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’m not doing anything to help Lucas. I’m just walking around my fucking yard. Every second that ticks by without him hurts and it puts him at even more risk for losing himself down there. My bare feet pad back over the tombstones, which are warmed from the sun, and I cradle Juliet against me as I pick up my phone and call Melinda.
She answers on the second ring. “Hey, Cal. Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I say, realizing that a lot of my friends answer my phone calls with that question. I really am a danger magnet. “I was hoping you could help me with something.”
“Of course. What is it?”
“I think I told you how Julian was looking for some sort or oracle before he…before he died.”
“Yeah. Did you find it?” she rushes out.
“Not quite, but I think I might know where it is. And it turns out to be some sort of object that can connect a mortal to an Egyptian god.”
“Holy shit, that’s cool, I think? No, it’s dangerous.”
“Yeah. And apparently cursed, to the point where the museum curator sought help removing said object. Enter the wonderful Order of the Mystic Realm,” I say with fake laughter. “They have it, and I need it so I can get into the Underworld and talk to Osiris. Do you know what they would have done with it?”
“Okay, that’s a lot to unpack. Um…I know the Order has some sort of storage area for haunted or cursed items. It’s supposed to keep them locked up and safe from the public, but I’ve heard rumors they turn around and sell the items at auction houses for a high price.”
“Of course, they would. Why not profit off of objects that can bring about demonic possession and deadly curses?”
“Right? I can’t stand them. We’ve turned things into them before we realized how wrong they are about a lot of things. They have headquarters in downtown Chicago, and I’d guess the storage area is nearby.”
“Great. That narrows it down to Chicago and all its suburbs.”
“Sorry.”
“Nah, don’t be. It’s not your fault.”
“Easton’s been to the Order HQ.”
“Why?” I ask, taken aback.
“They tried to recruit him a few years ago. He went out of morbid curiosity, or so he says. I don’t think he made it very far.”
“Huh, so you’re saying he knows where this place is?”
“Yeah. I can text him and ask him to call you? I’m actually on my way to visit a friend in North Carolina but will be back in Chicago in a few days.”
“I can just call him. Have fun visiting your friend.”
“I’m sure I will. We haven’t talked in a while and with the way the world might be ending, I thought I should go see her.”
Right. Melinda and Easton don’t know the Horsemen are locked back up. Neither does Abby, who was with me when War attacked.
“I’ve, uh, bought us some more time on that,” I tell her.
“Well, that’s great to hear. Though I am almost afraid to ask why you want to talk to Osiris in the Underworld. And also—the Underworld is fucking real?”
“It is. Turns out there’s more than one hell dimension.”
“That makes sense, actually. I guess I should say good luck?”
“Yeah, I think I’ll need it.”
“Oh, and send me another baby picture. She’s so stinkin cute!”
I smile. “I can do that.” I end the call and send her a few photos. This is the longest Juliet has been alert and awake, so we go inside and get comfy on the couch. It doesn’t take long for her to fall asleep after nursing, and I’m able to successfully slip her into the Pack n’ Play while I go into the kitchen to finally get some water and something to eat.
I call Easton as I use magic to heat up a bowl of tomato soup. The call goes to voicemail.
“Hey, Easton,” I say. “I have a huge favor to ask of you. Call me back when you have a chance. Thanks, bye.”
“That almost makes me hungry,” Eliza says, eyeing my bowl of soup. “If only that were a bowl of blood.”
“It’s been a while since you’ve eaten, hasn’t it?” I blow on my spoonful of soup before putting it in my mouth. “You should go out tonight and find something—someone—to eat.”
“I ordered in. He should be here momentarily. Just send him up.”
Eventually, we’re going to have to establish some ground rules on this, but Juliet isn’t old enough to be aware of what’s going on. And when Lucas is back, not if but when, she’ll grow up being familiar with vampires and will know how they feed.
Once I’m finished with my soup, I rinse out my bowl and put it in the dishwasher. Lucas doesn’t eat food, but he washes dishes and empties the dishwasher for me so I don’t have to. Gripping the counter, I lean forward, telling myself not to cry because it won’t do anything. But, fuck, I miss Lucas so much my heart hurt.