanced at the front door. “Do you think she’s really gone?”
“She’d better be if she values her neck. Come here, love.”
She went into his arms gladly. Laying her head against his chest, she closed her eyes. One thing about living with Quill, she thought as his lips moved in her hair, life