“Why would he lie?”
“Why does Lucifer do half the things he does?” Julian replies softly. “Don’t put too much stock in him, Callie. I understand your desire to have a connection with your family, but Lucifer isn’t the answer.”
In the back of my mind, I know he’s right. I’m so desperate to talk to any one of my relatives on my father’s side that I’m willing to overlook pretty much anything. Obviously, since I just put a cloaking spell on the fucking devil.
“I know. What are the chances my dad is going to come in and save the day?”
“You know he will do all he can while keeping your identity hidden. Lucifer was right about one thing: word will spread about who you are through the underworld. There’s no keeping the rumors quelled anymore. The demons know the Nephilim is alive, and they know you are more than capable of commanding Hell, though you might be a little out of practice.” He gives me a crooked smile. “I should go now and see what the other angels have heard.”
Before I can say a word, Julian disappears.
I’m greeted once again before I get to the stairs, but this time it’s a welcome sight. Lucas pulls me in for a hug, my belly squishing up against him.
“Let me clear the house,” he says, lips brushing against my neck. “You don’t owe anyone an explanation yet. I can tell you’re exhausted, and rest is important for both you and our daughter.”
“Thank you,” I sigh, so fucking grateful for him. “I do need to talk to my friends. They can stay.”
“Okay. Though I do have to ask about Lucille for a middle name?”
“Lucifer suggested it as a joke, though I don’t think he’s actually joking. Besides, I almost like it.”
“Elena Lucille King,” Lucas tries. “I almost like it too.”
“Elena Michelle works as well.” I wrap my arms around Lucas’s broad shoulders. “The whole naming someone after someone else is a lot of pressure and is sure to offend someone.”
“Pick a name you like and don’t worry about anyone’s feelings. She’s our daughter, not theirs.”
“Oh, trust me, I remember very well how we made this little girl.”
“Does thinking about it make you want me to carry you into the bedroom, lay you down, and fuck you again?”
“Maybe later, like after a nap,” I say, wrinkling my nose. “Or at least a few minutes to sit in the quiet and try to process everything.”
“Go,” he tells me. “Take a few minutes to yourself and I’ll let everyone know you need a moment alone.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course, my love.” Lucas kisses me once more, unable to hide the concern in his eyes. He runs his hands down my body, pausing for a moment on my belly, and then speeds down the stairs.
“Come on,” I whisper, summoning my familiars. I don’t want to deal with anyone other than them and Lucas right now. I hate being the bearer of bad news and hate my friends looking at me differently. They can say what they want, but seeing me being all chummy with my uncle changes things.
And as much as I want to say I’m still me, things are different.
“How is she?” Abby’s voice filters in through the hall. I’m still in bed, having almost dozed off after lying down with my familiars. Not more than ten minutes have passed, and I think nearly falling asleep was my brain’s attempt at a defense mechanism. I can’t deal with the shitstorm if I’m asleep.
“Exhausted. I think more so mentally than physically.”
“Do you know what happened to her in Hell? I’m worried. Going to Hell and back…it’s not normal.”
“For a human, no,” Lucas goes on. “And for a human, it might have repercussions. But Callie isn’t human.”
“I don’t just mean physically. I’m just…I’m worried,” she repeats.
“She’ll be fine,” Lucas says. “In all my years, I’ve never met anyone like Callie. She’s strong, and she doesn’t have to go through this alone.”
“She’s lucky to have you.”
“Funny how things have changed, isn’t it?” Lucas acknowledges. “There was a time when you thought it was a bad idea for Callie and me to be together.”
“You used to terrify me,” Abby admits. “My opinion on vampires has definitely changed.”
“It’s wise to be wary around my kind,” Lucas goes on. “Not all have the control Eliza and I do, and not all are happy about being forced to abide by human rules.”
“That’s good to remember, right? You and Eliza are the only vampires I know. I mean, it’s not like Phil and I come across them in our line of work, which I’ve never really thought about until now. Vampires don’t need healthcare.”
