Page 27 of Blood of Night (The Thorne Hill)

“Okay, I have to admit that was kinda fun,” Easton says with a laugh, pulling his truck keys from his pocket. “I’ll take any chance I get to best the fucking Order of the Mystic Realm.”

“Right?” I shake my head. “There is way too much darkness going on inside that building.”

“You’re telling me.” He fires up the engine and looks around. “Do we need to wait for your cat?”

“Nah. He’ll meet me back at the house.”

“He’ll be okay, right? I mean, they can’t catch him?”

“You can’t hurt a familiar with weapons. You need magic.” I press a smile. “It’s kinda cute to know you worry about Binx.”

“I’m not worried. I’m curious.”

“Well, either way, I can sense him and he’s having fun.”

Easton starts down the street and I pull the scarab out of my purse. It doesn’t feel cursed. Honestly, it doesn’t feel like anything at all other than a rock.

“If that thing is cursed, should you be holding it like that?” Easton eyes it for half a second before looking back at the road.

“If it was actually cursed, no. But this…it’s not cursed.”

“Didn’t it bring bad luck, like really fucking bad luck, to those who possessed it before?”

“Yeah, but the thing about curses is they can be tailored. Like the warding around my house. It doesn’t prevent people from coming to my door. It only prevents those with the intention of harming me from coming to the door. It was a complicated spell to cast, but curses can be worked the same way.”

“So, you’re saying you’re special and won’t get cursed?”

“No, not special. I just know the actual purpose of this thing and fully believe in it.” I hold up the stone. “This is a one-way phone call to the Underworld. Believing in its power is a sign of respect. At least I’m hoping so.”

“You’re not sure?” he asks incredulously, looking at me again.

“Hey, forgive me for not dealing with cursed artifacts that belong in museums, okay? I’m winging it here and just trying to keep it together.”

A few seconds of silence tick by. “You’re doing a good job,” Easton finally says, his words sounding forced.

“Thanks. It certainly doesn’t feel like it.” I close my eyes and inhale, giving myself a few seconds to gather and then keep my composure. “It feels like I’m wasting time and I’m running out of options.”

“You’re holding an option now,” he says and leaves it at that. Neither of us want to get into again, and he knows I’m going to do whatever it takes to save Lucas. “How long before they notice this is gone?” I ask after a few more minutes of silence.

“I guess it would depend on how often they take inventory. Supposedly, the place is blessed by a priest weekly, but I doubt that entails counting everything. It would take for-fucking-ever.

“Yeah. There has to be hundreds of objects in there.”

Easton nods and we’re back to feeling awkward around each other again. “The house on North Orchard, right?”

“Yeah. Eliza is there with Juliet.” I turn my head to him, wondering if I should ask if he wants to meet her. He doesn’t seem too eager, and I can’t fault someone for not wanting to see a baby. I’m a mother now and I still don’t want to see other people’s babies. “Are you hungry? I can order food or something.”

“No thanks. I’m gonna find some buddies at a bar. See if word has gotten out about a shadow monster escaping the Order’s warehouse.”

“Hah. Well, if you hear anything, let me know.”

“I will.” He turns and we ride in silence again until we get to the house.

“Thanks, Easton. Really. It means a lot that you’re still willing to help.”

“You’re a good person, Callie. I’m…I’m lucky I get to call you a friend.”

I give him a half smile. “Yeah, you are. And you know I’m there if you need anything.”

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