Curse of Night

by Emily Goodwin

  “Okay,” I say, talking to my familiars. “The original is in a museum in France. Not everything was able to be translated, and I’m guessing it’s because it’s in Enochian, which isn’t a problem for me.”

  I straighten up, realizing how terrible my posture is from my stiff muscles. “Lucas has a house in France I haven’t yet seen,” I start as an idea forms in my head. “And it wouldn’t be stealing if I borrow the book for an hour or so. I just want to read it and then I’ll give it back.”

  It’s a long shot, and this book could be full of useless information in regards to summoning an angel. But, dammit, I want to talk to my father so fucking much.

  I have so many questions.

  About me.

  About my mother.

  About my angelic side.

  And if I’m being stupid by giving dear old Uncle Lucy the slightest bit of my trust. Though he is the only one willingly talking to me. He’s helped me, and I’m sure if I were to lie down, close my eyes, and drift to sleep, he’d talk to me again right now. I could ask him about summoning angels, and if he knew a way, I’m sure he’d tell me.

  “Stop it,” I snap and close my computer. I’m not talking to Lucifer again. I can’t trust him. He already alluded to wanting me to help free him from the depths of hell. He was put there for a reason, and I need to remind myself of that.

  Letting out a breath, I run my hands over my face and get up, going upstairs to change into workout clothes. I throw my hair into a messy ponytail as I come down the stairs and root around in the junk drawer in the kitchen for my headphones.

  And then I set off, jogging down the road. It’s early, and the air is still holding onto the chill of night, making me wish I’d worn gloves. I’ll warm up soon enough, and two miles in, I’m sweating.

  I do ten minutes of yoga when I get home to stretch, and it hits me that I’m only in as good of shape as I am because I’m half angel. I do work out and go through phases where I eat mostly healthy food.

  Though I don’t remember the last time I went through one of those phases. Should I get back to it? Does it matter? My human half can still fall prey to high cholesterol, right?

  “This is another thing I’d love to ask you,” I say through gritted teeth as I move into downward dog position. I slowly blow out my breath and hold the stretch, inhaling deeply and letting my breath out again as I move into a different pose.

  I feel good when I’m done, and Lucas calls right as I’m going upstairs to shower.

  “Hello, my love. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

  “I wouldn’t have answered if I was asleep,” I laugh. “Okay, I would have. And no, you didn’t. I couldn’t sleep after you left, so I got up and went for a run.”

  After going a tad crazy trying to figure out how to summon an angel, that is.

  “Are you back in the house now?”

  “I am. How are things in Chicago?”

  “They’re being handled,” he says, leading me to believe the situation is a hot fucking mess. “The Vampire Council is aware of the situation and has taken over. They take threats to assimilation seriously.”

  “So you’ll have to stay in Chicago overnight?”

  “No. I’m coming home to you.”

  I smile. “I missed you the moment you left our bed, but you do know I’m okay here on my own. If you have to stay and follow the laws to keep a low profile, you can. I’ll line my windows and doors with salt and will keep the sage burning all day and night.”

  “Fuck the VC. You are more important to me, Callie. And you know I’ve never been a proponent of rules.”

  “True. Where are you now?”

  “At the bar. We need to sort out this mess if we want to open tonight. I’ll leave as soon as the sun sets.”

  “I’ll miss you until then. Abby, Phil, and Penny will be here for dinner,” I remind him. “They’re getting here around five.”

  “I’ll get a driver and will be home sooner, then.”

  “Do what you have to do,” I press, knowing he’s tempted to rush home right now. “I’d rather you take care of everything now and not have to go back later this week. Call me selfish, but I want you to myself.”

  “I will be back to you as soon as I can be.”

  “I love you.”

  “And I love you. Be careful, Callie.”

  “I’m always careful,” I spit back with a smile before ending the call. I forgot to charge my phone last night, and listening to music while I ran zapped up most of my battery. I plug it into the charger and get in the shower, wistfully thinking about the new house and having a brand-new hot water tank that not only will warm up faster but will enable me to take longer hot showers.

