“No, it’s not,” I agree, because who am I kidding? This is so far from what we thought would have happened.
“So…you’re sure you’re okay with what’s happening?” he asks again.
“Yes,” I assure him. “I am.”
“Okay.” He moves his head up and down in a curt nod, and Melinda tells me goodbye. Shivering as soon as the door opens, I wait a beat, watching to make sure they get into Easton’s truck all right, which they do. Letting out a heavy sigh, I close the door and seal it with magic.
Yawning, I go back into the kitchen and find Lucas cleaning up already.
“Do you want to go back to Thorne Hill?” he asks.
“I just want to go to bed,” I say honestly, though if Lucas were to drive me home, I could easily pass out on the way there. “And cuddle with you.”
“I can do that.” He puts the leftover pizza in the fridge and comes over, taking me in my arms. “You’re not okay, are you? Don’t put up a front for me, my love. I’m here for you. Remember that.”
“I know, and I’m freaking the fuck out on the inside. I knew this would happen, and I tried to mentally prepare for it, but still…I thought maybe Lucifer would go back to reclaim his throne and I’d be peachy all over again. Though I guess he still can, and if not, I’ll have to find a way to kill the new head demon in charge. But why count my chickens before they hatch?”
“I think you’re using that phrase wrong, my love.”
“Whatever.” I force a smile. “You know what I mean, and more importantly, I just want to lie down and not think of anything of a good six hours.”
“Then let’s go to bed.”
My head bobs up and down. “Okay.” Forcing a smile, I start for the front stairs, heading toward the master bedroom out of habit. “I left my bag in the car.”
“I’ll get it,” Lucas tell me and speeds out the front door. A blast of cold air hits me, and I shiver, pulling my arms around myself. Lucas comes back only a few seconds later, carrying my bag. I yawn once more and start up the stairs. Lucas picks me up and speeds me up the rest of the way, going into the room across from the master suite, where we’ve spent a lot of time together—naked, that is.
He stops right before he gets in the room, letting out an exasperated sigh.
“What?” I ask and then look down and see the little gate in front of the door. “She took over another room for the guinea pigs?”
“This is getting ridiculous.”
“Oh, it’s harmless, and if you would have just let her get a puppy all those years ago, she might not have started this obsession. And even you have to admit they’re cute.”
“They’re not hideous, I’ll give you that.”
I laugh and shake my head, hooking my other arm around Lucas’s shoulder. We go down to the next room, which is piggy-free.
“We haven’t fucked in this house in a while,” Lucas muses, setting me on the bed. “Brings back memories of the first time I tasted you.”
I smile up at him, not having the heart to say I’m exhausted, stressed, and not really in the mood. Though I know it wouldn’t take him long to get me in the mood if I gave him the green light.
“I was nervous,” I tell him.
“I could tell.”
I reach behind me and unzip my dress. “I don’t know what scared me more, though, knowing you were going to drink my blood or thinking I wasn’t going to be good enough for you.”
“Why would you think that?” He sinks onto the bed and unbuttons his shirt.
“You’d been with so many people I felt practically like a virgin. Practically,” I stress. “Did I disappoint? You can be honest now. We’re married and I’m pregnant, so it’s not like I’ll leave if you offend me.”
“Not at all. I was impressed how well you kept up.”
“That’s a relief.” I finish undressing and go into the bathroom to take my makeup off and brush my teeth. “When will Eliza get back?” I ask when we get into bed.
“Not until sunrise,” he says, hand going to the curve of my hip. Finishing our romantic getaway with rock-your-socks-off sex sounds fantastic, but I’m too damn tired. “Don’t forget about the automatic blinds.”
“Right,” I say, opening my eyes and looking at the window. Every single glass surface of this house that lets light in gets covered with metal blinds around four a.m. It freaked me out for a while, but now that I know why the sound unnerved me so much, I handle it much better. “I got a few hours until then, right?”
“Right.” He kisses my neck.
