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“Yeah, it’s late,” I reply. I actually don’t even know what time it is, only that it’s past midnight. “Do you guys want to stay?” I ask and purposely ignore Lucas’s annoyed glare. “There’s room here, and all I want is to pass out.”
“We’re not far,” Easton tells me. I’m not sure where they’re staying or if they even have a place of semi-permanent residence. A lot of hunters move around, following demons on a case-by-case basis. I thought Easton and Melinda might have had some sort of housing set up with some other hunters, but when Easton failed to shoot Lucas point blank, another hunter accused him of going soft, and I know both he and Melinda had to sever ties with several other demon-hunting friends.
“Oh good,” I say with a yawn.
“You sure you’re good?” Easton asks.
“She’s fine,” Lucas answers.
“I am,” I agree. “And honestly, guys, I don’t want you to worry. I hate bringing anyone else into the drama. I know you didn’t sign up for it.”
“Neither did you,” Melinda shoots back, meaning it innocently enough.
“I know,” I say. “But here I am, and I don’t want you guys to get caught in my mess.”
“Demons taking over the world is kind of a whole human, entire planet sort of thing,” Easton says. “But call it what you want.”
“I’m aware. And if it comes to that…I’ll let you know. I’m sorry I got you involved tonight.”
“We kinda got you involved,” Melinda says.
“Oh, right. You did call me.” I shake my head. “It’s been a long day.”
“We’ll go,” Easton says, looking at his sister. “Call if anything changes?”
“I’ll probably text, but yeah.” I get up to walk them to the door.
“Whoa,” Melinda says, looking at me. “How did I not notice before?”
“Huh?” I ask, right as I realize what she’s talking about, and I put one hand on my stomach. “Yeah, this kind of happened overnight.”
“You are going to be such a cute pregnant lady,” Melinda says with a smile. “All belly, I’m sure.”
“I think so,” I tell her, unable to keep the smile off my face. “And my sister said the same thing.” I yawn once more on our walk to the door.
“Callie?” Easton’s eyes meet mine as he’s putting his shoes on.
“Yeah?”
“You sure you’re good?” he asks again. “With everything?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I ask, slowly shaking my head.
“Just double-checking,” he says, eyes going to my stomach. “This isn’t what you planned.”
“No, it’s not,” I agree, because who am I kidding? This is so far from what we thought would have happened.
“So…you’re sure you’re okay with what’s happening?” he asks again.
“Yes,” I assure him. “I am.”
“Okay.” He moves his head up and down in a curt nod, and Melinda tells me goodbye. Shivering as soon as the door opens, I wait a beat, watching to make sure they get into Easton’s truck all right, which they do. Letting out a heavy sigh, I close the door and seal it with magic.
Yawning, I go back into the kitchen and find Lucas cleaning up already.
“Do you want to go back to Thorne Hill?” he asks.
“I just want to go to bed,” I say honestly, though if Lucas were to drive me home, I could easily pass out on the way there. “And cuddle with you.”
“I can do that.” He puts the leftover pizza in the fridge and comes over, taking me in my arms. “You’re not okay, are you? Don’t put up a front for me, my love. I’m here for you. Remember that.”
“I know, and I’m freaking the fuck out on the inside. I knew this would happen, and I tried to mentally prepare for it, but still…I thought maybe Lucifer would go back to reclaim his throne and I’d be peachy all over again. Though I guess he still can, and if not, I’ll have to find a way to kill the new head demon in charge. But why count my chickens before they hatch?”
“I think you’re using that phrase wrong, my love.”
“Whatever.” I force a smile. “You know what I mean, and more importantly, I just want to lie down and not think of anything of a good six hours.”
“Then let’s go to bed.”
My head bobs up and down. “Okay.” Forcing a smile, I start for the front stairs, heading toward the master bedroom out of habit. “I left my bag in the car.”
“I’ll get it,” Lucas tell me and speeds out the front door. A blast of cold air hits me, and I shiver, pulling my arms around myself. Lucas comes back only a few seconds later, carrying my bag. I yawn once more and start up the stairs. Lucas picks me up and speeds me up the rest of the way, going into the room across from the master suite, where we’ve spent a lot of time together—naked, that is.
