by Tena Stetler
Lathen put his hand on her shoulder. “Where’d you go? Been sitting there, knife extended above the pumpkin, for fifteen minutes. Are you going to carve it or just threaten it?” He guffawed and wrapped his large callused hand around hers holding the knife, brought it to the pumpkin, and made carving motions, then tried to hand her an erasable marker. “Try using this first.”
She pushed his hand away and frowned at him. “Oh, stop it. I was thinking about this evening after the celebration. I don’t want anything to go wrong.”
“It won’t. We have a solid plan and several powerful witches to bring it to fruition. So relax and enjoy the festivities of your favorite holiday. But the decorations will be lacking if you don’t get to carving. We need twenty-five jack-o-lanterns, by your own count, for the gazebo and surrounding area tables in the town square. I have the candles and holders for each right here.” As he swung the bag in front of Pepper, the tinkling sound of glass clinking together had her frowning.
“Careful, or you’ll be looking for more holders.” Snagging the bag from him, she sat it on the ground under her bench and then spun the pumpkin around searching for the best side to carve a face. “Funny or scary?” she asked, drawing her bottom lip through her teeth as she peered at all of the pumpkins arranged around her. They’d carved several last night but still had eleven to go and would deliver them all to the gazebo by two this afternoon. The sun peeked over the eastern horizon, flooding through the window in warm golden shards of light. Got plenty of time. Pepper looked forward to joining with the locals to decorate the center of town for the festivities. It felt good to be a welcome member of the community.
“How about a vampire pumpkin?” Lathen asked.
“I can do that. Do we have red food dye for dripping blood from the fangs?”
“Sure. I’ll go find it. Meanwhile, how about just a traditional jack-o-lantern? You know—triangle eyes, nose, and toothy grin. You should be able to knock a couple those out by the time I get back with the blood.”
“In other words, you have no idea where the food dye is, and you’re a slave driver.” She chortled, stabbing the knife into the pumpkin, and began carving out the top.
After a few minutes, Lathen returned with the red food coloring and plopped it in front of Pepper. “See I knew exactly where it was,” he said triumphantly and bent down to kiss her.
“Will wonders never cease.” She ran her fingers through his tousled blond hair without thinking and returned the kiss. When she glanced at him, she giggled. Several pumpkins seeds were stuck in his hair along with a string of slimy pumpkin guts.
“What?” he asked, his eyes rolling up in his head in an attempt to follow her gaze and combed a hand through his hair. Scrunching his face up, he shook his hair vigorously over her. A few pumpkin seeds went flying, but most the guts remained stuck.
Tears streamed down her face as she laughed uncontrollably.
Lathen stood staring at her until she sobered, a slight smile curving one corner of his mouth. “You can start loading the pumpkins into the truck, while I go wash this shit out of my hair. It’s time to go.” He turned on his heel and stalked toward the cabin.
The slight shake of his shoulders gave away his silent laughter as Pepper enjoyed the way he moved up the path and the fit of his jeans on that mighty nice ass. He turned to look at her before entering the cabin. She waved and began putting several jack-o-lanterns into a cart. When Pepper stepped outside, the gentle breeze ruffled through her hair. She drew in a breath of freshly carved pumpkins mingled with brine. She loved the combination.
Clouds obscured the sun, but the day was dry and mild. She couldn’t complain and grabbed the handle of the cart and tugged it to the truck. After Lathen returned and took over the loading duties, Pepper gathered up buckets with pumpkin guts and discarded pieces and dumped them in the compost bin. The seeds she’d toss out for the wild birds.
By the time they arrived in the town square, there was already quite a crowd. Pepper’s mom and dad were waiting by the gazebo, where the Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehab booth would be set up. Lathen parked the truck. Several men greeted them and began unloading the pumpkins. Pepper grabbed the bag of candles and jogged ahead to indicate where the jack-o-lanterns should be placed. She hugged her dad and kissed her mom on the cheek. “Are we all set?”
“Yep, had the conversation with Ben this morning. He ate it up. Almost too easy,” her mother whispered, looking around nervously.