“Is there still a heated blanket in the house?” I ask, feeling chilled again.
“I believe so. I’ll look.” He kisses my forehead and gets out of bed. I let my eyes fall shut, and I get a flash of Kenny Gray’s face, eyes black as night. The demon possessing him wanted to give me as a present, and it pisses me off more than anything else, but it unnerves me, too.
I’ve faced off against Varrador and Bael and made it out alive. My powers are growing, and the more I learn how to use my angelic side, the stronger I’ll be. But I know I have limits, and if I’m a worthy present for a high-ranking demon…wouldn’t my daughter be one as well? I can fight back. Defend myself.
But my baby…my baby will be helpless against the forces of darkness.
Chapter 14
“Finally,” I say when the doorbell rings. It’s a little after nine, and I’m waiting for my food to arrive. I didn’t sleep well last night, tossing and turning and waking with my heart racing from a bad dream I can’t quite remember.
The only food in the house was vegetables for Eliza’s guinea pigs, the leftover pizza, and several boxes of mac ’n cheese, but the milk was spoiled and there wasn’t enough butter. Starving, I was going to go pick something up, but Lucas called Monica, a human who runs errands for him as well as some of the other vampires at establishments he owns. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her, and I’m happily surprised by how good she looks, considering the last time she looked like a human pincushion from being bitten so many times by her vampire boyfriend—who Eliza was screwing on the side.
“Hey, Callie,” she says with a smile on her face. She’s tan and either just got back from a sunny vacation or spends too much time inside a tanning salon. Regardless, it’s a stark contrast from the pale skin she usually has, probably both from avoiding sunlight to fit in with her vampire lover and from the constant blood loss.
“Hey,” I reply and step aside. It’s sunny today but still just as bitterly cold as yesterday.
She doesn’t come in, and I remember the one time she entered this house she was more than a little freaked out. “I hope I got everything right. Coffee, half regular and half decaf with French vanilla cream.”
“Yes, thank you.” I take the coffee from her.
“And a whole-wheat bagel with cream cheese, hotcakes with syrup, bacon, and a fruit salad.” She looks in the bag and then hands it to me as well.
“Perfect. Did you want to come in or anything? I know I won’t be able to eat this all. Lucas ordered for me, and I think he forgets human portions sometimes.”
Monica laughs. “At least he remembers you need to eat,” she says, making me think she’s speaking from experience. “And no, it’s okay.” Her eyes dart behind me, and then it dawns on me that the windows in this house are enchanted, and while most still have the automatic blinds drawn, Lucas raised the blinds in the kitchen for me to both test to see if the spell is still working and so I could have a bit of natural light while I eat. “I should get going. My boyfriend and I are meeting for a brunch date during his lunch break. He’s an EMT,” she adds proudly.
“So he’s not a vampire,” I say, though vampires can be EMTs. Well, if they can resist the blood. But an EMT who works during the day has to be human.
“Nope. I’m, uh, kind of taking a break from vampires for a while.”
“That’s probably a good idea…I say as someone who’s married to one.”
She laughs agai
n, this time high-pitched and forced. “Congrats, by the way. I never got to tell you. I saw a wedding photo, and you looked really pretty.”
“Thanks,” I tell her and shiver. “Have a nice date.”
“I will. Bye, Callie.” I close the door and pull the stopper out of my coffee. It’s still hot and smells so good.
“I’m going to bed,” Eliza tells me, walking down the hall as I head to the kitchen. “I’m glad you didn’t die.”
“Me too.”
“Oh, and your sister called, and I answered. We’re going to start planning your baby shower.”
“Isn’t it a little early?”
“To plan?” Eliza blinks, long lashes coming together rapidly. “Never. And from what I’ve read online, most new mothers wish they had their showers closer to six months than waiting until eight. And given your track record, who knows what will happen?”
“True.”
“Sometime in March would work, possibly on the anniversary of the very first time you walked into the bar. I thought you were crazy then.”
