Dark of Night: The Thorne Hill Series, #2

By Emily Goodwin

Everything has a cost.

I never thought the cost of falling in love could be my life. But when the Vampire Council gets reports of increased magical activity in the surrounding areas, they give the order for vampires to kill any witches they come across. I trust Lucas to never hurt me, but he's not the only vampire in my life, and let's just say the others aren't my biggest fans.

While I'm busy trying not to be come vampire chow, something dark and powerful is surrounding Thorne Hill, infecting everything—and everyone—that gets in its path. If the darkness gets to the Ley line, then the whole town is doomed.

I won't go down without a fight, but how can I fight something I can't even see?

Dark of Night is book two in the Thorne Hill series. The reading order is:

Dead of Night

Dark of Night

Call of Night

Still of Night

Curse of Night

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emily Goodwin
• Release date: Nov 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393360841

Book preview

Chapter

1

"W hat do you see when you look at this one?" The doctor holds up a card, showcasing an ink splotch that’s twisted and creepy, with eyes that follow you no matter where

you

go

.

I look at it, heart hammering away inside my chest. The mess of ink on the white paper reminds me of the monster that lurks in Nana and Papa’s basement, the one that tried to get Abby and Scott to go downstairs

with

it

.

The one I stopped from attacking my siblings by throwing a ball of light

at

it

.

But even at the young age of ten I know I can’t say that. I look at the card, remembering Abby’s screams like it was yesterday. Feeling Scott clutch my hand, eyes full

of

fear

.

I swallow hard and shift my eyes to the man in the white coat. The tree in our backyard, I

tell

him

.

He doesn’t react, doesn’t show the slightest of emotion. He puts the card down and picks up another. This one resembles a house, with a star-like drawing at the center. My heart lurches, longing for something I’ve never known.

And this one?

he

asks

.

Home.

This time, he makes a note, jotting something down so fast there’s no chance I can look into the notebook and see what he wrote. We go through eight more cards, and I give the answer that I think should

be

said

.

The one that proves I’m not crazy. Because

I’m

not

.

I’m taken back to the space they call my room, and that’s where the real monsters come out. The door, which is a large piece of strong clear plastic in a metal frame, slides open, and the sound of metal on metal makes my heart race. When I hear that sound, I know they’re coming.

Coming to take more blood.

Coming to perform more tests.

Coming to force me to use my powers.

And coming to try to take

them

away

.

I step into the small area, arms wrapping around myself. I’ve been perpetually cold since I’ve been here. Going to the cot with a thin, foam mattress and even thinner blankets, I pick up a stuffed black cat. My sister gave it to me for my birthday last month, and I’m still shocked I was allowed to keep it. Hugging the stuffed animal to my chest, I lay down and huddle under the sheet.

Tears roll down my cheeks and I squeeze my eyes closed, hugging the little cat tighter. It’s the only thing I have that brings me comfort.

I want to go home. I want to go home. I want to go home, I whisper over and over. Bright blue light starts to glow above me. I slit my eyes open and look at it, feeling power pulsing from the light.

Suddenly, an alarm sounds. I look up, seeing someone rushing toward the glass door with a syringe in

their

hand

.

No, I cry, tears falling faster and faster. The blue light darkens, and I stand, terrified of what’s to come. No! I shout

again

. "

No

!"

Callie. Lucas’s hand lands on my shoulder. My eyes flutter open and I sit up, messy hair in my face. Your heart is racing, and I can smell your fear. You’re having a nightmare.

Yeah, I breathe. I was. Thanks for waking me up. Lucas sets a book down and takes me in his arms. His cool skin against mine is comforting. I let my eyes fall shut for another few seconds as he slowly runs his hand up and down my back. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.

You haven’t gotten much sleep lately.

I tip my head up, smiling when I look into his dark blue eyes. "And who’s fault

is

that

?"

He flashes a cocky grin. "I suppose I’m a little selfish, but fucking you all night is never something I’ll

apologize

for

."

"I don’t expect

you

to

."

He leans down, kissing the top of my head. This nightmare, he starts and doesn’t have to finish.

It was a normal nightmare, I tell him. I haven’t had any cryptic warnings about demons or being burned alive in my dreams for about a month now. But it reminded me why your automatic blinds startle me so much. I close my eyes and the sound of the see-through door opening echoes around us. It’s metal-on-metal, motorized, and served as a warning of what was

to

come

.