  The sun is warm and bright today, and it’s supposed to be a perfect seventy-six degrees this afternoon. Second summer might be right around the corner after all.

  I open all the windows in the house and really do light a sage smudge stick, more for the smell than to rid the house of negative energy. Sage isn’t the most pleasant smell, but it reminds me of my childhood—the good one, not the shitty one where my so-called father sold me off to the highest bidder.

  Then I spend the next two hours cleaning the house, getting it ready for my sister to come over tonight. I don’t have any toys, but I do my best baby-proofing the living room. It’s already puppy-proof, and I think Scarlet is far more destructive than any one-year-old.

  I’m not tired but want to nap, so I choke down chamomile and valerian root tea and strip down to my bra and panties and climb into bed. A soft breeze blows through the open window, and the pillows smell like Lucas. I hug one against my body, close my eyes, and fall asleep.

  I wake up an hour later not knowing what day it is or where I am. Rubbing my eyes, I sit up and curse myself for taking a nap. Then I check the time—it’s only one thirty—and flop back down, ready to fall back to sleep only to have my eyes fly open. I should be up by four, and I highly doubt I’m going to sleep for that long. Nevertheless, I set an alarm for three thirty and fall back asleep, waking again half an hour later.

  I have a few missed texts from Kristy, and I instantly feel bad for not texting her last night.

  Kristy: Everything okay? I didn’t hear from you at all last night.

  Me: For the most part. And sorry. I was a little overwhelmed last night.

  Kristy: I bet. Are you doing okay though? For real?

  Me: I’m sad I can’t go back to the Covenstead. No point in denying it. But…I’ll be fine.

  Kristy: You will be. And you will have me. I’m rather hard to get rid of ;-)

  Me: I prefer you that way. Are you busy tonight? Abby is coming over for a belated bday dinner. You should come!

  Kristy: I don’t want to intrude on sister time.

  Me: You’re just as much a sister as she is. Like for real. I’m not actually related to her at all. But don’t bring that up. I think she’s still a little upset over it.

  Kristy: I won’t say anything, and what time? I’m just about to leave the store.

  Me: Around five.

  I yawn and sit up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. Feeling too lazy to text, I move my finger over the little microphone icon and send Kristy a voice message instead of typing out my message.

  “What do babies drink? I feel like I should go out and get something for Penny. She’s a year and some odd months.”

  Three little dots show up, disappear, and then Kristy sends another voice message back.

  “Water? Apple juice? Oh, babies are always drinking milk on TV shows.”

  I send another message. “I know nothing about children. I need to get my ass up and go to the grocery store. I’ll see you later?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be there. Don’t expect a present.”

  I laugh at her last voice message and get out of bed. I get dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans and put on my favorite combat boots and a pretty silver necklace Lucas got me when we were honeymooning in California.

  The
necklace rests right above my breasts, and Lucas said he got it so he’d have an excuse to check out my tits. I just rolled my eyes and told him he doesn’t need an excuse. Still, the necklace is pretty, and I love it.

  I run my finger over the first little sun-shaped charm on the necklace. A crescent moon hangs under that, and three silver stars dangle from the moon. Using magic, I curl my hair, and then I put on a bit of makeup and head out.

  The grocery store is busy today, and it takes forever to get the few things I need. I swing by Jack in the Box, a mom-and-pop owned toy store on the main street of Thorne Hill, and pick up a couple of toys for Penny.

  I make it home with plenty of time to spare, and Kristy arrives just a few minutes before five.

  “You look good,” she tells me as she steps into the house.

  “Thanks. I feel good, too.” I close the door behind her, not sealing it back up with magic since my sister will be here soon. “I know this feeling won’t last long, so I’m going to embrace it.”

  She gives me a look. “Have you started drinking already?”

  “Not yet. I’ll at least wait until all my guests arrive to open the bottle of wine I bought myself.”

