Check the woods at the side of the house, I mentally tell my familiars. Not blinking, I continue to stare at the spot where the guy had stood, waiting to see movement between the trees.
“Guys,” I call, and Lucas speeds into the room.
“What is it?” he asks, coming to my side and putting his arm around me, thinking I’m having a contraction or am in pain again.
“I thought I saw someone in the woods.”
Julian rushes into the room holding his dagger. “Where in the woods?”
“Straight out that way.” I let out a breath, forcing myself not to panic. “I don’t know what Paimon looks like, but I just got the feeling it was him.”
“Describe him,” Julian tells me.
“Kylo Ren, but demonic,” I say, and Lucas gives me an approving look before getting concerned. Julian has no idea what I’m talking about. “He was younger, like maybe early twenties, with wavy black hair that came right to his shoulders. Good-looking and wearing a black tunic-type shirt.”
“Good-looking?” Lucas grumbles, and I shake my head. Now’s not the time to get jealous, mister. “What did he do?”
“Nothing,” I answer. “He stood there looking at me and then shimmered away. I’m pretty sure it was an astral projection.”
“Paimon is still trapped in Hell,” Lucas denotes. “Is it possible for him to project out?”
“It requires a lot of skill to project yourself into another dimension,” Julian explains. “Callie is able to do it with ease when she astral projects to her Covenstead. Other witches are able to as well. Though that dimension isn’t as tricky as a hell dimension.” He tips his head as he thinks. “You said you used to communicate with Lucifer through dreams, and that was back when he was chained and locked up.”
I nod. “He said it was more me visiting him, but then eventually I think he was able to visit me. Though dreams work differently, don’t they?”
“Yes. You can travel more freely when you’re using a dream as a medium to get from one plane to the next.”
I bite my lower lip, sensing my familiars closing in on the area. Scarlet barks, running along with them. They haven’t sensed anything demonic—yet.
“If he can project out, I can project in.”
“No,” Lucas and Julian say at the same time. Second time in a day they’ve agreed on something.
“It’s much too dangerous,” Julian goes on. “If your astral form is trapped, what would happen to your physical body if you go into labor?”
I open my mouth only to close it again. I hadn’t thought about that. “I’d skip feeling the pain.”
“And then you’d wake up halfway through an emergency C-section and feel even more pain,” Lucas grouses. “Stop being so willing to put yourself and our daughter in danger.”
His words hurt a bit. I don’t want to put myself in danger, and I certainly don’t want to do anything that puts our baby at risk. “Isn’t Paimon being here enough danger? He was watching me, Lucas.”
“That doesn’t mean you immediately go to Hell.”
“I could question him,” I counter. “Tell him to fuck off and leave me alone.”
“Oh, and you think that would work?” Lucas takes his arm from me, spinning around so he can glower at me. “Stop it, Callie.”
“You stop it.” Magic sparks around my fingers, and I bring my hand up to zap Lucas in the shoulder.
“Both of you stop,” Julian says loudly, holding up one hand in between us. Bright yellow light vibrates from his fingers, pushing us both back. “Fighting isn’t going to do any good. Dividing you would only do the demons a favor.”
“That’s what the chaos demon wanted,” I mumble, letting out an audible sigh. Elena kicks me right in the crotch, as if she’s yelling at me to get along with her father too. Wincing, I wait for the feeling of lightning striking my cervix to subside and put both hands on my lower back, stretching in an attempt to get her to move.
“I will patrol the woods,” Julian tells us both. “Stay inside, Callie.” His blue eyes meet mine, and then he disappears, popping right over to the spot where the demon had stood.
“I’m sorry,” I tell Lucas.
“So am I.” He brings me to the couch. “I don’t want to get angry at you, Callie.” He brushes my hair back. “We’re better together.”
“We are. I don’t want to get hurt, really, Lucas. I don’t. Even before I got pregnant, I didn’t want to. With Paimon spying on me and the Horsemen off the radar, something big and something bad is coming, and it scares me. What kind of world is our daughter going to be born into?”
“The same one we live in.”