"Do you want to talk

about

it

?"

My lips part and my heart lurches. I should talk about it. I should open up and tell Lucas everything. I should deal with the emotions I’ve repressed for the last fifteen years.

"

Not

yet

."

When you’re ready, he says softly and kisses me. I sip my arm around his neck, kissing him back harder. I’m so fucking grateful for him. We’re both naked, with the covers on my bed tangled around us from having sex not that

long

ago

.

What time is it? I ask, not feeling sleepy but not wanting to get up and move away from Lucas.

About an hour until sunset. You slept for three hours.

I guess I did need it. Smiling, I look up at Lucas. Soft sunlight fills the room, filtered by magic through the enchanted glass of my bedroom window. When Lucas doesn’t have vampire business to attend to in Chicago, he likes to spend the day here in the sunlight, which is something he hasn’t done in over sixteen-hundred years.

I should get up and get my shit done before we leave tonight, I sigh and untangle myself from Lucas, missing him almost instantly.

I get dressed and hurry out of the room, closing the door the second I’m in the hall. I haven’t quite figured out how to enchant every single window in the house yet. The kitchen window still lets harmful light in, but I’m working

on

it

.

Anyone want to go for a run with me? I ask, looking at my three familiars who are lounging on the front porch, very much looking like the normal cats we pretend they are. Freya rolls over on her back and stretches out. Pandora closes her eyes, going back to sleep. Binx stands and stretches before lazily

trotting

over

.

I’m spending the night in Chicago again, I remind Binx as we make our way down the gravel driveway. "Lucas has some sort of meeting about that group who are trying to sabotage other vampires who follow the Vampire

Council’s

laws

."

Lucas has told me about it, and while he acts as if it’s just a mere annoyance, we both know things could get ugly fast. There are plenty of humans ready to rally with wooden stakes and demand vampires be stripped of all their rights. Give the humans a reason and they’ll be quick

to

act

.

Vampires like Lucas have lived a long time without any of those rights, and he has done more than all right for himself, but he’s in the minority. The newer vampires depend on having legal rights so they can own businesses, get a job, and travel by plane. Not to mention being a registered vampire gives you some protection against being staked by your neighbor. Some protection.

Killing a vampire isn’t considered murder since vampires are already dead. It’s very much a topic of hot debate, and something I try not to follow. I stay away from non-magical politics as much as possible. But I do know that the VC looks into vampire deaths and will hold another vampire accountable.

But only if you get caught.

Ready? I ask Binx, pushing into a jog when my feet hit the rough pavement of the country road. We make it only two miles into my run before I slow, seeing utility trucks pulled over along the shoulder. There’s an old estate just past them, and it’s been abandoned for years. Several guys work on clearing out what used to be the driveway, making it accessible once again.

A wave of disappointment goes through me, though it shouldn’t come as a surprise. It was only a matter of time before the bank got tired of that thing and sold it to the highest bidder. The house was one of the first to go up in Thorne Hill and caught my eye as soon as I took residence in

this

town

.

I’ve wanted to buy it but hadn’t been able to afford what the bank was asking, let alone the good million it will take to properly restore the mansion back to its former glory. Just making it safe to live in is more than I can afford.

Sighing, I push forward again. It’s been unseasonably hot all week, and while I love the hot sun and the heat, I’m not a fan right now. I’m sweating already. Another mile later, I slow again. Binx, who’s several yards ahead of me, stops, standing in the middle of the street.

I feel it too, I tell him, holding out my hands. It’s like the air is…is vibrating. Eyes wide, I look at the woods. The Ley line runs right down the middle of Thorne Hill, through these woods, and then eventually all the way to Lake Michigan. It’s pure magical energy at its finest, and all sorts of life is attracted to it. Is that what we’re feeling?

But as quickly as the air became static, it goes back to normal. I tip my head, looking at the woods. I felt it, and more importantly, Binx felt it. I open my mouth to ask him about it, but he shifts into cat-form, letting me know a car is coming down

the

road

.

Tearing my eyes away from the woods, I turn and see one of the utility trucks coming down the road. I pick up Binx, making it look like I’m just some random girl going for a run with

her

cat

.

Which is totally normal,

I

know

.