  Kristy laughs and bends down to pet Scarlet. “I’m kinda leaning toward Nicole’s suggestion to keep her as a puppy forever. She is really cute this way.”

  “I do need to figure out how to adjust the glamour.” I look at Scarlet for a few seconds, thinking. “Do you think she has to be a dog? Could she be glamoured to be a cat? She’d fit in better if she were.”

  Scarlet growls, not liking my suggestion, and Kristy and I both laugh.

  “Where’s Lucas?” Kristy asks, standing back up.

  “He had to go to Chicago to deal with something. He’ll be back right after sunset.”

  “Deal with something?” Kristy takes off her shoes and follows me into the kitchen.

  “I told you about the group of vampires who are against mainstreaming, right?”

  “Yeah, I remember hearing you say something about it. Are they at it again?”

  I nod and pull the bottle of wine out of the freezer. It hasn’t been in long enough to freeze yet, and it’s perfectly chilled. I set the red Moscato on the counter and get out four wine glasses, preparing for when Abby arrives.

  “They are, and they threatened another vampire who works with Lucas.” I turn around, leaning against the counter. “They’re trying to get under his skin but won’t go after him directly.” I shake my head. “It’s like they’re trying to force him to do something drastic.”

  “Did you say he’s one of the oldest vampires in the area?”

  “He is, and I know that has something to do with this. Going after him directly would be a death sentence. We still don’t know who the vampires are behind the threats.” I let out a sigh. “It’s annoying and the last thing we need right now.”

  “I’m sure Lucas can handle it,” Kristy assures me, reaching across the counter for the wine. “Like you just said: he’s one of the oldest vampires in the area. He’s been able to take care of himself for years.”

  “Right. And vampire drama doesn’t seem so bad when all of Heaven would love to murder me, killer necromancers are sending curses our way, and the devil is my uncle.”

  “Well, when you put it that way…” Kristy chuckles and pours two glasses of wine. “But don’t let your guard down. I’ll be the first to remind you about the time you were kidnapped and almost killed by vampires.”

  “Ugh,” I say and take the glass of wine from her. “And we still don’t know what Dina wanted to use me for.”

  Kristy holds up her glass. “One problem at a time. And tonight, we’re celebrating you turning another year older.”

  “Right.” We gently clink our glasses together. “Do you want to go to Disneyland with me?”

  “Yeah, I’d love to go someday.”

  “Someday soon?”

  Kristy slowly takes another drink. “How soon?”

  “If all goes well, maybe in a few days? Lucas is buying property in Anaheim and suggested going to Disneyland.”

  “Aren’t you going to Disney World in a few weeks?”

  “Yeah,” I laugh. “But…let’s be honest here. Who knows what will happen in a few weeks? Hell, I don’t know what’s going to happen in a few hours.”

  “That is true, even for people who don’t deal with the shit we do on a regular basis. Oh, and speaking of that shit we deal with, Evander wanted me to tell you Felix is going back to Salem tomorrow. He has a class to teach and can’t be away for a long time but might come back over the weekend.”

  “That buys me a little more time. Did he say anything else?”

  Kristy makes a face. “He didn’t accuse you of Satanism, so there’s that.” She takes a big drink of wine and looks out the window over the kitchen sink.

  “Out with it.”

  “He knows something else went on, and whatever you did goes beyond the realm of regular witchcraft. He thinks you were channeling something elemental.”

  “I can live with that. Do you think he’s going to rat me out?”

  “You mean go to the Grand Coven and say he saw you do something weird while you all were preforming an illegal ritual in order to save a vampire’s afterlife?” Her lips curve into a half-smile. “No. He’s not going to say anything to the Grand Coven or even our High Priestess. Evander said he was mostly excited that his years of work and research paid off.”

  “I guess turning me in would turn him in as well. And Evander. And Naomi and Nicole.”

  “Out of all your ex-boyfriends, he’s my favorite,” she teases.

