“What the fuck?” I whisper, lips parting. Pandora jumps out of my arms and everyone inside starts clapping. Erin motions for me to come inside, but I stand there, rooted to the spot. Tabatha, Evander, Kristy, and Ruby are standing by the head table, usually reserved for professors. There’s an empty spot in between Tabatha and Kristy, and somewhere in the back of my mind, I know I should go and sit there.
But I’m too damn shocked to move.
Tabatha’s brown eyes meet with mine, and she comes around the table, smile on her pretty face and arms outstretched toward me.
“What is going on?” I ask, feeling the eyes of every single coven member on me. Tabatha wraps me in a hug, squeezing me tight, and then takes my hand, leading me in. The clapping gets louder, and I see the twins sitting at a table with their parents and grandmother. Nicole gives me a wink as I walk by. She knew about this when I called. I bet Kristy was in on it too, though I’m still not sure what it is just yet.
The great hall falls silent when Tabatha and I get to the head table.
“We want to welcome you back, my darling girl,” she tells me, sweeping her hand out at the coven. “Without you, and the vampire, this coven would have seen great devastation. We are all aware this is not the first time you’ve risked yourself to save others, and as a collective, we have decided we do not agree with the Grand Coven’s ruling to excommunicate you from this coven.”
My lips part and tears spring to my eyes. “Are you serious?”
Tabatha laughs. “We are.” She picks up two glasses of red wine and hands one to me, then raises hers in a toast. The rest of the coven follows suit, and I pretend to take a drink, still stunned at everything. “Let’s eat!” Tabatha says and sits down. Happy chatter slowly fills the hall as people start loading up their plates. I sink down in my chair, eyes wide.
Kristy loops her arm through mine and beams. “You have no idea how hard it was not to tell you!” she squeals. “I knew you were taking a day or two off and we thought waiting was better, but I was dying.”
“You’ve known for days?” I ruefully trade the wine for water. It’s usually the other way around. “I’m still confused.” I look at Tabatha. “Not to sound ungrateful or anything, but how is any of this possible? A lot has been left unresolved.”
“That depends on who you talk to,” Tabatha says gracefully. “We have the upper hand, my darling.”
“The Grand Coven has fucked up enough,” Evander fills in.
“Thank you for so gracefully simplifying it,” Tabatha tells him and Evander laughs. “Though it is true. They’ve failed to protect our coven twice now, and there are others still upset about their slow response to the demon attacks back in the spring. We know it was you who stopped the demon—”
“With Lucas’s help,” I add, and Tabatha nods.
“Precisely. And we are more than well aware of the blood bath that would have ensued if the two of you hadn’t gotten here when you did.” Tabatha pauses for a second, locking eyes with me. “The coven came to me because we know how much the coven means to you, and how much you mean to the coven.”
“And we like not dying,” Evander adds with a wink. “You have a particular knack for coming in at the last possible moment and kicking ass and saving our necks.”
“It’s kind of my specialty,” I reply, smirking. “Though I feel like I should tweak the timing just a tad.” I tear off a few more pieces of bread and drop them in my soup. “So, now what? The Grand Coven isn’t going to let me back in. I’m married to a vampire.”
“Leave that to me,” Tabatha says. “And know you are welcome here.”
“Is everyone okay with that?” I ask slowly, stirring my breadcrumbs into the soup. “Because the last time I checked, at least half the members of the coven don’t approve of any sort of relationship with vampires.”
“They still don’t,” Tabatha starts. “But the general consensus is to make an exception for Lucas. He’s proven time and time again how deep his loyalty goes for you. As much as I never thought I’d say this: I trust him. Now more than ever.” She looks at my stomach. “Speaking of, I have the potion for you.”
“Good,” I say, relieved. “Abby wrote me a prescription for something, but it wears off fast and I miss eating.”
Tabatha laughs, eyes sparkling. She knew from the start there was something nonhuman about me. She saw my files when she rescued me from that research laboratory and thought I was perhaps half human and half shifter.
Which obviously wasn’t the case.
