Chapter Thirty-one

“What does that mean?” Abby asks.

I blink and the world spins around me. “It means he’s coming for us. For me. It means I need to go back and fight.”

“Callie, no!” Lucas zooms down the stairs and puts his hands on my shoulders. “You know how powerful he is, and we don’t know how to stop him. If you go back, he’ll kill you.”

“He can try.” I slowly shake my head. “I’m not hiding. I’m not going to let him tear through every single one of my friends in an attempt to get to me.”

“What’s going on?” Abby’s voice breaks. “Who’s trying to kill you?”

“Go home,” I tell her. “I’ll call you later, well, if I’m alive.”

“You’re not going to die,” Lucas says, and his fingers press a little harder into my shoulder. “I’m not losing you.”

“Then come with me,” I whisper, looking into his eyes, and the fear I see reflected back at me sends a chill right through me. He’s just as scared as I am, but not of the demon. He’s scared of something happening to me. Because for some reason I fill the emptiness inside of him.

Just like he fills it for me.

“Help me fight.”

He brings one hand to the back of my head. “I will do whatever it takes.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Where are you going?” Abby grabs my arm. “Callie, what’s going on? You’re freaking me out.”

“It’s going to be fine,” I tell her, trying to sound sure of myself. “I have to go home and save my family.” Turning away from Lucas, I wrap my arms around Abby. “Thank you for everything.”

“Why does it feel like you’re saying goodbye?”

“Because I might be,” I whisper and release her. “Go home where it’s safe. Give Penny a kiss for me.” Then I turn and race into the house. We don’t have time to waste gathering any of my stuff. I grab a jacket and a pair of boots and get in the car. Binx and Pandora shadow in with me, shifting back into cat form and sitting on my lap. Lucas starts up the engine and peels out of the garage, going down the street as fast as he can.

I call Evander and get his voicemail. If he’s back in the Covenstead, I won’t be able to reach him. I call Kristy next, and she answers on the first ring.

“Callie,” she answers. “Please tell me you’re okay.”

“I am. Are you? You’re under attack?”

“Something tried to get through the door. High Priestess Greystone has summoned us all to the Covenstead and is sealing the door. You have to come home.”

“I’m on my way.” I look at the clock. “I’ll be there around eleven.”

“Or sooner,” Lucas says, blowing through a stop sign.

“Hurry. The Council is coming to those of us remaining, casting protection on us as we cross through the woods.”

“Where are you now?”

“At your house. You live closer to the door than Daniel. Freya let us in.”

“Good. Add extra protective circles and keep Freya with you.” I close my eyes. “I know what we’re dealing with, and it’s bad.”

“How bad?”

“Hell’s-royalty bad.”

Kristy lets out a shaky breath. “What does it want?”

It wants me and me alone, but I don’t tell her. Not now. I don’t want to scare her any more than she already is.

“I can’t be sure, but it will stop at nothing to get it.” I open my eyes and watch the landscape fly by. “Have you heard from Evander? I can’t get ahold of him.”

“He’s out with the Council, helping witches get through the door. I’m so scared, Callie.”

“You’re going to be fine. Hang tight until you can go to the Covenstead. Once you’re in, you’ll be safe. Everyone will be. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“You better.”

I end the call and nervously flip my phone over in my hands. I hardly breathe until we’re on the freeway, gaining more and more speed. Lucas rests his hand on my thigh, doing an impressive job of weaving in and out of traffic while driving one-handed.

“Once you get to Thorne Hill,” Lucas starts. “You need to go right to the door and get inside.”

I nod. “That’s probably the safest place for us. The Academy is basically apocalypse-proof.”

“I will take you there and I won’t let anything lay a finger on you.”

I put my hand on top of his, needing to feel his cool, smooth skin. He can’t come through the door with me. The spells that guard the Covenstead won’t allow it. He would be burned before he made it through.

Time passes slowly even though we’re speeding. I close my eyes and rest my head against the leather seat.

“Keep us out of the eyes of the law,” I whisper. “Let us get home without an interruption.”

“Was that a spell?”

“Yes.”

“It didn’t rhyme.” Lucas takes his eyes off the road to look at me.

“Spells don’t have to rhyme. Spellcasting is an art form, though, and I seem to channel the intentions better when they rhyme.”

He pats my thigh and zooms in front of a semi, driving on the shoulder to pass by another car. I close my eyes, not wanting to see how dangerously close we’re coming to getting in a fiery crash. I’ll say a spell to avoid that too.

We cross the state line in half the time it normally takes. Lucas’s phone rings and the call shows up on the car’s dash. It’s Eliza, and he presses a button on the steering wheel to answer.

“Où es-tu, bon sang?” Eliza’s voice comes through loud and clear. “Je suis chez toi.”

