Chapter 13 Callisto
CALLISTO
I blink the sleep from my eyes and stretch my muscles.
Turning over to see the little black cat, Karma, curled up in a ball on my pillow.
My cheeks heat, thinking back to earlier in the night.
My body’s still buzzing, even after the little cat nap.
These moments that are becoming more and more tangible.
My phantom—shadow—got me off while I slept.
Rolling onto my stomach, I groan into my pillow, my mind jumping from one thing to another.
He knew about Jack and me. A blush spreads across my face at the memory.
Jack was acting kind of weird—and Cade! Of all people, he got me a cat.
I mean, I’m grateful, but I’ve been begging him for a pet for years and he has always refused.
“Gods, what the hell is going on around here?” I mumble to no one in particular.
Maybe he’s changing, I think. Maybe the pendulum is changing him for the better.
I sit up and scoop Karma into my lap, caressing her soft fur.
“What do you think of our shadow? He almost seems to have a soft spot for you.” She just nuzzles in closer, purring.
It’s cute. Maybe I am overthinking everything.
Maybe Cade is right—I just need to relax.
I see what I want to see. But if that’s true, I could just try to ignore it.
So that’s what I’ll do.
I stare up at the ceiling, attempting to manifest calm, cool, centered.
I think back to the restaurant and arcade. It felt so nice to just be earlier today, and I want to feel that again. I am twenty-one, after all, and grew up in a safe house. I’ve never properly gone out, cut loose, or even went to a bar.
Now that’s a thought.
Jack always talks about the bars around here.
I wonder if I could push my luck and ask him to go out tonight.
Checking the clock, it reads 10:00 p.m. That’s plenty of time to throw on something nice and go out for the night.
I’m sure he wouldn’t mind—it’s the perfect opportunity for him to get out too…
Jolting out of bed, I’m careful to move Karma back onto the pillow, giving her one last pet.
“Be a good girl for me… Yeah?” I smile to myself.
“I’ve got to find something to wear.” Giddy at the thought, I picture the outfit clearly in my mind: a shimmering purple dress that hugs my curves, backless and stopping mid-thigh, the thin straps crossing my shoulder blades, and my favorite strappy heels.
I look over to the cabinet where I hid the grimoire…
Remembering the demon I saw in the pages, golden eyes that entrance me and leave me shivering—much like my shadow does.
Out on the porch, Jack’s smoking. I drop down beside him.
“I wanna go to a bar.”
He quirks a brow, brushing hair from his face. “Taking more advantage of your newfound freedom already?”
I smile, and he laughs. “Fair. But don’t tell Cade I let you, or I’ll be next on his list.”
“Can we go tonight?”
He crushes the cigarette under his boot. “Why not? Go get dressed up for me, k?”
I roll my eyes but keep smiling, jumping up to get ready.
The bar looks ancient but packed, cars crowding the lot. Pop music thumps from the open deck, and people laugh with drinks in hand.
My face must say it all.
“You’re the one who wanted to come,” Jack reminds me, laughing.
He comes around to the passenger side and opens the door with a theatrical bow. “Milady.”
I step down awkwardly, heels sinking into the gravel. He offers his arm, and I take it—more for balance than because of his charm.
Inside is chaos—bodies everywhere. The place is packed. The bartender moves like he’s casting spells. Jack leads me toward an empty pool table in the back.
“I’ll get the drinks,” he says, then disappears into the crowd.
I grab a cue, needing something to do with my hands. I glance back and of course he’s already surrounded by women.
Typical.
I can’t hear them, but I know that look. They’re flirting hard and he’s lapping it up. Great. I roll my eyes and turn to the table, setting up a fresh game.
Jack’s a walking wet dream. Blond, broad, blue-eyed—but he flirts with anything that breathes or blinks at him. It’s honestly exhausting.
Still, he brings the drinks and keeps the good vibes coming. An hour passes—maybe more, and between a few rounds of pool and a few too many drinks, I’m definitely tipsy. And surprisingly? I’m having fun.
