“Oh my god, that sounds so cute! Like something out of a Hallmark movie. What time?”
“It starts at six and goes until about eight-thirty. Then there’s a big street party for adults.”
“We will be there. Phil and I are both off Saturday and Penny will love that. And I think you’ll love her costume.”
“What is it?”
“A witch! I got her a little hat and a plastic broom to carry around too. It’s adorable.”
“She’s going to be the cutest witch in town.”
“I think so, of course,” Abby laughs. “But I’m probably biased.”
“Hey, then I am too. So I’ll see you Saturday?”
“Yeah! Should I meet at your house?”
“I’ll be passing out candy at the store, so meet me there. The main street will be closed, but there will be signs up for parking.”
“Okay! Should I wear a costume? Or would that be weird?”
I laugh. “It’s Halloween, Abby. You’ll be weird if you’re not in a costume.”
“I’ll see what I can scrounge up before then. Take care, sis.”
“You too.” I end the call and let out a huge sigh of relief. Lucas was right: I do feel much better, and I know not telling Abby was the right thing. Everything turned out okay, and there’s no need to upset her. Maybe someday, years from now, I’ll bring it up when we’re having lunch together, complaining about our sassy teenage daughters.
Hey, remember that one time we had a spa day? Well, you actually got shot in the gut and then Lucifer healed you. I murdered the guy who shot you, don’t worry. And then Easton and I cleaned up the crime scene.
“Yeah, right.” I call Scarlet in, give her and my familiars dinner, lock the back door, sealing it with magic.
“Ready?” Lucas asks. He’s in the living room with Eliza, watching a French movie with no English subtitles.
“I am, and I’m starving.”
“You still want to go to Suzy’s Cafe?”
“Yes, I really want a milkshake to dip my fries in.”
Lucas holds out his hand for me, and Eliza turns off the TV. We walk out of the house together, and I wave my hand over the front door as well, casting an extra protection spell over the house, just in case.
“You seem happier,” Eliza notes.
“I feel better now that I talked to Abby,” I say and give Lucas’s hand a squeeze. “Everything is fine with her, and she’s coming into town on Saturday to take Penny trick-or-treating.”
“Told you.” Lucas pulls me closer and kisses the top of my head. “You have something to look forward to now. The Feast and seeing your sister.”
“And you wearing a matching costume with me,” I add, smiling up at him. He’s right: we have a few days until the weekend, and I’ll be damned before I let anything get in my way of spending the time relaxing, eating, and having loud, passionate sex with my husband. It’s just a few days. The universe owes me a fucking break, and I’m going to reach out and take it this time.
Lucas unlocks his Range Rover and opens the passenger-side door for me. I take my purse off my shoulder and lift my foot to get inside. Suddenly, the air vibrates, and I turn just in time to see a bright light flash across the yard.
It’s not the first time I’ve seen the light flash like this, but it’s almost just as startling.
“Julian,” I gasp, turning and rushing over to him. He’s standing right in front of the porch, and he’s not bleeding this time, thank god.
“Callie,” he starts, brows pinched together. “Come with me. I fear you are in grave danger.”
“Son of a bitch,” I huff. So much for a fucking night off.Chapter 8“Slow down,” I say, pulling my hand from his before he has a chance to fly us out of here. “What are you talking about?”
Julian, who’s actually dressed in a different outfit than the last time I saw him, looks around nervously. “I may have been followed.”
“Followed?” Lucas echoes. “Why the fuck would you come here if you were being followed?”
“I wanted to get here before they did,” Julian replies and holds out his hand, conjuring his angel-dagger.
“Who?” I ask, though I already know the answers.
“Demons.”
Lucas protectively moves behind me, wrapping his arm around my middle so his large palm is splayed over my stomach.
“I intercepted a dark prophet,” Julian goes on. “Who predicted a surge in the cosmic energy, and the surge originated in this area. It’s not uncommon for Ley lines to put off unusual amounts of energy from time to time, but if they come looking…”
“They might find me.”
“Yes, and your powers extend far beyond those of a typical witch.” Julian’s face turns sullen. “And that’s not all. I have news, and maybe you should sit down for this.”
“Are you going to tell us that Lucifer is free?”