“I can’t believe I’m suggesting this,” Lucas starts and picks up the heavy bag of dog food with ease. “But you do know demon hunters.”
“You’re right.” I blink, feeling stupid for not thinking about it before. Easton and Melinda have been hunting demons for years, and this is exactly the type of case they’d take. “I’ll call Easton later and give him the details.”
Lucas smiles. “See, it’s handled.”
I nod, trying to convince myself it will be handled. This is the kind of thing Easton and Melinda have trained for. It’s what they do. They know the risks. They have the weapons. They understand demonic hunting patterns and will be able to narrow down what kind of demon we’re dealing with and how to kill it.
Still, without having powers, I feel like they are at a very unfair disadvantage, and even the most skilled hunter faces a huge challenge when they’re up against a high-level demon. You don’t bring a gun to a magic, energy-ball-throwing, curse-your-opponent type of fight.
“It’s not your responsibility to kill every single demon,” Lucas tells me. He’s trying to make me feel better, to ease the burden of guilt, but it doesn’t help.
“I know that,” I say, not meaning to snap as much as I do. “I can’t kill every demon either. It’s not possible. But when they are right here in front of me…it feels wrong to sit back and do nothing.”
“You’re calling Easton and having him handle it. That’s not doing nothing.”
“The woman they found was a mother.” I shove another bag of chip in my small pantry. “Now her kids are without their mom.” Tears prick the corners of my eyes, and I don’t know what’s annoying me more right now: getting overly emotional about every fucking thing or having to put physical limitations on myself. I’m not used to either, and I feel even more guilt for being annoyed with being pregnant.
Women are supposed to love being pregnant. They’re supposed to want to soak up every minute of it, enjoying being pampered and taking it easy. That’s not who I am, and I know it’s an adjustment I’ll get used to eventually. Missing the ability to kick demon ass doesn’t make me any less grateful to be a mother…yet the pressure I’m putting on myself to fill the role of what society has ingrained in my head is weighing on me.
I turn around, blinking back tears, and pick up another bag full of produce. The bag isn’t particularly heavy, but it’s not light as a feather either. I get a weird twinge of pain in my abdomen when I go to stand up that feels like a period cramp but with more pressure.
Letting the bag fall back to the ground, I slowly straighten up and put my hand on my stomach.
“What’s wrong?” Lucas moves to my side.
“Nothing…I think.” The pain lessens. “Just a cramp. Abby told me just today it’s normal to feel round ligament pain like this.”
“I read about it.” Lucas nods, but his brows are still pinched together with worry. “I’ll finish putting the groceries away. Sit down, put your feet up, and I’ll bring you water.”
“I’m fine,” I say, but then the pain comes back. Not wanting to tell Lucas and make him even more worried, I grab a glass from the cabinet, fill it with water, and go into the living room. Scarlet crowds onto the couch with me, resting her big head on my lap. Closing my eyes, I lean back and run my hand over her wiry fur.
A minute passes and the cramp goes away. I stay perfectly still for another few seconds and then drink some water. I lean forward to set the glass on the coffee table and feel fine. It’s then I realize how fast my heart is beating. I let out a breath, calming myself down. One little twinge of pain nearly sent me into a panic, and all I did was pick up a sort-of-heavy grocery bag.
There’s no way I can go hunt demons. I’d be too nervous, too worried, and being distracted is a good way to get hurt. Finishing the water, I get up to use the bathroom. Lucas has put the rest of the groceries away when I come back onto the kitchen.
“I’m fine,” I tell him and get my phone from my purse. “And I’ll text Easton now to let him know there could be a case in Thorne Hill I’ll need his help with.”
“Does that make you feel better?”
“A little.” I grab a bag of chips and take it to the little kitchen table, eating a handful as I open a text message.
Me: Hey…I might need some help with a demon here in Thorne Hill.
Three little dots show up on the screen right away.
Easton: YOU need help with a demon?