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Call of Night Chapter Nine
Chapter NineI look at Lucas’s car that’s parked right in front of the porch. “If this doesn’t work, you can move fast enough to come back inside before you explode, right?”“I’d burn for a good few seconds before I’d explode.”I hike one eyebrow and look up at Lucas. He’s standing next to me, and towers over my frame. I’m taller than the average woman, and Lucas is much taller than the average man. Even as a human with no special powers or enhanced strength, he was intimidating.“That doesn’t answer my question.”“Yes, I can move fast enough.”“Good,” I say as I let out a breath. “Because you dying would really fucking suck, you know.”“I’d hope.”After getting everything sorted out with work, I laid out in the sun until my skin got too hot to stand it anymore, and then went inside to tell Lucas we should go to Chicago and finally have that hot date.I showered, packed my bags, and cast the same spell on the car windows that I used in the house. My stuff is in the trunk, and my famil
Call of Night Chapter Ten
Chapter TenI lift my glass up and move it half an inch, pressing it down on the table so it leaves a water ring on the surface. I repeat the process, making a pattern with the condensation.“I never knew a glass of water could be so entertaining.” Eliza slides a cocktail in front of me and leans back, crossing her arms. Lucas is in the office at the bar tonight, and I’ve been sitting at a table in the back for the last half-hour reading. I just finished my book and am still reeling from the cliffhanger ending. The next book doesn’t come out for three months, dammit.“Thanks,” I tell Eliza, and take a sip of the cocktail. It’s our first interaction since I astral projected into the bar and saw something I’ll never be able to unsee. I’m sure Lucas has ordered her to try to get along with me again. We had made headway until the incident. “So, about what I saw—”“Forget it.” She stiffly sits down across from me. “You saw two vampires fucking. It’s not much different than two humans fucki
Call of Night Chapter Eleven
Chapter ElevenGet it together.Tonight is all about having fun with my friends. No stress. No worry. No following creepy feelings that are probably the result of too many vodka tonics. I hold my arms out to my sides and shake my hands, ridding myself of the access energy that’s making me feel all jittery.I go back out to the main area of the bar, and Kristy pulls me onto the dance floor. Twenty minutes later, I’m hot and sweaty and still haven’t shaken the feeling that something is lurking around the corner, waiting to attack.There’s a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant across the street from the bar that’s open late, no doubt making a killing from all the drunk people who walk over night after night. I get a hotdog—Chicago style, of course—and a Coke simply for the caffeine. I sit on a bench along the street while I eat, watching people mill in and out of the bar.I take my time eating, enjoying the little reprieve away from all the people at the bar. When I’m finished, I ball up
Call of Night Chapter Twelve
Chapter TwelveI skid to a stop, throwing my hands out to keep my balance. Pressing my back up against the wall, I let out my breath and look down the hall behind me.What the fuck just happened?Two demonic dogs just merged into one bigger demonic dog.Holy shit.I bring my hand to my chest, feeling my heart racing. Calm down. I need to calm down. It’s pitch black all around me, and the air is still and stale. I need to conjure an energy ball so I can see what’s around me, but it’ll be a dead giveaway to where I am, though I’m sure that thing can sense me somehow, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it can see in the dark. Dogs can. Demons can.Demonic dogs certainly can.Holy shit.The world spins around me a bit, reminding me that I’m not one hundred percent sober yet. I’d say I’m never drinking again, but if I make it through the night, I’m going to need a big glass of wine.I plant both hands against the wall and take in a steadying breath. Pressing my lips together, I lean forward an
Call of Night Chapter Thirteen
