Chapter 8

" D o try and keep up, because quite frankly, you might never be found otherwise," Auntie Fe announced ominously, her colorful robe swooshing around her ankles as she led us into town. "And if someone hands you a flier for the Golem Grove Café or the Hangry Forest, it's best to avoid them."

We walked into town as a group, my aunties leading the charge. Apparently, it was time to tour the town and pick up a few things. I thought we were all a bit skeptical, as the last time we'd visited town, it didn't go so well for us. Flashes of clowns and men standing under gas pumps filled my head. Yesterday had been quite literally a perfect cocktail of every nightmare I'd ever had. It was perpetually dark in this place too, which didn't help. I felt myself jumping at every movement in the shadows. It was disorienting, and I didn't quite understand how it all worked.

"What's a Hangry Forest?" Freddy asked.

"There are so many ways I could answer that, Freddy dear, but alas, they might not warm you up to this place. Your family lives there, right, Jessica?" Pip reached over and gave Jessica a little pat on her fuzzy spider head.

"All four hundred of us!" Jessica chirped. My eyes widened, and I saw Freddy visibly shudder as she added, "We multiply every full moon. I really miss my cousins twice removed on my cousins' other side. Great family. Maybe we could visit them sometime."

I was already shaking my head, and Freddy looked stricken by the thought. Maybe the big guy had a fear of spiders that he never told me about.

"Does anyone else recognize that dummy?" Jessica pointed her little leg at the shop across the street. We all turned to look, but all I could see was a big, bright pink sign spinning in a circle with sparks coming out the sides.

Hello, candy shop . Come to Mama.

"It's the doll from the motel," she started to say, but my brain was so far beyond reliving that nightmare.

"Sure, Jessica, I'm so here for this!" I murmured, still staring at the candy shop. I was positive that particular spot used to be a hardware store back in the mortal world.

In fact, the entire expanse of Main Street seemed to be utterly transformed. Smiling jack-o'-lanterns lined the streets, along with tall, flickering lamp posts and colorful banners. Street vendors were on every corner, selling treats from little wagons and carts. But that wasn't the only thing that was different.

All around us, townsfolk laughed, talked, and enjoyed their day—I mean night. My eyes were wide as I spotted a pair of what I could only describe as trolls walking along and pushing a smaller version of themselves in a stroller. On the street corner were a few teenagers who, instead of skin, had scales covering their bodies from head to toe. I saw horns, tails, scales, fur, and fangs everywhere. I saw translucent skin, glowing eyes, wands, witch hats, and all sorts of other impossible things.

It was as enchanting as it was terrifying. We truly were in a different dimension. This place was like Halloween come to life, even down to the sweet smell of pumpkin and vanilla in the air. On our run through here last night, we were the only ones around, and all the shops had been closed up. I guessed it had something to do with what the aunties had said about how creatures could only travel to the mortal world on Halloween night. I suppose it made sense for it to be a ghost town, so to speak.

I wasn't even sure Maddie noticed all the creatures because she seemed to have tunnel vision. With an excited squeal, she took off with a skip in her step, her black hair flowing behind her, towards the Pumpkin Eater Candy Shop without waiting for any of us. I laughed as I watched her go. Maddie's love for sweets was a thing of beauty, and not even the fact that we were stuck in another dimension could deter that woman.

"Oh fuck yeah, finally something normal," Freddy muttered with a begrudging smile before following behind her just as fast. I watched him sidestep a pair of boys who passed him, coming close enough to stop and try to sniff him.

"Guess we're going to the candy shop," grumpy Jason muttered as he dragged Norman with him, leaving me with my aunties and Michael, who still looked like he didn't feel well from the shock of the whole snake thing.

When he saw me studying him, he smirked and squared his shoulders, then turned to the guys walking away and called out, "Have fun licking all those lollipops. Don't stop until you hit that spot!" I shook my head when he only got the middle finger in return.

"Shall we?" Auntie Pip asked. "I haven't had cobwebbed candy in forever." I swear to God, she clicked her heels and took off, running into the shop, her cloak flapping behind her.

Auntie Fe rolled her eyes as we followed behind at a normal, leisurely pace, trying not to look like tourists. The shop was quaint from the outside, with a little wooden door adorned by painted golden letters. The windows were filled with candy displays, and when we opened the door, instead of a bell or a chime, there was what sounded like a tinny witch's cackle.

"Ladies first, Carrot Top." Michael gestured towards the shop door, which he held open after Fe let herself in.

With a sigh, I entered the shop, wishing things could go back to how they used to be with the guys. Why did life have to be so complicated?

