to kill a ghoul?” I ask, and the students whisper to each other, not wanting to blurt out the wrong answer. “Yes!” I point to a younger boy in the back. “That’s right. Sever the head from the body. Which is a fail-proof way to kill just about anything. Just make sure whatever you’re using to do the cutting is sharp enough.” I put my hand on the back of my neck, pointing to my spine. “Bone can be hard to cut through.”
Evander claps his hands together, coming up behind the students. “And that is why we will leave the demon hunting to the professionals.”
“Professionals get paid,” I retort. “No one pays me.”
“I’ll pay you,” Lucas says with a smirk, and the students laugh. I tear my eyes away from my little fan club and look at Evander. His eyes meet mine, nonverbally saying everything I need to hear.
About an hour ago, Julian and Tabatha went to my property in Thorne Hill to cast the spell that should shield me from Bael’s prying eyes. Julian wasn’t sure how long the spell will hold, but he was confident it would protect both the little brick house and our new estate. Both Tabatha and Julian insisted I stay here, hidden inside Grime Gate, while they cast the spell.
It’s a complicated spell, and the best way to distract myself from thinking about how easily it could go wrong was to sit here and talk with the curious students.
“And I think that concludes tonight’s lesson,” I tell my little group of students. “I’m sure it’s much past your curfew and don’t you all have class in the morning? Or is tomorrow a weekend? I don’t really know,” I say honestly, yet everyone laughs as if I’m joking.
I wish I was, though I’ve completely lost track of time.
Lucas stands, and half the group shivers with desire at the sight of him. Me too, ladies…me too. He holds out a hand and I take it, letting him pull me to my feet. If Evander is here, giving me the all clear, that means the spell took and it’s safe for me to go home.
And all I want to do is collapse into my bed.
“Remember, follow the rules,” I say to the students. “But question everything.” I give them a wink and follow Lucas into the hall, where we meet with Evander.
“Your angel is waiting for you right outside the door,” he tells us.
“So, everything went okay?” I ask, needing reassurance.
“That is what Mother told me,” Evander says, and I let out a huge sigh of relief.
“I’m so sorry,” I blurt, eyes filling with tears. “I hate that you are forced to deal with my problems over and over.”
Evander puts his hands on my shoulders, chocolate eyes looking right into mine. “You are my sister, Callie. Not by blood, but by something stronger.”
I blink and a tear rolls down my face.
“I love you,” Evander goes on. “And I will stop at nothing to keep you safe, just as you would for me.”
“I’d kill for you,” I say, throat thick.
“I know.” Evander smiles and pulls me in for a hug. I throw my arms around him, remembering our first encounter. I was so scared, having just been busted out of the research lab. I was in physical agony, still healing from being poked, prodded, and abused by the doctors.
Tabatha brought me back to her house, and I remember walking through the door, holding her hand so tight it had to hurt. I was scared to let go, and wanted to turn away and run as soon as the door shut behind me.
We were in the foyer of the Greystone estate, a Queen Anne style house tucked in the woods behind the Covenstead, when a young boy curiously came downstairs, knowing he was out past his bedtime. I was holding the stuffed black cat in my arms, and it was the only possession I came with. Still wearing the lab-issued clothes, I felt exposed and was so cold.
It was early in March, and cold, frozen rain pelted the windows. I’d been shivering nonstop since we left the lab, both from the cold and from fear. Tabatha assured me I was safe, that I was somewhere the bad men couldn’t reach me. I trusted her from the start, yet as a child, it was all so terrifying.
I remember it so well it’s as if it happened yesterday. Tabatha took me into the kitchen to make me something to eat. For