by LJ Swallow
Elyssia steps through the door and startles as she catches sight of me in the shadows.
“Oh!” The panic crossing her face drops, but not before she reveals how much of her behaviour is bravado. “Why are you lurking there, Xander?”
“I'm on lookout,” I reply. “Where are you going?”
“But Serge is on the door.”
I saw the bodyguards hanging in the background inside the house. Or as in the background as guys that size get. “He's not able to cope with danger as well as I am,” I reply. “As you know. Where are you going?”
“To a decent party,” replies Kane. “Don't worry; I'll look after Elyssia.”
Elyssia makes a pfft sound. “I can look after myself.”
“Really?” I ask.
“Yes.” Ah, a haughty stare her mother would be proud of.
“Wait there,” I reply. “I'm getting Joss to accompany you.”
“Seriously?” Elyssia complains.
“Yes, seriously. Wait there.” I turn on my heel and walk inside.
When I return with Joss, the porch is fae and vampire free.
The bloody...
“For fuck's sake!” I run along the pathway towards the road, and almost bump into kids in bright costumes when I reach the pavement.
I scan the street in either direction, scouring faces as I look for the stupid teen and her friends.
Nothing.
I shove my mask onto my head for a clearer look and step into the road.
“Xander, Portia didn't ask us to watch Elyssia,” says Joss as he reaches my side. “Don't stress.”
“Oh yeah?” I rip the annoying mask from my head. “If she discovers Elyssia left and something happens to her, we're in the shit.”
“We're not her chaperones. Go back and tell the bodyguard on the door. He can deal with this. We were specifically told to watch Kailey.”
As if to rub salt into the wounds, a red car crawls past with music thumping through the open windows. Elyssia leans from the window, waving her plastic glass.
“Bye, Xan!”
As she sits back, the car speeds away. For a moment Joss and I stand in silence before I throw the mask on the floor. “I'll tell the others we will follow them. Start your car.”
Elyssia's going to be bloody sorry when I catch her.
“Stop.”
Joss swerves the car slightly at my loud exclamation. “What? Stop where?”
I look over my shoulder. Few cars travel along the poorly lit road, and in the dark October evening, it's difficult to see anything unless Joss's headlights shine in the area. Ten minutes out of town, and we had to admit defeat. Elyssia's friend must've driven at high speed because there was no sign of the car by the time we followed her.
“Turn around. I saw something.”
Joss hits the brakes, and I jerk forward. “Elyssia?” he asks and pulls a U-turn to manoeuvre the car to the opposite side of the road.
“No. See that tree? Pull over there.” I point at a large oak tree to our right, a few hundred metres ahead. As Joss drives closer, the headlights illuminate something on the ground.
I climb out and confirm what I thought.
Two bikes have been thrown beside the tree, wheels on top of each other.
Joss's boots crunch across fallen leaves. “What's wrong?”
“Remember we passed kids on bikes when we drove out of town? I saw some kids earlier, annoying the trick or treaters before they rode off. I swear they're the same kids we passed riding ahead when we started looking for Elyssia.”
“And you think these bikes are theirs? They could be anyone's, Xander.”
I bend down as I catch sight of other items. “There's a mask here.” I poke around further. “Bag filled with sweets.”
I hold both items up and examine the green Frankenstein mask. I’m sure one of the group members riding around outside Portia's house wore a mask. And they definitely headed in this direction after causing mayhem in the street. I'm not keen on interfering in human affairs unless I'm sure supernatural forces are at work; if I'm not convinced there are but see anything suspicious, I tip off the police. But this is Halloween and demons take advantage of the holiday to mingle, especially ones whose appearance means they can't usually walk unnoticed into the human world.
Why would the boys stop here? I shove my hands into my trouser pockets and listen for voices, but all I hear is the distant sound of an owl. There's no sight or sign of anybody nearby.
Joss walks around the tree the crouches down. “They spilled some. Look.” He holds up a handful of chocolate bars and wrapped sweets.
“I don’t know much about kids, but I’m sure they wouldn’t throw away their Halloween stash,” I reply. “Is there anything else you can see?”
“No.”
“Okay. I need to see if the kids are nearby.”