Duncan patted her on the shoulder. “You’ll do fine.”
“Hey, hey, Dad,” Pepper whispered. “Remember you two are on the outs. Mom, go wander around, talk with your friends.”
Lathen and Duncan set up the booth complete with warming pots and insulated cups for hot chocolate. Pepper took three giant bags of candy from the crate and poured them into a big basket. Hands on hips, Pepper glanced around and nodded to Lathen. “I think we’re ready.”
Trick or treat stations were set up all over the area with a few adjacent merchants sponsoring costume contests and prizes.
Various organizations set up booths to sell or promote their wares. They doubled as additional trick or treat stops for the kids, handing out alternative treats such as popcorn balls, hot apple cider, and sugar free candy. The high school’s booth had bobbing for apples set up.
The Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehab Center booth was a popular stop serving mugs of hot chocolate to chase away the autumn chill. Pepper, Lathen, Klaren, and Duncan took turns manning the booth and mingling among friends and acquaintances.
Pepper caught sight of Ben once standing with some of his co-workers from the office and again hanging around the group her mom was talking with. But he moved on pretty quickly when she joined the group for a few minutes. She’d heard rumors that Tom was released on home detention, but she was still relieved that he didn’t make an appearance.
Just before dusk, Pepper lit all the pumpkins, and Lathen started the portable propane heater inside the gazebo to act as a warming station for the remainder of the festivities. He stayed close to the gazebo, making sure it didn’t turn into a bonfire.
The orange glow of the evil, funny, and traditionally carved jack-o-lanterns completed the Halloween ambiance. As Pepper returned to the booth, she was met by a fairy princess accompanied by a young vampire with plastic pumpkins held in their hands. “Trick or treat,” the little princess with sparkly wings said. A chorus of trick or treats echoed by the approaching tiny witch in a pointy hat and black and orange striped stockings. A pair of children dressed as M&M’s and a couple of popular movie characters rounded out the group.
Pepper reached into the basket, grabbed a handful of candy, and dropped several pieces in each child’s pumpkin. The children laughed and hooted as they scurried off to the next candy station.
She hollered at Lathen and pointed to a dog dressed as a red and gold dragon. “Should have dressed Ember up and brought her.” Pepper laughed at Lathen’s scowl.
“She’d never forgive you for that, no matter how many dog cookies you gave her.”
Once the games were over and prizes awarded, the crowds started to thin. Several families stopped by for a mug of hot chocolate and said their goodbyes. Knots of adults moved on to a warmer location offering adult beverages. As part of the decorating committee, Lathen and Pepper started picking up. The jack-o-lanterns would be the last to go. She offered the pumpkins to anyone who wanted them. Otherwise she’d take them home and add to the compost bin. Off in the distance, the mist was rolling in and the breeze picked up.
“Good turnout,” Pepper commented to Lathen watching her father approach. “I guess we better get things picked up if we don’t want them wet.”
Duncan walked up to the gazebo and slowed, leaning his arm on the stair railing.
Lathen watched the older man for a few minutes. He didn’t move. “Hey, Duncan, you okay?”
“Not sure. Lower elevation makes me dizzy sometimes but hasn’t bothered me this trip�
��until now. I think I’ll go sit down.” When he started to sway, Lathen reached for Duncan’s elbow to steady him.
At the LCWRRC booth, Lathen pulled out a chair and eased Duncan into it. “He’s not feeling well.”
Pepper opened the cooler and grabbed a bottle of water, handed it to her dad. “Mom’s over visiting with Maggie and Jill. I’ll go get her.”
“No, don’t bother. I’ll sit here and drink the water, be fine shortly.” He took a long pull on the bottle of water, then rested his elbows on his knees, leaning over.
Lathen and Pepper exchanged looks.
“Why don’t you take Dad back to the cabin in his rental car? Mom and I will follow in your truck as soon as I return the decorations to storage. I’ve got the key to the unit.”
He shook his head, glanced around, and walked up the steps to the gazebo, turned off the heater. “Don’t want to leave you two alone. Besides, I need to load this heater and rest of the pumpkins in the truck.”
