8.

H e shouldn't have made love to this girl.

He shouldn't have picked someone who didn't matter, someone who wasn't sexy and funny and interesting. If he'd been a bit more methodical in his predatory nature, he'd be smart enough to go after someone who could never break his curse because he knew it was far too late.

He had failed this year, just like all of the rest. He'd failed to fall in love, and he'd even failed to see his father this year.

Jacqueline had been delightful, but Z wanted her so much more than was reasonable. She wouldn't fall for a monster like him. The other girls wouldn't, either, but they felt less important. He hadn't felt the bond that he'd felt tonight.

In all of the years prior, he'd taken steps to break the spell.

Right now, he just wanted to feel closer to her.

After they made love, he should have left, but he didn't.

"The storm is still going," Jacqueline said. She snuggled up against him on the bed. They were on top of the blankets, completely naked except for his stupid fucking mask.

He'd do anything to get rid of it right now.

He'd do anything to get to be close to her.

"I want to kiss you," he said, blurting out words he shouldn't have.

"So kiss me," she laughed. "I want to kiss you, too. Besides, Halloween is over. I got my monster sex. I think it's okay to take it off."

He stiffened, and she seemed to realize she'd said something wrong.

"What is it?"

"Nothing."

"It's obviously something."

"I can't take it off," he said. He was a monster in every sense of the word.

"What do you mean?" Jacqueline asked slowly.

This was it.

This was the part he'd tried to get to so many times before. The few times he'd been honest with women, they'd laughed and left.

This time, he really wanted her to know the truth about him. He wanted her to understand that this wasn't just some weird fetish he had.

He was cursed, and he didn't want to be, but he was out of time.

"Do you believe in magic?" Zeke asked.

"What kind of magic? Like magicians and stuff?"

"No."

"Like witches?"

"Yes."

"Not really."

"Well, I do."

"Why?" Jack reached for his pumpkin cheek. She rubbed him gently. It might have been a mask, but he could still feel. He knew what her hand felt like against its shape, and he understood that she was being gentle with him.

She was being kind.

This was his chance.

"I've been cursed by a witch, and you might be the only one who can save me."