“How?” I turn so I can look up at his handsome face. “I still don’t have a plan, and everyday it’s like what I thought I could scrape together is even more farfetched. War and Famine acted fast. So fucking fast, and that’s what we saw.”
“I know,” he says calmly. “The others did too.”
“Others? You mean Pestilence and Death did something?”
“I can’t say it with certainty, though it seems it would be so.” He puts his hand on my thigh. “A large cattle farm overseas lost half their herd overnight due to an unknown virus.”
A chill goes through me. “That’s exactly what Lucifer said would happen. They all lead into each other. Pestilence kills livestock, feeding into Famine. From there, I can only assume the fear of going hungry will cause tempers to flare, and War can sweep in and make it all worse. And then Death…he’ll cause an earthquake or something and hurt an already-hurting nation.”
Lucas doesn’t disagree with me. My heart starts beating faster, and I squeeze my eyes closed. I need something, I beg to the universe. Give me something. Please. Anything to help us win this fight.
“I used to think doomsday preppers were full of shit.” I nervously laugh. “Looks like they were onto something.”
“Would it make you feel better to stock up on food and supplies?”
“Yes and no. I don’t want to be the only ones who survive this. I don’t want to live in a world filled with death and destruction. If the Horsemen win…I don’t think we’ll ever come back from it.”
“I’ve seen the world go through horrendous things before. I’ve said vampires are superior to humans, but one thing humanity has on us is their drive to prevail. I’ve witnessed communities rise up after horrible acts of violence. I’ve seen enemies come together after natural disasters. You can’t lose hope, Callie.”
“I’m trying not to,” I say, eyes filling with tears. It’s not like me to only see the bad in a situation. I’m irritatingly stubborn and refuse to give up. It’s why I’m always in danger. “Death.” I sit up and look out the window. “Without hope, you have despair. And what’s more dangerous than a desperate person?”
“Death isn’t going to just take lives. He’s going to kill hope,” Lucas finishes. “Without hope, why fight? Why put forth the effort to prevail?”
“He’ll make people give up before the bad shit even happens. Humanity won’t come together and overcome a damn thing if they think there’s no hope.” I put my head in my hands. “Fuck.”
“We will come up with something.” Lucas takes my hands in his and kisses me. “And we won’t lose hope. I promise you this, Callie.” I flip my hands around and lace my fingers through his. “You are the most important thing to me, and soon we will have a child of our own. Whatever happens, I will protect you.”
“I know you will,” I whisper, getting choked up with emotion. Lucas will forever be my rock, my anchor to my sanity. Nothing will come between us. Demons, archangels, the fucking apocalypse…we can face it all because we have each other. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
I close my eyes again, not attempting to stop the tears that roll down my cheeks. “We should order a dresser and a rocking chair for the nursery.” I inhale and open my eyes, putting on a smile. “I started feeling that nesting feeling today when we were walking around Paradise Valley and passed by a cute handmade-furniture store.”
“Did you see anything you liked?”
“Yes. A white rocking chair with this ridiculously girly pink cushion with little white unicorns printed on it.”
“Well,” he starts, flipping my hand back over so he can trace the lines of my veins in my wrist. “If it’s safe, let’s go tonight and get what we need. Being prepared for the arrival of our daughter will make us both feel better. You’re going to need a few things as well after you give birth.”
“Right. Like iced pads.” I make a face. “Abby emailed me a list of stuff she wasn’t prepared for. I can order it all online.”
“Then order it.”
“Now?”
“Why not? It beats sitting here worrying.” He kisses me and gets up. “Where is your computer?”
“Under my nightstand, I think.”
“I’ll get it.” Lucas goes upstairs, and I push myself up, going back to the window. Anything? I ask my familiars. There are no demons around the house or in the woods leading to the Covenstead door. There’s a weird energy they haven’t felt before. It’s more than just a negative energy…it’s angry and powerful but hard to detect.
I can see Julian moving through the woods, walking a few paces and then flying over to another spot. Lucas comes back into the library with my laptop and sets it on the coffee table.