Pepper leaned over and whispered in his ear. “Better two witches than a witch and werewolf, if magic becomes an issue. Know what I mean?”
“Still don’t like it.” A couple guys from Lathen’s crew walked by and waved. “Hey, Bill, Jake, any chance I could get you to help load the heater and the rest of the pumpkins in my truck?
“Yeah, no problem,” Jake said, picking up the heater as Bill and Lathen grabbed the remaining pumpkins.
“Be right back,” Lathen said.
Before Lathen got back, Klaren’s little group broke up, and she walked back to the booth. “Hey, Pep—” Klaren looked at her husband. “Duncan, what’s wrong?” she asked.
“Got so busy today, I didn’t drink enough water. I feel better now.” He glanced sideways, raised an eyebrow, and subtly jerked his chin toward the left side of the gazebo.
Pepper followed his gaze just in time to catch a glimpse of Ben disappearing behind a tree. Showtime.
“You’re still pretty pale. Maybe we should go back to the cottage.”
“And miss Halloween at the cabin? No way. I’ll be fine.”
With an armful of garland, Pepper reached for the plastic storage bag, stuffing the decorations into the bag. She turned to Lathen. “You know what? If you have a tarp in your truck, we can cover the decorations and put them in storage tomorrow. The bags might be a bit damp, but the decorations will be fine.”
“That’ll work.” He took the bag from Pepper. “I’ll throw this in the bed and tie the tarp over the front, that way all you have to do is bungee cord the back to the corners of the bumper.”
Klaren stuffed more garland into another bag while Pepper took the big plastic pumpkin off the railing.
“Go ahead and take Dad to the cabin. We’ll be right behind you,” Pepper said, shoving the remaining bags of decorations into the bed of the truck. She pulled the cord across and hooked it over the bumper on each end.
Lathen took the car keys from Duncan and helped him to the car. “See you in a few,” he called out while giving Pepper a thumbs-up.
Pepper climbed into the truck after her mom, engaged the door locks, then watched the rental car back out of the parking lot and turn up the road. She touched her mom’s arm. “All set?”
“I think so.”
The truck bounced like weight was being added to the bed, and Pepper smiled. “Off we go.”
A short while later, she pulled into the driveway behind the rental car at the back of the cabin. Lathen was waiting on the back porch.
“Let’s go inside and warm up. Logs in the fireplace await your arrival.” He wrapped an arm around her and held the door open for Klaren, then followed her inside and closed the door.
Pepper snapped her fingers watched the flames race up the wood, then peeked out the window, turned, and nodded to her parents. A few minutes later, loud voices erupted inside the cabin. Duncan and Lathen rushed out of the house, got in the rental car, and drove off.
Dressed in a parka, with a blanket wrapped around her, Klaren stepped out on the deck, hands wrapped around a monster mug of steaming coffee and sat in one of the chairs. Pepper let the door bang closed behind her.
“Mom, I’m going to go check on Ember and Tonk at the mammal habitat. Won’t be long.” Pepper sprinted down the path, doubled back, and hid behind the greenhouse with a view of the porch. She sucked in a breath when the tarp moved and the bungee cord slipped off the bumper with a zing. Ben emerged from the back of the truck, brushed off his clothes, took several minutes to scan the area, then sauntered up the steps to the porch.
Klaren yelped and nearly spilled her coffee. “What are you doing here?”
“Everyone gone?”
“For the moment. What are you doing here?”
“Making sure you’re okay. I told you Duncan would show his real colors one day, and I’d be waiting,” Ben said smugly leaning against the porch railing.
“You need to leave. Pepper will be back any minute.”
“Not worried about her. I can take care of her just like I did…well, never mind.” He reached for her. “Come with me.”
“You don’t have a vehicle,” Klaren said getting to her feet.
“Don’t need one.” He snapped his fingers, and Klaren was in his arms. “I’ve learned a trick or two over the years.”