“No, we don’t.”
Penny cries, and Abby goes back downstairs to get her. Scarlet jumps off the bed and swipes a giant paw at the door, wanting out. To anyone else, I could lie still, keep my eyes closed, and I’d look like I was sound asleep.
But my husband is a vampire and can hear my heart beating and knows it hasn’t slowed like it does when I’m asleep.
“Callie?” he calls softly. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay.” I slowly sit up and yawn. “I’m so freaking tired. Everyone is still here, right?”
Lucas crosses the room and sits on the bed. “Your Doomsday Crew, as I believe you said earlier.”
“It’s fitting. I think we should make matching shirts.”
“Please don’t.” He chuckles. “Though if you want to wear some sort of superhero costume for me later, I wouldn’t object.”
“I did make a good Wonder Woman.”
“You made the best Wonder Woman.” Lucas leans down and kisses me. For a moment, everything fades away.
“Lucas,” I say softly, taking hold of his arm and pulling him to me. “Lay with me for a second?”
“Of course.” He spoons his body around mine, holding me against his large frame.
“Demons escaped before we closed the gates,” I start and roll over, moving a bit awkwardly since I’m still not used to having this belly. “Four specific demons you’ve probably heard of.”
Lucas takes my hands in his. “Who are the demons?”
“The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.”
Lucas tightens his hold on my hands. “Fuck.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“How do we kill them?”
“Your eagerness to help me kill demons is a turn-on, you know.”
Lucas grins. “Want to have sex now?”
“Hah. If we didn’t have a house full of people, yes.” Elena kicks me in the ribs, and I gently push on my stomach, trying to get her to move. She kicks me again instead. “And I don’t know. Lucifer didn’t seem to know, either. Julian thinks he can’t kill them, and that’s why he locked them up in the first place instead of killing them when he got to Hell and took over.”
“Archangels can die. Certainly, the Horsemen can too. Are there books about them at the Academy?”
“I don’t know, and I didn’t even know they existed until today. It’s one of those things that exists in mythology but we had no reason to think they were real—even for us witches. I got infected with what we thought was a disease created by Pestilence, but still…I didn’t think the Horsemen were real.” I suck in a ragged breath. “War, Pestilence, Famine, and Death. They’re real, and they’re going to bring real destruction.”
Lucas rests his large hand on my stomach. “We are having our daughter in just three short months. We will find a way to make the world safe for her again.”
“You sound so sure.”
He pushes up on his elbow and kisses me. “I am, Callie. You have family that will stop at nothing to protect both you and our daughter.” He moves his hand in a slow circle on my stomach. “This child is already loved. Her existence is nothing less than incredible. I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”
“I know,” I say weakly, tears pooling in my eyes again. And I do know, all too well. Lucas will stop at nothing to keep me safe. Nothing. He’s risked himself time and time again, and when he thought I was going to die from a demonic virus, he was going to turn me into a vampire to keep from losing me.
“Family has always meant everything to me,” he goes on. “I thought I was forced to give it up once I was turned, and then realized I could have some semblance of a family when I turned Eliza. She’s every bit as much my daughter as Elena is. Thankfully I didn’t have to go through her moody preteen years. She’s moody enough as it is now.”
I laugh. “I wasn’t big on the drama as a child, but I did have a knack for getting into trouble.”
Lucas cocks an eyebrow. “Did? You still do.”
“But that’s why you love me, right?”
“One of the many reasons.” He brings his hand up, moving my hair back. “I love you, Callie. So fucking much.” His fangs come down, and he goes in to kiss me. Desire floods through me, like it always does for Lucas. Hooking a leg around him, I grab the hem of his shirt and ball it in my fist.
“Oh, give me a fucking break,” Eliza huffs, British accent stronger when she’s annoyed. “I came up here to make sure everything was okay and you two are about to fuck.”