When I’m away tonight, I start and let him jump from my arms. "Keep an eye on the Ley line. If anything weird happens, come and get me

right

away

."

Chapter

2

H ey, Rene. I slide onto a barstool, smiling at a pretty red-headed vampire .

Hey, Callie, she replies cheerfully. Red or white tonight?

"I’m in the mood

for

red

."

Rene smiles, flashing her fangs. She keeps them drawn most of the time while she works, saying it helps with tips. Same. She winks and turns, grabbing a wine glass and a bottle from the fridge under

the

bar

.

Halliwell’s Taproom and Grill—or just The Taproom, as the locals call it—is busy tonight, as it usually is. For a hipster bar located in one of the more expensive parts of Lincoln Park, this place does very well for itself.

Thanks, I say, taking the wine from her. Rene tends to other customers while I sip my wine. I pull my phone from my purse and scroll through social media, not looking for anything in particular but keeping myself entertained enough while Lucas talks with Eliza in the office.

Kristy calls, and I finish my wine and answer. It’s too loud to hear her, so I tell her to hang on and slip out the back and into a little alley that runs behind the businesses on this street.

Sorry, I say into the phone.

Are you at Lucas’s bar again?

Yeah. I lean against the outside of the building. He’s meeting with some other vampires tonight to talk about that whole anti-assimilation issue.

Sounds fun. Be careful though, Callie.

I’m always careful, I say, and Kristy laughs. "Okay, not always, but this time I am being careful. All I’m doing is hanging out at the bar drinking

free

wine

."

Tell the truth. That’s the real reason you’re sleeping with Lucas.

You do know how much I love wine, I laugh. "You’ll have to come up with me again

sometime

soon

."

A girls’ night in Chicago does sound nice. Anyway, the reason I called was to tell you the good news. She pauses, making

me

wait

.

And?

Francine Henderson can make it tomorrow after all! She’s feeling much better.

Yes! I exclaim. "This has nothing to do with that health spell you did last night,

does

it

?"

I have no idea what you’re talking about, Kristy laughs. "I’m just glad she’ll be the one reading her book to the children and not me. It’s crazy our little event sold

completely

out

."

It’s going to be great, I tell her, knowing she’s still a bit nervous for the Story Time event we have planned at our bookstore tomorrow. The whole thing is for charity, with all the money from the tickets going to Thorne Hill’s 4H group. We have three authors coming to read their favorite children’s book to the kids participating, and then Kristy has the cutest book-themed crafts planned

after

that

.

But the best part is that we’re all supposed to dress like our favorite book character.

Thanks. I hope it goes smoothly.

It will, I assure her. You’ve worked so hard on this. It’s going to be amazing. Take a deep breath and leave the store.

"How did you know I was

still

here

?"

I know you. I shake my head and smile. "Now lock up and

go

home

."

"Fine. Leaving now. Love

you

,

Cal

."

Love you too. I hang up, stick my phone in my purse, and turn around to go back in the way I came out. Dammit, I mutter when I realize the door locks from the inside, and I’ve accidentally locked

myself

out

.

Which isn’t a big deal since I could just walk around to the front of the bar and go back in. But I’m a witch, and locks aren’t usually an issue for me. I step in closer to the door and raise my hand, whispering the incantation.

So, you’re Lucas King’s latest plaything? A voice rings out behind me as soon as I get the door unlocked.

Excuse me? I whirl around, eyes narrowing at the man in the alley. He’s tall, with long dark hair swept back and secured in a low ponytail. He looks like he’d fit right in with the hipsters at this bar, but he’s had that hairstyle for centuries. For he’s not a man at all, but a vampire. Magic burns at my fingertips, and I suck in a breath, tying to hold

it

back

.

The vampire advances, moving fast and trying to startle me. I cock an eyebrow, unamused, and it pisses him off even more. He flashes his fangs, yet still doesn’t get a reaction out of me. I hold steady, curling my fingers into

my

fist

.

Don’t think you’ve gone unnoticed, my darling. Mr. King hasn’t taken interest in a human in well over a hundred years. What makes you so special? He brings his hand to my neck, fingers dancing over my jugular vein. My heart skips a beat, but I swallow

my

fear

.

I’m well aware this vampire is old. I can feel his age in the energy that’s coming off him. Seven hundred? Seven-fifty, if I’m being generous. Barely half the age of my beloved.

