the knees, Callie sank down on the sofa, wondering if those last words had been a threat or a promise.
* * *
Brow furrowed, Quill left his car parked in front of Callie’s house and strolled down the street. He could understand her confusion and dismay as she tried to come to terms with the fact that her grandmother had been a witch. He had met Ava over a hundred years ago. He had known when he drank from her that she was a witch. It had added a certain spice to their friendship. He had met the members of her coven, as well. Betty, Hilda, and Maxine. Being a vampire had its own kind of magic and the five of them had spent many an evening trying to out-magic each other, but Ava had clearly out-classed all of them.
What he hadn’t realized until now was just how powerful Ava had been. She had apparently known that her granddaughter would meet one of his kind. To that end, she had cast a protection spell on Callie, he mused, perhaps even before Callie had been born.
Ava had not only been a powerful witch, but she had possessed the Sight. Quill frowned. When he had made love to Ava all those years ago, had she somehow foreseen that one day in the future, Callie would meet him? If so, it would explain why Ava had refused to bed him again after that first time.
Either way, he had met Callie—and Ava’s incantation had done its job and protected her vulnerable granddaughter from the big, bad vampire.
Or had it? Sure, he had been certain the only way to ensure that Callie kept his secret was to take her life, but once he had talked to her, found out a little about her, all he’d wanted to do was get to know her better. She was enchanting, vibrant, and beautiful. And she had a kind and generous heart. What man wouldn’t want her?
For the first time since he’d met Ava, he had met a woman who intrigued him, one who had captured his heart and soul. One who knew him for what he was and hadn’t run screaming from his presence.
He wasn’t about to let her go without a fight.
Chapter 8
Callie met Vivian for drinks the next night. Now, sitting at a table by the back window of their favorite nightclub, she said, “I’m so glad you called.” She had spent the day by turns missing Quill and grateful that she hadn’t heard from him. “I really needed to get out of the house. Although I was surprised to hear from you. I thought you’d have a date with Greg, it being Sunday night and all.”
“Don’t mention that man to me!”
“What happened? I thought you had high hopes for him.”
“I did. Until I found out he’s married with two kids and one on the way!”
“Oh, Viv, I’m so sorry.”
“Me, too. I really liked him.” Sniffling, she reached for a napkin and wiped her eyes. “I don’t know why I’m crying. He’s not worth it, the lousy two-timing cheat. So, how are you?”
“Fine.”
Vivian wadded up the napkin and put it aside. “What is it, hon?”
“Nothing.”
“You can’t fool me. I know that tone. It always means man trouble 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
