Curse of Night

by Emily Goodwin

  Ruth knew I wasn’t going to be here. The hex bag wasn’t for me. First Lucas and now my employees…this is war.

  Chapter 28

  “Ready?” Kirsty looks up at me as I join her, Nicole, and Naomi in her kitchen. After double-checking that Betty is fine, putting new wardings on the store, and casting protection spells over Danielle and Betty, we all went to Kristy’s house since it’s only a few blocks from the store.

  I rub a towel over my wet hair. “So fucking ready.” I hang the towel on the back of a kitchen chair and pick up a black candle. I spent a good fifteen minutes washing and rewashing my hair, and I still feel like I smell like roadkill. I’ll probably shower again when I get home for good measure.

  But now we have more important things to do. Like a return-to-sender spell for the hex bag. Everything is already laid out and ready. Kristy used cooking tongs to get the hex bag out of the paper bag I stashed it in. She sets it in the middle of a pentagram that’s been etched into a metal plate.

  Using magic, we all light our candles and move them in front of us. Then we grab hands and cast a circle. Once it’s cast, Kristy sprinkles herbs on the hex bag, and we pick up our candles again.

  “Four times four,” we chant. “We return to thee, the hex which you bestowed on me.” The flames of our candles turn blood red, and we put them together, lighting the hex bag on fire. It puffs up in red smoke, swirling above the table.

  “Four times four, we return to thee, the hex which you bestowed on me.”

  The smoke wafts up and dissipates through the air vent, going back to whoever sent the hex bag. Which is Ruth, I’m sure of it.

  “That was fun.” Naomi puts her candle back in the holder and puts her hands on the table. “Should we try a curse now, too? If we’re still dabbling in the dark arts, there are many spells I’d love to try.”

  Nicole give her twin a look. “We shouldn’t.”

  “Why not? The risk of performing dark magic is getting swept up in the Dark Lord’s influence.” She motions to me. “And he’s family. I feel like we should get a pass.”

  I can’t disagree, though I know I should. But why? Because I’ve been taught certain types of magic are bad? I could do some serious damage without crossing those lines, though.

  “I’m joking,” Naomi says with a grin. “Though I’ll admit it is tempting.”

  “It kind of is,” I agree, leaning back in the chair. “And when I do find Ruth, I’m not holding back. Almost killing Lucas is enough to make me want to rip her apart, but going after Betty and Danielle…she wants to make my life as awful as possible and is using everyone I care about against me. I’m sorry you’re basically walking targets.”

  “Don’t be so dramatic.” Naomi waves her hand in the air. “We will be fine. What I do worry about is your sister.”

  “Me, too. I’ve already warded her house, but I need to go there, maybe tonight, and put some stronger protection spells in place.” I let out a sigh and look at the charred remains of the hex bag. “Why can’t we find her?”

  “She was known for her invisibility spell,” Nicole suggests. “I know her powers were bound, but if she’s seeking another form of power, don’t you think it’s possible she figured out a way to conceal where she is?”

  “That’s actually a really good point,” I say, wheels spinning in my head. “And I think…I think Naomi is right. Ruth is using dark magic to go after me. It makes sense to use dark magic to find her, doesn’t it?”

  Kristy exchanges looks with Nicole before turning back to me. “It does. I don’t like it, but I think you’re right, here. And she’s obviously not stopping until she gets what she wants, which is to torture you and then probably kill you.”

  “It would be one thing if she was just coming after me, but to come after people I care about?” I clench my jaw and let out a slow breath. “She has no idea what she started.”

  “Do you think we could use the box to scry for her?” Nicole asks, looking past the kitchen and into the foyer where the cardboard box is. “She would have touched it in the last few days, right?”

  “The postage is from two days ago,” Kristy says. “It’s worth a shot. I’ll bring it back to the Academy with me tonight.”

  “You’re going back?” I wiggle my eyebrows, and Kristy shoots me a look.

  “It’s safest there. We all should go back.”

  “Except for me.”