Chapter ThirteenThe double doors fly open and the bigger of the two comes barreling in, snarling and growling, showing off rows and rows of sharp teeth. The smaller dog turns and starts to run.“No!” I shout and hit it with an energy ball. Eliza grabs my hand and yanks me back toward the air vent, making the energy ball miss. It hits the ceiling and rains bright white light down on us. The tendrils of magic burn Eliza’s skin, and she screams in pain.I put out the magic I have burning around my fingers and grab Eliza’s arm, jerking her away from the energy falling down. Lucas heals almost immediately after being burned by magic, but he’s older and stronger than Eliza and is always well-fed, which affects a vampire’s ability to heal quickly. I have no idea when Eliza last ate.The bigger dog lets out a roar and then jumps on the smaller one, mouth clamping around its head. It bites down, breaking the skull, and then shudders. The smaller dog turns into black ooze that gets absorbed in
Call of Night Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen“I don’t know anyone who can say they defeated a hellhound.” Lucas sets me on his bed and moves to his knees, hands running down my calves. He starts to undo the buckles on my shoes.“In heels and a pushup bra, no less.”He looks into my eyes and smiles. “Are you sure you’re all right, Callie?” He takes one shoe off and sets it on the floor. “What happened back there was intense.”“I’m alive. You’re alive and my friends are alive. Hell, even Eliza is alive. Well, I guess you and Eliza aren’t, but you know what I mean.”“I do.” He takes off my other shoe and then helps me to my feet again. The shower is already on, and as much as I want to clean myself up, I just want to crash into bed with a bowl of pasta.Lucas helps me to my feet and unzips my dress. It falls to the floor, and he does his best not to react to the sight of me stripping out of my clothes. My bra and panties come off next, and we get into the shower together.“Does it hurt?” Lucas asks, gently washing
Call of Night Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen“Diseased?” I echo. “Like with the flu or something.”“Or something,” Lucas replies. “Based on the decomposition of the body, he’d only been dead for about a day. But the blood…the blood smelled like it’s been festering for much longer than that.”“That doesn’t make sense.” I rub my forehead. “Then again, a hellhound turning into rats doesn’t either.”“Unless it was so they can scatter,” Nicole guesses. “I mean, if you think about it, it makes sense. One of those giant freaky dogs walking around the streets of Chicago is sure to draw attention. But rats…they live in the sewers.”“But all the rats were dead. Unless…shit.” I start to stand but Binx growls, knowing what I’m thinking. “We have to go back and make sure none got out—”“Callie,” Kristy says, voice edging on scolding. “You and Eliza almost died. Lucas got hurt too.” She doesn’t have to tell me that if Lucas got hurt, shit is serious. Lucas is the oldest and strongest vampire any of us have met, and is more pow
Call of Night Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen“Evander says he’s never heard of hellhounds being able to merge together or turn into rats.” Kristy puts her phone in her purse. I take my eyes off the road for a second to look at her. “It sounds so crazy when I say it out loud like that.”We’re on our way to the bar but have no intention of going in. The hellhound is dead, we’re all pretty sure, but I need to double-check. I did wear sensible shoes, though, just in case. The combat boots actually look kinda cute with this romper too, or at least I think so. I’ve loaded up everything we could use as a weapon, and we’re all carrying vanquishing potions.See? I’m prepared this time.“Did he say anything else?” Naomi asks.“He seemed rather perplexed by the whole thing.”“Aren’t we all?” I mumble.“He said hellhounds are physical beings, brought forth from hell. They can’t shapeshift like that.”“Do you think they were really hellhounds?”Kristy holds up her phone. “He sent me this photo from a book in the library. It’s
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Call of Night Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-five“I can say it now.” Lucas licks blood off my thigh and looks up. His head is between my legs, and my blood is smeared across his lips.“Say what?” I ask, voice all breathy. We just got done having sex, and it was as primal and passionate as ever. It’s funny how almost dying brings you together.“That I’ve been touched by an angel.” Lucas moves up and takes me in his arms.“Seriously?” I say with a snort of laughter.“Oh, yeah. I’ve been touched by one and I’ve touched one myself. Many times.”“I’m only half angel.”“I’m still saying it.” He licks the rest of my blood off his lips and nuzzles his head against my breasts. “I love you, Callie.”“I love you, too.”“I thought I lost you—again.” He rolls us over so I’m lying on top of him. We resituate so we’re both comfortable. “I don’t want to go a single day of my afterlife without you.”“You will…someday.”“Will I, though?” He combs his fingers through my hair. “You’re half an immortal being. Angels don’t age. I don