My eyes widened as human music filled the shop. "The Monster Mash" played from multiple speakers as tiny pink bubbles floated in my face and popped in Michael's. A slimy substance stuck to his face, and after a second, I realized it was gum. I bent at the waist, laughing, then reached up after I gained some control of myself, snagging a piece off his lips to pop into my mouth.

"Yum, cherry." I grinned at him, but my smile faded away slowly as he just stood there, not saying anything as he stared at my mouth. His normally sky-blue eyes were suddenly navy.

"Can you guys believe this place?" Maddie rushed up, grabbing my shoulders as she bounced with excitement.

You couldn't help but pick up on her overwhelming energy. Looking around at the impossible things, I finally understood why my aunties had always taught me to look for the magic in everything. My mom had told me it was nonsense, but I get it now. Being faced with the reality of staying here forever was starting to seem like a bad thing. It wasn't like I had a plan in the mortal world.

There was literally magic in everything, like the child in the far corner, surrounded by three friends as she ate a piece of hard candy that looked kind of like butterscotch. When she opened her mouth, a high-pitched, realistic meow came out. The girl and her little friends burst out laughing, and the next one to try it reared her head back and howled. I studied the girls closer, realizing something didn't quite look right about them. At a glance, you'd think they were nothing more than human children, until you noticed the canines poking out of their mouths.

"Werewolf pack. Don't want to mess with them; they mostly keep to themselves." Jessica was acting like the tour guide again, and I could tell she was loving it as she shouted, "Freddy, take notes!"

His head swiveled our way, and a confused frown puckered his brows. A moment later, he'd forgotten entirely, rubbing his hands together as he stared at all the caramel apples lining the glass display.

"Oh goodie! Poison apples!" said a teen boy standing next to Freddy, licking his lips as he passed two silver coins to the cashier. The boy whispered something under his breath once the apple was in his hands, and we watched in fascination as the apple grew to the size of the boy's head before he turned and walked out, whistling like it was nothing. Freddy groaned in apparent pain as he continued to stare at all the candies, not knowing if anything was safe to eat.

"Don't even think about it," Norman said suddenly, grabbing Freddy by the collar of his shirt. "Let's get out of here before one of you turns into a pumpkin."

He strode towards the door, dragging his brother with him, all the while ignoring the group of four incredibly pale college-age women standing in the darkest part of the store, where the frozen chocolates were displayed. They stood there without moving or blinking, their eyes shifting slightly to watch Norman leave.

"Don't worry, he wouldn't go for the vampire chicks," Jessica whispered in my ear. "Vampires don't drink each other's blood, and yours smells so much better anyway, all spicy and delicious!" She crawled into my hair and ignored my wide-eyed stare as I watched Norman leave.

He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, but he just scowled and headed outside without a single word. Auntie Fe came to my side, wrapped her arm around my shoulder, and squeezed gently, letting me know without words that she had my back. She called over her shoulder to Pip and Maddie, who were giggling like schoolgirls by the cotton candy machine.

My eyes bugged out when I spied what was responsible for the hype. A spider sat inside a glass sphere, weaving colorful candy with her web. Jessica muttered in my ear, too low for me to make out, but I could have sworn I heard her grumble the words "Slave labor."

Shaking my head with a grin, I began to wonder if this strange new dimension was simply a product of my bestie's imagination, because she really seemed to be stepping into her comfort zone. Now that the clowns, the fog, and the creepiness were gone, she actually seemed to be handling all of this pretty well. That was one of the reasons I loved her to pieces—she just went with the flow, smiling no matter what.

"We'll be at the potion shop, ladies!" Auntie Fe called across the store and waited until they both waved over their shoulders without looking away from the spinning webs of purple cotton candy.

The guys were standing in the middle of the town square under a massive banner about some sort of festival coming up, but all I could do was stare at Norman. Billie was circling around his head, almost blending in with his dark hair as he landed, nuzzling at him repeatedly. Norman's eyes were closed as he leaned against a lamp post, the flame casting his face in shadows. He looked worn out, and there were dark circles under his eyes.

"Auntie, what's going on with Norman?" I asked, picking at my chipped black nail polish, nerves eating me alive. I tried to keep my voice down, knowing Norman didn't want anything to do with me anymore.

Even after the shit the guys had put me through this last year, I couldn't stop worrying and caring about them, even when my heart told me it was dangerous.

Fe snapped her fingers and said, "He needs to pay a visit to the blood bank! Yikes, I completely forgot he's probably starving." She rushed over to him and spoke in a soft voice for only him to hear, but whatever she said caused his fangs to slip out. He suddenly looked pained.

