“Well, we definitely don’t have the second rib pulled from the body of a black goat,” he says, blinking. “Though that might be easier to find than a deep-sea metal.”
“Nodules,” Lucas says, and Julian nods. “They’re at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.”
“What else is on the list?” I ask, afraid it’s just too damn impossible to pull off.
“Herbs.” Ruby skims the list. “Shredded snakeskin, which we have.”
Julian looks at Evander. “Find the goat. I’ll get the nodule.” He disappears in a rustle of feathers, blowing papers off Ruby’s desk.
“I’m off to do an internet search for black goats for sale then,” Evander says.
“We’re not going to be able to surgically remove the rib and let the little goat heal and live a long, happy life, are we?” I ask, stomach clenching.
“I don’t believe so,” Lucas says gently.
“Dammit. Maybe we shouldn’t—”
“No,” Lucas booms. “Your life is much more important than a fucking goat.”
“But it’s innocent and I feel bad.”
Lucas kisses my forehead. “And that’s why we will do whatever it takes to protect you.” He rests his hand over my heart, feeling it beat. “You have a pure heart, Callie. I won’t let Bael take that away.”
“We can eat the goat so it won’t go to waste,” Ruby tries but shakes her head at the thought. “Or we can just not think about it.”
“I like that plan better.” I let out a heavy sigh and go over by the fire, warming my hands at the flames. “I’m sorry to get you all involved again. It’s not fair I keep interrupting your lives.”
“Meh, all I was going to do was grade papers tonight,” Ruby says, nudging me with her elbow. “This is more exciting.”
“Thanks for trying to make me feel better, but I know it’s not fair. I’m the one in danger. I’m the one the demons want and who the angels are after. There could be a cosmic war because of me, and I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of it.”
I look from Ruby to Evander, and think about Kristy, Nicole, and Naomi. They’d be here in a heartbeat if they knew what was going on. They’d do what they could to shield me from Bael, and wouldn’t hesitate to fight. And then there’s Abby, Penny, and Phil. Innocent humans with no way to fight back. They’re in danger just by being around me.
My angel half doesn’t belong on this earth. And my human half isn’t good enough for heaven. Maybe…maybe Lucifer was right and I would make a good queen of Hell. Not because I’d be a good ruler, but because if I was in Hell, no one would get hurt because of me.Chapter 31“Got it.” Julian appears back in the office, holding a large black rock in his hand. He’s dripping wet and has seaweed hanging from his shoulder.
“Wait, you…you went to the ocean and got the rock?” Ruby asks, eyes wide.
“How else would I have gotten the rock?” Julian replies, not seeing the significance in what he just did. “Have you found a goat yet?”
“Evander stepped out to use his phone,” I say. “He should be back soon.”
The office doors open just seconds later, and Tabatha comes in with a tray of food. She halts, looking at Julian, who’s dripping water all over the floor, and shakes her head. “Here you are, my dear.”
“Thank you,” I tell her and take the tray of food. I sit in the leather chair in front of Ruby’s desk, gulping down the water.
“I will get the rest of the items on the list,” Ruby says, unable to take her eyes off of Julian. “Do you, uh, want some dry clothes?”
Julian looks at me, and I nod. It’s not normal for humans to wear sopping-wet clothes, even if it doesn’t physically bother him. “Yes. Thank you.”
Ruby runs her eyes up and down him, figuring out what size clothes to grab for him, and hurries off. I eat in silence, watching the fire burn.
“Once the spell is cast,” Lucas says, breaking the silence, “it will be safe for Callie to return home?”
“In theory,” Julian replies. “It will shield her from Bael being able to project himself nearby. I still need to repair the rift,” he says, knowing I won’t like it. “It will give us the most time to come up with a way to stop him for good.”
“Can’t we summon him and stab him or something?” I ask, knowing there’s no way it’s that easy. If it were, it would have been done already. But as it is, it took an entire coven of witches just to lock him up in a supernatural detention center.
“Humans cannot face Bael. They don’t stand a chance,” Julian says gently.
“But I’m not human.”
“No,” Lucas and Tabatha say at the same time.
“I agree,” Julian says. “Bael is powerful. He was one of the first demons Lucifer created when he was cast to Hell and has risen through the ranks since. He still holds his position of power even within the dimension he’s been sentenced to.”