“We’re not about to fuck,” I tell her.
“But we were,” Lucas counters and grins. “Like you can resist me.”
“Obviously not,” Eliza grumbles. “You were quite literally dying and you two had sex.”
“It was rather emotional, if that makes you feel better.” I let go of Lucas and slowly sit up.
“Gross. That makes it worse.” Eliza crosses her arms, looking like a pissed-off fairy princess. “Everyone is waiting downstairs. Should I tell them to turn on music and give you two thirty minutes?”
“We only need twenty.”
“I can get you off in less than that,” Lucas brags. “Though I don’t like rushing sex with you.”
“Ugh. Spare me.” Eliza ups her eye-rolling game by tossing her head back.
“You’re so right,” I tell Lucas. “You are lucky you didn’t have to deal with a thirteen-year-old Eliza.”
Eliza narrows her eyes. “I was an angel at that age.”
“I’m sure.” I smile and hold out a hand for Lucas to take and heft my pregnant ass off the bed. My feet hit the floor, and I realize I don’t know how old Eliza is—was—when she was turned. She was engaged to be married nearly three hundred years ago, and I know girls back then were married much younger than they are today.
“Like you were an easy child to raise,” she shoots back. “I’m sure your own daughter is going to give you twice the hell you gave your—” She cuts off, blue eyes widening. “Oh, fuck. I almost forgot how messed up your childhood was. I’m sorry,” she says sincerely.
“It’s okay, and it’s actually nice that you did forget. Tabatha should take it as a compliment.” I adjust my shirt, which got a little twisted from lying in bed. “And I didn’t give the Martins nearly as much hell as I should have.”
“It’s never too late.” Her full lips pull into a smile. “It seems like only yesterday you brought that scrappy orange cat into my bar telling me it was your brother.”
“You know this is the second time today I’ve regretted not getting him neutered.”
“Like I said, it’s never too late.”
“Hah, I’m starting to think it’s a—fuck.” Elena kicks me in the cervix, and I wince.
“What’s wrong?” Lucas takes me in his arms, ready to lay me back down in bed.
“Nothing, other than your baby kicking me from the inside. Those shots to the cervix hurt like a motherfucker.” I put my hands on my stomach. “Come on, baby. Move. Please.” I move Lucas’s hand to my lower abdomen. “Do you feel that? She’s slowly flipping around.”
The look on Lucas’s face says it all. “I cannot wait to hold her in my arms.”
And now I’m back to being annoyingly emotional.
“Is she still kicking?” Eliza asks almost hesitantly.
“She is. Come here,” I tell her.
Eliza speeds over and holds out her hand. I take it and put it on my stomach. A few seconds pass before Elena does another somersault.
“Oh! It’s like an alien is in there,” Eliza murmurs.
“She likes her sister,” Lucas says, turning his gaze to Eliza. We are so fucking far from a traditional family, but I love us.
“I’m starving. Please tell me there’s a big plate for me in the warming drawer.”
“I put two in there for you,” Eliza tells me.
“Good call. Thanks.”
She smiles. “I am quite thoughtful.”
We go down the back staircase, and I find everyone in the kitchen. They’re gathered around the island munching on snacks. Two empty wine bottles are in the sink, and I stare at them ruefully. Drinking wine has been my unhealthy coping mechanism for longer than I like to admit. Dulling the pain helped me get through my fucked-up past.
“Hey, guys,” I say. “Sorry, I just, uh, needed a moment.”
“It’s fine,” Abby replies. She has one hand on Penny, who’s sitting on the counter feeding Pandora mushed-up pieces of cheese. “The exhaustion of the first trimester comes back for the third. You’re almost there.”
“Why you want another kid is beyond me,” I say, and Abby laughs.
“That’s why I only had one.” Tabatha winks at me. “But then I was blessed with two amazing children.”
