“Of Lucas naked in your bed? Please do,” Evander says seriously, and then we both laugh. “Not to change the subject, but I did call for a reason.”
“Right. The demon in the woods. I got Ruby’s message.”
“She alerted me right away, and I was able to get away for bit to look into it myself. The energy is reading as a lower-level demon, which would explain why you ran into scrappers in the woods last night. But given that boy’s description of the demon looking like a wolf, I’m a bit baffled. Demons who can shift aren’t lower-level, and it doesn’t explain another energy shift we sensed last night. I thought something might be wrong with the Ley line, but rest assured, all is fine. Though it still doesn’t explain why those nons described the demon as wolf-like.”
I look at Lucas, wrinkling my nose. Right. I have a buttload of information to tell Evander, starting with the wolves. “That’s probably because the demon isn’t a wolf and the wolf is actually a wolf. A werewolf, to be exact. Lucas and I kind of ran into one last night.”
“Seven devils, please tell me you’re joking.”
“I wish I were.” I bring my hand to my forehead, rubbing my temples. Everything from last night comes rushing back. “It set off our motion detectors, and Lucas was able to catch him before he ran off.”
“Don’t tell me you have him strung up in your basement.”
“No,” I say sharply. “Werewolves are human.” I get a flash to one of the first interactions I had with Easton after realizing who he really was. The group of hunters he’d been running with had tracked and slaughtered an entire pack of werewolves. I don’t know how much Easton actually took part, and I don’t want to know. The pack wasn’t violent, hadn’t harmed a human in their entire existence, and owned and ran a vegan bakery, for fuck’s sake.
And they were killed simply for being werewolves. Judged solely on what they were instead of who they were as human fucking beings.
“But this one…” I let out a sigh. “Lucas held him spellbound and he confessed everything to me.”
“Confessed?” Evander echoes.
“Yep. Basically, they want power from the Ley line and think it’s their turn to have it. They’re ready to fight us, blah, blah, blah. I sent him back to his pack with a warning to leave us the hell alone.” My heart skips a beat, thinking of what happened next. My anger surged through me, sending a blast of angelic energy so strong even Evander was able to sense it back at the Covenstead.
And then Lucifer showed up.
“I’ll let the council know. We’re on good terms with the Eastwood pack.”
“Oh right, we are. Hopefully they can talk some sense into them so it doesn’t come to a war the wolves will all too easily lose.”
“Yes, let’s hope.”
I take a deep breath in and slowly let it out. “So, this demon,” I start. “What else do you know?”
“Not much, as of yet. Ruby didn’t want to scare her students, and I’ve only got another few minutes before I have to go back to teaching. I have a class of seniors next, and after a test I can work some scry-work into our lesson.”
“You’re making them take a test already? It’s so early.”
Evander laughs. “The academic day starts at eight AM.”
“Ugh, I remember. That’s way too early.” I yawn and snuggle closer to Lucas. “I’ll send my familiars out into the woods. I’ll text you later if they find anything.”
“Sounds good, sister. Now go take a shower.”
I laugh. “I do need one.”
“Gross,” he laughs. “Take care.”
“I will. Love you, Evander,” I say before hanging up. My friends know how much they mean to me, but I don’t say it out loud enough. I put the phone on my nightstand and slowly push up, going into the bathroom to pee and clean myself up.
“What would you like for breakfast?” Lucas asks when I get into bed again. “More pickles and mayonnaise?”
“Hah, not for breakfast. But donuts sound good, and I don’t have any.”
“I’ll get you some.” He kisses my forehead and pulls the blankets up over us both. He can’t physically go out and get donuts, but I have no doubt he’ll figure out a way to have them brought to me. “Are there types of donuts?”
“Yes,” I laugh, finding it so fucking adorable how he’s clueless about food, yet tries so hard to make me happy. “Strawberry frosted with sprinkles is my favorite, though I don’t actually eat donuts all that often.”
Lucas rests his hand on my stomach. “This is another craving then.” He smiles. “I didn’t like when you were feeling ill, but the cravings are endearing for some reason.”
“Don’t indulge me too much,” I tell him. “I really don’t want to gain a hundred pounds.”