Chapter 13

T he moment my eyes opened from a rare dreamless sleep, I knew he would be there. Cracking one eye open, the brightness from the morning twin moons slipped through my deep purple curtains and gave me the perfect view of a sleeping Jason.

A sigh fell from my parted lips. Last night meant everything to me, but at the same time, I didn't know where it was going to lead us. Did he still resent me? Did he still hate me—the kind of hate that festered until it became unbearable, even though you loved someone? Or did he actually mean every word? Could this mean we could all fix this rift that seemed to swallow us whole? The thought of going back to the way things used to be freaked me out. Internally, I was screaming bloody murder, terrified of breaking again—breaking so deeply this time that there would be nothing left to give or take.

"You could be worth everything, Jason," I murmured. "As long as you don't shatter my heart when it's over." Reaching out, I stroked the sharp curve of his cheekbone and watched his dark eyelashes flutter against his smooth, whiskey-colored skin.

I had no idea how to feel about the recent development, but I didn't want to risk him waking up and catching me watching him like a creep. I wasn't ready for that conversion—the inevitable now what ? Carefully retreating, I slipped out from under the covers and padded to my wardrobe before softly opening the door on a belated exhale.

Out of all the places in the whole world, my happy place would be a wardrobe full of clothing that fits my love of darkness. The only thing that resembled a light color was my baby pink corset for when I was feeling particularly sassy. I'd never worn it in public before, but today, I said to hell with it and quickly swiped it off the hanger while trying to be extra sneaky so Jason wouldn't wake up.

Was it wrong that I was going for the ‘wam bam, thank you, sir?' Maybe, but the thought of him bringing it up last night, after we both opened up about being hurt, made me want to fling open the door and take off running into the night again. Dressed in my fishnets, my black, high-waisted skirt with the cutest little chains woven in, and the lovely pink corset, I felt like a woman ready to take on the world.

Said woman grabbed her Doc Martens and turned to look at a sleeping Jason one last time. I could really get used to seeing him spread out on my bed like that. Naked from the waist up, his head was turned away, but I could still admire the tight muscles of his back that led down to an even tighter ass and his wide shoulders that were perfect resting spots for my ankles.

It was then that I realized I had been standing there for a whole five minutes, staring like one of those weirdos that watch other people sleep.

You're not a vampire, October; stop acting like one.

Shaking my head, I glanced at the branch next to my bedside, the spot Jessica usually slept on, and found her still missing. I remembered how much she hated the rain last night, so she was probably still irritated with me. I was guessing she didn't feel like coming back yet, and I couldn't say I blamed her. She was going to give me so much shit for almost dying the one time she wasn't there. Talk about embarrassing.

Standing on my tippy toes, I snuck out of my bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind me, and didn't put on my shoes until I reached the landing at the bottom of the stairs. Voices echoed from the kitchen area. I followed the noise to see my aunties standing over the cauldron, a fire blazing as something suspicious bubbled in the pot. Pip was waving her wooden spoon around in wild, panicked gestures.

"Just taste it! It's not going to kill you this time, I promise." Pip tipped the spoon into the green-looking slime just as a bubble popped, chunks flying in every direction.

"I swear, sister, if this gives me a wart, you are on my shit list." Fe glared and braced her hands on her hips just before sipping on the spoon. I held my breath, wondering if I'd have to try and bring her back from the dead after she croaked from whatever the hell she just drank.

"Hm, I would probably add more lizard tongues. That would be just the ticket." Auntie Fe smacked her lips together while straightening and finally noticed me awkwardly standing in the archway.

"Are you hungry, pumpkin? I can cook you up something real quick, or do you want to try my stew?" Auntie Pip asked excitedly, already heading towards the cupboard to pull out a wooden bowl.

Auntie Fe was frantically shaking her head behind her sister, gesturing with one hand slicing across her throat. Okay, message received. Eat it and die. No thanks, not today, Satan.

"Uh, no, that's okay. I had a big dinner last night," I said in a rush, taking a step back out of the kitchen in case I needed to make a run for it. "Have you seen Jessica?"

The cauldron behind my oblivious aunties started to boil over even more until one giant green bubble floated out of the pot and headed right towards the high peak of the ceiling.

"Not since last night in the green house. What exactly were her words, sister?" Auntie Pip asked, stroking her chin in thought.

"I believe she said she was going for a stroll or something along those lines to get some peace and quiet." Auntie Fe turned to me, tilting her head at my curious behavior as I kept backing out of the room very slowly, my eyes following the bubble that was about to explode.

