Chapter 24 Callisto
CALLISTO
I can’t get his words out of my head.
Alabaster… He got to me. He really got to me.
His words stick in my brain like caramel—sticky and sweet. So wrong, but I feel myself leaning into them. I’m already afraid that whatever game he’s playing is working.
“Hey, girl,” I say when Karma walks over, weaving between my legs. “I can’t cuddle right now.” I scoop her up, being sure to give her an extra scratch before carefully placing her back down.
I hold the bag of runes carefully in my hands as I sit cross-legged on the floor of my room. I reach in, mixing them before I cast them on the ground before me, my question clear in my mind.
Is Cade in danger?
Three runes stare back.
Hagalaz. Thurisaz. Isa.
Something unexpected will happen. Maybe an ambush. He’s going to be trapped—isolated.
My breath catches. Fuck.
I feel Alabaster’s presence behind me before I hear him.
“And what do we have here, little witch?” he purrs in that silky way of his, leaning over my shoulder.
“Cade is walking into a trap,” I say softly, worry clear in my voice.
“These are far too vague,” he hums, eyeing the runes. “This could also mean an internal struggle.”
I huff, my eyes still locked on the runes. “I don’t like this. I’m going to talk to Jack.”
I get to my feet and turn, only to see Alabaster fade into my shadow on the ground. He’s been hiding out in my shadow since this morning when he kissed me, giving me the illusion of privacy. At this point, I honestly don’t care. His energy—though overwhelming—is a welcome buffer for my anxiety.
I hurry to Jack’s office. I can hear him talking to Cade through the door and pause before knocking.
“Can I come in?” I call, wringing my hands nervously.
I hear his muffled voice on the other side of the door, tone low and ominous.
“Enter… if you dare.”
I walk in with a raised eyebrow.
He swivels his chair toward me slowly, a shit-eating grin on his face. I roll my eyes at him.
“How is he?” I ask calmly, but the worry is clear in my voice.
“He just left, Calli.” He sighs, rubbing his eyes. “We can’t do this all night, you know.”
“Okay… How are you?” I ask him, almost afraid of his answer.
“It’s Halloween. Why don’t you get out of the house? There’s a festival downtown. Go.” He shoos his fingers at me, grinning again.
“Wow.” I shake my head, walking further into the room. “Deflection and trying to get rid of me? Nice, Jack, but I’m not going anywhere.”
I stand my ground, hands on hips—when I notice my shadow vibrating. Something shifts from it, moving too fast for my eyes to process.
“It’s not that, Calli…” He sighs. “I just think there’s nothing either of us can do at this rate.
I see no proof that this is a setup. I get that you’re worried, I really do, but it does nothing for you right now.
Go—meet people. Have some fun for once.” His voice has softened, eyes pleading with me.
“You want me to ignore my instincts?” I cross my arms over my chest and he groans.
“No. I’m just suggesting that nothing you say is going to make him turn around. I’ll do everything I can to make sure he’s safe on my end. Just… trust him, like he trusted you.”
Jack still has no idea Cade believes now, but he’s right. Cade gave me the benefit of the doubt in the only way he knew how. And while I don’t like this… trying to convince him out of it is useless. I gave him the pendulum. He still wears it every day. All I can do is pray it’s enough.
Before I’m able to respond, the landline rings. Jack’s eyes bolt to me—concern flashing in them as he picks up the phone, a muffled voice speaking on the other end.
“Uh, who is this?” he asks, voice tinged with suspicion and confusion.
More muffled speech. Jack makes a few unreadable expressions then hands me the phone.
“It’s the guy from the corner store. He wants to know if you’ll go with him to the festival,” he says, wiggling his brows up and down in mock flirtation.
I take the phone and press it to my ear hesitantly.
“I’m taking you out, pretty girl. Get your ass ready,” Alabaster’s smooth voice purrs through the receiver.
I try to hide my face, my eyes widening.
“Sorry, I’m kind of busy ton—”
Jack swipes the phone from my hand and answers for me, standing to hold it above my head…
“She’d love to. Pick her up at six.”
I smack the back of his head when he hangs up, grinning at me.
“Oops,” he giggles, rubbing at his head. “Guess you have a date.”
I motion like I’m going to punch him in the arm, and he flinches. I barely stop myself.
This is a terrible idea… but maybe Jack is right.
“You’ll call me if anything gets fucky. Got that?” I warn, pointing a finger at him, my eyes narrowed.
“Yes, ma’am!” he crows with a smile and a salute, victory written all over his face.
I groan and stomp out like a child, and his laugh echoes behind me as I slam the door. But deep down, I feel… relieved I wasn’t given a choice. My stomach flutters at the thought of being out for the night with my demon. Almost like something normal—if that’s even possible for us.
