Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“I know, right?” I look down at my baby, smiling, and then look back at Easton. We’re going to have to talk about what happened, or what didn’t happen, I suppose. It wasn’t intentional, but Easton exposed a big part of himself, part I’m positive he didn’t want me knowing.
Lucas was right: Easton still has feelings for me. I wish I didn’t know. Being the source of someone’s unrequited love isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
“Do you remember what happened?” I ask gently, part of me hoping he’ll just say no and we can move on.
“I do. The ring—”
“It’s not in the fiery pits of Mordor, but the djinn is dead. I stabbed her and then burned the body and, shit, I owe Kristy a new letter opener. It was book-themed.”
There’s a knock at the door and I make a face, certain the nurse heard me talking about murder. But it’s Melinda, and she rushes in, throwing her arms around her brother.
“Easy, sis,” Easton says and pats her on the back. “I’m fine. I should be getting out of here soon.”
“Yeah, right, mister,” she shoots back and straightens up, wiping tears from her eyes. “Callie filled me in.”
“On everything?” Easton asks, a little panicked.
“On the fact that you were hypothermic with severe blood loss when she brought you in. You’re going to be okay, right?”
“Right.”
“Thank you,” Melinda tells me.
“Of course,” I say, knowing this was more or less my fault in a sense. I was the one who roped Easton into helping me break into the Order’s warehouse. Who the djinn attached to…I can’t be certain. Both Easton and I long for something so much it hurts, making us both ideal candidates. Easton could throw me under the bus right now, blame me for getting him involved. It was the exact reason he didn’t want to help in the first place, and I hate that he’s right.
When it comes to Lucas, I won’t let anything stand in my way. My friends were worried Lucas would be the one doing something irrational in the sake of saving me, but they had it mixed up. Because in the end, I’m the one acting without consequence.
Chapter
Twenty-One
I turn the scarab over in my hands, still unable to pick up on any bad vibes. Only two hours have passed since I got home from the hospital, and Juliet is asleep in her bassinet next to my bed. The baby monitor is tucked into the pocket of my robe, though my familiars are more than capable of alerting me if she wakes up.
I’m on the little stoop near the library. We rarely use this door, though eventually we plan to take the headstones and have them made into a path leading from here to the pool. We think this door was originally used for patients to come in and out of since the original owner was a doctor. Someday, when I have loads of spare time, I’ll go to the Thorne Hill library and see if I can find all the old property records and old photos of this house.
This house called to me the first time I saw it, back when I was just a teenager exploring the woods around the Covenstead door, maybe hoping to run into a demon to kill. I dreamed about fixing it up back then, but quickly realized there was no way I could ever afford it on my own. My little brick house down the road was expensive enough to update, and it took me years and lots of my own blood, sweat, and tears to get it to where it is. It could still use a big plumbing update, if I’m being honest.
Lucas bought this house for me not just because he knew how much I loved it. He knew from the very start that we would build a life together, and what a life we’ve built.
“Keep hanging on,” I whisper, looking up at the stars. “I will find a way to save you, my love.” Tears roll down my face and I suck back my emotions once again. Opening a black velvet bag full of salt, I put the oracle in and take it inside. I enchanted a box to keep the bag in, being cautious…and Scarlet is standing guard over the box while I sleep.
Heating up a plate of the taco casserole Kristy brought over, I quietly go upstairs and into the sitting area of our room to eat while watching over Juliet. I’ve heard people mention “mom guilt” but I never got what it really was until I had my own child.
And right now I’m feeling not just guilty, but inadequate.
I love my daughter more than anything and know I can be the best mom to her…just under different circumstances. It was too hard for me to keep myself on the schedule at work due to the constant threat of danger and demons. Who am I kidding to think I can raise a child? The blissful first two weeks of her life almost seem like a cruel joke from the universe, showing me how wonderful things can be before ripping the rug out from under my feet.