Oh, and, October, please be a dear and tell Maddie to hurry home after class. Hexes and spells are her next lesson. A stubborn girl denies her cursed aptitude and only ever wants to be at the campus library for whatever reason. Where did October go...?" I heard her question trail off in the distance.

I was already out of the doorway and halfway down the hall on fast-moving feet, the stained glass door within my reach. The moment my hand touched the brass doorknob, a loud boom came from the kitchen that shook the whole house like an earthquake, and I could hear my aunties shrieking in outrage. Thank God I missed that show. I couldn't imagine what the kitchen looked like after the side effects of Auntie Pip's cooking methods.

I needed to talk to Maddie about the guys anyway. Maybe she could give me some insight on what I should do.

Of course, I had to stop at The Wicked Quill for a new book, and I was lucky that Baen wasn't there to see me buy it. I've read every single page of that book about necromancy, but they only described where my people came from and the danger we held.

Last time I was at the bookstore, I'd purposely skipped over one book I'd seen out of the corner of my eye that made me shake my head in disbelief because there was no way that I'd need it. So that's how I ended up on Main Street, now heading towards campus for a trip to the library with a book tucked under my arm that made me blush thinking about anyone seeing it.

How To Necromancy 101: For Dummies

Looking both ways for any prying eyes, I flipped open a page to skim over in curiosity because today was going to be the day I finally tried to raise the dead. Everyone else was flourishing with their new abilities, like they were made for this world, but I felt stuck.

Now, place your hand over the decaying body and close your eyes. Will the power to flow through you! You are one with the power to raise the dead, so command it to be so!

"Pssst."

My head snapped up from the ridiculous book, but literally no one was around. I could have sworn someone was trying to get my attention. I shivered, shaking off this spooky place. With a shrug, I continued walking with the library in sight as I buried my face back in the book I was beginning to suspect might actually not be helpful .

"Hey, you! Psst."

Okay, what the crap? Can't a girl have some time alone to learn about her powers without looking like an idiot in public? I snapped the worn paperback closed and spun in a circle, but it was literally a ghost town with no one around besides the weird ass marionette doll lounging on a wooden bench. I looked away, dismissing it, but immediately did a double take.

It couldn't be... Was that the same doll Jessica kept pointing out? It had to be. Nah, there's no way. Who the hell would leave that creepy thing just lying around on a bench outside the library? That was just strange. Stepping closer warily, I blinked rapidly to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me, but nope. Clutched in the tiny hands of the dummy was a letter made of parchment, and on the front of it read, Miss Hallowell .

Maybe it's not for me?

It totally could have been left here by mistake, for my aunties or something. Definitely not meant for me... But just in case... Reaching forward, I grabbed the envelope and tried to tug it out of the dummy's hands, but for some reason, it kept a tight grip. It had come to this—I was playing tug of war with a dummy in the middle of broad moonlight. Why didn't this situation surprise me in the slightest? Finally, the letter slipped free from its tiny hands, and I ripped it open cautiously as a small piece of paper slipped out.

October Hallowell,

You are cordially invited to attend an initiation ceremony for the Society of the Elite. In a week's time, the night before the blood moon eclipse, please join us as we welcome you with open arms.

Please report to the basement level of the West Wing of Midnight University, at exactly

midnight on the dot.

Sincerely ,

The Society.

I stared at the ominous letter for a solid minute, my brain going a mile a minute. What in the world is the Society of the Elite? It sounded like some fucked-up cult. Like, who the hell asks a member to join by letter? Shouldn't it be some cloak and dagger, high-stakes stuff?

I debated tossing the letter in the trash until I heard a pitter-patter of feet running over cobblestone. It sounded like a horse clomping, only smaller. When I glanced up, the streets were still deserted, but the freaking marionette was nowhere to be seen. Damn it, what the hell is happening right now?

For some reason, Jessica's squeaky little voice kept popping into my head about... something important, I was sure. With a helpless shrug, I turned towards the library and had to stop for a second to take in the beauty in front of me. The building itself was on a leaning angle, with black and gray bricks that looked like they were shifting. There was a low grinding noise that made me frown. Were the rooms inside shifting around? It wouldn't surprise me. The strangest part was when I glanced upwards at its many windows and saw hooded figures passing by with a single lantern, as if they were haunting all three stories. Or maybe it could be the same person moving through the building really quickly.