I wanted to go to him, but I held myself back, knowing he didn't want or need my help.

Freddy watched his brother, grimacing as if he too could feel Norman's discomfort. His brother looked back at him, and Freddy nodded firmly. Norman shook his head and whispered something back to my auntie, who smiled kindly and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Okay, change of plans," she announced. "Wait here for Pip and Maddie, and we'll be right back." With that, she spun away in a flurry of colorful robes. Norman, looking uncomfortable, followed closely, placing his hands in his pockets.

"Jessica, can you go with them just to make sure he's okay?" I asked quietly. She responded with a four-legged salute before hopping off me and skittering after them.

They walked a ways down the street, coming to a building that looked like it belonged in the eighteenth century. It had a gothic vibe with the towering gray columns, turrets, balconies, and huge steel doors in front. A sign on top of the building said Blood Bank. We all knew what was happening and what went on behind those doors, yet none of us spoke, realizing that Norman was going to have possibly the hardest adjustment.

"There you are!" Auntie Pip called out, coming our way. "We were just heading to the Witches Den for some potions. I've been having a bit of a pest problem with gnomes in the garden again. But this is nice, too. Where did Fe run off to?" She was still chewing on mouthfuls of sickly-sweet spiderweb candy. I cringed just looking at it.

"Uh, blood bank with Norman." I pointed over my shoulder and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear when three angry gazes swung my way, as if it were my fault yet again.

I mean, it kind of was, but I didn't like the look. It was just a reminder of how I'd fucked up their lives. Well, at least they had lives, thanks to me. Maddie slid to my side and looped her arm through mine, grinning around a mouthful of purple cotton.

"This place is crazy awesome, like a real-life haunted attraction all year round!" She was beaming. "This place is right up your alley, Tobs. Have you even looked around you yet? "

She was completely right. I felt oddly at home here, but I'd been afraid to voice that, thinking maybe it would be just one more reason for them to blame me for all of this.

In every direction I looked, there were shops full of extraordinarily odd things. Some of the buildings looked straight out of the Renaissance, with their decaying dark wood and stained glass windows. Some buildings seemed to be leaning slightly sideways, while others were tall and slender with curved chimneys reaching up towards the double moons. Fairy lights were strung up between the shops and arching over the street, where there were virtually no cars, just people walking around.

I spied a cute window full of books belonging to a place called The Wicked Quill. A small wooden door led into the shop, with planter boxes hanging off the front, filled with lavender stalks. Evening primrose flowers were planted along the inner walkway, giving it a homey feel. I adored reading, and I suddenly couldn't wait to get inside and find a good book to curl up with.

"And over there you'll find the Ghost of Our Pasts movie theater," Pip announced, gesturing down the street. "It plays the best mortal films. The creatures here tend to find it fascinating, the way mortals dress up and pretend to scare each other. Fascinating, yet horrifying at the same time." Cobwebs hung from a black and white-striped sign above a scrolling marquee.

"Is that a bubble tea café?" Maddie gasped, already heading that way before I could stop her.

Fog was coming out of the tea shop windows, which were cracking a hair, and an old, rusted cauldron-shaped sign was swinging back and forth, squeaking in the breeze. The sign read Toil and Trouble Tea. I would've been all for it if it weren't for the questionable- looking crone out front, stirring a pot of something bubbly as she cackled. I didn't know what she found so funny about a bubbling cauldron, but my stomach turned at the thought.

"Candy is one thing, but there's no way I'm going in here," Michael said with a shudder as we all watched the witch pluck a gray hair off a wart on her chin and add it to her cauldron.

My stomach flipped again. I hoped she was just making a potion and not trying to pass that crap off as tea.

Okay, how about this?" Pip suggested. "I'll take Maddie, Michael, and Jason to the Witches Den for some potions. We would have gone there regardless for some school items and gnome repellent. Freddy, be a dear and go with October to the book shop. I can see those wheels turning, and she'll go with or without you, but I'd rather you keep an eye on her."

Freddy was still scowling towards the blood bank, impatiently waiting for Norman, but he nodded to Pip absently.

Pip leaned in closer to me and lowered her voice as she said, "Look for some books on necromancy while you're in there. The bookkeeper has a lovely collection of antiques. Your dad didn't leave his things behind, and I'm afraid our grimoires won't do you much good."

