Enchant the Night - Amanda Ashley Page 0,76
was never dull.
* * *
Callie was surprised to find Quill waiting for her in the kitchen when she got up the next morning. Glancing at the clock on the stove, she said, “A little early for you, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Drawing her into his arms, he kissed her. “I wanted to make sure Claret didn’t hang around last night. It gave me time to do some thinking.”
“About what?”
“I can’t make up my mind if she told me the truth about the location of the Dark Wood, or not. I’m thinking I might just go up there and scout around, see what I can find.”
“Oh?”
Pulling out a chair, he sat down and drew Callie onto his lap. “There’s a lot of speculation about how many Knights there are. We know for certain that there are only thirteen active at any one time. And we know there are always more in training, but there’s no way to know how many, although a good number of my people think there are hundreds of future Knights in reserve, just waiting to be called. But if they had an army that big, they could have wiped us out long ago.”
“So, what does any of that have to do with Claret?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe her coven was attacked. Maybe she just wanted my blood. Or maybe . . .” He shook his head.
“Go on.”
He stroked her back absently. “Maybe sending us up to Canada to look for the Dark Wood is a trap.”
“A trap? I don’t understand.”
“Maybe her coven is located somewhere up in the North Woods near Canada. Maybe the Transylvanian vampires have had scouts in various cities throughout the States just lying in wait for one of my people to show up.”
“Whatever for?”
“They’ve taken my people prisoner before. They have human slaves bind them with silver and keep them locked up to feed on. Like I told you, our blood is like catnip to some of them. They’re like addicts. They drink a little, and from then on, they crave more and more. Occasionally, one of them will take too much and they go mad, but it doesn’t deter the others.”
Callie’s eyes widened. “Do you really think that’s what this is all about?”
“I don’t know. It sounds pretty far-fetched when I say it out loud.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“There’s only one way to find out if she’s telling the truth about the location of the Dark Wood.”
Callie shook her head. “Oh, no you don’t. You are not going up there. You just said it could be a trap and now you just want to walk into it?”
“I’m tired of sitting around waiting for the Knights’ next attack. Besides, we need to know if Claret was telling the truth. You don’t want me to send someone else up there, do you?”
“No, but . . .”
“I’m the oldest vampire here. It’s my duty to go. Besides, it’s safer to go alone. The more men I take with me, the more likely we are to be discovered.”
“I agree.”
“You do?” He had expected an argument.
“What you say makes perfect sense. I don’t think you should take anyone with you. Except me.”
“Dammit, woman, if it’s a trap, I don’t want you anywhere near the place!”
She glared at him, eyes narrowed. “I can take care of myself, Quill Falconer, and if you sneak off without me, I’ll just concoct a spell and follow you.”
“Witches,” he muttered. “Damned, unreasonable creatures.”
“I still don’t think going in blind is a good idea,” she insisted.
“I’m not going in looking for a fight,” he said. “I’m just going up to have a look around. I need to know if Claret’s telling the truth.”
“And what if she’s there?”
“Don’t worry. I can handle her.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she said sweetly. “And that’s why I’m going with you.”
Chapter 32
They left after sunset. Quill transported them to within a mile of the Canadian border. The distance was a little over a thousand miles. He had never transported her that far and Callie was feeling more than a little nauseous when they arrived.
Quill held her in his arms and massaged her back and shoulders until the queasiness passed.
“Now what?” she asked.
“I want you to concentrate and see if you can detect any kind of magical enchantments or anomalies in the area.”
“All right.” Reaching into the large bag she had brought with her, Callie rummaged in the bottom for her wand, let out a shriek when something alive moved beneath her hand.
“What’s wrong?” Quill asked.
“This,” she said, and lifted Ebony out of the