My excitement couldn't be contained. I was going to find Maddie and make her help me look up this so-called Society. With that in mind, I had to use both hands to open the heavy oak doors, and I almost had a heart attack when my eyes adjusted to the dim lighting inside. How long could a person go without blinking? I didn't want to miss a single thing. Tilting my head back, I spun in a slow circle in the center of the library, mouth hanging open and heart still racing.

The library lobby was domed and had a painting on the ceiling that seemed to be moving in slow motion. The ceiling was pure black, and the painted image in the middle gave me goosebumps the more it moved. Four horsemen sat atop their terrifying red-eyed horses as the sky behind them lit up with lightning that changed their features into skeletons before changing back to normal when the storm settled.

It really was a masterpiece. It could make you question things because, at any moment, your life could change and you may or may not be able to go back to how things used to be. I knew that fact firsthand. In every direction, there were columns of bookshelves and passing students carrying armloads of research. The shelves literally spanned all three stories, with massive rolling ladders to reach up top.

"Hey! Watch where you're going, mortal!" sneered a familiar voice. I'd rather not have had to deal with this bitch at the moment, but Payton was going to have to be dealt with eventually.

Ignoring her, I glanced towards the second floor, where I saw Maddie walking away a little too quickly, wearing a black hoodie. It was my hoodie, so I'd recognize it anywhere. It was odd seeing her in all black with matching sunglasses, which were already suspicious because there was no sun here. The dark clothes were odd for a girl who loved her bright colors, and the hoodie was an out-of-character choice. Something had to be amiss.

My gaze suddenly met raging violet eyes filled with hatred and fury. What the hell was up this chick's butt?

"What are you looking at?" Payton asked with a lip curl that suggested she thought I was just a bug beneath her red heels.

Seriously? Who wears high heels with their cheer uniform? Is there even a sports team around here, or does she just like to dress up for Halloween all the time?

I looked her up and down, and with the most deadpan expression I could muster, I asked, "Have you seen my son?"

Payton drew back, looking at me like I was speaking gibberish, and snarled, "What are you talking about?"

I was so close to laughing as I said, "Get it? Because you're a clown? Like the fish?" She blinked at me, so I added with feigned enthusiasm, "You see, it all started when Nemo touched the butt—"

She groaned, cutting me off. "Holy hell, do you ever shut up?! I don't even know what you're saying, you lunatic! This is why mortals should stay in their own dimension."

I stood there with a dumb grin, waiting for her to keep going. One second, she looked at me like I was just an afterthought as she twirled her green ponytail around her finger, but her gaze drifted down to my hand that still clutched the letter. Never had I seen a person's face change so dramatically. If looks could kill, I would probably be dead. I was beginning to understand Jason's fear of clowns.

"You just can't leave it alone, can you? Why did you have to come here when everything was going well for me? I'm the one on top, and you won't take it away from me like your whoring mother did to mine." She shoved into my shoulder as I stood there, flabbergasted.

"Hey… Shut up!" I responded as I stood on my tippy toes, pointing at her retreating back. It sounded lame, even to my own ears. Really, October? Shut up? And what the hell does my mom have to do with this dumb letter?

Fed up with both myself and all the bullshit that'd been dumped onto my plate this week, I took the stairs to my right, my boots echoing loudly up each step. Halfway up, while wondering where Maddie took off, a grinding noise reached my ears that reminded me of a cranking engine, just as the steps shifted under my feet like an escalator.

Alrighty then… Magic stairs. I can dig it. Oh, wise, magic floating stairs , take me to Maddie.

I was kind of joking, but apparently the stairs didn't mess around. They shifted quickly to the right, then to the left, until I was probably going to barf. Finally, they stopped unexpectedly, and I quickly exited with a relieved exhale.

What the hell is she doing?

It was easy to find Maddie because of the book floating by her head in midair. Not to mention, Maddie was currently playing dodgeball between shelves. She stood on her tippy toes as she shoved books aside to peer over the other side of the aisle. She cursed under her breath and crouched down to do the same thing all over again on a lower shelf. I crept closer, not really wanting to disturb her, because she had me curious about what was holding her interest on the other side.

Oh, sweet baby Jesus, just look at those glutes. I bet I could bounce apples off that tight buttock. Yes, ma'am," Maddie muttered. She didn't notice me leaning on the bookshelf behind her; she was too caught up in spying on someone like a creep.