I nodded grimly. I suppose I'm on my own for now. Plus, she was right—I should definitely look for some how-to guides or something if I wanted to learn how to raise the dead—or how not to. I didn't bother waiting for Freddy because all he would do was bitch at me, so I took off into the bookshop without saying anything as everyone split up in different directions.

An old-fashioned bell chimed the moment I opened the door, and the comforting smell of parchment, ink, and coffee beans filled the air. I took a deep breath, feeling relaxed for the first time since being here, and smiled as I glanced around at the rows of shelves filled with books. The original hardwood floors were scratched up and aging, showing that this place got a lot of love and care. The shop was way bigger than I thought it would be from the outside. It was more like a library, and there were only a few people milling around here and there.

A book floated through the air and then placed itself on the bookshelf right before a man came around the corner with his face buried in another book. He adjusted his wire-framed glasses perched on his nose. His dark brown hair was wavy and parted to the side but kept getting in his face, and he let out a frustrated sigh as he pushed it away, just as he spotted me standing in the doorway. Freddy finally got his head out of his ass and followed me in.

"Welcome to The Wicked Quill," the man said with a welcoming smile. "I'm Baen, owner of this fine establishment. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask." His voice was like smooth honey dripping over a biscuit; the New Orleans southern drawl was notable, and I started to wonder what the South looked like in this world.

Dear God, the possibilities are endless.

I could only nod like an idiot with my mouth slightly parted because this guy was gorgeous. Yet something about his hazel eyes was harsh, contrasting the softness of his smile. He had caramel-colored skin kissed lightly by the sun—or moon? I supposed he was naturally tanned.

Baen pushed his glasses up his nose again, flashed a white-toothed smile, and walked around another bookcase while I leaned to the side, following him with my eyes. Damn… He was tall and strong with rippling muscles under that white button-down shirt, and those tan pants were pulled over heavy brown boots, as if he were about to go for a hike in the jungle. He was a bookish explorer type, and I immediately felt like fanning myself.

"Stop staring!" Freddy growled low in his chest. I was startled, looking up at him. His eyes were narrowed on Mr. Hottie, as if he were suddenly planning the guy's very gruesome death.

"Shut up," I muttered, attempting to shove him aside and follow Baen. "I just have to ask him where I can find necrom—"

I barely got a step away before Freddy was pulling me by the hand in a different direction. He practically sprinted down row after row of bookcases until it felt like we were traversing some hidden labyrinth.

"You don't even know where you're going!" I shouted but still tried to keep my voice low. "We need a directory or something. There's no way we'll find what I need like this!" He just smirked over his shoulder. "Freddy, come on!"

He stopped at the very back of the shop, where it was quiet and noticeably darker without so many overhead lights. Some of the lights even flickered. "Every book store is the same, Carrot Top. The forbidden books are always tucked away in the back," he said with an eye roll at my dubious expression.

He skimmed a few shelves, muttering to himself as he scanned the titles. Back here, there seemed to be older books, some still coated in dust and cobwebs. He hummed in the back of his throat and reached for a book near the bottom, just as it slid out, right into his hand. He shook his head and handed it over to me with a shiver. Rolling his shoulders, he said, "Well, that was easier than I planned."

The moment the old, black leather book made contact with my fingertips, the lights flickered off and then on again, and then the book snapped open with a sudden gust of wind that whipped my hair over my shoulders.

"That was…" He glanced from me to the book and back again, gulping loudly.

"Creepy," I finished for him before looking down at the page splayed open in my hands.

Freddy stepped closer, reading over my shoulder, his body heating like a furnace. It made it easier to dive into the unknown, pretending that he was here to keep me safe. I decided to read out loud as I leaned back into his chest, needing the extra support to do this. He placed his hand on my waist and just kept staring at the book as I cleared my throat.

Necromancer: Those with the power to speak to and summon the dead. It is said that the person(s) who bear this gift will lead a cursed life. The purpose of death is to provide rebirth; therefore, the dead should stay dead. Necromancy is the art of wielding the balance of life and death by utilizing one's own soul. Not only does the soul suffer while wielding this power, but so does the one welding the soul.

Above all, a necromancer's power is coveted yet feared, and those who know the truth will seek it for themselves.

I slammed the book closed, unable to keep going. Reading it was like reading about my own impending doom. A ‘cursed life,' it said.

How on Earth was I supposed to learn to control a power I knew nothing about? How, when my parents never told me and now they are gone forever? There was no one left to help me.

Is it hot in here?

Maybe I was beginning to panic, but I was suddenly sweltering. I felt trapped in the back of this store, like the bookcases were closing in on me, and it was becoming difficult to breathe.

