Page 70 of The Monsters We Are

Anabel jerked. “That’s not what—Xavier!” She crossed to where he was bent over laughing and then tapped his forehead hard three times, ignoring his “ouch”. “Nothing up here but empty space I’ll swear it.”

He rubbed at the spot she’d poked. “That hurt.”

Azazel looked at Wynter. “No one can ever say that your coven isn’t entertaining.”

If one found “crazy” entertaining then, no, it could not be said.

Chapter Sixteen

Anabel clung to Wynter as they strode through the underground city’s forests. “I hate whatever that music is. It’s like the kind you hear in a horror movie when there’s a jump-scare coming up.”

Wynter had to admit, if only to herself, itwasseriously creepy. As were the Halloween sound effects that could occasionally be heard. She patted Anabel’s hand. “We’re almost at the arena.”

“Whoever decorated this part of the woods wentallout,” said a smiling Xavier.

Indeed they had. Lanterns and carved pumpkins lit the way to the arena, where the evening’s upcoming Halloween celebration was being held. Rubber bats hung from tree branches. Tombstones were positioned here and there. Stray bones were scattered around. Fake blood had been smeared on logs. Ghosts hung from bushes, fluttering with the breeze. Spiders were stuck to the large webs that stretched between tree branches. More, a haze fogged the air, courtesy of smoke machines.

Anabel jumped at the fake sound of an owl hooting. “My heart is not handling this well.”

Delilah cast her a look of annoyance. “Nothing is happening.”

Anabel’s brow furrowed. “But themusic, the atmosphere, the—”

“Drama,” Delilah finished. “Tone it down. We’re fine. There’s no need to be nervous.”

“Does nothing scare you?”

The Latina pursed her lips. “Nah, not really.”

“That’s not actually something to be proud of, you know. It’s a sign of low intelligence.”

“It’s also a lie.” Xavier pointed an accusatory finger at Delilah. “You’re scared of Wynter’s monster.”

“So are you,” Delilah sassed.

Wynter sighed. “Sometimes, so am I.”

The entity was presently deep in slumber, its interest not whatsoever piqued by the current goings-on. Tonight’s celebration was to be a culmination of things, mostly contests. Dance groups would “battle”. Daredevils would perform stunts. Comedians would entertain. Vocal artists would sing. And then there was the annual zombie gauntlet, which residents had to sign up for in advance.

Everyone was dressed in costumes—apparently the best would earn its wearer a prize.

Hattie was a scary nun tonight. Anabel had gone for the Egyptian Goddess look. Delilah had chosen a voodoo doll outfit. Xavier was dressed as a rather hunky-looking devil, but without the face paint. Wynter had picked a Miss Hatter costume that wasn’t exactly skimpy but definitely had a sultry vibe.

Hattie sniffed. “This shindig had better be good.”

Xavier smiled at her. “You’re not still sulking that you had to come away from your book, are you?”

“I was at a pivotal part,” Hattie snottily claimed.

“You mean a sex scene,” he said.

“How is that not pivotal?”

Delilah gave her a playful nudge. “So tell us, is the hero good in the sack?”

Hattie’s face lit up. “Oh yes. He’s a rigger.”

“A what?” asked Anabel.