Don’t you know? I rasp, slowly bringing my hand up and twirling a blue strand of magic between my fingers. I’m a witch.

The vampire jerks back, eyes wide. "

You’re

a

—

"

Any vampire worth their salt would have been able to smell the magic, I shoot back, not entirely sure I used that phrase correctly. The magic sizzles stronger at my fingertips. "But you didn’t, did you? You have no idea how easily I could kill you right now. How I could burn you from the

inside

out

."

The vampire steps back, eyes flitting from my neck to the strand of magic I’m holding. And do you have any idea how fast I could rip you to shreds?

You’d die trying, you undead asshole.

You’ve got a mouth on you. No wonder King has taken a liking to you. I’m sure you’re a fun plaything.

I’m his, I sigh, hating that I pulled that line. When a vampire claims ownership over a human, it makes them off limits to other vampires.

For now. The vampire leans forward, inhaling deep. You smell almost as good as you’ll taste.

Fuck off, I retort, getting annoyed with him. I raise my hand, and the magic I’m holding glows brighter.

You’re a grumpy plaything.

I narrow my eyes. "Call me plaything one

more

time

."

He snarls. Worthless plaything, he spits.

I warned you. I throw my hand out, hitting him with the energy ball I’m holding in my hand. It smashes into his chest, and strands of blue light flash through his body, lighting up every vein under

his

skin

.

Gasping, I step back, closing my eyes at the last second. The vampire before me explodes, burning from the inside out. His mouth falls open, but no sound escapes before he bursts into a puddle of

smoldering

goo

.

Shit. I didn’t mean to do that. Well, I meant to throw an energy ball at him, but I didn’t mean to power it so strongly that it would cause him to explode.

Callie?

I whirl around, not having a chance to wipe the blood splatter off

my

face

.

Lucas, hey. I blink, trying to get the vampire bits off my eyelashes. I fail and reach up, wiping my face and smearing the blood over my cheek. I push my shoulders out and force a smile, trying my best not to act like I didn’t just kill an ancient vampire on accident.

Lucas’s dark blue eyes meet mine and something passes through me. The world stills around us and I’m instantly calmed.

See? She’s fine. Eliza appears next to Lucas, with one hand on

her

hip

.

I’m fine, I echo, flicking a piece of the vampire off my hand. I’ve got everything under control.

Lucas looks from me to the smoldering remains of the vampire and back again. "Did he

hurt

you

?"

Not as much as I hurt him, I say, laughing at my bad attempt of a joke. Lucas moves forward, putting his hands on my shoulder, not caring that I’m covered in blood. He looks deep into my eyes, needing to see for himself that I’m not injured.

What happened?

He, uh, he…he pissed me off, so I blew him up with magic.

If I could lay you down and fuck you right here, I would.

Eliza huffs and heat creeps through me. I should probably shower first, I say slowly, though if Lucas really did lay me down right here in this back alley, I know I’d enjoy it, even covered in blood.

Because if there is one thing and one thing alone Lucas King is good at,

it’s

sex

.

Lucky for me, he’s good at a bunch of other things as well, with one of them being taking damn good care

of

me

.

He said he wanted to taste me. I exhale, blinking before I get lost in

Lucas’s

eyes

.

You’re mine, he growls.

"I told him that, and he didn’t seem

to

care

."

Typical man, Eliza sighs. "And you know how much I hate breaking up this love fest, but we’re supposed to be meeting with that long-haired creep any

minute

now

."

"The vampire you’re meeting has

long

hair

?"

Yes, Lucas answers.

I make a face and look at the puddle of vampire goo splattered in the alley. There’s a slight chance he’s not going to show up for the meeting.

You killed him? Eliza’s blue eyes widen, and she draws her fangs. But she doesn’t look mad, she looks scared.

He attacked me, I protest. "And I didn’t

mean

to

!"

"Great, just explain to the VC that you didn’t mean to kill one of their members. She throws out her hands as she talks. Lucas, what are we going

to

do

?"

Nothing, he says calmly, which only makes Eliza freak out even more. "If Jacob bit a human that belongs to me, I have every right to

kill

him

."

"But you didn’t kill him! Your little witch-whore did, and you can’t

take

the

—

"

Enough, Lucas booms, silencing Eliza and making me jump. The VC will never believe a human was capable of killing a Council member. And they can’t know she’s a witch.