"October, look at me!" Freddy demanded, spinning me around by the shoulders to face him. His emerald eyes held me captive.

" I hate it when she cries... " his voice whispered softly in my head as he gazed down at me, but once again, his lips didn't move. What the hell was this? Was this some kind of freaky side effect of bringing the guys back? I couldn't handle any more of it!

Also, was I really crying?

"Freddy, I can't—it's too much." I sagged in his strong arms, feeling like everything was going to collapse on me. The gravity of our situation was beginning to hit home. Something about reading those words in that ancient tome made all of this so fucking real.

"Fuck it," he growled, sounding strangely relieved and possessive. I barely parted my lips to question him when his lips captured mine.

At first, he was almost hesitant as our lips grazed. His body was very still and cautious, almost as if he couldn't believe he'd made the first move. But the second I allowed my tongue to swipe his lower lip, he snapped like a rubber band and went in for the kill. He kissed my—no, he devoured my mouth with a hunger that had me reaching for more.

I gripped his blond locks in my curled fingers, trying to draw him even closer, and felt his hard length grinding against my thigh. My pulse raced, and I throbbed for him in places that hadn't been touched in a long time. He suddenly reached down, grabbed the backs of my thighs, lifted me up, and pushed me against the rough wood of the bookcase, leaving me gasping. Books fell around us as he dug his nails into the shelf above my head and held onto me with his other hand right under my ass. He was in perfect control of my movements, forcing my hips up and down and rolling along his thick cock, straining beneath his jeans.

"Tell me to stop, October," he hissed under his breath, his forehead against mine. "Tell me…" He struggled to get the command out before biting down on my bottom lip when I didn't respond in time.

"P-please, Freddy," I whimpered. "I need to feel." My voice came out strangled and breathy.

I knew we shouldn't be doing this in a darkened corner of a public bookshop, but dammit, it was like waking up from a dream—no, a nightmare—and getting what you'd been missing and craving all this time. He groaned, placing love bites on my neck and biting down harder against the tender flesh, right between the soft tissue where my neck and shoulder met.

I could tell he was struggling to hold himself back. The look in his eyes said he was ready to fuck me right here and now, but instead, he whispered, "Not like this, not here." I went to argue; my need was too strong to contain, but he stopped me with a kiss, whispering again against my lips, "But I'll give you what you need. This is all about you."

He dipped his hand between us, skimming his fingers up the inner part of my thigh, teasing back and forth before slowly moving in the direction I wanted him. His calloused palm covered my pussy, and I squirmed against the friction. I held my breath as he ran his fingers over the edge of my black stockings attached to my garter belt. His lips curled in an animalistic snarl, and something like a growl fell from his lips.

Freddy tore the fabric of my small thong with ease, leaving me bare and open under his heated gaze as he drew his upper body away. My hands were frantic, needing to touch him back. The soft material of his shirt was beginning to drive me crazy, so I grasped the labels of his plaid button-down and ripped it open, sending buttons scattering everywhere.

Our kiss was like two waves crashing together. There was a force between us that seemed to build and heat up with every swipe of our tongues, demanding control. He ground the heel of his palm over my soaking core, and I leaned forward, biting down on his bicep over his shirtsleeve to stay quiet. I could hear the comings and goings of people and activity in the front of the store.

"Are you going to let me play with this pretty as fuck pussy?" he whispered against the shell of my ear, circling my clit with his middle finger leisurely as I panted in a heated mess against the side of his bicep.

By now, my eyes were starting to roll back in my head, and I could already feel the scalding hot sensation crawling up my thighs from the need to come.

"Just touch me; I need..." I lifted my head and grabbed the back of his neck to pull his lips down to mine, slanting slightly until there was barely any space between us. "I need you to make me come," I breathed out hotly against his lips, barely touching.

He didn't waste any more time, gliding his two fingers into my pussy before slowly withdrawing as his tongue stroked against mine. The way he kissed me, I knew he was mimicking the way he'd lick my clit when he got the chance. The thought sent strikes of pleasure and anticipation zinging through my body.

Just when I was about to start begging on my knees for him to go faster, his fingers curled inside me, and he pulled back to watch my face. He smirked wickedly, those green eyes swirling with need that matched my own. I bit my lip to hold back a moan as he sped up, using my juices to swirl the pad of his fingers around my swollen clit. Then, in a move so fast I almost lost my mind, he moved his fingers in and out harder and faster until I was riding his hand, chasing my orgasm.

