His words make me smile. “I’m doing my best.”
“I know you are. Can you summon the hellfire again?”
“Uh, sure.” I hold out my hand, and little blue flames dance on my palm. Julian studies it, sticking his finger in the fire a few times. His skin burns and heals, making the room smell like charred flesh.
“I need a jar.” He straightens up. “Do you have one?”
“Like a glass jar?”
“Yes. To put the fire in.”
“I’ll get one,” Lucas says and zooms out of the room.
“You can trap hellfire?” I ask and hold up my other hand, transferring the flames into it, which is something I didn’t know I could do.
“For a short while. I need to check something.”
“What are you checking?”
“I’ll tell you if I’m right. If I am, I might have a solution.”
Lucas returns with an empty potion jar, unscrews the lid, and hands it to me. Not sure if this is going to work, I dump the little flame into the jar. It bounces around like a living thing.
“That is so cool,” I whisper, putting the lid back on. “A solution to what?” I ask and hand the jar to Julian.
“To the Horsemen. For good. Be careful,” he presses. “If Paimon is watching you and the Horsemen are cloaked…something big is about to happen.”
“I know,” I say, voice shaking. Getting to my feet, I open my arms for a hug before Julian flies away. “Be careful too.”
“I am an angel. I don’t damage as easily as you do.” He hugs me back and then steps away, flying to test whatever theory he has.
“It’s a good thing he’s an angel and not a motivational speaker.” I sit back down next to Lucas, glancing out the window to see if Paimon came back. I feel like I’m in a fishbowl, on display and being studied.
We get the rest of the stuff ordered and then look at the baby registry list, ordering the last of that, as well as a variety of sizes of diapers and baby clothes. It’s a surreal moment for sure, and a good distraction.
Maryellen arrives not long after, and both the baby and I are healthy. She does a more thorough exam this time, checking my sugar levels just to be sure. I’m still measuring several weeks ahead, and if I can keep my angel-powers in check for another few weeks at least, we’ll be in the clear for a full-term baby.
After she leaves, Lucas goes back to work and I go into the nursery, moving a few things around in preparation for the new furniture. I unroll a fluffy white rug and sit in the middle of it, looking around the room. Binx shadows in, shifting to cat-form so he can sit on my lap. Well, what’s left of it.
“Remember when it was just the two of us?” I ask, moving to my side. He rubs against me, purring. “And then Freya and Pandora joined the household, and it was the four of us. Things were quiet then. And calmer, even though we did hunt demons on the weekend.”
Binx meows and paws me.
“You’re right. We were good at it. We’ll be good at it again someday.” I run my hand over his fur. “I’m a little nervous about things changing. I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to have this baby, and now that we’re getting to the final days…I don’t want life to change too much. If we can lessen the demon attacks, I’d take it. You know what I mean.”
Binx plops down and rolls over for a belly rub.
“Thanks,” I say after he assures me he’ll stay with me no matter what. “I know you will. And I know this is going to be a good change for Lucas and me. Not without its challenges, of course, but having something that’s half of me and half of him is pretty damn cool, even when you don’t consider how he’s a vampire who shouldn’t ever father a child in this way.” I sigh. “I already feel left out from my friend group, and now I’m the first to have a kid.”
Binx rolls over and swipes his paw at me, claws out. Stop worrying.
“Ugh. I’ve become a worrier. Yuck.” I pet him for a bit longer and then get a book, taking it outside on the porch swing. I’m three chapters in when a car pulls down the driveway. I look up, shielding my eyes from the setting sunlight shining on the windshield. It’s Betty, and I meet her halfway on the sidewalk.
“Hey,” I say with a wave. “Everything good?”
“Yeah, sorry to barge in like this. I texted you, but I’m guessing you didn’t see it?” She gets out of her car, holding a large black envelope.
“I’ve been on the swing reading, and I think I left my phone on silent from this morning.”