She told me it didn’t matter what I was. She loved me like a daughter and raised me as her own. I don’t want to be angry with Tabatha, and I don’t know what would have changed if I’d known the truth from the start, though knowing I wasn’t really a Martin might have helped with the emotional trauma I still haven’t dealt with. Thinking my mother and father could so easily throw me away fucked with my head, and I still can’t see how Nancy cared for me, loved me, thought I was the baby she’d carried and then given birth to, and then raised for years as her own, and just stepped aside and let me be taken away.
I only found out about my own pregnancy days ago and I’m already feeling those strong maternal instincts to protect this baby at all costs.
“I don’t want you worrying about any of this,” Tabatha tells me. “You have enough going on, and I know you and Lucas need this time to sort things out.”
“We do. I think Lucas is eager to start shopping for baby stuff already.”
“And that’s all you should worry about,” Ruby chimes in, leaning over the table. “Take it easy for a while. You’ve earned it.”
She smiles and I smile right back. But inside, I’m screaming. Because my friends think this is the calm before the storm. They think I’ve faced off against all the bad guys and I’m on the winning side, leading my team to victory. But they have no idea what just happened, and I now know for certain not telling them was the right thing to do.
Because as I sit her in the gathering hall, listening to the happy chatter as I pretend to celebrate my comeback to the coven, I’m harboring a huge secret…one that’s big enough to send everyone running and screaming to their homes. I lean back, breath leaving in a heavy huff, guilt weighing down on me as I look at my friends, all gathered here, smiling and laughing and talking, thinking the worst is behind us.
I scoop up a piece of soggy bread on my spoon, put it in my mouth, and look out at the dining hall. I should feel freer than ever right now. My coven wants me back. They’re willing to go up against the Grand Coven on my behalf. Yet I feel trapped under his finger. I close my eyes and swallow hard. I’m nothing like him, and a maelstrom of emotions plagues me.
He helped me. He healed Abby. Without him, I’d be grieving the loss of my sister. Without Lucifer, I would have lost Lucas as well. He’s family, and I want more than anything to know he’s here and that he has my back, and I’m not wrong for trusting him.
But I can’t forget the look in his dark eyes when he raised his gaze from my stomach. He knew more than he was saying, and my heart speeds up and my throat tightens when I think about it. The same blood that runs through my veins runs through his, forging some sort of connection I can’t stop even if I tried.
My eyelids shut in a slow blink, feeling heavy from everything I’m desperately trying to repress. I put a permanent stop to Ruth. My coven—my family—wants me to come home, and I’m here, sitting in the great hall where I ate so many meals in my youth, surrounded by friends and love for the first time in my entire life.
A single tear runs down my cheeks, and I quickly wipe it away. Anger floods my veins, and I have to work to keep my powers in check. I’ve made it this far on my own, and I’m going to fight tooth and nail to keep it that way.
“Are you okay?” Kristy asks, reaching for her wine glass.
“Yeah,” I say with no hesitation and a fake-ass smile on my face. “I’m perfect.” I widen my smile and blink away any indication that I’m far from okay. Luc
ifer isn’t confined to Hell anymore. He’s free to walk among us. We thought Satanism was dangerous before, but now…now I think it’s a literal death sentence.
Chapter 6
Leaves crunch under my feet as I slow, coming to a stop at the threshold of the forest. My yard is right before me, and if I step to the side and look past the trees, I’ll see the house.
My house.
Our house.
Home.
I should run forward, bursting through the trees with a smile on my face. My coven wants me back, and they’ve welcomed me with open arms. They’re taking a stand against the Grand Coven, telling them how full of shit they are for not allowing me to remain a member of the coven just because I married Lucas.
The Grand Coven is in hot water. The only reason anyone was promoted to the “grand” status was because they were voted to be so, and right now, no one is in favor in reelecting anyone on the Grand Coven. It used to be an honor, and I suppose it still is, but the esteem has been lost when they’ve failed to act twice now. They let down the same coven twice within a year, which doesn’t look very good in the eyes of witches and warlocks alike.