  “You’re the one who married a vampire,” she teases. “And if we close the store the rest of the day and then again tomorrow, we might be able to throw Ruth off for just a bit.” She makes a face. “We’ll be fine to close for a day.”

  “I have money,” I say, feeling a little awkward, though it’s not like it’s a secret Lucas is rich. “I’ll get the cash to pay everyone without us taking a loss. And don’t even try to tell me otherwise. I know I haven’t been working, but I’m still co-owner, and I want to do it.”

  Kristy smiles. “It’s nice to have a rich friend.”

  “So all I have to do is throw some cash at you and you’ll keep me around?”

  All three of my friends laugh. “You know I like gifts,” Naomi says with a wink. She reaches forward and pats my hand. “And you don’t try to tell us otherwise when we say we’re here to help.”

  “Thank you,” I say and get hit with emotion again. Maybe I need more sleep or something because I’ve been oddly emotional a lot the last few days. “Given Ruth’s track record, we have about another week before she strikes again. She has to be sputtering, trying to come up with new ways to get to me. I mean, hex bags, really?” I roll my eyes. “There’s a picture of her in the Grand Coven directory, right?”

  “What are you thinking?” Naomi asks, eyes glinting, and I know she’ll be on board even if my plan is a little dark. “Are you going to curse her, too?”

  “No, curses are too weak. I don’t just want to win the battle. I want to win the whole fucking war.”

  Lucas’s arms wrap around me the second the front door slams shut. He pulls me to him and then presses my back against the door, kissing me hard.

  “Missed me, I take it?” I ask, throwing my arms around his neck as Scarlet races through the house, chasing Binx. That hellhound stands no chance against my ancient familiar.

  “You were attacked, and I wasn’t there to protect you.” His brows furrow, and he puts his lips to mine again.

  “I handled it just fine.”

  He kisses me again and then leans back, looking me up and down. “What are you wearing?”

  “It’s Kristy’s. Do you like it?” I look down at the pale pink sundress and gray sweater I borrowed from my best friend.

  “I do, actually. You look good in anything.” He kisses me again and then takes me into the living room. I go over everything, and Lucas holds me tight the whole time. There really is nothing better than being in his arms.

  “I hate that I can’t be with you during the day,” he says, eyes clouding with emotion.

  “Me, too,” I agree, finally saying it out loud for the first time. “And I know a lot is going on right now, but maybe I should focus on figuring out how to get you to day walk. I’ve heard myths about vampires being able to walk in the sun before.”

  “As have I, though I assure you they are just that. Myths.”

  “Are you sure?” I ask as I rake my fingers through his hair. “How do you know it hasn’t happened?”

  “I suppose I don’t,” he says and lies back on the couch, bringing me with him. I kick off my shoes and nestle against his chest. “The stories always had one thing in common.”

  “What was it?”

  “The vampire who was able to walk in the sun wore some sort of amulet.”

  “The moonstone,” I say, thinking back. “It kept my spell from working in the kitchen window. It absorbed the sunlight. I could use it.”

  “If anyone could figure it out, it’s you, my love.” He runs his fingers down my back, and my eyes fall shut. “Are you tired?”
r />   “A little.”

  “I’ll take you upstairs.”

  “I’m comfy here,” I mumble and reach up for the blanket on the back of the couch. Lucas smooths it out over me, and I continue to rake my fingers through his hair. “Can we go to Chicago tonight? I want to put an extra warding on Abby’s house and give her and Phil protection charms to wear when they leave. I need to make a special one for Penny.”

  “Of course. I have business I need to take care of there. And I want to see Eliza.”

  “Do you miss her?” I lift my head up just enough to look at him.

  “I do,” he replies honestly as he trails his fingers down my back. “She’s been with me for centuries.”

  “She misses you, I’m sure.”

  “She does,” he replies. “But a little distance is good for her. I might be a little overprotective and haven’t let her venture far on her own.”

  “A little?” I laugh. “You’re a good vampire dad. Is that weird to say?”

