Chapter 15

" E xplain it one more time, pumpkin, but go slower," Auntie Fe said, placing a steaming cup of tea in my hand and wrapping a blanket around my shoulders.

The aunties knew the second I got home that something was wrong. I couldn't stop shivering, and apparently, it looked like all the blood was drained out of my face, leaving me pale as a ghost. Their words, not mine. Auntie Pip shooed us into the living room and pointed at me, commanding me to sit by the fireplace. Michael sat beside me, with Jason on the other side of the plush, dark red loveseat. Norman was still as a statue, staring into space, but I knew that look meant he was plotting revenge.

"Yeah, I'm really confused. What were you doing in the morgue with Michael?" Maddie asked from her spot on the coffee table, completely obvious from the wide-eyed look I sent her way.

"He—I mean, we were, um, studying. Yep, he was helping me try and connect with the dead, but it didn't work out so well." I looked towards Pip and Fe. "I didn't raise any spirits, Aunties. This didn't even feel... It was off, almost like the body was empty and someone was pulling its strings."

When Fe and Pip both gasped, everyone turned to them and watched as they started pacing, passing each other every few seconds, sending each other worried, heavy looks.

"It could only be one thing. It's—" Auntie Pip snapped her fingers and stopped to stare at her sister with an expression I couldn't place. It was scary yet sad, and she was wringing her hands together as her eyes filled with tears.

"Unsanctioned magic," Fe whispered, padding over to hold Auntie Pip in a tight grip.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" I was about to start pulling out my hair.

The aunties whispered quietly together before facing us. Jason grabbed my hand in a gentle grip, and he offered a tight smile as Michael pulled me closer into his side.

"There's a lot we can't explain because we don't have proof yet, but I will tell you this... The magic you felt tonight is forbidden, unsanctioned magic that goes against our sacred laws because it's unnatural. We have darkness in all of us, and magic can be used for both darkness and light, but raising an empty shell is simply letting evil in. What you encountered was a creature using necromancy magic the wrong way—for their own gain. Most likely, they weren't even necromancers themselves."

I couldn't believe it. How was it even possible, and why leave the message for me? Who was this creature toying with me? That's what kept running through my mind as I sat there, lost in my thoughts, until Norman stepped forward with his fists clenched at his sides.

"Does this have anything to do with October's parents? The man on the road?" Norman asked in a gravelly voice, sounding like he was about to tear something to pieces. Grief was shining through his expression and anger. So much anger.

For a moment, it made my gut twist, realizing how torn up the guys really were over my parents' deaths. They really were like family.

I glanced at Jason with a lazy glare, wondering when he would tell the others details about the night that still gave me nightmares. I knew he would say something to the guys if I didn't tell them, but I would have liked to be the one.

"I had to, and I'm glad I did. This is getting ridiculous, especially with a target on your back. I'm only trying to keep you safe," Jason grumbled, stroking my knuckles as he stared back at me, trying to make me understand. Which I did, but that didn't mean I had to like it.

" Have to keep my girl safe. " His inner voice sounded full of obvious love and fierce protection.

"We don't know," my aunties answered at the same time, but they kept glancing at one another as they both started wringing their hands. "But we think it might."

I leaned forward with my head between my knees, taking deep breaths, on the verge of having a full-blown panic attack.

"Okay, that's enough for tonight. It's been endless studying and wondering how to survive in this strange world of magic and danger. We are very proud of you all for how far you've come, so we have a surprise for you out back. Save figuring it all out for another day, and for now, let's have some fun!" Auntie Fe said in delight, her eyes shining and her inner child peeking through.

"She's right, Toby. There is nothing we can do right now. We can only take this one step at a time." Maddie jumped up and grabbed my shoulders, looking me square in the eye. "We got this. These bitches ain't going anywhere, so enjoy life because I'm telling you to. I'm here, sis." Then she muttered under her breath, "There better be sweets outside. "

I had to hold back a giggle at how serious her face was as she segued into candy territory. Typical.