Starting a revolution would be my thing, and usually, I’d be all over it, but as I stand here, vision blurring as I look in the direction of my house, all I want to do is block it all out, go inside, and start packing for Florida.
Because it’s too much to deal with, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell my friends about what happened at Abby’s house. Just thinking about it makes my stomach twist with anxiety, and my skin gets all prickly.
“It’s fine,” I tell myself as I start forward. The sun is starting to come out from behind clouds now, warming the chilly air. It’s been a while since I read a book, and I’ve been so distracted the last few days, I know I’ve missed several releases I was excited for. Sitting outside with a blanket and a book does sound nice.
My familiars bound up the back porch steps ahead of me. I peer through the window first, making sure Eliza or Lucas aren’t in there. I can get in and close the door behind me fast enough it won’t do a lot of damage, but I can’t imagine having your skin burn off like that is pleasant—even when you heal seconds later.
“Honey, I’m home!” I call and untie my cloak. Hanging it over the back of a kitchen chair, I telekinetically open a cabinet and put two potions vials inside, keeping Tabatha’s morning sickness cure safe and within reach.
Lucas comes into the kitchen from the office and takes me in his arms right away. I hook my hands around his shoulders and tip my head up to kiss him.
“How did things go?” he asks.
“Great, actually. They want me back.”
“Back?” Lucas slips his fingers under my shirt. His cold skin sends a chill through me. “As a member of the coven?”
“Yeah. Tabatha is going to petition the Grand Coven. They fucked up and failed to protect us twice, but guess who showed up every time and saved the day?” I point to myself with my thumbs. “This badass witch. And you,” I add with a smile. “They’re not ready to suggest we host a mixer with vampires or anything, but overall, most members of the coven consider you trustworthy. Tabatha suggested getting the Grand Coven to see things on a case-by-case basis. You’ve proven to be an asset to the coven, and obviously not a danger to witches. Basically, they know how whipped you are and don’t do anything I wouldn’t allow.”
Lucas laughs and brings his lips to my neck. “Now I’m thinking about you in black leather, holding a riding crop.”
“I’ve never done anything BDSM-ish before.” I sink my teeth into my lower lip and give Lucas my best innocent look. “Teach me, master?”
In a swift movement, Lucas picks me up and puts me on the counter, spreading my legs and moving in between. I rake my fingers through his hair, messing it up in a way that looks so fucking sexy on him. I lean back and he hooks his fingers under the waistband of my leggings, slowly pulling them down. My body hums with desire, and I need him to make me come. Now.
Dropping my leggings on the ground, Lucas grips my thigh with his large hands and scoots me to the edge of the counter. He kisses me hard and moves his lips to my neck, drawing his fangs.
“Fuck, I want you,” he moans, and I know he wants my body and my blood.
“I want you to have me.” I push his head down between my legs. I lay back on the counter and Lucas pushes my dress up. He kisses the inside of my thigh, fangs grazing over my flesh.
I part my lips and let out a breath, eyes falling shut. Now that I’m not feeling nauseous at all, my sex drive is back, and I need to make up for lost time. Lucas kisses his way up my thigh, stopping right before my core.
“I need you,” I pant, ready to reach down and finish myself off if he’s going to take his time teasing me. “Please, Lucas, I need you.”
“I like hearing you beg,” he growls and presses his fangs against my skin, careful not to break through the surface. Not yet at least.
“I’m serious,” I say, lifting my head off the counter. “I need you.” Conjuring a string of magic, I flick my fingers forward and throw the glowing blue string at Lucas. It sizzles around his wrist, and I telekinetically move his hand between my thighs.
“Fuck,” he groans, liking when I use magic. Part of our initial attraction to each other was knowing we had finally found a rival. Lucas is strong enough to handle my magic, and I have the power to pull his heart right out of chest without breaking a sweat. Even though I tried hard not to fall in love with him, being able to be myself around Lucas was so fucking freeing.
