Cold of Night: (A Thorne Hill Christmas Novella) by Emily Goodwin

Author:Emily Goodwin [Goodwin, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 3

So much for thinking the demon won’t attack again until nightfall.

“I’ll go into the store. Don’t even worry,” I tell her. “Keep me updated on what you find out.” Damn, that didn’t sound too obvious, did it? “And be careful.”

“The paper this morning said Mr. Martinez was killed by a wild animal. Do you think that’s what did it? I mean…I don’t know. I’m scared.”

“Me too,” I lie. “And maybe. It’s getting cold and with all the new construction in Paradise Valley, coyotes are being driven from their homes. Plus, we had that issue with those rogue bears coming through town a few years ago.” I almost wince saying it. There were no bears and I still can’t believe anyone bought that lie.

“Right. I remember that. So scary. Be careful, Callie. You have a lot of woods around your house.”

“I will be. I’ll keep my phone by me if you need anything.”

“Okay. I’ll come into work when I can. I could use the distraction.”

“Just let me know,” I tell her and end the call. I log onto the Thorne Hill Post’s Facebook page and scan through the article about Mr. Martinez, shaking my head at the incorrect information.

“Lucas,” I call, knowing he can hear me. I pour myself a cup of coffee and meet him halfway from the kitchen to his office.

“There was another murder,” I tell him and take a drink of hot coffee. “Like just now.”

“Where?”

“Downtown. Not along Main Street, but like two or three blocks over where Vanessa lives. This time it was a woman walking her dog in broad daylight. And look.” I hold up my phone. “They’re reporting this as an animal attack. We’re in northwest Indiana. No animal around here kills people and fills their stomachs with rocks.”

“It’s safe to say no animal anywhere does that. Though, it’s better than the truth.”

“True. I need to cover Vanessa’s shift at the store. Kristy’s phone is going right to voicemail so she’s still at the Covenstead. I’ll send a note,” I add knowing he’s going to insist I do. “Tabatha will probably call an emergency gathering tonight to warn our coven about this too.”

“There’s a murderous demon roaming downtown. Take your familiars. And Scarlet.” His jaw tenses, hating that he can’t go with me since it’s daylight. Even if I enchanted the windows at the bookstore like I have to the house, it would raise too many questions. Vampires can’t go out in the sunlight, and we need to keep up that appearance.

“I will.” My phone chimes with a new email alert. I glance down, opening my email and gasp.

“What is it?” Lucas asks, dark blue eyes going wide.

“They’re thinking about canceling tonight’s Christmas Fest downtown.”

“That’s for the best.”

“But there were supposed to be llama’s tonight. Llamas dressed like elves.”

Lucas’s eyes narrow slightly. “Do you even like llamas?”

“Everyone likes llamas.” I let out a sigh. “Okay. I need to send a letter to the Covenstead and then head to the store. Betty and Danielle were closing tonight, and I want them out before the sun sets, though that doesn’t seem to matter.

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