Everyone was staring at me, waiting for my reaction. They were right—I was in the here and now with the people I loved surrounding me. I just wish Freddy and Jessica were here.

"Lead the way, Aunties." I hesitantly smiled and loved watching them get excited like two little kids as they basically moonwalked out of the living room, their robes fluttering around their feet, singing gibberish. They were insane, but I loved them to death.

I pecked Jason and Michael on the cheek as I got up to follow, grabbing a daydreaming Maddie by the hand. I glided my fingertips over a still-frozen Norman by the archway. He gazed down at me expressionless as we passed him before sighing and following behind us. I knew he was worried about Freddy. We hadn't seen him since he went into beast mode, but my gut told me he was fine.

He was a werewolf, made to feel the dirt beneath his paws as he howled at the moons. He'd always been a wild card—the guy who lived every day like it was the only one he'd get. He really was made for this world, just like the rest of us.

The moment we stepped outside, my jaw dropped, and I felt a warm, happy glow fill my chest. Right under my nose, fresh baked foods floated by on trays, landing on the smooth surface of a tree trunk in the middle of the yard. Pumpkin cakes were still steaming from the oven, and there were apple strudels with cream cheese drizzle, fresh popped candied popcorn, and caramelized apples. It was making my mouth water—until a horrible thought popped into my head.

"Um, who made these?" I gestured to the feast, praying to the great pumpkin that it wasn't Auntie Pip, or I would start sobbing.

"Came from—" Auntie Fe started.

"Toil and Trouble," Auntie Pip finished. Gesturing for us to take a seat on a bunch of floor pillows that looked comfy and squishy.

The colorful pillows were scattered across the lawn in a massive circle surrounding a bonfire that Michael lit with a snap of his fingers, grinning widely at me as I clapped in excitement. We sat down, the glow of the fire warming me instantly on the chilly, perpetually autumn night. With the stars twinkling above, I tilted my head back with a contented sigh. A small, cast-iron cauldron was brewing over the bonfire, smelling of spiced apple cider, and I was practically bouncing on my toes for some.

"Sister, lights, please," Auntie Pip asked as she started pouring us steaming cups of cider to pass around.

With a whispered spell under her breath, Auntie Fe pointed at the dark-stained wooden shed in front of us, and we oohed and ahhed as a white sheet was pinned to it with string lights, creating a homemade screen. A movie started playing from the projector over our heads in the apple tree, and I instantly recognized the music in the background.

"Nothing like a little Hocus Pocus to cheer us up!" Maddie bounced in her seat and smiled happily over at me, but she gasped at something over my shoulder. Whatever it was had her jumping up with a squeal.

I quickly turned around, thinking the worst, but sagged into my pillow as Baen and Cal stepped out of the shadows to gather around our bonfire. Baen came bearing a bouquet of black roses and purple cotton candy for Maddie, who flung herself in his arms. Cal stood there, looking awkward with his hands in his black jean pockets, but he couldn't take his eyes off Maddie as she let go of Baen and turned towards him with her arms already open. He stepped forward hesitantly and wrapped his arms around her, picking her up off the ground to hug her tighter.

Yeah, that girl gave the warmest hugs that you couldn't help but smile at. He finally set her down, clearing his throat, and glanced around while raking his hand through his bluish-black hair until his eyes settled on me.

"Hey, October, how are you adjusting? Still going to the festival?" I noticed the wicked glint in his eyes as a group of not-so-silent growls filled the air. The cheeky fucker was teasing my guys and enjoying every second.

"She's adjusting just fine. Not that it's any of your fucking business, warlock," Norman hissed, his bat swooping down to frantically flutter around his head before landing on his chest.

I would have laughed at the way he lovingly stroked Billie's wings and continued to glower at Cal, but I didn't want to embarrass my jealous boyfriend. It was kind of adorable.

