Heir of Night (The Thorne Hill)

“Please tell me Lucas joined you for some classic eighties workouts.”

“Unfortunately, he didn’t, but he did have a pair of neon-green-and-orange-leopard-print pants he was quite fond of. And I know there is a picture of him wearing them.”

“I have to see this.”

Smiling, Eliza picks up the hourglass and carefully carries it downstairs. I shove my other boot on and follow her. She sets it in the middle of the island, and we wait a beat, watching the sand steadily fall before I get myself food and she disappears into the basement to get the photo album.

I give leftover chicken to my familiars and Scarlet and get a piece of cake for myself. Eliza comes back with the photo album, and we laugh as we look through photos.

“Out of all the fashion trends, the eighties was one I loved the most at the time,” she tells me, flipping to another page.

“But the one you looked back on and thought what the fuck about the most too?”

“If we’re talking about the last century…mmm, no,” she says after a moment of consideration. “You might be too young to remember Y2K fashion, but those oversized belts.” She widens her eyes and shakes her head. “They served no purpose. Pair that with wearing every accessory known to man at the same time. There’s a reason I hardly kept my photos from that year.”

“It must be weird watching things change so much.”

She shrugs. “It happens gradually. Trends have changed in your lifetime.”

“True, though I’ve kind of worn the same thing for the last, uh, however many years I’ve been an adult.”

“I can tell,” she says pointedly. We finish looking at photos, and then I go back to doing household chores. I get my laundry started and put my books back in the order I prefer. Eliza arranged by alphabetically. I prefer them separated by genre and color of the spine. For now. I’ll probably make rainbow shelves again in the near future. Time moves slowly, and I’m on pins and needles the whole time.

I’m switching a bunch of paperbacks when a piece of paper falls through the fireplace.

“Eliza,” I call, hurrying over. It’s Kristy’s handwriting, letting me know the transfer worked and everyone is okay. “You’re seeing this, right?” I ask her. “I’m not having a stress-induced delusion?”

“Not this time. Your friends are safe. See, they can handle shit without you.”

“I know they can, I just don’t like that they have to. I know none of this is my fault directly, but if I hadn’t been born, this whole use the half-breed to overthrow Hell mess wouldn’t be happening,” I say as another piece of paper falls from the fireplace. Eliza picks it up and unfolds it.

“This is for you. Gross.” She gives me the note. “And who’s to say another Nephilim wouldn’t have been born? If you’re really as dangerous as they say you are, then we’re lucky you’re the one and only half-witch, half-angel. Anyone else might have turned to the dark side.”

“I never thought about it that way.”

“You’re welcome.” She smirks and then turns on her heel, walking out of the library. I look at the piece of paper in my hands, recognizing Lucas’s perfect handwriting immediately.

Callie-

The transfer was successful and everyone is safe, as you just read in Kristy’s letter. I know you and thought you could use the reassurance. I’m at the Covenstead until sundown. Come and join me. I found an Academy uniform for you to wear for me. I’ve fucked you on nearly every surface inside our house but haven’t fucked you in here.

-L

Feeling a bit of heat rush through me, I refold the note and put it on the desk.

“Off to have schoolgirl fantasy sex?” Eliza asks, standing in the doorway.

“Possibly, though I’m not exactly sure where we’ll have proposed sex.”

“Trust me, you’ll find a place.”

“Maybe my senior-year dorm will suddenly become available.” I wiggle my eyebrows, knowing how much Eliza hates it. “You’re okay if I leave?”

“Yes,” she huffs and rolls her eyes. “I’ve already arranged for a car to come at sunset. I’ve spent more time here than I planned.”

“Hey, you’re the one who wants to move in.”

“It’s more of a need than a want.” She puts a hand on her hip. “For you.”

“You know what? I’m not above admitting that yes, we’re going to need help. Like most first-time moms, I’m terrified of having a fragile newborn in my care. I can’t even keep plants alive, and that’s not to mention the constant danger I’m in. I want to say I’ll take a few years off from the demon-hunting biz, but we both know I can’t. Fighting evil is in my blood. Literally. My dad is Michael, the great warrior archangel.”

“At least Elena’s childhood won’t be boring.” Eliza pushes her hair back and smiles. “You’re going to be a good mom, Callie.”