"You're close, aren't you, October?" He whispered, his voice lower than I'd ever heard it. It rumbled like an animalistic growl. "Come for me, baby," he demanded, his eyes flashing colors so fast, I almost missed it—yellow, like a full harvest moon, before turning back to a deep forest green.

He moved his hand faster as his thumb started circling my clit, which left me seeing stars. Ecstasy crashed over me, taking me for a ride as I came all over his fingers. He groaned in pain and need as he watched me lose myself in his arms. My chest rose and fell rapidly against his, and I watched dazedly as he pulled his fingers out of me and brought them to his mouth. He hummed deep in his chest the moment he tasted me, closing his eyes.

" Fucking delicious… eat her out all the time. "

Yet again, his mouth didn't move, but his voice bounced around in my head and sounded like he was about ready to give in and drop to his knees.

"Shit!" He set me down quickly, pulling my skirt back into place before frantically buttoning his shirt. He failed, given that there were so many missing buttons.

It was then that I heard my name being called through the store. I scrambled to rearrange my outfit, patting down my crazed sex hair. How did he hear her before I did? We'd been so wrapped up in the moment that I'd been deaf to everything around us. I stood there staring at him in panic, glancing down at his straining erection that he was trying to adjust, but it wasn't working.

"Go! Walk it off or something. Hurry before they turn the corner." I frantically waved him away. "Freddy, go!"

He stared down at me for a long, tense minute with something like a promise in his gaze but also a warning. I knew I was in for it later. A thrilled shiver trailed down my spine.

"Not a word, October," he whispered, using my name again. I loved the sound of it coming off his lips. His eyes were full of want as he added, "This isn't over." He didn't give me a chance to respond before turning the corner in the opposite direction from the voices heading our way.

I couldn't decide if I needed to thank him or yell at him for making me come undone like that in a strange bookstore where anyone could find us. I wasn't sure if I should be horrified at what I just did in public or mad that I fell under his spell, like I told myself I never would again. He'd been all bossy, demanding, and sexy while also sounding like a wild animal. It'd turned me on...

What the fuck is wrong with me?

"There you are!" Auntie Pip said, rounding the corner. "Find any good books back here?" Tilting her head to the side, her eyes ran over me from head to toe, probably noting how disheveled I looked.

I knew I was blushing furiously, and my paleness didn't help. I quickly grabbed the black leather necromancy book off the ground, waving it at her like a mad woman. "Uh, yeah! Right here. The book. Right here. Book." I stumbled over my words, and she reached forward to place her hand over my forehead.

"Hmm, no fever." She clicked her tongue a few times. "Why is your hair in such disarray?" She patted my wild hair down and pulled away to lick her fingers, ready to groom me again, but I dodged her reaching hand.

"So…I got lost, you see, and fell. Yeah, I fell. The books fell on me. Ouch. We should head to the front. I think I hear Maddie calling me. Coming, Mads!" The words tumbled out without a filter, and suddenly, my feet couldn't carry me away fast enough.

Bad October. Well, at least I can mark getting fingered in a bookshop off my bucket list , even though it was technically never on there to begin with. Bad October. Was that slutty of me? Probably… Do I care? Nope.

Maddie's giggle snapped me out of my embarrassing thoughts as I came around the corner near the entrance. I looked up to find her leaning over the counter as she straightened Baen's bow tie. I rolled my eyes. She was such a relentless flirt.

He didn't seem to notice anyone else in the room, and I swear he started rumbling as she patted his chest before leaning away with a sly grin and a wink. That little shit knew exactly what she was doing. Once Maddie set her sights on a lucky son of a bitch, it was game on every time. Her dedication to the game was fierce, and she went after the men she wanted with her whole heart. Baen was in serious trouble.

"Can we get the hell out of here?" Norman snapped, leaning against the front door frame. "I'm ready to pass out now." His glare pinned me in place, those emerald eyes washing over me from head to toe. His black hair was disheveled, and it only made his skin look even more translucent in contrast.

Freddy walked over next, coming from the opposite end of the store. He threw me a cursory glance before heading to his brother. Leaning in, Freddy whispered something to Norman before folding his arms over his chest and squaring his shoulders.

"What happened to your shirt?" Norman asked suddenly, his eyes traveling over Freddy suspiciously.

"Did you drink?" Freddy asked at the exact same time, and the two of them stared at each other in silence for a few tense heartbeats.

"No," Norman said, his voice like a whip, before turning away. "Let's just get out of here. I'm sick of this little excursion." He walked out of the store, letting the door slam shut behind him. Freddy glanced at me one more time before following his angry twin outside.

