Reign of Night (Thorne Hill 7)

“Wow.” She picks up her yipping dog and holds its mouth shut. “You…you look good.”

“Thanks. It’s a girl,” I say and watch her reaction. She’s nosy as fuck and loves to gossip. Abby will catch wind of this eventually, I’m sure.

“Oh.” Her head bobs up and down. “I’m…I’m sorry.” She shakes her head and plasters on a fake smile. “I’m just…you…your boyfriend…”

“My husband,” I correct, not sure if I’ve seen her since our wedding or not.

“Yes, husband…he…he’s a vampire.”

“I’m aware.” I shut the door and lock the Jeep.

“He’s the father?”

“He is,” I answer and hope Lucas is looking out a window, listening. I told him someone was going to ask about this eventually.

“Huh. What did you do, have some sort of vampire-operation?”

“Yes,” I say, rolling with it. “It was very expensive and very risky for us both.” I pat my stomach. “But it worked out.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

“I gotta get in,” I tell her and click my tongue, signaling for Scarlet to follow me. “See ya around!”

“Yeah, see ya.” Ricci is still staring at me incredulously as Scarlet and I go into the house. Lucas and Eliza aren’t in the front living room, eavesdropping and hearing how right I was that people are going to question how the hell my dead lover impregnated me.

Dropping my bags in the foyer, I take off my shoes and follow Scarlet through the house, finding both Lucas and Eliza in the kitchen. Eliza has an array of vegetables out in front of her, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think she was making herself a large salad. Really, she’s preparing food for her beloved guinea pigs.

“How’s Sasha and the baby?” I ask, picking up a carrot and taking a bite.

“They’d be better if you didn’t eat their food,” Eliza retorts but then stops, leaning back and looking me up and down. “You look good in blue. It brings out the green of your eyes.”

So used to wearing black, I kinda forgot about the blue dress. “Thanks,” I tell her. “I just might get used to the lighter colors.”

“You should. It suits you. Well, looks-wise. Personality, the black is best.”

“I think that’s supposed to be a compliment?”

“It is,” she says with a wink and then goes back to chopping up carrots.

“Are you ready, my love?” Lucas asks, and I nod.

“I’m gonna pee first.” Since the demon is looking for me, we thought going somewhere public would be the next best thing besides standing in the middle of Michigan Avenue and screaming come get me for all to hear. I use the bathroom, hang Scarlet’s leash on the backdoor, and grab my very literal bag of tricks and go outside with Lucas.

The Taproom, as expected, is busy for a Friday night. We go to the back, and Lucas looks into the eyes of the couple sitting there.

“You’re tired and ready to go home,” he tells them. “Tip your waitress well.” They both nod, and the guy gets out his wallet, paying for their drink and leaving a twenty-dollar tip. We push their drinks to the side of the table and sit down. I pull a map of the city from my bag and spread it out over the table. I’m not the best at scrying, and if the demon has left Chicago, forget about it.

Not long later, Easton and Melinda arrive. I texted them on the way here to let them know to meet us here instead of the house.

“They brought company,” Lucas grumbles, and I look up, seeing a burly young adult man walking with them.

“If he can help, then we’ll play.”

“Fine. And if he’s not helpful—”

“No murder,” I remind him under my breath. “Hey, guys.”

“Hey, Callie.” Melinda smiles and slides into the booth, sitting across from me. Lucas puts an arm around me, and I don’t think he’s even aware how possessive he’s being half the time.

“Hey,” I say back, gaze shifting from her to the guy beside her.

“This is Carl,” she introduces, eyes widening and giving me an I’m sorry look. “We ran into him on the way here.”

“What are the chances, right?” Carl laughs. He has a slight southern accent. “I haven’t seen these two in years.”

“Such a coincidence,” Easton grumbles and sits down, sliding into the booth and taking a spot across from me.

“Nice to meet you,” Carl says and holds out his hand.

“You too,” I say and take his hand. “I’m Callie, and this is my husband, Lucas.”

“Hello,” Lucas says and meets Carl’s eyes. In just a second, he’s held spellbound. “I own this bar. Go to the counter and tell them Lucas King said you can get whatever you want.”

Carl’s lips pull into a smile, and he slowly nods his head. “Sounds good to me. Thanks, sir.” Lucas breaks eye contact, and Carl turns, moving through a crowd of people to get to the bar.