by popping in unannounced. It’s kind of fun, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the looks of awe from the young students. But most importantly, I needed to tell him what my familiars found, because heart-eating demons aren’t something we can ignore.
“And Binx is coming with me,” I add. “Damn, this thing is heavy.” I pick up the box and give Lucas a kiss goodbye. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. It’d be faster to trek through the woods if I had that pony,” I joke.
“You need a horse.” Lucas pulls me in, squeezing my butt and kissing me once more. “I’ll get you one.”
“I don’t know how to ride a horse.”
“You’ll learn.” His eyes go to my stomach. “In a few more months.”
“The thought of riding a horse after giving birth is painful.”
Lucas makes a face. “It is for me too. Luckily you heal fast.” He pulls me in for one more kiss. “Be careful, Callie.”
“I will be.” We kiss again before I finally make it outside. I stop on the porch to zip up my coat. It’s sunny today, but the air is chilly, making me even more excited to get to hot and sunny Florida. “Sense anything?” I ask Binx. He jumps ahead, running into the forest and shadows back. He doesn’t, and I don’t either.
I’m nearing the halfway point when there’s a shift in the energy around me. I slow to a stop, setting the book down on the ground. Binx shadows around me, and I hold out my hands, magic sizzling around my fingers.
“Who’s there?” I ask, whirling around.
“It’s me.”
I jump. “Fuck, Julian!”
“I am sorry.”
Letting out a breath, I shake the magic from my hands and give Julian a hug. “It’s okay. I’m glad you’re here. I was kind of worried.”
He awkwardly hugs me back. “I was tracking another demon who mentioned you—by name.”
“Well, shit.” I pick the book back up. “On that happy note, I might as well tell you everything now.”
“Everything?”
“Yeah…every fucking thing.”
Julian stares at me, unblinking. “What?”
“A hunter who was out for revenge shot at me. I deflected the bullet and it hit Abby instead. I called for you and my father, but Lucifer showed up instead.”
“He healed a human?” Julian’s brows pinch together. “I didn’t know he could do that.”
“I didn’t either. But she’s fine. And then last night…”
“That blast of energy, it was you?”
I nod. “I didn’t mean it. I was pissed and it kind of…just…came out. You felt it?”
“I was underground in a demon dimension, so I didn’t, but others did. And Lucifer was tracked here and then in Indianapolis, Nashville, and along the east coast.”
“So, he did distract the angels from me.”
“Yes, he did.”
His words should bring me comfort, shouldn’t they? Lucifer did exactly what he said he’d do. He took the attention away from me in order to save my life. And now I feel even more conflicted because everything in my head is screaming at me not to trust him, but my heart wants to.
“Why would he do that?” I ask, already knowing Julian won’t have the answer.
“I don’t know. If he hadn’t, there’s a very good chance you would have been discovered last night. Michael was very concerned.”
“It’d be nice if he showed up and proved it,” I blurt. “I get it that he can’t, but even Lucifer found a way to talk to me before all this.” Shaking my head, I sigh. “Whatever, though. Am I in danger of being discovered now?”
“I don’t believe so. Lucifer brought several demons out of Hell in a similar tactic to what he did for your wedding.”
“Did they hurt anyone?” I ask slowly. I almost want Julian to say yes, because then I’ll have my answer. Lucifer is a bad guy and I can’t trust him. End of story.
“No.”
“Dammit.”
“You want them to hurt people?”
“Of course not,” I say and start walking forward again. “Can I tell you something and you have to promise not to judge me?”
“I’ve learned that is followed by a questionable statement.”
“It is. Basically, it’s a warning you’re going to want to judge me, but don’t for the sake of our friendship.”
Julian stops short. “You consider me a friend?”
“Well, yeah. You don’t?”
He looks at me, confused, for a second, and then smiles. “No one has ever called me a friend before. Now, what is your questionable statement?”
“I want to trust Lucifer, and I don’t know if I should, because everything I’ve been told about him says he’s bad. But I