"Did you get what you needed?" Auntie Fe asked me before slapping Michael's hand away from the tote bag by her feet. "For the last time, don't touch the potions unless you want to be turned into a hairy rat. Men. I swear you never listen." She huffed and grabbed the book from my hand with an eye roll before I could say anything as she paid with silver coins at the register.

"See you around, Bae." Maddie caressed the love-struck fool on the cheek. He didn't look like he was even breathing as she twirled away, her skirt lifting a bit and showing a little leg. "I hope Bae is okay with you. Baen is such a mouthful." She winked, licking her lips suggestively, and it was all I could do not to snort.

"You can call me whatever you like, gorgeous." He drawled back, eyes glued to her retreating form, and pushed his glasses up his nose with a loud, audible gulp.

That poor, poor, sexy man...

I gave Baen a sympathetic look before following Maddie out the door, with Jason hot on my heels. He'd been so silent, but I'd felt him staring at my messed-up hair and slightly askew skirt the whole time. I got ten paces away from the store with Jason practically breathing down my neck. I was about to turn around and demand to know what his problem was, but my attention was suddenly elsewhere.

Right by the door to another shop a few spaces down stood a guy about our age, leaning against the building while casually flipping through a book. His midnight-dark hair shone almost blue under the moonlight and brushed his wide shoulders. He looked up from his book when we got closer. Amber eyes outlined in black liner and thick, feathery lashes skimmed over the guys, paused on Maddie for a split second with a raised brow of interest, then landed on me.

With a cocky smile that tilted his lips invitingly, his shoulders left the wall. He was dressed in all black from head to toe; even his fingernails were painted black, and he wore a choker collar around his neck. My kind of people are goth and hot.

"I heard we had some newbies in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd introduce myself," he said with a dramatic bow that, on anyone else, would have looked cheesy as hell, but on him, it just fit.

He peeked under his lashes at Maddie, who just twirled her hair and popped some gum in annoyance. He flickered his eyes from her toes to her lips, smirking, before he turned his attention to me.

"We're good here, man," Jason said with a dark glare as he grabbed me and slung his arm over my shoulder. We've already got the tour."

I could only stare at Jason, wondering if he'd finally lost his mind. What the hell was going on with the guys all of a sudden? They hadn't been this touchy in over a year. Did I miss something, or was this all one big prank for them?

"Are you going to tell us your name or keep us guessing?" Maddie asked, pretending to be uninterested as she inspected her nails, but she kept flipping her black hair over her shoulder. She could fool everyone else, but she couldn't fool me.

"Kind of you to ask, little raven." He reached out and pinched a lock of Maddie's dark hair. "The name's Calvin, but everyone just calls me Cal."

My eyes widened, and I had to cover them fast because Maddie was blushing deeply. I was in shock. Maddie never got flustered around guys, not ever, but she was fully blushing right now as Cal grinned down at her.

My aunties came outside arm in arm as they whispered with their heads bent together, until they noticed us standing in the doorway in awkward silence. Jessica crawled out of Auntie Fe's maroon hood and skittered over to me, shooting her web onto my forearm and disappearing into my hair. In such a short time, I'd come to adore the little creepy crawlies, but that made me shiver every time.

"Calvin," Pip hissed, uncharacteristically snippy with the newcomer. "What are you doing here? Is your father around?" Her eyes shifted from side to side, just as the sound of shoes tapping on concrete echoed down the dark street.

"Speak of the devil, and he shall come," Fe added in a grumble.

A fog rolled in, and a tall figure stepped out of the mist with a bright smile stretching his lips. The flickering lamp post illuminated his six-foot-four, slender frame. He had a long face that was baby-bottom smooth, with wavy brown hair tied in a ponytail falling halfway down his back. He wore a strange-looking top hat and a long duster jacket made of dark green velvet.

"Ichabod," Auntie Fe gritted through clenched teeth, reaching up to clutch the pendant hanging around her neck. It was clear she didn't like this man, Ichabod.

The man clasped Cal's shoulder, still smiling brightly, and I noticed the way Cal tensed ever so slightly under the weight of that ring-clad hand. "Lovely evening for a stroll, isn't it, Hallowells?" I swear, his teeth actually sparkled for a second.

His eyes landed on me, and he gestured towards me with an open palm. "And who do we have here?" he asked. "My, my, you look familiar. I have to admit, it's been a while since I've seen those eyes."

I stepped back, tensing as I shot my aunties a worried look.

Ichabod scoffed and waved his hand as he said, "Forgive me, where are my manners? My name's Ichabod Addams, Mayor of Midnight Hollow, and Calvin here is my son."