“And I’ve proven you wrong.”
“Only in the sense that crazy doesn’t even cover it.”
“That’s fair. And on the anniversary of when we met…I like that.”
“I knew you would, and no, it won’t get in the way of your niece’s second birthday party. We already worked that out.”
“Thanks, Eliza. Do you want to know what kind of theme or whatever I have in mind?”
“No.”
“But it’s my shower.”
Eliza shrugs one shoulder. “Did you like your wedding and reception?”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling when I think about it. “I did.”
“You’re welcome.” She gives me a wink. “All I need from you is a list of people to invite. And you’re going to leave the rest for me.”
“That sounds more like an order than an offer.”
“It is. If I left this to you or your friends, you’d all be sniffing melted chocolate in diapers.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I have heard of that game.”
“It’s disgusting.”
“It’s a waste of perfectly good chocolate is what it is.”
“I’ll never understand humans.”
I laugh. “Honestly, we don’t understand ourselves. Have a good night—day? Sleep well.”
“Thanks. Don’t be loud and wake me up. I need my beauty sleep.” She winks. “Actually not, but I do like sleeping.”
“Me too.” Right on cue, I yawn and take another drink of coffee. Eliza zooms up the stairs, and I go into the kitchen. Lucas sits with me while I eat.
“I know we planned on going home after breakfast, but if Abby’s home, do you care if I go over and visit for just a little bit?”
“By yourself?”
“Usually, when I visit her, she’s there so I’m not alone.”
Lucas frowns. “You know what I mean, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go somewhere alone right now. Invite her over here. If anything happens, I can protect you.”
My heart swells in my chest, and I’m finding it hard to be annoyed with him. My risk level is at an all-time high right now, but I’m only eighteen weeks along. There’s no way I can survive another twenty-two weeks of being on house arrest. “I know,” I say gently, also realizing that Lucas is on house arrest of some kind as well. He cannot go outside during the day. I could be screaming in the streets and he’d have to choose between not burning to death or saving me, and we both know what he’d choose. “I’ll text her and see if she’s even free. Do you know where Eliza put my phone?”
“She was talking in the living room. I’ll get it for you.”
“Thanks.” I get back to work on devouring breakfast. Lucas brings my phone, and I text Abby.
Me: Hey, sorry I missed your call earlier, but I think Eliza was happy to answer. Are you busy today? I’m gonna be in town for another hour or so if you want to get together.
Abby: Hey! It’s okay. She said you were sleeping and I kind of forgot you keep different hours than I do. Well, except when I’m working midnights.
Me: Hah, right. I am up late a lot.
Abby: I’m just about to head out to go grocery shopping. Phil is staying home with Penny and I’m really looking forward to an hour or so alone. I can swing by if that’s okay.
Me: Yeah, that’d be great!
Abby: Okay, see ya soon then :-)
“You’ll be happy to know she offered to stop by,” I tell Lucas. “Remember when she used to be scared to come here?”
He nods. “She wouldn’t even come on the front stoop.”
“Seems like so long ago, but it really wasn’t.”
“A lot has happened in that time. No one can ever accuse you of being dull, my love.”
“My life has always had a certain level of danger to it, but things really picked up once I met you, which is coincidentally when Varrador opened his mouth and started gossiping about the Nephilim. My friends were worried you were the killer back then, you know.”
“Interesting. Though the method of murder isn’t my style.”
“Should I be concerned you have a style of murder?”
“Concerned? No. But impressed? Very much so.”
“Isn’t having a style a bad thing? Like what better way to connect murders?”
“That’s if you get caught,” he counters.
I put my remaining bacon on my bagel. “I suppose, but say the authorities find one strangled and blood-drained woman in Kansas and another five years later in New York, and some socially awkward yet brilliant crime scene analyst will make the connection. And maybe they don’t know who did the murdering, but they’ll know it was the same person.”
“What do you propose, then?”
