Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“Probably. I mean, who wouldn’t want a piece of this?” I wiggle my eyebrows and Kristy just shakes her head at me. “What we know so far is that Murmur got thirteen willing sacrifices in a house of worship. Melinda sent me crime scene photos and then Alona, who’s another angel, by the way. She’s cool and thinks I’m a miracle sent from God to protect Earth, which is something I beg you not to repeat.”
“She’s not far off,” Kristy says with a shrug. “And I said it first.”
“I’m not a miracle or a savior or even that heroic. I’m selfish and I have power and keeping the world from going to total shit benefits me.”
“Either way, go on.”
“They broke a seal keeping the Gates closed,” Lucas finishes for me. “And a demon with Murmur’s sigil carved into his flesh showed up at our house yesterday with a locator spell in his pocket.”
“Okay,” Kristy says, trying to stay calm. “So, this demon wants you probably so he can try to take over.”
“That’s the pattern.” I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders and I fucking hate it. Clenching my fists, I work to keep my powers under control. I didn’t really realize it before, but I’ve been in a constant state of anxiety since Lucas got on the back of that damn horse. He’s back, but it’s not without consequences and now there’s another fucking demon after me.
“This demon used to be an angel,” Lucas starts and puts one hand on my shoulder. “He fell from grace along with Lucifer. We do not know the true intentions of this demon, though talking to Lucifer would be really fucking helpful.” His fingers press into my shoulder, and I can feel the anger radiating off of him. “Though it would be wise to assume this demon will try to use Callie to stake a claim on the throne, and to prepare as if another attack is coming.”
“How can I help? Should I rally the troops?” Kristy is internally freaking out, I know.
“No,” I say, surprising both Kristy and Lucas. “I don’t want you guys to be at risk. This is a me and a them thing.” I point a finger toward the heavens, meaning the angels. “I already lost one friend and then my husband, even though it was just for a few days, and Easton got pretty hurt trying to help me and we weren’t even fighting demons. I can’t risk you.”
“I can still help,” Kristy counters. “We can make vanquishing potions or cast protection spells. And if this Murmur demon is breaking seals, then he’s here, on earth, right?”
“Right,” Lucas answers. “Which means we can kill him.”
Kristy nods, blonde ponytail bobbing along with her head. “I’m going to the Covenstead tonight for the Gathering—”
“There’s a Gathering tonight?”
“Yeah, Evander sent you a note and we both tried calling you. I thought you were mad at me.”
“Oh.” I flick my eyes to Lucas, heart swelling in my chest. “We’ve been a little distracted and my phone really was dead.”
“I’m sure you were distracted.” Kristy raises her eyebrows.
“We did need to make up for lost time,” I say, wrinkling my nose.
“We have more to make up for.” Lucas runs his hand down my arm. “I would have fucked you more than three times in the days I was gone.”
“You’ve had sex three times since I saw you last? Man, I feel like a spinster,” Kristy says.
“Nah, you’re not old enough to be a spinster. You got a few years before I can start calling you that,” I tease, needing the tiny reprieve I can find in standing here, joking with my best friend. “What’s the Gathering about?”
“A lot of coven members are worried about the vampire attacks.”
“Vampire attacks?” Lucas echoes and shifts Juliet in his arms, subconsciously protecting her by holding her tighter.
“Shit, right.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “A fucking lot happened in the few days you were gone. Eamon showed up again looking for you. He still wants to unite us to fight the humans and he knows you have a daughter because he was able to sense Juliet in the house. He bit Eliza and I burned him with hellfire and then I kinda forgot about him,” I admit with a wince and hold out my hand, watching anger grow inside Lucas.
“He bit Eliza?” His face clouds with darkness and Kristy takes a step back.
“Yeah, and he threatened to use Betty, but I kinda took care of it.” My heart beats faster and I start to feel dizzy. My throat tightens and I can’t swallow my own saliva.
“Callie.” Lucas’s voice echoes in my head and all the frustration and anger I’ve been living with the last week swirling inside me, raging to the point where I can’t control it. The lights above us start to flicker and my vision is dotted with stars. A weird feeling pulls at my back, right between my shoulders.