Wait a second... I knew I loved the guys, but was I really just now coming to the realization that they were my boyfriends? Were they really? What if they didn't want to be? We hadn't had a real chance to talk about what this was! Oh god, I felt another panic attack coming on soon.

"What's eating at you, luv?" Damon crooned as he reached over to gently stroke my cheek. I knew it was only a matter of time before he made an appearance again. He was probably drawn to the food.

As Norman and Michael bitched at Cal like a bunch of tough guys—which they were, but still—I leaned over to Damon so they couldn't hear me. "Do you think I'm their girlfriend?" I bit my lip and watched his yellow eyes flicker to gray before changing back to an amused yellow glow.

"Of course," he said through a laugh. "I bet they can't wait for you to carry their babies. Imagine all the sex you'll need to get that going." He smirked at my horrified expression and crushed me in a hug to calm my suddenly racing heart. "I'm only half joking, luv. Not about the fucking, as there will be lots of that. Why don't you just ask them yourself? And better yet, tell them you can hear their thoughts. I can sometimes feel you in here, which is actually quite pleasant." He tapped his head before grabbing a handful of popcorn with a wink, completely ignoring my flabbergasted stare.

"I do not..." I started to lie but gave up when he turned back to me and Jason's curious gray gaze met my own.

"Don't what?" He mumbled around a mouthful of popcorn, and I only shook my head before settling back into the cushions. It seemed Damon had been practicing how to take over more completely as a secretive bastard.

I grumbled as Auntie Fe handed me a mug of warm cider with a teasing glint in her eyes. Yeah, yeah. I should put it all out there and tell them. But what if they thought it was an intrusion on privacy? I couldn't control it. It came and went randomly.

Maddie plopped herself down across the bonfire from me, munching on her web candy and looking smugly comfortable cushioned between Cal and Baen.

"Thank you for the invite, Pip. It was most considerate," Baen said in a deep, regal voice, pulling a flask out of his brown leather jacket as his skin rippled with a small tint of green. He sipped from the flask quickly, putting it away with a grin as Maddie reached for it with a pout .

"Are you ever going to tell me what you are?" Maddie asked, bumping Baen's shoulder.

"One day, perhaps, but today is not that day. I wouldn't want you running for the hills." He winked and glanced over her shoulder at Cal with a scowl that pretty much said to shove it as Maddie shook her head, blowing a raspberry.

Ah, Cal knows what Baen's beast is... very interesting. I'll have Maddie tickle it out of him later just for shits and giggles.

This night was almost perfect, but I was missing my furry eight-legged familiar and my other furry Freddy. My heart hurt thinking about Jessica, wishing she'd send me some kind of note or something to tell me if she was mad at me. And Freddy… I could really use some of his wild warmth right now.

"Is this seat taken?" a raspy voice asked over my shoulder. Hearing Freddy's voice had me whipping my head around to see him towering over me with dark circles under his eyes and a tired smile.

My heart soared. "For you? It's always open." I patted the cushion next to me and bounced a little as he plopped down with an exhausted huff.

He wasted no time laying sideways and setting his head in my lap, a very contented sigh humming through his pouty lips. I slid my hands through his sunkissed, soft hair and kissed his forehead as he closed his eyes with a small grin.

" Gonna put a ring on her…, " Even his mental voice sounded tired as it skittered through my head, and I hid my grin behind the curtain of my orange hair. I stared down at his fluttering lashes. He was asleep in seconds, and when I looked up, Norman was watching with us with his eyebrows scrunched together in concern.

"Hey," I whispered, and his emerald eyes connected with mine. I reached my hand out to him and laced our fingers together. "He'll be okay. We all will."

Norman bent forward without a word and kissed me softly on the lips before wrapping a cool arm around my shoulder. I smiled, as my eyes wanted to fill with happy tears. This was what family meant. To be surrounded by the people you love the most, laughing while not knowing what the next day will bring.