He brings one hand up to his forehead, down to his chest, and then to each shoulder, making the sign of the cross. “That’s how you’re supposed to start prayers.”
“I don’t think it works that easily,” I say but give it a try anyway. I close my eyes again and make the sign of the cross, wishing I’d hear a dial tone or something as soon as I say amen. I don’t, shocker, right?
“Julian,” I whisper. “Bael was here. I need you.” I wait a beat and try again. “Dad? If you can hear me, I think I’m in trouble. Again.” A few seconds pass and nothing. There’s one more name to try. “Lucifer, if you can—”
The air shifts, vibrating all around me. The hair on my arms stands up and I whirl around right as he appears.
“Callie.” Julian strides forward, eyes wide. “We need to go.” His dagger is in one hand, shining bright in the light coming off the porch.
“Bael was here,” I tell him.
“I know. I came from Nebraska where a group of Satan worshipers were found dead, burned from the inside out.”
“Was it my uncle?”
“The others are blaming him, but your father and I know it was Bael. He’s trying to find one strong enough to break him out again.”
“Dammit,” I mutter, heart speeding up. We narrowly avoided death the last time Bael attacked, and it took me, Ruby, and Lucas to fight off the root-monsters Bael was able to summon.
In astral form.
If he comes to earth, I have no idea how we’ll be able to fight him and survive. Especially now.
The front door opens and three of the construction workers steps onto the porch, coming to a sudden halt. The grass several yards from us is still smoldering, and Julian is holding a large dagger in his hand, face sullen like he’s ready to go postal on anyone who looks at him wrong.
“I’ll take care of it,” Lucas says, but Julian stops him.
“There is no time.” Julian’s eyes glow blue and the humans turn around, going back inside without a word. “We need to go.” He holds out his hand for me to take. I grip it tight, and Lucas wraps his arms around me.
The world doesn’t feel like it’s spinning this time. All I feel is slight pressure and then I’m standing in front of the large trees that make up the Covenstead door.
“The Covenstead?” I ask, letting go of Julian’s hand.
“Yes, Bael won’t be able to watch you in here.”
Nodding, I take the dagger from him and carefully make a tiny cut on my forearm, needing my blood to open the door. Smearing the blood on the blade, I plunge it into the earth and stand back to say the spell needed to open the door.
“Stay here,” I tell Lucas. “I’m not sure if you can come through or not and I’d rather not take that chance.”
He nods and turns, keeping watch over the door in case something or someone else tries to get through. Julian steps through with me, and my heart jumps into my throat when he crosses. The door is designed to only let specific people in—and to kill any who aren’t allowed yet who try to pass through.
Julian is an angel, so maybe he gets to bypass that rule? Who fucking knows, but he didn’t collapse into a pile of ash so we’re good. For now.
“Callie,” someone exclaims. It’s Ruby, thank fucking goodness.
“I need Tabatha,” I rush out.
“She’s in a meeting. What’s wrong?” Ruby is holding an armload of books and folders full of her students’ papers. Her eyes go to Julian, lingering for a few seconds. Yeah, I know. It’s weird and amazing and freaky all at the same time to be in the presence of an angel. He’s family to me, but to everyone else, it’s like meeting a rainbow unicorn that poops out kittens and kisses.
“Bael is back,” Julian tells her matter-of-factly. “And is after Callie once again.”
The books almost fall from Ruby’s arms. I lunge forward, helping her catch them before they hit the ground. A few students mill about, slowing to watch our exchange. I was a bit infamous within the coven before recent events. It’s not normal to have three familiars, and I had a knack for getting into binds while I was a student at the Academy. It makes for good conversation and many teachable moments, at least.
“Can Lucas get through the door?” I ask, looking behind me at the door. It’s still glowing blue, and it’s not safe to keep it open like this.
“I, uh, I don’t know. We don’t consider him a threat, so probably.”
“That’s not good enough.”
“Uhhh,” Ruby closes her eyes, thinking. “Take this.” She shoves the armload of books into my arms and goes to the door, holding out a hand. She says a spell and the blue light darkens. “I’ve temporarily weakened the warding,” she tells me, fighting against the protection spells that have been cast. “I can’t hold it for long.”