Lucas answers, talking so fast I can hardly make out the words. I’m able to pick out my name and Thorne Hill, but that’s it.

“Is everything okay?” I ask after he ends the call.

“Yes. Eliza worries too much.”

“She cares about you,” I state even though it’s more than obvious.

“She does.”

I look out the window again, keeping myself from watching the clock. We make good time, slowing only to pass under a toll reader. Then we speed to the exit to Thorne Hill. We’re so close, yet I have a sinking feeling like I’m going to arrive and be a moment too late.

*

The lights are all on at my house when we pull into the driveway. Binx can sense Freya and the others right away, and my speeding heart slows with relief. Kristy is okay. I get out before Lucas puts the car in park, running up the steps of my front porch. My familiars shadow past but Lucas stops.

I whirl around, seeing the faint glow of the extra circle Kristy cast that keeps him from entering the protected space. Holding up my hands, I quickly say an incantation, parting the walls of magical energy, and let Lucas in. He takes my hand and ushers me into the house.

Kristy is sitting on the couch and springs up as soon as I open the front door.

“Thank goodness,” she says and rushes over, pulling me into a hug. “You got here really fast.”

“Lucas like to speed.”

“Thanks for getting her here so fast and in one piece,” Kristy tells him, stepping back. Daniel is in the living room, along with his brothers, another couple and their two young children. I’ve seen them at coven gatherings before and know they live downtown. A large black dog stands by the children and gives Binx a curt nod when he trots into the room.

“Have you been in contact with anyone else?” I ask Kristy. “The twins?”

“They’ve passed through the door with their parents and grandmother. We’re the last bunch waiting to be escorted.” She looks at the time on the cable box. “The Council should be here soon.”

“Okay…” I let out a breath and step into the living room. “The door is a good few miles away. My familiars will lead the way and I suggest carrying the children. There is no path and the woods are uneven. My friend, Lucas, can help if need be. He’s strong and won’t tire.”

Everyone shifts their gazes to Lucas, and I know exactly what they’re thinking. Never trust a vampire.

“I swear to you,” Lucas starts. “I will do everything I can to keep you all safe.”

“Thanks, babe.” I take his hand, comforted as soon as I feel his skin against mine. We sit together on the couch, and I grab the TV remote, turning on the Disney Channel in hopes of easing the kids’ nerves.

And my own.

“Is he a vampire?” the young girl loudly whispers to her mother, pointing a finger at Lucas.

“It’s not polite to point,” her mother scolds.

“I’ve never seen one before,” the girl goes on. “Can I say hi?”

“I don’t think he wants to be bothered. Go play with your brother, Brooke.” The mom is stressed to the max, hardly able to keep it together. I’m scared enough as it is. I can’t imagine how awful it would be to know your children are in real danger.

“It’s all right,” Lucas tells her. “Yes, I am a vampire.”

Brooke’s face lights up. “My friend from school said she saw a vampire at Pizza Hut, and I knew she was lying because vampires don’t eat pizza.”

Lucas laughs. “No, we don’t.”

“Man, I’d miss pizza if I were a vampire.” Brooke, who can’t be more than seven years old, shakes her head dramatically.

“You know, I’ve never had pizza.” Lucas leans over the arm of the couch as he talks to her.

“Never? Not even when you were a human?” The kid looks shook.

“It wasn’t invented yet back then.”

“Wow, you must be really old!”

“You could say so.”

“How old are you? You look younger than my daddy and he’s thirty-five.”

“Brooke,” her mother scolds. “It’s rude to ask people their age.”

“Sorry.” Brooke wrinkles her nose. “I’ve just never met a vampire before.” She’s so cute it makes me chuckle. “And what the heck? Why don’t you have fangs?”

“I do.” Lucas draws his fangs and smiles. I loop my arm through his, feeling so strongly for him right now.

“I like your dress.” Kristy perches on the arm of the couch. “Is it new?”

“Yeah. I bought it today.” I look down at the purple lace. “I kind of forgot I was wearing it. I should go change, actually.”

“I’ll come with you.”

Kristy and I dash up the stairs. I throw my jacket on my bed and unzip my dress, stepping out of it and laying it on my bed. I kick off my heeled boots and pull on a black Henley shirt, dark jeans and a pair of well-worn combat boots. I take off the expensive necklace Lucas surprised me with, carefully laying it on top of my dresser

Everyone takes turns using the bathroom, preparing for our trek into the woods. I pull Lucas into the kitchen and roll up a sleeve.

“What are you doing?” he asks, taking my outstretched arm.

“Drink. You might need the strength.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Please,” I press. “I’ll feel better knowing you’ve fed because if it comes down to it…I’m going to need you.”