He grinned down at me before taking his top hat off and bowing at his waist, brushing his cape out of his way with a flick of his hand.

The freaking mayor of the city looked like he just stepped off the set of Interview with a Vampire . But in all honesty, his strange clothing had seen better days. Did he steal that coat from a corpse? And who wears a top hat anymore? I suppose I should have taken into account the fact that we were in an entirely different dimension where vampires and demons were a thing, so fashion should have been at the bottom of my list of things to worry about.

He and Cal were polar opposites, and it was hard to believe they were father and son. They didn't share any features, save for the color of their strange whiskey eyes. I realized how uncomfortable this conversation had become as he continued to stare at me without really blinking. Immediately, Auntie Pip stepped in front of me .

"Sorry, Ichabod, but we must be on our way. They start at the university next week, and I would hate to get a late start. Nice chatting with you." She cringed even as she said it, and I knew it was all bullshit. She really didn't like this guy.

She gestured to Auntie Fe behind her back, where Ichabod couldn't see, but Fe quickly caught onto the signal because she started ushering us away as Pip blocked the mayor's view, throwing out weak apologies and fake smiles.

I felt his gaze digging into my back as we walked away and was grateful when the guys surrounded me. They must have sensed the way his bright, charming smile felt a little deceiving. Jason was at my back, guiding me with his big hand on my hip, and he kept shooting daggers behind him at Cal, who just stood there smiling and waving.

" Keep looking at her again, assh... I'll rip your eyes from…sockets… "

Jason's voice was so clear and loud in my head that it caused me to flinch. I didn't bother to look at his lips, as I was growing more accustomed to recognizing the whispering, faraway quality to their voices. I'd come to the conclusion that somehow I could hear their thoughts when they were strong enough.

"He was pretty hot, though, you have to admit." Maddie caught up, adding a sway to her hips. "I swear he was giving me some serious vibes back there. I'm pretty sure he wanted me to sit on his lap and have my wicked way with his bod-," She slammed her mouth shut as all the guys turned to glare at her.

"They're warlocks," Michael said, scratching at his side right over his snake tattoo. He kept glancing over his shoulder with his brows scrunched. "I can sense it." He seemed confused as to how he could possibly know that .

"Right you are," said Auntie Fe. "So, to be on the safe side, let's everyone stay away from him and that son of his. Ichabod has always been a bit peculiar, even by our standards. Always rubbed me the wrong way, ordering this and demanding that. Nothing but trouble, those two."

Auntie Fe sighed with relief when Pip came jogging after us with a scowl on her face. Pip didn't scowl very often, so I knew they had to have something serious against Ichabod.

"How did you know they were warlocks?" I asked Michael, and he turned to stare down at me before he looked straight ahead again, shoving his hands in his pockets with his shoulders hunched in an uncomfortable way.

"Don't know. It felt off but... I just do." He shrugged, running his fingers through his silvery moonlight hair, his cheeks puffing up on a nervous inhale.

"So this college thing is really happening then. Like, on Monday?" Freddy groaned, and I had to bite my lip to hide my mirth because he'd always hated school, even though he was really smart. He just hid it behind sports in high school.

"Yes," said Fe with a chuckle that was a little on the dark side. "Dangerous times are ahead, and you must be prepared for the worst at any moment. You're stuck here, so you might as well get to know the place." With those damning words, Auntie Fe dragged Pip away to talk privately as we walked the short distance to the manor.

All that was going through my head right now was the terrifying fact that if I didn't gain control of this necromancy stuff, I might as well just hand my soul over to death himself. Also, my lips still tingled a bit from that explosive kiss in those darkened corners, like a well-kept secret.

I wondered what it all meant.

Roge r

They say mirrors let you catch a glimpse into the soul, but as I slicked back my brown porcelain locks, I knew they were lies—lies to fool the mind, but I was no fool.

Only a detective lived inside me—the type of fella who lived to solve mysteries and put the bad guys behind bars like the scum they were. The night was young, and after scoping out the Hallowells' manor for hours, I knew the gals' schedule like the back of my breakable hand.

I lay in wait under the lamp post like some sort of chump, but luckily, it was dark enough that I blended in with the shadows before sneaking across the street to the Pumpkin Eater.

The place was booming , packed with greedy kids as they stuffed their faces with candy, and gave me the perfect opportunity to sneak in undetected. I worked fast and got the job done under the cloak of disguise. I thought for a hot minute that the one they called Jessica would rat me out like a lowlife, no good punk, but no one believed the furry creature as she pointed me out.

I was one with the shadows.