“That would be so much fun!” I can’t help but smile. “You wouldn’t mind her coming?”
“Not at all.” He runs his hand up and down my thigh. “If it makes you happy, it makes me happy. And I’m more than aware I’m limited to the night, Callie. Go out and enjoy the sun.”
“I love you,” I whisper, kissing him once more.
“I know.” He gives me a wink and gets up, grabbing a pair of athletic pants and stepping into them. “Take a shower and I’ll make you breakfast.”
Not wanting to give Eliza another free show, I put my robe on and go into the bathroom. I brush through my messy hair and turn on the shower, giving the water time to heat up.
Lucas comes into the bathroom as soon as I step into the shower.
“I knew you couldn’t resist me when I’m naked and wet,” I tease, pulling back the shower curtain.
He smirks and takes his time looking at me. “The eggs,” he starts. “Are they safe for you to eat?”
“Ohh, right. Tabatha enchanted them. No. Toss ‘em.” I wrinkle my nose. “Damn, scrambled eggs sounded good, too.”
“You need a minion,” he says seriously. “Someone you can send out to run errands for you.”
“You know,” I start, letting the shower curtain fall shut, “I’ve always wanted a few minions to do my bidding.”
“You could definitely have them.”
I grab the shampoo and start washing my hair. “It’s something I’ve considered a time or two. Though I have three familiars. They’re way more badass, though I can’t send them to the grocery store to buy me eggs.”
“Good point. I’ll make you something else.”
Lucas closes the door behind him, and I take my time showering, enjoying the warm water and the lack of urgency to get out and ready to fight demons or break curses.
Once I’m finally out, I magically braid my hair and go into my room to get dressed. I haven’t texted Abby back yet, and two more texts have come through from her.
Forgoing texting, I call her instead.
“Are you okay?” she rushes out as soon as she picks up.
“I’m fine. And so is Lucas. We were able to transfer the curse,” I tell her, putting my phone on speaker. The door is closed, but I know it won’t stop either Lucas or Eliza from being able to hear my conversation. If I wanted to, I could cast the silence spell I forgot to cast last night—sorry, Eliza—making it impossible for anyone to hear me. But I’m not saying anything I don’t care for them to hear, so I don’t bother.
“So he’s okay?”
“Yes,” I assure her. “He’s back to normal.”
“Oh my god, thank goodness.” Abby lets out a heavy sigh. “And you’re okay?”
“I am. I slept in past noon and just took a shower. Lucas is making me breakfast, and we plan to spend the rest of the day on the couch watching HGTV,” I tell her as I put lotion on my body.
“Everything is over, then?”
“Hah,” I say with a snort of laughter. “Far from it. We don’t know who cursed Lucas or why, but it has to do with me in some way.”
“You really think so?”
“Lucas has lived how long without being cursed? We’re married for two weeks and someone is coming at him with a dark-as-hell curse.”
“Oh, I’m uh…” Abby sputters. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” I tell her, not wanting her to waste her time feeling bad for me. “Vampires already went after me. It’s only fair witches go after Lucas.”
Abby laughs. “That isn’t funny, yet it is.”
“You have to laugh so you don’t cry.”
“I suppose.” Abby lets out a breath. “You were on your honeymoon over your birthday. I think a belated party is in order. Mostly because I want to make sure you and Lucas are okay. That wound was nasty.”
“He’s a vampire,” I remind her. “Vampires heal. When their powers aren’t being bound anyway, that is.”
“I’m confused,” she confesses. “Vampires have powers…but you do, too.”
“Yes. Vampires are made into what they are through old and dark magic that is transferred and fostered in their blood. Which is why the older the vampire is, the stronger their powers are.”
“Since Lucas is so old, he’s stronger, right?”
“Right. Along with physical strength, he has added bonuses, I suppose you could call them, like being able to hold people spellbound.”
“How old do they have to be before they can do that?” she asks almost nervously. I know there are more and more vampires settling in Chicago. She’s come a long way since she’s come back into my life, but she’s still quite scared of vamps.
“Around five hundred. About every five hundred years, they get a power boost.”
“And Lucas has had three power boosts? So he’s like…like a super vampire? And that’s because of his blood?”
I can see Abby’s face in my mind. “Don’t overthink it,” I tell her. “Magic isn’t mean to be analyzed.”