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)
“Callie,” Lucas repeats but it’s like he’s talking to me through a closed door. “Take Juliet.”
“Got her,” Kristy says and the world starts to swirl around me. The cramp I’ve been feeling between my shoulder blades isn’t from holding Juliet. It’s from the divinity I’ve kept bottled up inside me. It wasn’t that long ago Lucifer told me I’ve been holding back and hadn’t unleashed my full potential.
I argued I wasn’t holding back, but that was because I didn’t even realize I was. Lucas reaches for me and it’s then I realize I can’t feel the tile floor under my feet anymore. Everything swirls faster and faster and I fight to keep my eyes open. My vision flits between the storage room of the bookstore and the beach in Western Australia where my father took me when he finally told me the truth about who I am.
I don’t want to leave my family, but I want to stay on the beach. My breath catches in my chest as I throw my hands out, reaching for Lucas. But instead of my husband, sand slips through my fingers and I fall forward, getting sprayed in the face by cool ocean water.
Chapter
Thirty-Four
“Callie.” Lucas’s cold fingers brush my hair back.
“Is she okay?”
“Her heart is still racing.”
“I feel so bad.” Kristy’s voice echoes, like we’re in the middle of a big, empty room. “She’s been going through so much, and she just had a baby not even a month ago. We take her strength for granted.”
Lucas rakes his fingers through my hair again. “I thought coming into town would give her a break. I should have realized it was too much.”
“Don’t blame yourself. I, uh, I haven’t been the most sensitive and I let my own fear get the better of me. God, I’m a terrible friend.”
“You’re not a terrible friend.”
“Well, I feel like it. My best friend has a baby and then two weeks later loses her husband and I tell her she should look at it as a good thing? I said you knew what you were doing when you got that horse.”
“I did.” Lucas’s long fingers sweep over my cheek. “I was the one who killed Famine and I wanted the Horsemen gone as much as anyone. I will do anything to protect my family.”
Juliet grunts and I start to realize what’s going on around me. I can tell Lucas is holding me, and there are bright lights shining down on me. I’m at the bookstore, and I’m pretty sure I’m still in the backroom. I’m still dizzy, and I fear if I move too fast, I’ll puke.
Slowly, I blink open my eyes. “Hey,” I groan. “What happened?”
Lucas strokes my hair. We’re on the floor and I’m in his lap. “You had a cosmic panic attack.”
“Lame.” I inhale and start to sit up. “Though I’m not surprised.”
“It’s not lame, Cal.” Kristy is holding Juliet, and she’s looking down at me with concern. “You disappeared for a second.”
“Yeah. I, um, I saw the beach my dad likes so much.”
“You flew.” Kristy sways back and forth, keeping Juliet calm. She’s wide awake and alert. “We…we thought…” She stops and looks at Lucas.
“Your shadow had wings.”
“Yeah.” I close my eyes. “I forgot to tell you I went through angel puberty the night you were taken to the Underworld. I got so mad at Lucifer for holding me back I kind of magically shoved him and then wings appeared.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?” Kristy’s mouth falls open again.
“I…I’m…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” she rushes out. “I am sorry, Callie. I didn’t think about just how hard this was for you. I should have been there more.” Tears fill her eyes. “The Horsemen scared me, and I let my fear override our friendship.”
“You’re right to fear them,” Lucas tells her. “I know the destruction they can bring. I…I’ve seen what they’ve done before and I’ve seen what they can do again.”
I look up, meeting Lucas’s eyes. “Can you still feel it? Famine, I mean.”
“No,” he tells me and I want to believe him. A few beats pass between the three of us and Lucas stands, still holding me. “We’re going home and are going to watch a movie and relax.”
“And I’m bringing you dinner. Is something from Maria’s okay?”
“Guys, an old as fuck vampire is attacking people in my town and demons are trying to open the Gates of Hell. I don’t have time for a taco night.”
“Cal,” Kirsty says sternly. “High stress puts you at risk for postpartum depression. I’m shit friend for not thinking of that before. Your life is filled with constant stress and danger and then losing Lucas…” She looks away, wiping away a tear.
“I don’t think I’m depressed,” I say. “Just really, really angry.”
“You can’t pour from an empty cup, Callie. We’re taking you home and we’re going to spoil the crap out of you, okay?”