“Xander, I think you’re overreacting.”
“Halloween?” I growl. “Remember a couple of years ago when a rogue vamp took two teenage girls?”
We've faced situations where kids found themselves in trouble with demons on Halloween night in the past. Every kid I've seen tonight has focused on gathering as much sugary crap as they could, not wandering the countryside.
Apart from the boys on bikes.
“Maybe it's more dumb kids who want to spook themselves by visiting places rumoured as haunted,” Joss suggests.
“Rumours about haunted places aren't always stories,” I retort. “They're rooted in truth.”
“I thought we were looking for Elyssia.”
Elyssia. That girl has the potential to cause drama everywhere she goes and every time we see her. Although keeping her safe wasn't on our duty list tonight, if anything happens to her Portia will point the finger squarely at us. The problem here is Elyssia's technically an adult in fae and human terms. Yes, Elyssia needs protecting, but more from her own stupidity than other enemies. Will the vamps hurt her? Unlikely, they're probably flattered or amused that she wants to spend time with them. Still, I'm concerned about where she's gone.
In the time it took for me to inform Heath and Ewan where we were going, and left in Joss's car, the car she rode in had disappeared from view. We passed a few cars on the main road as we sped through the next village towards the town, but none were hers. That's when I saw the cycling kids again.
I persuaded Joss to turn back; finding Elyssia when she didn't want to be located would be difficult. I need to trust the girl can look after herself and accept I'm not her guardian. Portia has other bodyguards and security measure tonight, and one said he'd follow.
“Let's take a quick look down here.” I point into the shadows.
We follow the dark and uneven lane that runs from the main road. After a few hundred metres, we reach a large metal gate in front of the ploughed fields stretching into the darkness.
I tap my lips and look over the low wood and wire fence, and across the field. Harvest season is over and the field is filled with the stubble left behind. This means nowhere to hide, but under a sky where the clouds cover the moon, it's impossible to see far.
“They must've gone into the fields,” I say. “Can you see anything?”
Joss climbs onto the fence and looks in the distance. “A house. It's dark though, and I can't tell whether the place is derelict or used.”
“Of course,” I mutter. “Can you see anyone in the field?”
He cranes his neck. “I think I can see figures. Maybe kids, but there’s a taller person with them and a dog. I can’t tell if it’s a man or woman.”
My suspicion grows into certainty. “Don’t you think that’s odd? Why would they leave their bikes and all their gear?”
“Yeah, maybe we should check this out.”
“Shit!” I drag my phone out and glance at the screen. “I'll call Ewan and tell him to leave Heath and Vee behind to watch Kailey. He can come here and help out; we're only five minutes out of town.”
Following the call, I rub both pa
lms across my hair and stare into the inky blackness. Where's the moonlight when I need it? We stand in silence as we wait, and my anxiety grows. What if we wait and are too late?
6
VEE
“Xander will lose his shit if he comes back and finds Kailey missing,” says Heath as we walk behind the small group along the pavement. “She isn't supposed to leave the house.”
Kailey and her friend Jamie walk in front of us, a mum either side as we wander towards a house with ghosts in the front garden. “She'll be fine with us here,” I reply. “Besides, Xander already lost his shit. He's on a crazy mission to find a teenage girl.”
Heath left his werewolf mask in the house, and I catch his doubtful look.
“Kailey is protected by a Horseman or two,” I whisper in his ear. “I promised her we'd visit the houses to the end of the street, and then we'll head back again. Fifteen minutes. Tops.” I rub my bare arm. Fifteen minutes is enough in October weather.
“You're too soft,” says Heath and runs his finger along my nose. “Caring.”
“No, I just didn't want to listen if she had a tantrum,” I admit.
The wind blows leaves around my ankles and as we walk my feet ache in the shoes with higher heels than normal.
We stop as Kailey and her group head up the path to a brightly lit doorway, and the women greet each other. Heath slides an arm around my waist and rests his hand on my hip. “You look delicious tonight,” he murmurs in my ear.
“You look... animalistic.”
He nips my earlobe. “I can be if you want.” His hand slides to my backside and squeezes.