I open my closet, staring at my clothes in thought, Alabaster nowhere in sight. I pull out a black dress that stops mid-thigh and some tights, closing my eyes and trying to picture a costume idea. Maybe I can tape some black paper to a headband and dress up as Karma.
I move to toss the dress on my bed and freeze. There’s a small black box that definitely wasn’t there before.
I sit down on the edge of the bed, unwrapping the intricate ribbon with care.
It looks expensive.
Inside is a black lace mask with catlike eye holes and pointed tips. It’s exactly what I would’ve chosen. I grin to myself and jump up to finish getting ready.
I throw on some eyeliner—a sharp cat eye and some red lipstick. I slip into the dress and tights, placing the mask over my eyes, and when I look in the mirror, I barely recognize myself. I actually look… stunning. I smirk at my reflection.
Not bad.
I grab my purse just as I hear Jack shout from downstairs: “Your date is here, Calli!”
I open the door and immediately trip over the hallway runner, nearly rolling my ankle. I catch myself on the wall and carefully descend the stairs in my six-inch heels. At the bottom, Jack stares up at me, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
And there, in the doorway, is Alabaster.
His eyes aren’t glowing—but they look hungry. He fills the doorframe with his massive body, horns in full view, wearing black jeans and a fitted V-neck.
My breath catches. Damn.
I reach the bottom step and Jack clears his throat.
“You guys look fucking amazing! You two kids have fun, you hear? Be careful,” he whispers to me as he gently nudges me toward the door.
“Cool-ass costume, dude,” he calls to Alabaster, laughing as he closes the door behind us.
Alabaster says nothing, just smiles slowly and places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to the driveway.
That’s when I see it: a bright red Ferrari. The same color as my lipstick.
“Where the fuck did you get this?” I gasp, my eyes going wide.
“Don’t ask questions you really don’t want the answers to. Just get in, my little feline.” He opens the door for me, with a wink that definitely flashes some fang.
I pause, one foot in the car as I peer up at him. “Thanks for the mask. I really like it,” I murmur, almost shyly.
He tilts his head, curious eyes flicking to the mask. “I didn’t give that to you.” Leaning in, his breath hits my ear. “But I like it.”
A shiver crawls down my spine at the rumble in his voice.
I quickly slide into the passenger seat and he shuts the door, getting in beside me.
“I didn’t know you drive,” I say casually as I turn to face him, legs crossed.
He grins wickedly, teeth flashing. “I don’t.”
My eyes widen as he starts the engine and peels out of the driveway, his laughter echoing through the night.
Downtown is packed. Costumes, music, vendors, and a whole-ass carnival. This town must take Halloween seriously, I muse to myself.
Alabaster rolls down the windows, blasting R&B so loudly that people turn and stare as we pass. He’s loving it. I roll my eyes at him.
We park in a grassy field and he comes around to open my door, holding out his arm.
“Playing the gentleman tonight?” I ask with a smirk.
“Only for you, pretty girl,” he replies smoothly.
I step out—and my heels sink into the grass, making me wobble immediately. My hand flies out, clutching his arm.
“I may have chosen the wrong shoes for this,” I say with a laugh, and then squeal when he lifts me with one arm, carrying me like a purse.
“What are you doing?” I squeak, feet kicking as I try not to flash everyone around us.
“Helping.” He says it seriously, looking down with his brow furrowed in confusion.
I burst out laughing. “This isn’t how you’re supposed to carry a lady!” I scold him, but the words are light and playful.
He hums, adjusting me. Pulling my legs around his waist and wrapping his arms under my thighs, holding me flush to his warm body.
“This better?” he asks, completely serious as he watches my face.
Our faces are close. Too close. I’m still in his arms, my breath fanning his lips.
“Uh… yeah,” I whisper, knowing my face must be bright red.
He carries me to the edge of the field and gently sets me down, holding his arm out for me like the gentleman he isn’t. I take it with a soft laugh.
We make our way to a churro stand, grab two, and sit on a nearby bench. I take a bite—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. Perfect.
I moan as the flavors burst along my tongue. “Mmm. Good choice.”
He’s staring, that glowing gaze fixed on me like I’m the dessert, and I feel my cheeks flush.
“Let’s go. I’m bored,” he says suddenly, standing and grabbing my hand. I drop the rest of my churro with a laugh as he tugs me to my feet.
He leads me through the crowd toward a huge gothic building with a big painted sign that reads Nightmare Manor.
“A haunted house? Seriously?” I deadpan, but I’m unable to hide my excitement.
He grins down at me. “It’ll be fun.”