Lucas puts his mouth to my arm, kissing the tender skin on the inside of my elbow. He kisses his way down a bit and pierces my skin with his fangs, not wanting to break open a vein. He sucks hard, pulling my blood from my body. Gripping onto my arm tight with one hand, he places the other on my lower back, fingers inching down as he drinks. Moaning softly, he laps up the blood and brings my arm away from his face.

“Was that enough?” I ask, voice a little breathy.

“It’s plenty.” He puts his fingers over the puncture wounds, pressing against them for a minute before checking. “You’re still bleeding.” He licks his fingers and tears a paper towel off the roll for me.

“Thanks.” I hold it against my arm, waiting another few seconds before going to the pantry and getting out my little bin of first-aid supplies for a Band-Aid. Lucas puts two on my arm and pulls my sleeve back down. “Well, now you’re ready.”

He bobs his head up and down. “I am, are you?”

“Yeah. I’m more worried about getting those kids through the woods safely. I think…I think I should hang back until they’re through.”

“Why would you—” He cuts off, understanding my train of thought. “The demon is after you.”

“Right. And being with them…it puts them in danger once we’re out in the open.”

He doesn’t say anything, and just when I think he’s going to tell me it’s a bad idea and I should most definitely insist to be at the front of the line, he pulls me in and kisses me.

“I don’t know what happened, but I know you were treated like shit by those closest to you. Betrayed by your own family. And yet your heart is kind and pure, even with your petty, impulsive side.”

“You make me sound too awesome.” I cast my eyes down, but Lucas takes my chin in his hand and tips my head up to his.

“You are.”

 “I just don’t want anyone else to die because of me.”

“Very well. I’m staying with you.”

“I knew you would, you big old softy,” I tease, smiling up at him. He leans down to kiss me again but stops. “Someone is here.”

“Witches or demons?”

“Witches.”

“It’s show time.” Stepping out of his embrace, I go into the living room and wait by the front door, opening it as soon as Evander steps on the porch.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes, sister.” He claps me on the back. “It’s time to take you home.”

“The sooner, the better.” I fake a smile and lead everyone to the back porch. “Freya, Pandora, lead the way. Pay special attention to the children. They know the way,” I tell the little group. “And Kristy does too. Be safe and hurry.”

“What are you doing?” Kristy rounds on me. “It sounds like you’re not coming with.”

“I’m not. Not yet at least.”

“What?” she and Evander exclaim at the same time.

“I’m…I’m what the demon is interested in. You guys go, get through the door and start the ritual to seal it. As soon as the last of you is through, I’ll come. But I can’t risk traveling with you.”

“No.” Kristy stomps her foot down, fists balled. “No, Callie…just no! Evander, do something! She can’t stay behind. She can’t go out on her own!”

“She won’t.” Lucas puts his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll bring her, and you know I can get to the door faster than any of you can. I don’t like this idea any more than you do, but we know she’s right and we know there’s no use trying to convince her otherwise.”

“We need to go,” one of the Council members hisses. “The witching hour approaches and we all need to be through the door before then.”

“Go,” I press. “I’ll be right behind you.” Freya and Pandora twist around my ankles, objecting to my plan as well. “You too,” I tell them. “Keep everyone safe.”

“I better see you, sister.” Evander holds my gaze for a second before turning, motioning for the others to follow. He starts chanting a protection spell along with the other members of the Council. Kristy looks back, tears rolling down her cheeks. Daniel takes her hand and pulls her along and everyone breaks into a run. I watch until they disappear into the woods.

“How much of a head start are you giving them?”

“I’m staying until they reach the door. Freya or Pandora will let me know once they’re all made it.” I sit on the top step of the porch. Lucas sits next to me, slipping his arm around my waist. I rest my head on his shoulder, and we sit there in silence, knowing how much danger could lie ahead of us.

“All those zombies you accidentally brought from the dead.” Lucas plays with my hair. “Where did they come from?”

“There’s this big fancy house a few miles that way.” I point down the street. “It’s been empty for years. I wanted to buy it instead of this place, actually.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“It was too expensive. I think it’s still for sale, but no one is going to pay that much for the place when it needs a huge renovation. Someone will buy it for the land soon enough, I’m sure.”

He asks me more about the house, and I know he’s just trying to distract me. It helps, actually, and we’re talking about different ways to restore the thing when Binx meows, letting me know Freya is on her way back. She shadows fast through the yard.

“Are they at the door?” I ask.

“Yes,” she says. “It’s time to get you there.”

Lucas stands and picks me up, running with vampire speed through the clearing and into the woods. We’re nearly there when he suddenly stops and sets me down.

“What is it?”

“Something’s coming.”

“The demon?”

“No.” He tips his head up, smelling the air. “Humans.”