Page 27 of King of Night
“We have a lot of wildlife,” I say without missing a beat as I pick up a piece of bread from the basket in the center of the table.
“So the operation,” Ricci starts and it takes me a second to remember I told her Lucas was able to knock me up from some sort of expensive vampire operation.“I’m dying to know.I can’t find anything about it online.But I was thinking if more people knew there was a way for vampires to have babies, they might not be so scared of them anymore.Nothing solidifies us more than complaining about our kids, right?”She takes a big drink of wine and laughs, but she has a point.
“You won’t find anything,” I tell her.“I don’t even now much, but I assume it was like an alien abduction.There was a lot of probing involved, I lost time, and then I woke in a white, sterile room being told I’m pregnant.”
Abby turns away, trying not to laugh.
“And I signed an NDA,” I go on.“So I can’t talk about it or the Vampire Counsel will come after me.”
“Right,” Ricci says and finishes her wine.Must be nice.“Have you signed her up for preschool yet?”
“She’s not even a month old.”I look at my sister.“Should I have?”
Abby makes a face.“Depends on where you want to go.In the city, uh, yeah, it can be tough to get a good spot anywhere.But I’m assuming you’ll want her to go to school in Thorne Hill, right?”Her brows go up and I know what she’s really asking: will Juliet go to Grim Gate or a non preschool.
“Yeah, definitely somewhere in town where Lucas and I could drop her off.”
“If you do end up back in Chicago,” Ricci starts.“I can put in a good word for you.”
“Thanks,” I tell her and wish she’d just go away.Only a second later, her phone rings.I wish Osiris will call off the wedding, I think, but this time nothing happens.Ricci gets up and steps away from the table to answer her call.
“I’m really sorry she tagged along,” Abby says as soon as Ricci is out of ear shot.“I didn’t think she’d actually accept when I said ‘you should join’ and I regret being polite.”
“It’s okay,” I assure her.“It’s nice just being out not talking about—” I cut off, sensing something dark behind me.Dammit.I totally just jinxed myself.
“Is something wrong?”
“Yeah,” I say and spring to my feet, rubbing my thumb over my fingers so magic sparks around them.“That waitress is a demon.”
ChapterTwelve
“Stay here,” I tell Abby as my eyes meet the waitress’s.She’s a skinny little thing, not looking threatening to anyone else, but I can sense the power emanating from her.And fuck, she’s an old and powerful demon.My heart skips a beat.Could she be the same one that was lurking outside our house?“If Juliet starts crying in pain, get Penny and run.”
“What?Callie, don’t,” she starts but it’s too late.The demon meets my gaze and flashes her inky eyes for just a second.Motioning to the back with her head, she waits until I take a step forward before going to the back of the restaurant.
“Don’t kill me,” she rushes out as soon as I have her cornered behind an empty booth.She holds up both hands.“I come in peace.”
“Cut the bullshit,” I tell her, magic sparking around my fingers.“What the fuck do you want?”
Her lips turn up into a smirk.“Callie King.You live up to your reputation, I’ll tell you that.You know what they say about meeting your idols and I’m one hell of a fan.From hell—hah.Right?”
“I think there’s something wrong with you.”
“Takes one to know one.”She bumps me with her elbow and snorts when she laughs.
“You know I could smite you right now, don’t you?”
“Yes, and it makes me all tingly inside.But don’t.I’m on your side.”
I arch my eyebrows, looking behind her at an emergency exit.We’re not far from it, though getting her out without causing a scene might be a challenge.
“Call me crazy, but I don’t believe that.”
“It was me,” she says, eyes turning black again for just a second.“I cast the spell to send the bad angel away last night.I realize I was a moment too late, and I didn’t know it would hurt you.Sorry about that.”
I stare at her, actually at a loss for words.The fuck is going on?“What…you…you were the demon possessing Jacob from the bank?”
“Mh-hm,” she says and inhales deep, looking me up and down.“I wanted to talk to you last night, but things seemed a little tense.”