"What I wouldn't do to you...yessss...come to mama!" She started fanning herself as she straightened, gently parting more books on the middle shelf as she shoved her face between them. "I would totally take you to the candy shop. I'd lick you till you were begging, baby. Oh god, so good." She pretty much moaned, so I decided it was time to interrupt before it got even weirder.

Note to self: Teach Maddie that being a peeping Tom is a no-no.

I slid in right beside her, dodging a floating book by her shoulder, and practically pressed my face against her cheek so I could see who she was staring at. She was so absorbed in her spying that she didn't even notice me.

"Gosh darn it, he's so...ugh those muscles... I'd have his babies." She was whispering so quietly under her breath that I missed half of what she said. I had to suppress a giggle.

To say I wasn't at least a little surprised was probably an understatement, because Baen, from The Wicked Quill, was on the other side of the aisle, standing on a ladder while stacking books.

"What are we looking at?" I said it with my lips close to her ear, playing dumb.

She gasped so loudly that I was sure the whole library heard her. The books immediately fell to the ground around us as she drew back from the shelf, her cheeks flaming red. She raked her hand through her midnight-colored hair that matched her spying on Baen outfit as she blew a raspberry.

Yeah, chica, you're busted.

"I was just admiring these books and, uh, the um..." She quickly picked up a random book behind her and waved it around in my face. "This! I was studying this one right here!"

I glanced at the title and back at her with my eyebrow raised, trying to fight a grin. "You were reading that book?" I pointed at the book she was still waving around, and she nodded so fast that it looked like her head was going to bob off.

" How To Get Rid of Warts . Hmm, maybe you should go see a doctor about that, Maddie, before it gets serious." I laughed when she dropped the paperback like a hot potato .

"I don't need to see a doctor!" she groaned. "Ugh, you know that's not what I was doing; stop laughing! He has a magnificent ass that's begging to be placed into these bad boys." She held her hands up in grabby motions as I wiped tears from my eyes and pointed behind her as I tried to catch my breath, but I couldn't stop chuckling.

Her face turned pale as she placed her hands together in a silent prayer before slowly turning around to face Baen. He held a stack of books under his huge biceps with his mouth gaping open before he snapped it closed. He raked his heated gaze up and down, my pervy friend.

"Maddie," he purred. Straight up, he actually started purring like a contented cat. "Can I help you with anything?" His double meaning was clear as he stepped closer, towering over her while she fanned her face.

Well, talk about awkwardness. If I started doing the hokey-pokey, they wouldn't even notice me standing here. I cleared my throat loudly, and when that didn't work, I moved my body so that it blocked his gaze. Baen's skin rippled like water, and I had to wonder what exactly his creature was because the only vibe I was getting from him was that of a naughty librarian.

He must seriously love books if he owns a bookstore and works in a library.

He shook his head and quickly pulled a flask out of his pocket, taking a drink and putting it away just as fast. We gave him a blank stare, and his cheeks went a rosy color as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Uh, I have to take a potion or the beast inside me will come out," he said awkwardly. "So, what can I help you ladies with?" He obviously wanted to change the subject. I really wanted to know what he was inside that beautiful shell, but Maddie went all dazed and pervy the moment he mentioned the beast. She'd always had a thing for Beauty and the Beast . Her dreams were coming true.

"Hey, yeah, I could use some help." I stepped forward, covering Maddie's daze. "We've met before at The Wicked Quill; I'm October. I just came from the shop. It's pretty cool that you work here too. Though it seems Maddie already knew that." I slid a glance her way and rolled my eyes.

Baen hardly glanced at me; his dark chocolate eyes were only drawn to my bestie, which only made me like him more.

"Anywho, do you have any books on something called..." I lowered my voice to a whisper. "The Society?"

His head whipped in my direction, and he stepped closer, gazing down at me with sudden concern. "Where did you hear about that?" he asked with a confused frown, but in a heartbeat, it was like a lightbulb went on in his brain. "Hold on a second... I knew you looked familiar. Follow me." He turned on his heel before I could even answer and strode away from us, but at the last second, he peered back at Maddie with a smirk. Oh, and, sweetheart, you're definitely allowed to look, but if you feel the desire to touch, I give you permission." He winked before disappearing around a corner.

Maddie leaned against me still in a lusty daze, her eyes still at his butt level, even though he was waiting for us in another aisle already. "Pinch me, Toby. I think I'm in love," she said with a dreamy sigh, and she practically floated after him.

"You're something all right," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head, and ran to catch up with them.