Call of Night Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-fourI’m back in the master bedroom, blinking rapidly to get them to adjust to the dim light. Michael is gone, and I’m standing in the same spot he did when he first appeared. Slowly, the others start to wake up.“Please tell me you saw that.” I’m still not sure I did.Lucas rushes over and takes me in his arms. “You’re alive.”“And well.”He looks me up and down, running his hands all over my body checking for black veins. Once he sees I’m fine, he kisses me, tongue plunging into my mouth. He wraps me tight in his embrace, kissing me until I have to stop for air.“Who the hell was that?” Eliza messes with her braids, which got messed up when she passed out on the floor. My gaze travels from everyone in the room, stopping on Abby.“You saw him, right?” I need to be sure.“I did,” Kristy says and the others nod. “He had blue eyes. Like the man you’ve been talking about. Was that him?”“Can we talk downstairs? And maybe order a pizza or something. I’m starving.”“You’re c
Call of Night Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-threeEverything moves in slow motion. The light is blinding, making it impossible to see. It warms my face and gives me strength. I open my eyes right as the light is fading, and I see the outline of great feathered wings behind the man for just a split second before they disappear.Fangs bared, Lucas lays me down on the mattress and lunges for the man. I’ve told him about the man and who I think he is, but he’s not convinced this man isn’t a threat. The Blue-Eyed Man holds out his hand, forcing Lucas back down. He holds up his other hand and all the humans in the room slump down. He lowers both hands at the same time, and Lucas and Eliza fall to the ground, asleep, too.Binx growls and the man turns to him. “I wouldn’t try that.” His voice is warm and familiar. Binx backs down, sitting at my side, flicking the tip of his tail back and forth. The man walks across the room, holding out his hand.I push myself up, wincing with pain that shoots through me.“Who…who are yo
Call of Night Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-two“You were right to call me.” Tabatha sits on the bed and brushes my hair back. “My darling girl, we will get you well.”“She looks awful.” Kristy sniffles. “She’s never been sick, not even once, since we met.”“I don’t remember her being sick when we were kids either,” Abby says. “Is it a witch thing?”“No,” Kristy answers. “Witches get sick.”“We should get started. I fear we’ve already wasted time.” Tabatha rests her hand on my cheek and gets up. I force my eyes open and see my friends moving about the room. The automatic blinds have been come down early, no doubt to keep anyone from seeing inside.“What are you going to do?” Abby asks.“We’re going to start with a simple banishing spell.” Evander lays sage smudge sticks on the dresser across from the bed. “We’ll see how she fares and then move up from there. Kristy is making a vanquishing potion now.”“I’ve combined it with a health serum that should hopefully counteract the effects of having Callie consume the v
Call of Night Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-one“Pestilence?” Eliza echoes. “I…I don’t understand.”“Like the Horseman?” Abby asks, voice shaking.“Yes.”“Wait a minute.” Abby is terrified and trying to hold it together. “One of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse has poisoned my sister?”“Not the horseman directly, but a demon with connections who wants to bring them forth from Hell.” Lucas turns back to me. “The demon said something to you…that you might be strong enough?”“It said it’d been waiting for one that was worthy, and then it kept asking me what I am.” Wincing, I sit up. “Demons say that kind of stuff all the time, though. They want you to feel special so you’ll let them in.” I close my eyes, thinking back. “It did say it didn’t want to take me to Hell as its bride but do the opposite…whatever that means.”“It wants to break the seals.”“Great,” I groan as another shudder of pain goes through me.“I’m not following.” Poor Abby sounds like she’s going to cry.“Break the seals, the Four can come out and