With a devilish glint in his eyes, Lucas moves up, kisses me, and then drops back down. He slips both hands under my panties and rips them right in half. My muscles tighten as I quiver with desire. Lucas puts my legs over his shoulders and dives right in, tongue lashing out against my clit.
I blindly reach out, hand landing on his head. I curl my fingers around his hair, taking a fistful of it, and pull. Lucas groans in response and moves his hand up, pushing two fingers inside me. I’m already close, moments away from coming, and he knows it. He speeds up his movements, rubbing in rhythm with his tongue, and my legs tighten around his shoulders, entire body alive. My heart is hammering in my chest, and I suck in a breath, holding it as the orgasm ripples through me.
Lucas doesn’t stop, and he brings his other hand down, gripping my thigh tightly. He pulls me closer to him and he licks and sucks my clit, and another orgasm hits me, making me cry out loudly in pleasure. My pussy spasms around his fingers, and Lucas stands up, moving with vampire speed, and kisses me. I can taste myself on his lips, and my ears start ringing from the intensity of the two orgasms he just gave me, back to back.
Slowly, he pulls his fingers from inside me and undoes his pants. I can’t physically move, but I slit my eyes open and telekinetically shove them down to his thighs. He looks at me with hunger in his eyes, and scoops me up, effortlessly holding me to him with one arm. We kiss with fervor, desperate for more of each other.
Lucas turns and presses my back against the wall. His fangs sink into my neck as he pushes his big cock inside me, and I moan from both the pain and the pleasure. He fucks me hard and my head slams into the wall with each thrust, not sucking my blood from my body but licking what drips from the wound.
We come at the same time, and Lucas holds me against the wall, head resting on my chest. I’m panting, causing my breasts to rise and fall in his face. I’m ready for a nap after this, but then I hear the floor creak above us.
“Oh my god,” I say, voice all breathy. “Eliza’s here.”
“You forgot?” Lucas asks with a chuckle.
“Yes! You didn’t?” I cup my hand around his face, tipping his head up so I can look at him incredulously. “She heard us.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” he says casually, not at all bothered by it. Part of me isn’t either, while another part tells me it’s not appropriate to have loud, passionate sex like this when someone is in the house. He kisses me an
d then steps back, putting me back on the counter. “Do you want anything? I can cook for you.”
I smile at his offer, heart swelling in my chest. He’s so fucking good to me. “No, I ate at the Covenstead. And the potion Tabatha made works like a charm. Hah. Because it kind of is.” I laugh at my own joke and Lucas just smiles, shaking his head as he pulls his pants up. “I would say I don’t even feel pregnant anymore, but I’m tired. I was going to take a book and read outside, but I want to take a nap instead.” I pull my dress down and look outside. “I need a hammock.”
“I’ll get you one,” Lucas says right away. I hold out my arms and he comes over, stepping back between my legs.
“You’re so good to me.”
“You are my wife, Callie. And now the mother of my child.” He rests his hand over my stomach and tips his head in, forehead pressing against mine. “I almost feel alive,” he says softly, eyes falling shut. “Almost as if my heart is beating right along with yours.”
“It is,” I breathe. “I can feel it.” Lucas wraps me in a tight embrace, pressing his chest against mine so he can feel my heart beating. We stay tangled in each other’s arms until Eliza comes down the stairs, stomping with each step so we’re sure to hear her.
“Finally,” she huffs. “Your hellhound chewed my shoe.”
“Don’t leave your shoes out where she can get them,” I reply, wincing at my words. I leave my shoes out all the time. The boots I wore to the Covenstead are discarded by the back door. “And sorry. I’ll buy you new ones.”
“You already did. Two pairs, actually. I couldn’t decide between the new Gucci pumps or this gorgeous pair of Louboutins.” She smiles and then wrinkles her nose, looking at the small island counter. “I’m so glad I don’t eat anything that has to be prepared on that counter. Whatever you make will come with a side of ass.”
“I’ll sanitize it. And my butt is clean. I shower daily. Well, not daily. At least a few times a week.”
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