When “Go Fuck Yourself” by Two Feet comes on, I lose it a little. Singing way too loud, hips swaying to the bass as I demand another round from Jack. I rack the table again, still dancing. The music crawls down my spine and I let it, needing this moment.
“Wanna play?” A stranger’s voice asks behind me.
I keep my back turned, tone casual.
“Just waiting for my friend.” I nod toward Jack, who’s now laying it on thick with the bartender.
“Your friend looks busy. I can keep you company.”
I look down, unsure how to respond. Then I feel hands gently grip my waist, a low voice ringing in my ears… my shadow. “You’re safe with me. Enjoy this.”
“Yeah, sure,” I respond to the stranger, feeling a flutter in my chest knowing I’m not alone.
He grabs a cue, lining up to break. “I’ll go first.”
The cue cracks against the eight ball and it flies unnaturally—smashing him square in the nose.
He howls, clutching his nose as blood spurts from it.
“Oh my Gods, are you okay?” I gasp. Then, muttering low, “You weren’t supposed to hurt him.” I take a step back in shock, pushing away from his grip.
The light above the table flickers. “You really thought I would let him near you?” My stomach drops. He tricked me…
“Don’t follow me,” I say.
I push past the crowd, making a beeline for the bathroom. As I swing the door open, the heavy scent of alcohol and too-sweet perfume hits me, causing my stomach to turn.
Every stall is occupied. Of course.
I grip the edge of the sink, trying to breathe.
The walls feel too close. My skin prickles, heat spreading down my arms and up my neck.
I twist the faucet on and splash cold water over my forearms and behind my neck, trying to ground myself.
The fluorescent lights overhead only add to my disorientation.
A stall door swings open, and I lunge for it, ignoring the slurred protests behind me. I lock the door and drop to the floor. The chill of the tile hits my skin, a harsh contrast to the burn inside my chest. I press my palms to the floor, breathing deep.
I can’t escape this.
My shadow—it followed me.
After a long minute, I stand. My hands shake as I smooth out my dress, willing my expression back to neutral. I unlock the door and step out like nothing happened—until I remember I had my hands all over the floor of a bar bathroom.
I head straight to the sink and scrub my hands clean before making my exit.
“What the fuck happened?” Jack appears beside me, two drinks in hand. I grab one and knock it back in a single swallow. It burns going down my throat, and I wince, face scrunching up like I just swallowed battery acid.
“Cheers,” Jack says with a hesitant laugh before tossing back his own drink.
“I need to leave. Now.”
Jack doesn’t question me, just gestures me toward the door.
The silence on the drive home is thick. Not uncomfortable, just… charged. Jack drives and I’m slouched in the passenger seat, my cheek pressed to the cool window, watching the forest blur past.
That presence didn’t leave when I ran out of the bar. I can feel it with me now, and I’m done waiting. I’ll show whatever the fuck this thing is I’m done being afraid. Let it come.
When we pull into the driveway, I leap out and rush inside, kicking off my heels. I run up the stairs, yank out the grimoire, and start lighting candles one by one, forming a circle in front of my bookshelf. I sit at the center with the grimoire in hand.
“Show yourself. I know you’re here.”
Nothing.
“Quit fucking with me! You followed me. You hurt that man. I know it was you!”
Still more silence.
I flip open the grimoire and it lands on the same page as before. The golden eyes stare back at me. I grit my teeth; a shaky exhale escapes my lips and I take in a deep breath.
“Alabaster,” I whisper. “Show yourself.”
The lights flicker then vanish, darkness filling the space.
I gasp, eyes straining against the void. The candles snuff out in unison, and the air is heavy, silent. My heart pounds, and I swallow hard.
“Show yourself.” I say again, my voice steadier than I feel. The presence presses in—everywhere and nowhere, all at once. Silence stretches tight across the room.
Then, a deep velvet laugh wrapped in sin curls around me like smoke and I freeze, my breath catching.
“You called, pretty girl?”