“Mix it up. Stab someone on Monday. Down ‘em on Tuesday. Keeps the cops guessing by using whatever means to an end that suit your fancy that day.”
“You’re more likely to leave DNA behind when you commit a crime of passion instead of something carefully calculated. Suiting your fancy to your daily murderous impulses sounds more like a crime of passion to me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. My impulse killing is calculated. Calculated to be random.”
Lucas looks at me, unblinking. “I’m glad you kill demons and not people, because I’d be very busy erasing memories so you wouldn’t get caught.”
“So you’re saying don’t quit my day job?”
“You get paid for a day job.”
“Right?” I say and take a bite of my bagel. “I’ve always said killing demons was a public service I don’t get paid for or even thanked for that often.”
“I love you,” he says, blue eyes gazing upon me with intensity. “You are so wonderfully weird and so goddamn hot.” He looks at my stomach, which is hidden beneath this oversized sweater. “Even more so now. Our child is lucky to have you.”
“I’ll be the cool, weird mom.” I take another bite of my bagel, and the combination of the garlic cream cheese spread, and the bacon is nearly orgasmic. I’ve always liked food, but it tastes so much better now. “And you’ll be the impossibly hot dad all the moms whisper about, all secretly wanting to fuck you.”
“Oh, it won’t be a secret.”
“No, it won’t be.” I smile, realizing the knot in my stomach loosened just from the few minutes I sat here talking with Lucas. “We should get going as soon as Abby leaves. My familiars are already going to demand I cook them steaks for the rest of the week for having to babysit Scarlet for me.”
“At least they’re able to.”
“I know. Can you image having to find a pet sitter any time we wanted to go out?”
“We’d take her with us. I don’t want a stranger in my house.”
“I wouldn’t, either.” The motion sensor on the front door beeps, and I get up, taking my food with me, to go let Abby in.
“It is so freaking cold out there!” she says as soon as she’s in. “Thank g
oodness a warm front is moving in.”
“It’s so bad I don’t want to even go outside.”
“If I wasn’t desperate for some quiet, I would have just ordered my groceries to be delivered.”
“Going to the store is your quiet?”
She shakes her head. “Once that baby is a year and a half, you’ll understand. Speaking of, let me see it.”
She means my bump, and I finish the rest of my bagel, shoving it in my mouth, and pull my sweater tight around my abdomen. “I think I felt her move.”
“You’re far along enough to start sensing movement. I felt it really early with Penny at just barely seventeen weeks. And you’re also far along enough to get an anatomy scan soon. Do you have anything lined up?”
Abby is a doctor, and I know my lack of typical prenatal care makes her worry. I’ve had the coven’s midwife look at me twice now, and I’ve been taking prenatal vitamins, drinking extra water, and doing everything else I can to have a healthy baby.
But since I’m not human, I can’t exactly go into an OB’s office and have them take blood samples. The last time my blood was analyzed in a lab, it was obvious there was something wrong, and we can’t risk that. Angels and demons finding out about me is bad enough. I don’t need to throw more fucked-up humans like Dr. Howard into the mix.
“Not an ultrasound, but the midwife does check the heartbeat with a doppler. I got to hear it for the first time last week. Lucas has been able to hear it for weeks now.”
“That’s…fascinating.” We sit on the couch, and I give Abby a blanket. Eliza keeps the house warmer than Lucas does, which is nice. It’s the one thing Lucas is cheap about, and since he doesn’t feel cold, he’s fine keeping the house at sixty in the winter, which is way too cold for me, and too cold for Eliza’s guinea pigs, which she said are the most comfortable at a nice seventy degrees. “What else does the midwife do for you?” She’s trying hard not to be judgmental, and I love her even more for it.
“Doppler for the baby, checks my blood pressure, heart, and lungs, and some other readings.”
“Other readings?”
“You’d call them old wives' tales, but they’re legit for us.”
Reign of Night (The Thorne Hill Series Book 7) Page 13