Curse of Night (Thorne Hill 5)

“Do you think we could use the box to scry for her?” Nicole asks, looking past the kitchen and into the foyer where the cardboard box is. “She would have touched it in the last few days, right?”

“The postage is from two days ago,” Kristy says. “It’s worth a shot. I’ll bring it back to the Academy with me tonight.”

“You’re going back?” I wiggle my eyebrows, and Kristy shoots me a look.

“It’s safest there. We all should go back.”

“Except for me.”

“You’re the one who married a vampire,” she teases. “And if we close the store the rest of the day and then again tomorrow, we might be able to throw Ruth off for just a bit.” She makes a face. “We’ll be fine to close for a day.”

“I have money,” I say, feeling a little awkward, though it’s not like it’s a secret Lucas is rich. “I’ll get the cash to pay everyone without us taking a loss. And don’t even try to tell me otherwise. I know I haven’t been working, but I’m still co-owner, and I want to do it.”

Kristy smiles. “It’s nice to have a rich friend.”

“So all I have to do is throw some cash at you and you’ll keep me around?”

All three of my friends laugh. “You know I like gifts,” Naomi says with a wink. She reaches forward and pats my hand. “And you don’t try to tell us otherwise when we say we’re here to help.”

“Thank you,” I say and get hit with emotion again. Maybe I need more sleep or something because I’ve been oddly emotional a lot the last few days. “Given Ruth’s track record, we have about another week before she strikes again. She has to be sputtering, trying to come up with new ways to get to me. I mean, hex bags, really?” I roll my eyes. “There’s a picture of her in the Grand Coven directory, right?”

“What are you thinking?” Naomi asks, eyes glinting, and I know she’ll be on board even if my plan is a little dark. “Are you going to curse her, too?”

“No, curses are too weak. I don’t just want to win the battle. I want to win the whole fucking war.”Lucas’s arms wrap around me the second the front door slams shut. He pulls me to him and then presses my back against the door, kissing me hard.

“Missed me, I take it?” I ask, throwing my arms around his neck as Scarlet races through the house, chasing Binx. That hellhound stands no chance against my ancient familiar.

“You were attacked, and I wasn’t there to protect you.” His brows furrow, and he puts his lips to mine again.

“I handled it just fine.”

He kisses me again and then leans back, looking me up and down. “What are you wearing?”

“It’s Kristy’s. Do you like it?” I look down at the pale pink sundress and gray sweater I borrowed from my best friend.

“I do, actually. You look good in anything.” He kisses me again and then takes me into the living room. I go over everything, and Lucas holds me tight the whole time. There really is nothing better than being in his arms.

“I hate that I can’t be with you during the day,” he says, eyes clouding with emotion.

“Me, too,” I agree, finally saying it out loud for the first time. “And I know a lot is going on right now, but maybe I should focus on figuring out how to get you to day walk. I’ve heard myths about vampires being able to walk in the sun before.”

“As have I, though I assure you they are just that. Myths.”

“Are you sure?” I ask as I rake my fingers through his hair. “How do you know it hasn’t happened?”

“I suppose I don’t,” he says and lies back on the couch, bringing me with him. I kick off my shoes and nestle against his chest. “The stories always had one thing in common.”

“What was it?”

“The vampire who was able to walk in the sun wore some sort of amulet.”

“The moonstone,” I say, thinking back. “It kept my spell from working in the kitchen window. It absorbed the sunlight. I could use it.”

“If anyone could figure it out, it’s you, my love.” He runs his fingers down my back, and my eyes fall shut. “Are you tired?”

“A little.”

“I’ll take you upstairs.”

“I’m comfy here,” I mumble and reach up for the blanket on the back of the couch. Lucas smooths it out over me, and I continue to rake my fingers through his hair. “Can we go to Chicago tonight? I want to put an extra warding on Abby’s house and give her and Phil protection charms to wear when they leave. I need to make a special one for Penny.”

“Of course. I have business I need to take care of there. And I want to see Eliza.”