Call of Night Chapter Thirty
Chapter ThirtyBinx nuzzles his head against me, and I blink my eyes open. Two people are arguing in hushed voices at the foot of the bed. My vision is hazy and I can’t sit up even if I tried. I turn my head and realize I’m in the ICU instead of the ER. There’s a small window in my room, and it’s edging toward dawn. Lucas and Eliza won’t be able to stay here much longer.Binx meows, getting someone’s attention.“Callie.” Lucas rushes to my bedside and takes my hand and laces his fingers between mine. “You’re awake.”“I am.” I try to push up and fail. Abby stands on the other side of the bed and raises the head of it up a little more. “What’s…what’s going on?”“Lucas wants to check you out against medical advice,” Abby spits out, which must be what they’re arguing about. “You’re way too sick to go anywhere.”Memories come back in flashes and I’m not sure what was real or not real. The piles of bodies ready to be burned? That didn’t happen.Black veins stemming from the demon-scratch? I
Call of Night Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Twenty-nine“I don’t understand,” my sister says into a phone. “That’s not possible. Run it again.” She looks at me and then turns away, talking to whoever she’s on the phone with. Lucas has my hand sandwiched between his, and hasn’t left my side for even a second.The IV was placed about twenty minutes ago, and that paired with the ice packs have lowered my fever, but not as much as Abby thought it would. She ordered blood work and is waiting on the results before prescribing an antibiotic. She’s been in and out of the room a few times, and I thought she was giving me special attention because I’m her sister.But it turns out I’m actually really fucking sick.“What do you mean, it came up as inconclusive?” Abby lets out a frustrated sigh. “Okay. Send someone up, please.”“What’s going on?” I ask, throat sore. Every word hurts.“There was an issue with your blood work.” Abby puts the portable phone in the front pocket of her lab coat. “It’s probably a machine malfunction. It d
Call of Night Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-eight“How is she?” Eliza sits at the foot of the bed.“She’s not getting any better,” Lucas tells her. “I don’t understand what’s going on.” He gently runs his hand over my hair. He thinks I’m still asleep, and I don’t have the energy to open my eyes and tell him otherwise. “I’ve read everything I can about human colds and even the flu. Her symptoms don’t match either.”Eliza moves up and feels my cheek. “She’s burning up.”The sheets rustle and Lucas sits up, getting the thermometer. He doesn’t say what the temperature it out loud, but it can’t be good.“It’s been hours and it hasn’t gone down at all?” Eliza sounds concerned. “I’ll be right back.”Binx, who’s been on my pillow, nuzzles his head against me. He’s worried too, able to sense that my fever just won’t go the fuck away.“Uncover her a bit and it will help her cool off,” Eliza tells Lucas, coming back into the room. I force my eyes open.“Callie,” Lucas breathes. “How are you feeling?”“Shitty,” I croak out a
Call of Night Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-seven“You can’t leave well enough alone, can you?” Lucas sits on the deck, holding me in his lap. He was there the second after I plunged into Lake Michigan, pulling me from the water and back onto dry land.“It’s one of my many faults.” I shiver. “Why is the water always so fucking cold?”Lucas brushes my hair back, and Binx meows, gently pawing me. “What did you see out there?”“The man with the blue eyes.”“The one you said saved you from the demon in the woods?”“No, that’s the Blue-Eyed Man. This guy isn’t as…as ethereal looking. He’s more like a regular man but has blue eyes.”“Did you hit your head?” Lucas runs his hand over my head.“No, I’m fine.” I push out of his arms and stand. The dizziness is back, and Lucas steadies me.“I’m taking you home.”I want to protest and go back out onto the dock, demanding the man with blue eyes come out and face me. Why lurk around like a creep? If he wants to attack me, then do it already.Lucas picks me up and races over th