Klaren threw her coffee in his face, cup and all, then bolted out of his arms and down the stairs as a huge reddish wolf advanced, snarling, and leaped over the railing knocking Ben down the stairs. He hit the ground and tumbled down the path. He scrambled to get to his feet. But the wolf was too fast. One leap and the animal landed on Ben’s back, knocking him forward before he finally landed face down on the ground out cold. In a blink of an eye, the wolf was gone, and witches closed in on all sides.
Pepper ran to her mother and helped her to her feet. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, just sorry I didn’t have time to get more information out of the son of a bitch. Did you see what he did? I wasn’t about to let him transport me to who knows where.” Klaren brushed at the knees of her jeans viciously.
The witches formed a circle around Ben. Wisps of fog trailed along the ground and took shape as spirits floating in the meadow. Duncan stepped forward and cast a spell ensnaring the man in vines of shimmering light.
“Don’t make the vines too tight around his neck. We need him to be able to speak,” Ravyn said in a calm lilting voice.
“Done,” Duncan replied.
Ravyn flicked her fingers. A bucket of water appeared over Ben’s head. It tipped and the liquid splashed over him.
Ben sputtered and cursed, his eyes wild.
“Mr. Bonchard. It’s come to our attention that you are misusing magic for personal gain. You’ve called on dark magic to curse an innocent to do harm to your own kind. How do you plead?” Ravyn asked in a commanding tone.
“Bitch,” Ben bit out. “I only acted to get back what was mine.” He narrowed his eyes at Pepper.
She cast a blindfold on him. “Don’t want to take any chances. Not sure what he’s capable of,” Pepper said when Ravyn glared at her.
Ravyn nodded. “I’ll take that as a guilty plea, Mr. Bonchard. Therefore, you are to be spellbound immediately.” She paused. “But first, Pepper, do you have the candle?”
“Yes.” Pepper produced a tall thick twisted black candle with beautifully carved moon phases on all sides.
“Step into the circle. Face the full moon depiction north.” Raven closed her eyes and murmured several words. The candle ignited in a black flame, flickered, then faded to pure white.
“Perfect. Set the candle down and move back,” Ravyn said without explanation.
She turned to Ben, who was cursing loudly, threatening the McKay family and everyone else. “Silence,” she commanded. His mouth continued to open and shut but without sound. The coven of ten witches, Klaren, and Duncan joined hands forming a circle as Ravyn chanted quietly at first, then her voice rose with the wind. Suddenly all was quiet.
T
he vines wrapped around Ben glowed dark red, shifted to black, then fell away. When he took a menacing step forward, Pepper flicked her hand. A chair appeared, slamming behind Ben’s knees. He fell backward onto the seat and ropes tied him to the seat.
Ravyn nodded in approval.
“Benjamin Bonchard, the spellbinding is complete. The witches’ council will convene within two weeks. By that time, you will have found a way to undo the harm you caused to Mr. Green, or face the wrath of the council and your life will be forfeit. Clear?”
Ben slumped in the chair and nodded.
“Good. Our work here is done.” Ravyn raised her arms. A flash of lightning and the ten witches faded into the night. Tendrils of mist crawled along the ground as the spirits floated toward the lake.
“Well, that was an anticlimactic ending to the evening,” Pepper said, turning her body in a complete circle. “Anyone seen Lathen?”
“Not in human form,” her dad said, raising one eyebrow and wrapping an arm around his wife.
“You guys picked up on that, huh?” Pepper said, starting down the path to the lake.
“Yep,” Klaren said.
“Picked up on what?” Lathen appeared in the door of the cabin, dressed in fresh jeans, black sweatshirt, and boots. Kaylee’s left wing caught his tousled hair as she winged her way into the night air. Ember and Tonk flanked him. Jogging down the steps from the house, he had rain ponchos slung over his shoulder. When he reached the ground, he tossed each person a hooded poncho. “I’m betting this drizzle is going to be pouring rain soon. How about we go see what Ashling and the ghosts have to say before midnight arrives?”
“We all know your little…” Pepper paused. “…or not so little secret. And it’s sexy as hell.” She wound her arms around his neck and buried her face in his throat, inhaling deeply. His scent has changed. More woodsy with a touch of spice and musk, very alluring.