  “Yes,” he chuckles and brushes my damp hair back. I rest my head on his chest again and slowly run my fingers up and down his arm.

  “Were you ever married?” I ask. “Before you became a vampire, I mean.”

  “No. Though I was arranged to marry a girl from our village.”

  “Did you love her?”

  “Love didn’t matter then. The marriage was more of a business deal between two poor families.”

  “You didn’t answer the question.” I walk my fingers around his bicep.

  “I thought I did love her,” he answers honestly. “I wanted to. A relationship is easier when you at the very least tolerate each other.”

  “What happened to her?”

  “I don’t know. I assume she was killed when our village was raided.”

  “You were in the army, or whatever it was called then, right?”

  “Right.” He runs his finger over the veins in my neck. “And then captured.”

  “How long did you have to fight before you were turned into a vampire?”

  “Years, though the exact number escapes me. And it was several more years after being turned before I was able to escape.”

  “You’ve lived through so much.”

  “I would do it all again if it means being with you.” He holds me tight. “I’d go through another sixteen hundred years of pain and loneliness for just one day with you.”

  I sit up again, moving up so we can kiss. My heart swells in my chest, and I feel so much for him right now. He is everything I could ever want in a lover and partner.

  “I should call Abby,” I sigh, not wanting to move away from Lucas, but my heart is starting to race just thinking about not being there to protect her. “And I’m hungry.”

  “I’ll make you something,” Lucas offers. “Keep this between the two of us, but I’m almost enjoying learning how to cook.”

  I laugh. “Good, because I very much enjoy food, and it always tastes better when someone else makes it for me.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Surprise me.” We start to break apart. “Do I smell like rotten raccoon parts?”

  Lucas cocks an eyebrow. “No. You smell like vanilla and lavender shampoo and burned herbs. It’s not the usual way you smell.”

  “I showered at Kristy’s. But I washed all the ickiness from me?”

  “If you want to shower together to be sure, we can, but no, you don’t smell like rotten animals.”

  “Good.” I shudder. “I can still smell it in my head.”

  “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “Yeah, it does,” I counter. “I can remember what it smells like, and it was really gross.”

  “But you’re not smelling it now. And you can’t smell something in your head.”

  I purse my lips. “Yeah, you can.”

  “No, you can’t.”

  “It’s a witch thing.”

  Lucas laughs. “That makes even less sense, but fine. I’ll give you that.”

  “I’m right. That’s all you need to know,” I say and try not to laugh as I go to the fridge to get something to drink. There’s an open bottle of Moscato in there that looks a little tempting, but the thought of drinking something so sweet makes my stomach hurt. Maybe it’s my liver’s way of begging me to give it a damn break.

  I fill a glass with milk and go onto the front porch, taking Scarlet and my familiars with me. They run around, chasing grasshoppers and looking like normal pets. I watch them for a moment and then sit on the first step to call Abby.

  The call goes right to voicemail, and she texts me back just seconds later.

  Abby: At work and can’t talk but can text. Everything okay?

  Me: For the most part. Will you guys be home tonight? Lucas and I are going to Chicago.

  Abby: Yes, but not until later. I’m having dinner at Mom and Dad’s tonight.

  Mom and Dad’s. They’re not my mom and dad, but I know it’s just habit for Abby to think like that. I let out a breath and look out at the road, watching a truck drive by on the way to the estate.

  Abby: Sorry. You know what I mean, though.

  Me: I do, and they are your parents.

  “Unfortunately,” I mumble to myself.

  Me: I want to put an extra warding on your house, just in case. And give you and Phil protection charms. Can Penny wear a bracelet? I don’t know anything about kids.

  Abby: She’ll probably put it in her mouth. Babies and even toddlers should never wear anything with beads or stones.

  Me: Good point. I can make an alternative. Is Scott going to dinner with you guys tonight?

  Abby: Yeah, he and Ella are supposed to be there. Are you mad?