Baen led us down—or was it up—the same stairway as before, I was pretty sure, but it just got more confusing because everything seemed to move on its own. We even passed the hooded figure with the lantern I'd seen in the window earlier. He was just sort of floating down between each bookcase like a ghost. Shit, maybe he was a ghost... You just never knew around here. Perhaps he was some sort of ghoulish hall monitor. Or maybe he just worked here. I didn't have a clue.

Finally, Baen stopped in front of a red velvet drop curtain near a hanging gold threaded rope, and for some reason, I didn't find it odd at all that the curtain was in the very back of the deepest depths of the weird library. He pulled the gold rope, and the curtains opened, revealing a display case of trophies, old articles, and framed black and white pictures lit up by three small lights, indicating that the items inside the case were historically important.

"The Society has been around for ages. It was created by the twelve founding members a very long time ago. They only invite descendants inside the inner circle. Most everyone knows about it but pretends not to know who's involved. but they're all right here." Baen pointed to a framed photo with twelve people posing for the photographer.

"These Society members made the decisions around here. Everyone wanted to be them back then, but now it's less talked about. They still have the monthly gathering of the Elites that they think we don't know about, but again, that's just a lie." He rolled his eyes and put his hands in his pockets as he stared at the photo before nodding to something else in the case that had me catching my breath.

"What are my parents doing in this?" I traced my finger over their familiar features under the glass, seeing their smiling faces as they stared at the camera—Dad hugging Mom under his arm as she peaked underneath it with a small smile .

Holy shit, they look so happy here...

"I thought you looked familiar the first time I met you, and this is why. You look just like your mother," he whispered, probably picking up on my conflicting emotions.

Everything was a secret with my parents, and I thought I never really knew who they were to begin with. How was I supposed to connect with them when everything was a lie my whole life?

"October, why are you asking about this Society?" Maddie questioned me with a sharp glance as she paced along the display case, reading each article.

I slipped my Necromancy 101 book out of the waistband of my skirt and pulled out the letter I'd stuffed between the pages.

"A message for me, apparently... I'm not sure what to do with it." I shrugged and couldn't stop staring at the picture of my parents, then I scanned the other members until one caught my eye. "Hey, Baen, is that the mayor?"

He peered closer with his eyes squinting and nodded slowly before pulling away to allow Maddie to squeeze in beside him to take a look. It was definitely the mayor because he still dressed the same as he does now. But in the photo, he wasn't even looking at the camera—he was staring at my mom.

"Yes, Mayor Ichabod Addams is a legacy because his great-grandfather was one of the founders that started it all." He began, pointing at other members, but stopped as Maddie let out a gasp and grabbed his arm, pointing at the far right corner of the photo.

"Is that Payton?" she asked and leaned closer before shaking her head. "No, it can't be. She'd have to be in her early fifties by now. It looks like her, down to the nasty scowl and clown markings. Toby, look how she's staring at the mayor! She has a thing for him; I recognize that look! It's the same one you give the guys all the time." I elbowed her in the stomach, ignoring her grunt, and started pacing.

"That's not Payton, but her mother. The resemblance is admittedly uncanny. You have to understand that these people weren't just in a club. They were a family too," Baen said, his eyes unfocused as he started stroking Maddie's hip almost absentmindedly before glancing at me. "As the story goes, Ichabod and your parents grew up together as childhood friends."

"That makes no sense. I had already met the mayor, and he acted like he didn't know me. As you said yourself, I look just like my mother." At that point, I felt like pulling out my hair in frustration and decided I was definitely going to the society meeting to find out more.

"It's been a long time since I've seen those eyes." The mayor's words from the night we met came back to me in an instant.

No more secrets.

"Are you okay?" Maddie asked. She shifted her gaze over to Baen and nodded her head in the other direction, basically telling him to scram. He took off without a word, hands in his pockets. That guy was a keeper, for sure.

"Not really… I'm a mess. First this place..." I looked around helplessly. "It's my fault we're stuck here, and I'm being followed by something invisible, attacked by scarecrows, and I can't even protect myself because I'm fucking useless. Don't even get me started on the guys," I grumbled, folding my arms across my chest. I felt like my feelings were going to swallow me whole soon.

Okay, first of all, this Halloween town isn't so bad. You have more power inside than you know, and take it from the girl who suppresses her power constantly when I say I can feel yours blossoming like a flower. The guys won't let anything happen to you, and neither will I." She smiled cheekily, adding, "And if they also make you see stars while still frustrating you at the same time, that probably only means one thing—you need to open your eyes."