“My familiars said they can’t sense a demon in physical form,” I tell him and tear my gaze away from the window, returning to the couch. I get my laptop opened and click on the little stamp icon to bring up Abby’s email.
Another letter falls through the fireplace, and Lucas speeds over to get it. “Maryellen will be here in an hour,” he tells me.
“I need to relax before then,” I grumble, not wanting to be told I need to go back to the hospital because my blood pressure is up, but can you freaking blame me for being stressed? “This is the list from Abby.” Lucas sits next to me on the couch, feet up on the coffee table. I get a few things added to my Amazon cart, when Julian, Scarlet, and my familiars come inside.
“There are no demons in the woods,” Julian says, bringing his arm in close to his body. The dagger in his hand disappears from sight.
“Just a weird, angry energy,” I add.
“Yes, how did you—oh, your familiars.”
“Right.” I nod. “So, what do we do?”
“You stay here and take care of yourself.” He holds my gaze for a few seconds. “That way we can go to lunch again soon.”
His words make me smile. “I’m doing my best.”
“I know you are. Can you summon the hellfire again?”
“Uh, sure.” I hold out my hand, and little blue flames dance on my palm. Julian studies it, sticking his finger in the fire a few times. His skin burns and heals, making the room smell like charred flesh.
“I need a jar.” He straightens up. “Do you have one?”
“Like a glass jar?”
“Yes. To put the fire in.”
“I’ll get one,” Lucas says and zooms out of the room.
“You can trap hellfire?” I ask and hold up my other hand, transferring the flames into it, which is something I didn’t know I could do.
“For a short while. I need to check something.”
“What are you checking?”
“I’ll tell you if I’m right. If I am, I might have a solution.”
Lucas returns with an empty potion jar, unscrews the lid, and hands it to me. Not sure if this is going to work, I dump the little flame into the jar. It bounces around like a living thing.
“That is so cool,” I whisper, putting the lid back on. “A solution to what?” I ask and hand the jar to Julian.
“To the Horsemen. For good. Be careful,” he presses. “If Paimon is watching you and the Horsemen are cloaked…something big is about to happen.”
“I know,” I say, voice shaking. Getting to my feet, I open my arms for a hug before Julian flies away. “Be careful too.”
“I am an angel. I don’t damage as easily as you do.” He hugs me back and then steps away, flying to test whatever theory he has.
“It’s a good thing he’s an angel and not a motivational speaker.” I sit back down next to Lucas, glancing out the window to see if Paimon came back. I feel like I’m in a fishbowl, on display and being studied.
We get the rest of the stuff ordered and then look at the baby registry list, ordering the last of that, as well as a variety of sizes of diapers and baby clothes. It’s a surreal moment for sure, and a good distraction.
Maryellen arrives not long after, and both the baby and I are healthy. She does a more thorough exam this time, checking my sugar levels just to be sure. I’m still measuring several weeks ahead, and if I can keep my angel-powers in check for another few weeks at least, we’ll be in the clear for a full-term baby.
After she leaves, Lucas goes back to work and I go into the nursery, moving a few things around in preparation for the new furniture. I unroll a fluffy white rug and sit in the middle of it, looking around the room. Binx shadows in, shifting to cat-form so he can sit on my lap. Well, what’s left of it.
“Remember when it was just the two of us?” I ask, moving to my side. He rubs against me, purring. “And then Freya and Pandora joined the household, and it was the four of us. Things were quiet then. And calmer, even though we did hunt demons on the weekend.”
Binx meows and paws me.
“You’re right. We were good at it. We’ll be good at it again someday.” I run my hand over his fur. “I’m a little nervous about things changing. I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to have this baby, and now that we’re getting to the final days…I don’t want life to change too much. If we can lessen the demon attacks, I’d take it. You know what I mean.”
Binx plops down and rolls over for a belly rub.
“Thanks,” I say after he assures me he’ll stay with me no matter what. “I know you will. And I know this is going to be a good change for Lucas and me. Not without its challenges, of course, but having something that’s half of me and half of him is pretty damn cool, even when you don’t consider how he’s a vampire who shouldn’t ever father a child in this way.” I sigh. “I already feel left out from my friend group, and now I’m the first to have a kid.”
