Heir of Night (The Thorne Hill)

Which means it knew about my warding before.

“There’s too much we don’t know. If other demons find out, they’ll be the first to strike a deal with the wolves in exchange for information.”

“That doesn’t mean you kill him!”

“Do you have a better idea?” Lucas’s fangs flash in the flickering light from the lanterns on the wall. I stare him down, wishing he could just hold Noah spellbound and we could be done with this all. Unlike witches, werewolves can be held spellbound by a vampire. But once they shift into wolf form at the next full moon, the memories start to come back. It might take a few months to remember everything, but something as memorable as being possessed by a demon, showing up at a house expecting one witch and getting half a dozen, and then being transported to a magical school hidden in a pocket dimension isn’t something you’d easily forget.

“Yes. Memory spells. They shouldn’t be here. Tabatha has something in the works already, I’m sure, since we can’t have them remembering how to get into the Covenstead. It’s enough of a stretch that we let you in.”

“What if demons seek them out and break the spell?”

“What if they don’t?”

“You’re willing to leave that up to chance?” Lucas growls.

I throw up my hands, not realizing the flames on the wall sconces are growing bigger and taking on a reddish hue. “Then what was the point of saving Noah? Why not kill him right then and there?”

“We had to trap the demon before it jumped into another body.”

“Right, so it wouldn’t tell me about your Bulgarian girlfriend.”

“Callie,” Lucas says, anger crossing his handsome face. It was a low blow and I know it, but I’m not allowing anyone else to die because of me.

“That wasn’t fair, I’m sorry,” I spit, crossing my arms over my chest.

“She was Romanian anyway.” Lucas sighs. “I don’t want to fight.”

“Then promise me you won’t kill the wolves.”

Lucas’s jaw tenses, and he doesn’t respond. He won’t make a promise he can’t keep. “I will do whatever I have to in order to protect you. To protect Elena. My family. I’m not afraid to be the bad guy, and I’ll gladly do it so you don’t have to.”

“You don’t have to, either! You know what I am, Lucas. You know I shouldn’t even be here. Demons are going to come for me, and you can’t kill everyone they use on their way. The world doesn’t revolve around me.”

“My world revolves around you,” he counters, and I almost waver. I stare him down, so fucking pissed but still so damn in love with him. We are everything to each other, and when you’re as powerful as we are, it’s dangerous. “And the world will suffer if the demons get you. I want you safe for my own selfish reasons, Callie, but it is bigger than that, and you have to accept it.”

“That still doesn’t mean we kill innocent people. They’re not going to send demons after me.”

Lucas puts the books down and grabs both my hands. Pushing his hips against me, he backs me up against the wall. “I don’t want to cause you any more upset, my love.” He rests his forehead against mine, letting go of my hands and grabbing my waist instead. “But know I will do whatever I have to if it means keeping you safe.”

“I do know,” I say softly, hooking my hands around his shoulders. I’ve known since he told me he loved me, and it’s something Tabatha has been concerned about for some time as well: that Lucas will cross a line he can’t uncross, and while it won’t matter to him, it will to me. “Please don’t kill anyone tonight.”

“Fine,” he relents. “Not tonight.”

“Give Tabatha a chance to figure something out. She’s not going to let the wolves just walk out of here remembering everything, demon or no demon.”

“I’ll give her six hours.”

“Twelve?”

“Fine,” he grunts again. “I’m taking you home now.”

I’m tired, and having a quiet house to ourselves sounds so fucking nice. “Okay, but on the way, I’m gonna need you to tell me all about that old girlfriend the demon was talking about.”

“You want to know about my past lovers?” He lifts his head from mine and looks at me with raised eyebrows.

“Unlike someone, I don’t get jealous and possessive.”

“I don’t get jealous or possessive,” he retorts.

“You still hate Easton.”

“I’m in the mood for murder. Brave of you to mention his name.”

“Exactly my point. Like I’ve said before, I’m well aware you weren’t saving yourself until marriage. And I’m quite thankful for that, since you’re very skilled in the bedroom.”

“I am,” he agrees, and some of the anger leaves his face.

“Is what the demon said true?”

“Some of it. Bogdana was a villager who kept my attention over the winter. I didn’t have the ability to hold anyone spellbound at that time, and winters in Romania were much colder than they are now. I needed a warm place to wait out the sun and used force to get what I wanted. When it came time for me to leave, Bogdana wanted me to take her with me. I refused, and when I awoke the next night, I found her dead on the floor. I knew she was transitioning and left, thinking whoever sired her would come back, and honestly, I didn’t care.”