Enchant the Night. Amanda Ashley

of one kind or another. So, who is it and what did he do?”

      Callie shook her head. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

      “After what I learned about Greg, I’ll believe anything.”

      “You can’t repeat a word of what I’m about to tell you. Promise me, Viv. Not a word to a soul. Not your mother. Not your priest.”

      “I promise.”

      Callie bit down on her lower lip. She hoped she wasn’t putting Vivian in danger, but she had to talk to someone. “What if I told you that you were right about Quill, that he is a . . .” Callie glanced around, then leaned forward and lowered her voice. “. . . a vampire.”

      “Callie, really? You can’t be serious.”

      “But I am.”

      “I was kidding when I suggested that.”

      “I know. But it’s true! Not only that, but there are people hunting him. They almost killed him the other night.”

      “How do you know that? Good Lord!” Vivian exclaimed. “Were you there?”

      “No, but he called me for help.”

      Looking skeptical, Vivian said, “In the movies, the vampires always heal instantly.”

      “Shh!” Callie glanced around again, relieved to see that no one was paying them any attention. “He told me it takes longer for them to heal when they’re wounded with silver.”

      Vivian shook her head. “You’re really buying into all this, aren’t you?”

      “I know how it sounds, and if the shoe were on the other foot, I probably wouldn’t believe you, either. But I’ve been with him for the last week or so, and believe me, it’s true.”

      Vivian looked intrigued and mortified. “Did he bite you again?”

      Callie nodded, hardly aware of reaching up to touch her neck where Quill had bitten her.

      The move wasn’t lost on Vivian. “I don’t know what to think, hon. Either you’re crazy or you’re telling the truth. So, where is he now?”

      “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him today.”

      “That’s probably for the best.”

      “I guess so.” Callie took a deep breath. “But that’s not all.”

      “There’s more?”

      “Remember in college when we were reminiscing about the crazy things we believed when we were kids?”

      “You mean like angels and fairies and invisible friends?”

      Callie nodded. “Do you remember when I told you I used to think my grandmother was a witch?”

      Vivian laughed. “How could I forget that? You almost had me convinced.”

      “I think it might have been true.” Quill had seemed certain of it.

      Vivian looked up as a waitress paused at their table, pad in hand. “I think I’m going to need another one of these,” she said, holding up her empty glass.

      “And you, miss?” the waitress asked.

      Callie nodded.

      “So, what’s he like, this vampire of yours?” Vivian whispered when the waitress left.

      “See for yourself,” Callie said, gesturing toward the man striding toward them. “He’s here.”

      Startled, Vivian looked up, mouth agape, when Quill stopped beside their table.

      “Good evening, Callie.”

      She stared at him, fear settling in the pit of her stomach. Did he know what she’d told Vivian? Had she just signed her own death warrant and put Vivian’s life in danger by betraying his secret?

      “We need to talk,” he said, reaching for Callie’s hand. “I’m sure your friend will excuse you.”

      Vivian nodded, her eyes wide, her face suddenly pale.

      Callie knew a moment of terror as Quill’s hand closed over hers. Thinking she might faint, she stumbled to her feet, murmured, “Bye, Viv,” as Quill’s hand tightened on hers.

      Feeling like a condemned prisoner being led to the gallows, she followed him out of the club, into the darkness beyond.

      * * *

      “You told her, didn’t you?” Quill asked, his voice tight with anger.

      Mouth dry, Callie nodded.

      “Why?” His dark gaze burned into hers with all the intensity of a forest fire.

      Too frightened to speak, she stared at him, wishing she could call back every word. But it was too late. Would he kill her and Vivian to silence them forever? Forcing the words past her dry throat, she begged, “Please don’t hurt Vivian.”

      “Why, Callie?” he asked again, his voice filled with hurt at her betrayal. “Why would you tell her about me?”

      “I’m sorry, but I had to talk to someone. I just couldn’t keep it all bottled up inside any longer. You don’t understand.” Tears burned her eyes and dripped, unheeded, down her cheeks. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. Not about you, not about me, or my grandmother. Sometimes I think I’m trapped in a horrible nightmare or lying in some hospital lost in a coma. Either way, I wish I could wake up.”

      Quill swore under his breath as he pulled her gently into his arms. Murmuring her name, he held her close. “It’s all right, love. Don’t worry about your friend. I won’t hurt her. But I will wipe tonight’s conversation from her memory.” I just hope her mind isn’t as strong as yours.

      Callie looked up at him. “You promise?”

      “I promise. If you need to talk about all this, talk to me. No one understands better than I do.” Or loves you more.

      “I’ve just been so confused.”

      He nodded again as he brushed his thumbs over her cheeks, wiping away her tears. “Let’s get your car,” he said, “and I’ll take you home.”

      * * *

      Callie couldn’t help thinking he looked out of place behind the wheel of her VW. Long-legged and broad-shouldered, he reminded her of a giant driving a toy car. His presence, his nearness, brought all her senses to life.

      She grew tense as he pulled out of the parking lot. He had promised not to hurt Vivian, and for that, she was grateful beyond words. If anything had happened to her friend, she never would have forgiven herself. But what is he going to do to me? That was the question pounding in her head as he pulled into her driveway, killed the engine, then focused all his attention on her.

      She shrank back against the seat, her breath coming in hard gasps.

      “Relax, Callie,” he said. “I’m not going to hurt you or try to wipe your memory again.”

      “Why not?” she blurted, then clapped her hand to her mouth.

      He laughed softly as he took her hand in his. It sent a shiver of awareness racing down her spine. His gaze moved over her face. “You must know how I feel about you.”

      She nodded warily.

      “I’ve never met anyone like you. I know we got off to a bad beginning, but is there any chance we could start over and you could forget what I am and pretend I’m just a guy who wants to get to know you better?”

      “I don’t know.”

      “Will you try?”

      Callie bit down on her lower lip, her gaze sliding away from his. What did she want? A life without him? Or a chance to get to know him better? Yes, he was a vampire, but