  I feel bad she’s worried I’m upset with her. I don’t understand how she can look Scott and Asshat Martin in the eye without punching them in the face, but they are her family, and they’ve treated her all right. Still…

  Me: Not at all. We’ll be in Chicago right after sunset. You don’t have to be home for me to cast the warding.

  Abby: Do you need to get inside? I can leave you a key.

  Me: I don’t need a key to get in ;-) But if you have an alarm system, just disarm it for me so I don’t have to deal with humans.

  Abby: You can magically unlock doors?!?!

  Me: Yes. We learned that spell in our third years. It’s basic magic. I’ll leave the charms on your counter.

  Abby doesn’t respond after that, and she’s either weirded out or, more likely, got called into a patient’s room or something and can’t text me back right now. I set my phone down, finish my milk, and watch Binx pounce on Pandora.

  I lean against the railing, eyes feeling heavy. The stress of everything must be getting to me, making me want to nap so I don’t have to think about anything for at least half an hour.

  Yawning, I get up and go inside, calling my familiars and Scarlet in with me.

  “Did you get ahold of your sister?” Lucas asks. His phone is propped up on the window above the kitchen sink so he can follow along with a cooking video as he sautés chicken and vegetables.

  “I did. She’s going to the Martins’ for dinner tonight, but I’ll be able to get into her house.” I put my cup in the sink and let my eyes fall shut for a few seconds, feeling almost weak on my feet.

  “You’re coming to bed with me after you eat lunch,” Lucas tells me. “I’m going to fuck you, drink from you, and then you are going to take a nap. And I won’t take no for an answer.”

  My heart flutters in my chest, and I smile up at Lucas. “Yes, sir.”

  “What’s the latest drama?” Eliza asks, sitting back on the settee in the living room. She’s wearing a fabulous pink bathrobe, that’s totally the kind a rich lady who didn’t kill her husband would wear in an 80s’ movie. We just arrived at her house in Lincoln Park, and Lucas went to the bar to deal with another issue with a vendor. There’s a large vampire crowd tonight, and since I smell like a walking Happy Meal, we decided it would be better for me to stay
here.

  “What makes you think there’s drama?” I move to the floor, reaching a hand out for one of the guinea pigs to sniff.

  “It’s you.” Eliza looks at me, full lips pulled into a smirk. “There’s always drama.”

  “Well, someone sent a hex bag to the bookstore today, and luckily I just happened to be there so I was able to remove the hex when Betty opened the box. And then there was a zombie raccoon in the backroom that might have been placed there to spy on me.”

  “The truth is always stranger than fiction.”

  I haven’t seen Eliza in person recently, but she’s been brought up to speed on everything else. She and Lucas talk pretty much daily. I know they text back and forth throughout the day and night, and one of them usually calls the other.

  “And what about you-know-who?” She leans back, drawing her fangs, and starts taking selfies. Eliza was a gorgeous woman with delicate features that make her look like a fairy princess. She’s just as soft and feminine looking now, though she’s a cold and dangerous vampire.

  “I’m at the point in life where you-know-who could be a lot of people.”

  “True. There’s always someone trying to kill you.”

  “Eh. It comes with the job.” I shrug.

  Eliza takes a few more pictures and then sits up. “I’m talking about Lucifer. You took a sleeping potion so you could talk to him.”

  “I did,” I say slowly.

  “And?” She leans forward. “Have you talked to him since?”

  “No, I haven’t.” I pick up a guinea pig, who’s wearing a sparkling purple tutu, and bring it into my lap. “And…and no one but you knows about that.”

  Eliza raises one of her perfectly manicured eyebrows. “Just because we have a secret doesn’t mean we’re BFFs or whatever now. I’m not hiding things from my maker.”

  “And I don’t want to hide things from my husband,” I promise. “It just never came up, and then too much time passed, and I was a little preoccupied and…and…I know,” I sigh. “I know I shouldn’t go to him for help, but he did help. I was able to save Lucas because of the info he gave me. Doesn’t that count for something?”