I swallow hard, feeling a chill go through me. I almost forgot. Vampires and witches aren’t supposed to be together in the way Lucas and I are. The Grand Coven forbids it, and the Vampire Council doesn’t approve either. Lucas isn’t one to follow rules, but I know the VC getting involved is never a good thing.

Get the bleach, Lucas tells Eliza. She narrows her eyes and shakes her head but does what

she’s

told

.

I’m sorry. I wipe my hands on my shirt. The energy ball was much stronger than usual. I meant to knock him out, but I guess I was angry, and it fueled my magic or something.

If he so much as thought about touching you, he deserved to die. And you killed him much faster than I would have. He steps closer, using the sleeve of his button-up shirt to wipe blood off my face. Your powers have gotten stronger since you commanded the hellfire.

Maybe. I cast my eyes down, knowing he’s right. Something changed after that night, but I can’t even begin to explain what. Because sometimes it feels like everything changed. "Are you going to get in trouble

for

this

?"

He turns his gaze back to mine, flashing his trademark cocky grin. Only if we’re caught.

"Would it be bad if the VC finds out

about

us

?"

The grin fades, and Lucas takes me in his arms. "I don’t care what the fucking VC says. I love you, and nothing is coming

between

us

."

I love you too, I whisper, and my heart flutters, both from feeling so damn much for him…and because he didn’t say he wouldn’t get in trouble if the Vampire Council found out

about

us

.

Which means it would

be

bad

.

Chapter

3

T his is not going to come out, is it? I look down at my shirt. Of all the nights I didn’t wear black. Grimacing, I pull my shirt over my head, trying not to get blood on my face. I guess I’ll just toss it. I roll my shirt up the best I can, keeping the blood and guts on the inside, and put it in the kitchen garbage, tying the bag shut and putting it in another to make sure the smell of blood isn’t detectable .

My pants come off next, and I think these are salvageable. I take them to the laundry room and rinse them in the utility tub before throwing them in the washing machine. Wearing only my bra and underwear, I pad my way upstairs and into the bathroom.

Lucas is still at the bar, cleaning up my mess. I wanted to stay and help, but he reminded me how suspicious it would look if someone else from the VC showed up and I was covered in vampire blood. It’s a good point, but I still felt bad leaving. He should be here soon, thanks to handy vampire speed.

I get in the oversized shower and start washing off the goo. It’s itchy when it dries. I stay in the shower after I’m clean, hoping to still be in when Lucas comes home. We both quite enjoy sex in the shower.

Turning the temp of the water up, I close my eyes and tip my head, letting it run down

my

body

.

I could get used to this view, Lucas growls. Smiling, I keep my eyes closed and run my hands over my breasts, not stopping until one hand is between

my

legs

.

Is this one even better?

Lucas rips his shirt off, fangs coming down, and he watches me touch myself. He moves toward the shower, reaching for the glass door and stops, turning

his

head

.

"Someone is at

the

door

."

Is it someone from the VC? I ask, heart skipping

a

beat

.

No, he says but doesn’t sound convinced. "Stay here. I’ll tell whoever it is to

fuck

off

."

I nod and watch him speed out of the room, expecting him to be back in a minute. But one minute passes and he’s not back. I wait another. And another. I turn off the water and get out, wrapping a towel around myself but not taking the time to dry off. Heart hammering, I tiptoe out of the bathroom and into

the

hall

.

Light from the foyer spills up the stairs, along with a voice. A female voice. A familiar one

at

that

.

Abby? I whisper to myself, eyes narrowing. Why is my sister here? I creep closer to the balcony that overlooks the entryway. Abby is standing near the door, clutching her purse with one hand and holding her car keys in the other. Her shoulders are tense, and I know she’s uncomfortable standing there before Lucas, especially because he’s shirtless and looks like a

sex

god

.

She loves you and she’d die to protect you. You don’t deserve that, you know, Lucas tells her. I suck in a breath, watching him talk to my sister. She’s looking into his eyes. Is he holding her spellbound? She turns her

head

down

.

I know I don’t,

she

says

.

No, she’s not spellbound at all. And she just agreed with Lucas.

I should have done more. But we were young and I…I was scared. Not of Callie but of our father and the things he said. I knew Callie wouldn’t hurt me. She wipes a tear out of her eye. "Did she ever tell you about the time