“Evander isn’t here, so you can admit she’s the favorite,” Naomi jokes, and I catch a glimpse of Abby looking down at the counter. The fact that I didn’t consider the Martins my family—even before I found out I wasn’t blood related to them—is still a source of guilt for her. She was only a kid when I was left for dead. There’s nothing she could have done. Even if she told her teachers at the fancy private school all the Martin children attended, or any other trusted adult for that matter, William would have concocted a believable lie that would have garnered him sympathy.
Telling the truth would have made Abby look crazy. My sister has magical powers and our dad is scared of her, so he sent her away. Yeah…that wouldn’t have ended well for her. I never blamed Abby for what happened to me back then. I did blame her for leaving when I returned to Chicago for the summer, hoping to spend it with her. Now I know how William manipulated her into taking an internship just to get her out of the house and away from me.
“I love you both just the same,” Tabatha replies. “Though one of you did spend more time in my office than the other when I was headmistress.” She gives Kristy and the twins a pointed look. “And more times than not, you three accompanied her.”
“No wonder you hated us,” Nicole says to Ruby, and we all laugh again.
“I didn’t hate you,” Ruby counters.
“Really?” I laugh.
“Really. We had a friendly competition going all those years,” she says, trying to keep her face neutral, but she ends up laughing.
Melinda picks up her wine and takes a drink. “The concept of witch school is still so weird to me.”
“Right?” Abby snaps her head up, eyes wide. “I keep imaging scenes from Harry Potter.”
“We don’t have a Quidditch team,” Tabatha says seriously. “Sorry to disappoint.”
Abby laughs. “That’s heartbreaking to hear.” Her eyes go from Tabatha to the other witches in the room to Melinda. “It’s crazy how much I didn’t know before. I definitely feel like I’m part of the club now, even if I don’t have powers.”
“I don’t, either,” Melinda reminds her.
“That makes me feel better.” Abby smiles and looks down at Penny. She’s on her last piece of cheese, and Pandora sits patiently as Penny mashes it up and gives it to her. “I think that’s enough,” Abby tells her when Penny wants more. “And I think we’re going to head out.” She picks Penny up. “Now that I know you’re fine and everything else is fine too.”
Her statement is more of a question. “It is,” I reply and pick up my fork. “I’ll walk you guys out.” I shovel one bite of pasta into my mouth and go with her into the family room, helping her gather everything for the diaper bag. She hugs me twice before leaving, and I wave as they pull out of the driveway.
The others have filtered into the living room, taking Abby leaving as the cue to head out as well.
“Can you guys stay?” I ask, heart speeding up again. “And we should probably get Evander.”
“Of course,” Tabatha says, doing a good job to keep the worry off her pretty face. “I believe he’s at the Academy, but he’ll be able to astral project in. I’ll send him a note.”
“The fireplace in the library is spelled,” I tell her, aware that Kristy, the twins, and Ruby are all staring at me now. “I’m going to go back to my food while we wait. Anyone else want anything?”
“I think we might need some more wine,” Kristy muses.
“Yeah, you probably will.”
“I’ll get something from the wine cellar,” Lucas offers. “Any requests?”
“What pairs better with impending apocalypse, a red or a white?” I mumble so only Lucas can hear me. He meets my gaze for a second.
“A red,” he answers and then speeds away. Taking my plate from the island, I relocate at the breakfast table, which is large enough to seat everyone else. I get halfway through my food when Tabatha joins, saying Evander is going to astral project in at any moment.
Kristy is topping off her wine glass when Scarlet barks, racing through the house and into the foyer. Lucas stiffens, tipping his head and smelling the air. Binx and Freya shadow through the house, and Pandora stays by my side, ready to defend me if need be.
They let me know exactly what they can sense before the rest of us hear the car door slamming shut.
“Stay here,” Lucas growls.
“Why?” Nicole rushes out, reaching for her sister’s hand.
Lucas flashes his fangs, handsome face twisting with anger. “Fucking werewolves.”