The phone buzzes again, and I wince knowing I need to suck it up and just deal with this. I blow out a breath before I click answer. I feel Walker’s hand settle in between my shoulder blades as my grandmother’s voice flutters into the speaker.
“Well,thereyou are. I was starting to think you’d died.”
“I’m fine grandma, how are you.”
“I’ll tell you how I am. I am annoyed. I haven’t heard from you at all. Now, what time are you coming in for Thanksgiving. I want to make sure our driver is there on time to pick you up from the airport.”
“I… uh. I wasn’t coming in for Thanksgiving, grandma.”
“Hogwash. You’ll come home. We have things to discuss that are best done face to face.”
I sit for a second, knowing I do need to confront my family about everything I’ve found out.
“Fine, I’ll be there.” Walker motions at himself, mouthing “Me too.”
“And I’m bringing my… boyfriend.”
I don’t miss the moment of heavy disappointment that I can feel come across the line. “If that’s what you want, Salem. We’ll see you both for Thanksgiving.”
We hang up and I fall back on the bed. “Boyfriend, huh?” Walker asks with a smug as fuck smile. I smack him in the stomach. “What was I going to say? Hey grandma, I’m bringing the guy who I fuck all the time home with me. Oh, and when we fuck, it sometimes makes me light up like a glow-stick from how intense the orgasms are. Oh, and by the way… when were you going to tell me we’re witches? Are you a hundred percent sure you want to come with?”
“A hundred percent. Plus, it gets me out of spending it alone with my dad.”
“Do you think it’s safe for someone possessed by a demon to travel on an airplane?” I ask flipping over onto my stomach as I look up at him.
He lets out a laugh, “Yeah, I’m not like a ticking time bomb or anything. I can handle it.” I raise my eyebrow at him, but don’t say anything.
A sense of dread falls over me as I think about having to spend Thanksgiving with my family. I never know what to expect from them and having to ask them point blank about our history has my stomach in knots. I hate that they kept this from me.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll be there for you to use as an excuse to leave if things get heated.” Walker says, pulling me into him.
I fought a literal monster last night. I could manage to face my family.
ChapterForty-Five
EMMET
SONGS: VILLIANS AREN’T BORN (THEY’RE MADE) BY PEGGY, TOXIC BY 2WEI
Everyone's focus was on the monster in the basement, that it gave me a reprieve from their hate-filled attention. I retreat to the empty bathroom and tap the mirror overlooking the sinks three times. It takes a moment to warp before I see Pierce slumped on the ground, chained to the wall.
“Looking rough.” I say, letting Envy waft up to the surface to enjoy this moment.
His head snaps up to look at me. “What the fuck do you want, Emmet?”
I shrug. “I want a lot of things.” I say with a smirk.
He’s looking better than before, obviously he’s been taken care of to an extent. It wouldn’t be long until they found him fit for questioning. I’d hate for his big mouth to ruin our carefully laid plans.
“The funniest thing happened. Seems Salem and Walker found some kind of monster trapped in the basement. We’re all going to check out the area tonight. I’d really hate for something to happen to her.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” He says standing up, yanking against his chains. His face is gaunt and covered by a full beard. It’s clear that his time locked down in purgatory has taken a toll on him.
“I can’t guarantee what my demon will do, Pierce. They’re getting stronger.”
“I love that you think you can overpower her.”
“What the fuck is that?” Sloan’s voice calls. I turn and see him standing in the door of the bathroom, mouth wide open.
