Page 12 of King of Night
“That’s fair,” I agree with a nod.“Though the whole not being fully human thing always gave me a high tolerance.”
“We all just thought you had a high tolerance because you drank so much,” she fires back with a grin.
“Also, fair and probably true.God, I miss wine.”
“Hey, you’ve made it this far without it.Maybe one of us should keep our wits about us.”She takes another big drink and sets her glass down on the island counter.This is a total dream kitchen, something that would get repinned a million times over.It’s kinda funny when I think about it; I don’t cook all that often nor am I that good at it.And Lucas doesn’t eat food.Though I suppose someday Juliet will have friends over and I’ll be at the large island counter, chopping up vegetables and making a charcuterie board for them all to enjoy.
If we make it that far.
Stop it,I mentally tell myself and shake my head.Kristy picks up her wine and takes another big drink before nodding at me.
“We should go to bed.”
“You’re staying,” I tell her, knowing she’s a homebody just like me.There’s nothing quite like the comfort of your own bed.“And I’ll take you home in the morning.”
“Okay,” she says, blue eyes looking a little bloodshot.“I amClick here to enter text. tired.”
“I bet.Let’s get you to bed.”Juliet lets out a little sigh and I look down, feeling all stupid emotional again.I don’t want to think about the events that unfurled only hours ago.I never realized how good at repressing memories I was until said memories started to come back.Ruby was right when she said it’s impressive I haven’t had a mental breakdown.
Yet.
I have a feeling one is coming, and I don’t think anyone will blame me when I go a little crazy and shatter a few glasses or something.Whether it will be from magic or by my own hand, I’ve yet to decide.Maybe both.There’s something satisfying about throwing shit, but it also gives me the biggest release to let go of the power I’m constantly holding back.
Closing my eyes for a few seconds, I get a flash of the night Lucas was taken.My uncle appeared and all the rage and anger I had inside me exploded.Wings appeared at my back, and I start to feel a little prickle along my spine as I recall the way they felt.
Heavy yet weightless.
Awkward yet a part of me.
Powerful.
A weird longing for them bubbles inside of me, and another familiar feeling starts to buzz around my head.I open my eyes and inhale quickly, willing the crown of hellfire not to appear.BecauseClick here to enter text. dammit, I want to wear it.
* * *
“Are you ever tempted to cast a sleep spell on her?”Kristy asks.She’s sitting on the edge of my bed, watching me try to get Juliet to settle down in her swing.I fed her, changed her diaper, and read her a book yet she’s fighting sleep.
“Honestly,” I start and glance up at my best friend.“Yes.”
“I would,” Kristy replies.“And now I’m wondering if my mom ever did on me.”She tips her head.“Is that a bad thing?It seems like a bad thing.Like, how are you supposed to learn how to sleep on your own if you’re just being spelled to sleep.”She gasps.“Maybe that’s why I’m such a light sleeper.I should text my mom.”She turns around, patting the bed or her phone.
“It’s the middle of the night,” I remind her, trying not to laugh.It’s been a while since I’ve been the sober one in our friendship duo.“Shhhh,” I try to soothe Juliet when she starts to fuss.Lucas isn’t back yet, but I know he’s in the woods talking to Tabatha.Binx has kept me informed, yet he can’t hear what is being said thanks to a silencing spell.
Of fucking course.
“Oh right.It feels like it should be tomorrow already.”
“You’re telling me.”I rock back on my heels and sigh.Freya shadows into the room right as I’m about to give up and take Juliet out of the swing.She shifts back into cat-form, gently stretching out next to my baby.She rubs her head against Juliet’s cheek.
“Awww,” Kristy coos, watching JulietClick here to enter text. open her eyes and try to focus her fuzzy vision on Freya.“They’ve bonded already.”
“Yeah.I was never a ‘higher power’ kind of person, but I’m seeing now that there was a reason Freya bonded with me.”
Kristy looks at me with a blank stare for a few seconds and then starts laughing, clamping her hand over her mouth to try and silence the giggles.“Sorry.It’s just that you’re literally half angel and you still struggle with the thought of there being a higher power?What about all those spells we did where we called upon Hecate?You didn’t really believe?”
I stand up, turning the swing onto the slowest setting.“Oh, I totally know Hecate is there.”I cast my eyes up, and give her a silent nod.“But not in aI’m looking out for you just becausekind of way.I guess…I guess I believed in her and the others the same way I believed in Lucifer.I knew they were there and very real—and very dangerous—but I didn’t think they’d care about any of us on an individual level.”
“I can get behind that.It is weird to think of benevolent beings in that sense.You should have taken that theology class our last year.It was really interesting.”
