Curse of Night (Thorne Hill 5)

So does Scarlet, and Eliza scoops her up just in time. The hellhound whimpers and whines, sounding pathetic, but quiets down when she sees what I’m doing.

I lie down in the salt circle and place a large tourmaline stone on the center of my chest. Binx settles on my stomach, and Pandora and Freya sit at either side of my head, protecting me from anything that lurks through the astral plane.

Closing my eyes, I realize how easily I could fall asleep right now. Lucas was right to ask if this is a good idea. I know it’s not. Astral projection has always come easily to me, but just because it’s easy doesn't mean I should do it.

But for Lucas…I’ll do anything.

I let out a breath, centering myself, and spend an extra few minutes really focusing on grounding my center. Then I bring my hands up, resting them on the tourmaline stone.

“My body is here, my mind is there. Let me walk now through the air. Separate the bond that ties and send me to where my thought now lies,” I whisper aloud, saying the spell in English. I feel myself start to slip into the astral plane. I repeat the spell a few more times, envisioning Evander’s office in my mind.

The room spins, and I feel like I’m being sucked down through a dark hole in the ground, twirling and free falling through the air. The sensation only lasts a few seconds, and then suddenly my feet hit solid ground.

Flames crackle over fresh logs just placed in the large fireplace near Evander’s desk. I spin around and see both Evander and Kristy sitting on a velvet settee. Evander is holding a glass of brandy in his hand, and Olive is sitting on Kristy’s lap

“Callie!” Kristy exclaims and then clamps her hand over her mouth. Right. I’m not supposed to be here. “What are you doing?”

“I needed to talk to you, and neither of you answered.” I zero my gaze on the brandy in Evander’s hand. He’s dressed in traditional garb for teaching at the Academy: black dress pants, a black dress shirt, and a long, blood-colored robe. He probably has another class to get to…I think. I can’t even remember what day it is right now.

“Though,” I go on, “it kind of looks like I interrupted a secret hookup or a secret meeting. If it’s a secret hookup, I’ll come back and we can discuss double-dates later.”

Evander quickly gets to his feet, lips parting. “Sister, you shouldn’t—”

The door to his office opens, and Nicole and Naomi step in. “We came as soon as we could,” Nicole starts and then comes to a dead stop, causing her twin to bump into her. Her eye widen as she looks at me.

“This is a secret meeting!” I throw out my hands. “What the fuck?”

Kristy tips her head and strokes Olive’s white fur. “We don’t have to worry about breaking it to her gently now.”

“What?” I demand.

Evander flicks his wrist, and the office door closes. “Settle down,” he tells me. Nicole goes to give me a hug but stops at the last second, realizing I’m not really here.

“What’s going on?” she asks, knowing I’d only risk projecting myself into forbidden territory if it was absolutely necessary.

“I need to know everything about the curses used to try to bring back the witches after they were turned into vampires,” I spit out quickly and then shake my head. “But why are you all here?”

Kristy gently sets the rabbit on the settee next to her and gets up, pacing to the fireplace. “Ruth’s trial just concluded.”

“Good. How many years without powers did that bitch get?”

Evander and Kristy exchange looks, and I instantly know this is bad.

“She didn’t get any,” Evander tells me, face tightening. “She was found guilty of illegally administering a sleeping draft and was stripped of her position within the Grand Coven. But as for attempting to summon the devil…” He slowly shakes his head. “There wasn’t enough evidence. She’s been set free.”Chapter 11“That’s fucking bullshit,” I spit out.

“Keep your voice down,” Evander whispers, eyes flitting to the door. “The Grand Coven is still here. They’re…they’re reviewing your case now.”

“Great timing,” I sigh and close my eyes. There’s a good chance tears are spilling down my face back in my living room, and if they are, Lucas will probably shake me soon, trying to get my attention so I go back into my body.

“What are you doing here?” Naomi asks, pushing her thick red hair back behind her shoulder.

And now everything comes crashing down all over again. I open my mouth, but no words come out. “Lucas,” I start only to stop so I can regain my composure. “He’s…he’s been cursed, and I think he’s dying.”

“Oh, Callie.” Kristy steps forward, brows pinching together. “Where are you?”