Binx rolls over and swipes his paw at me, claws out. Stop worrying.
“Ugh. I’ve become a worrier. Yuck.” I pet him for a bit longer and then get a book, taking it outside on the porch swing. I’m three chapters in when a car pulls down the driveway. I look up, shielding my eyes from the setting sunlight shining on the windshield. It’s Betty, and I meet her halfway on the sidewalk.
“Hey,” I say with a wave. “Everything good?”
“Yeah, sorry to barge in like this. I texted you, but I’m guessing you didn’t see it?” She gets out of her car, holding a large black envelope.
“I’ve been on the swing reading, and I think I left my phone on silent from this morning.”
“Hah, I can have my phone right next to me not on silent and not realize it rang when I’m reading.” Betty laughs. “Anyway, some guy came to the house and dropped this off for you. He must not have realized you moved.” She hands me the envelope.
“You didn’t have to come all the way over just to bring this.”
“You’re my neighbor. Granted, you’re over a mile away. I’m on my way to meet some friends for dinner anyway.”
“Thanks.” I flip the envelope over. It’s sealed with red wax with “VC” stamped in bold letters inside a circle. It’s the Vampire Council’s symbol. “The guy who brought it…what did he look like?”
“Pretty normal,” she says. “He seemed young, and he had, um, I don’t mean this in an offensive way because I don’t judge.”
“It’s fine,” I rush out. “Judge away. I do it all the time.”
“He had vampire bites on his neck and arm. Nasty ones, not like the ones I’ve seen on you.”
“Like infected?”
“A couple of them might have been. He just had a lot, and a lot were overlapping and bruised.”
I know exactly what she means because I saw it before on Monica, a human who lives in Chicago that runs errands for Lucas and Eliza. She’s been held spellbound so many times her memory has to be shit, and she was used as a human blood bag by her boyfriend Dominic, who Eliza was secretly screwing on the side.
“Not all human-vampire relationships are healthy,” I say, wrinkling my nose. “Just like how not all human-human relationships are. This guy, though, did he say anything else?”
“No, he asked for you, and I said you weren’t available. I didn’t tell him where you lived.”
“Thanks. That was smart.”
“He looked out of it.”
Because he’s been held spellbound. “Probably from the blood loss,” I say, thinking that’s better than telling her it’s because an old vampire is controlling his mind.
“Ugh, right.”
“Well, thanks again. Have fun at dinner.”
“It’s no problem, and I’m sure I will. See you soon?”
“Yeah. I’ll stop in the store a few more times before this little one makes her debut.” I pat my stomach, thankful for this stupid brightly colored maxi dress that hides the fact I’m suddenly way bigger than the last time she saw me.
“Can’t wait!” Betty smiles a genuine smile and waves as she gets back into her car. I carefully peel off the wax seal as I walk back to the house, grabbing my phone and tucking it under my arm. Lucas is in the foyer, standing by the sweeping staircase that still takes my breath away when I stop and look at it.
“This came from the VA.” I hold up the envelope, using my foot to close the door. The seal pops off, and I open it up, pulling out a handwritten letter on gold paper. I hold it so both Lucas and I can read at the same time.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. King,
On the behalf of the Vampire Council, Mr. Ó Cléirigh warmly requests the honor of your presence at a private four-course dinner, suitable for both humans and vampires alike, tomorrow night at the hour of eleven p.m. Black tie is requested. Kindly RSVP no later than an hour after sunset tonight.
Under the fancy script writing is a Chicago address and a phone number to respond to. Lucas takes the invitation from me and crumples it up in his hand. He curses under his breath, speaking in a language I don’t recognize.
“What’s wrong?” I ask him, feeling my blood pressure immediately go up.
“Remember that vampire who showed up at the house wanting you to join him in a fight against all humans?”
“Eamon,” I say. “Kinda hard to forget. Why?”
“He’s the one who sent this letter.”