My cheeks warmed as she went on, "And don't you dare deny you've had sex with at least one of them because I heard you last night. Which was wild, by the way. Was it any good? Wait, don't answer that. By the sounds you were making, it had to be good."

Maddie grinned and jumped up and down at my burning face as she shook my shoulders in her excitement.

"I'm so not answering that," I said through a laugh, but then sobered again. "I'm scared shitless... What if they break my heart? I don't think I can do this a second time. And this stuff about being a legacy is freaking me out too, because I don't know jack shit about that either. Everything has been a lie. My whole life, Mads." I wanted to cry, but the tears were all dried up.

She stopped bouncing around and looked me dead in the eyes as she leaned in closer to make her point. "Being scared is part of life, Toby. If you aren't scared sometimes, are you really living to begin with? Your life wasn't a lie, not by far. I think your parents wanted you to have a normal childhood before this place became unavoidable. You wouldn't have met me, my fabulous self, or the guys if you grew up here. Stop hiding and embrace what you have right in front of you."

She hugged me hard and didn't let go, even when I placed my head on her shoulder, my body shaking from suppressed tears and the emotions that were threatening to let go .

"Why are you always right?" I mumbled as I pulled away and watched her wipe her eyes as she laughed.

"It's a gift and a curse." She shrugged. "It seems we both have some work to do on ourselves. Go to the Society meeting and find out why your parents looked so happy in that photo. It was obviously meant to be." She gestured to the framed photo of Mom and Dad as they embraced each other, smiling.

"You're right. I'll go. I'm going to get out of here. I think I'll try raising the dead at least once. Maybe it will come to me eventually." I pulled away, adding, "Oh, and the aunties want you at the house in a little bit for poisons and hexes lessons. And don't think I didn't see you using magic on those floating books."

She could hardly look me in the eye as she fumbled with the strings on the black hoodie she was wearing. "Yeah, about that... Apparently, my magic is going haywire and is only activated when I'm, um, turned on or emotional. It's hard getting used to this, Toby, but I'm trying."

She bit her lips as she glanced away, and I knew it couldn't be easy for her. She was a powerful witch who knew how to use magic deep down but was terrified of it.

"You'll get the hang of it; I know it. Maybe Baen can help you." I hid my smile behind my hand. I knew we were both going to be okay as she shoved me lightly, but she couldn't stop smiling either.

"Okay, get out of here because I'm sure by the time I find that sexy man, all the books will be floating in no time." She giggled and hugged me quickly before skipping away like a love-struck fool.

"Oh, Mads! Have you seen Jessica?" I called out to her, who was retreating.

She turned, walking backward to answer. "No, I haven't, but I'm sure she's just visiting all ten thousand of her cousins in the Hangry Forest." She shuddered and waved over her shoulder as she left.

Maybe that was where she'd scurried off to. She did say she missed her family, but I found it strange that she didn't tell me she was leaving. Oh well, I hoped she came back soon because I freaking missed her already. Now, where, oh where, am I going to find a body that I didn't have to dig up?

Roge r

Mission accomplished.

Earlier in the day, the rain pelted my windows as I stared outside, perched on my desk chair, debating what to do about this pickle I seem to have found myself in. With my arms folded over my desktop, I gazed down at the picture of the orange-haired gal that had caught the attention of a monster.

Why was he so obsessed with this broad? Was it because of her gift, which allowed her to raise the dead? Or was it something else I wasn't seeing?

"Marionette, I'm not paying you to sit on your ass." He was here, leaning against my office door frame without an appointment, and his lips were tight in displeasure under the hood covering his face.

He wasn't paying me at all. He pulled my strings like any master does, but I would be damned if he tried to get me off my keester. I'd been working off the clock night and day, reporting back to him when he called. What's a fella got to do around here to find a new master that isn't a complete boob?

"I want you to get this letter to Mari and be quick about it. Time is a wasting. I've got a surprise I think she'll want to see." He slid a letter across my desk with a sly grin pulling at his lips, and I pocketed the envelope without looking .

"Mari?" I asked in confusion. This fella had me following the wrong gal this whole time.

His grin dropped. "I mean October. Just get it done!" He swirled away, his cape swishing, and he left as fast as he came.

I waited for the right time—the perfect time—to give her the letter without her growing suspicious of me. I hid in plain sight and disappeared before she knew what hit her.

And that's how you do it, folks. All in a day's work.