  “He never tried to kill me, at least.” I let out a sigh and set my wine on the counter. My head is already spinning. I’m going to lose track of all these lies and forget who knows what. I need to write them all down. And make a flow chart or two so I can keep everything straight. “Speaking of ex-boyfriends,” I start.

  Kristy shakes her head. “I’m not getting back together with Daniel.”

  “Didn’t you say that the last time you broke up?”

  “Yes, but I mean it this time.”

  “I remember you saying that last time, too.”

  “For real,” she laughs. “He’s a good guy, just not the one for me.” She wrinkles her nose. “I wish he was. He’s kind and caring and sort of smothering, but not in a good way like Lucas is to you.”

  “You think Lucas is smothering?” I try to sound offended but end up laughing.

  “Almost. He’s very protective of you,” she starts. “But he doesn’t get in your way or stop you from doing your own thing. You guys have a good relationship. It’s goals for me, for sure, just with a warlock, not a vampire.”

  “You know who is protective but not overbearing—and just happens to be single?”

  “If you say Easton, I swear to the goddess I’ll curse you myself.”

  “No way!” I laugh and playfully swat Kristy’s arm. “I’m not setting you up with a hunter. The guy I have in mind is a warlock. A highly esteemed warlock and someone I consider family.”

  Kristy narrows her eyes. “Evander?”

  “Yes! It would be so perfect, actually. You’re already like my sister, and he’s like my brother. And he’s very easy on the eyes, if I do say so myself. Plus, I know you two have been spending a lot of time together.”

  “Not any more than usual,” she counters.

  “Didn’t you talk this morning?”

  “Yes,” she says, pursing her lips. “But he called me. On the phone.”

  “He didn’t call me.” I shrug. “I’m just saying…you have my blessing.”

  “Oh, then by all means, start planning the wedding,” she jokes. We talk and laugh as we set the dining room table, and Abby arrives just a few minutes after five.

  “Sorry we’re late,” my sister says, pulling me in for a hug. “Penny had a bit of a meltdown on the way out the door, and then we realized we left the diaper bag in the foyer and
had to turn around and get it.”

  “It’s quarter after five. That’s not late in my book.” I hug my sister back and step aside, letting her into the house. Phil is right behind her, holding Penny, who’s still fast asleep.

  Abby takes her purse from her shoulder and sets it on the chair in my small entryway. “I’ll go grab the food. I need to reheat a few things.”

  “Not an issue,” I tell her and go outside, letting Scarlet run around the yard as we carry in trays of food and one delicious-looking chocolate cake.

  Phil is in the living room with Penny, and Abby, Kristy, and I go into the kitchen to get dinner ready. Abby turns the oven on and twists, looking me up and down.

  “You’re okay?” she asks, brows furrowing. “And Lucas is okay?”

  “He’s not cursed anymore,” I assure her. “He healed and is back to himself.” I glance at the clock. The sun sets around six forty-five. If he gets a vampire-safe Uber to take him back to Thorne Hill, he could be here soon-ish. If he’s driving himself, he won’t be able to even leave Chicago until the sun is down for the night.

  “So it’s all over, then?” Abby goes on. I know she’s trying to understand my world and feels like she needs to make up for lost time. I don’t want to keep anything from her, and I certainly don’t want to lie, but some things are better left unsaid.

  “Not quite,” I tell her and open up a bag of breadsticks. They smell amazing, and I break off the end of one, popping it in my mouth. They’re amazing even cold like this.

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means,” Kristy says, taking over since my mouth is full, “whoever cursed Lucas is still out there.”

  “Oh. Wow. It makes sense. I think.” Abby holds her hand over a tray of cheesy pasta, checking the temperature. Deciding it needs to be warmed up, she puts it in on top of the oven, waiting for it to finish heating. “So…how do you find who cursed him?”

  “I’m working on it,” I say, rubbing my forehead. “I’m sure they’ll go after him—or me—again, and that might work in my favor, actually. You can reverse-lookup curses, so to speak, but it’s not easy.”