I turn to Heath and slide a hand along his furry chest beneath this shirt. The costume smells odd, but beneath I catch his familiar scent. I tiptoe to nip his lip in return for his bite. Heath takes hold of face, and his mouth presses against mine with a sudden urgency. I sink into him, glad of the warmth as he envelops me in his furry arms. Heath's cool lips move against mine, and when I respond to his kiss, he digs his fingers into my hair. This man kisses with a raw passion that builds intensity between us faster than I've experienced with anybody else.
Heath releases my hair and closes his hands over my backside, continuing his exploration of my mouth with his tongue as he pulls me into him. He tastes of the sweet green punch we drank, and the energy passes between our lips, arousing me further.
People don't kiss the way Heath does in public, or they shouldn't with children around.
I step back and rub my thumb across his lips. “Red lipstick doesn't suit you.”
He adjusts his pants. “Neither does this around kids.”
“Heath!” I hiss.
He winks at me as the mothers and kids rejoin us. The party set off walking along the pavement further, and we follow at a slow pace.
“If this were a true Halloween there'd be at least one creepy house on the corner,” I say with a smile. “But I guess nobody in the neighbourhood can escape Portia's scrutiny. She knows everything about everybody.”
“So why the fuss about letting Kailey trick or treat?”
“She worries what's in the treats, I think. Just like any other mother at Halloween.”
“I seriously do not understand any of this.” Heath takes my hand, and we continue to follow. “If people are worried psychos will poison or kidnap their kids, why do all this?”
“Tradition?” I suggest. I don't understand either, but there's something infectious about the freedom and community happening around us. Not only do the kids escape into fantasy, but the adults do too. From cooing over the tiny children's costumes to complimenting the proud primary school age kids for their efforts, and taking the opportunity to dress up and have fun.
I understand safety worries, but nothing feels unsafe on this street.
We continue along our journey and supervision of Kailey. Our deal is that she's not permitted to eat unwrapped treats until we've examined it. As this agreement with Kailey was the difference between her being allowed out or not, she begrudgingly agreed.
I wait with Heath as she visits yet another house. This time the mothers spend longer than the last chatting and Heath passes the time by whispering dirty suggestions in my ear.
My vivid imagination triggers a desire to head home with him right about now. I shift away before temptation gets the better of me.
Ewan strides along the pavement towards us. This Frankenstein doesn't lumber but holds a determination I've seen many times before. Something's wrong.
“Ewan?” I ask.
“I need to speak to Heath.” He grabs Heath's ripped shirtsleeve and pulls him to one side.
Before I can retort, Kailey skips down the path towards me before tripping over. Her bucket spills the contents everywhere, and I dash over to help gather up the lollipops and wrapped sweets. She looks on crestfallen. The mother with us crouches down to help too, and we manage to interrupt the tears building in Kailey's eyes.
I straighten, and the mother smiles at me, before inclining her head towards Heath and Ewan.
“Can you introduce me?” she asks.
I spoke to Sarah before; she's at the party with her son, Jamie, who's currently skipping in circles eager to take himself to the next house. She's a younger mother than the others, and single. Attractive. And reacting to the guys as any woman with a pulse would.
Tonight is my first time with the guys in public at a human social occasion, and I'd never considered there'd be mothers here. Why didn't Portia stay around?
“Or are they both yours?” She nudges me.
What the hell do I say? I glance to where the two stand, heads together, talking in urgent tones, then back to Sarah. “Um. I guess.”
“Oh!” Her stunned expression reminds me why I don't like answering personal questions. “How about the other two guys? I wouldn't kick them out of bed either!” Sarah purses her lips. “Surely they're not all yours? The masked guy is super cute. And the blond guy...” She raises a brow. “I don't usually go for blonds, but I'd make an exception.”
I make a noise of agreement, trying with every ounce of me not to reply.
“Or are all four guys taken?” She sighs. “I suppose they must be.”
“They are.”
Why, when I need him to, can't Jamie make a demand of his mother? I'll probably never see this woman again, but there's something uncomfortable about telling her I'm in a relationship with four guys. How would she understand?
The whole truth isn't much better.
“Are you a friend of Portia's?” she asks as we continue to wait for Ewan and Heath.
“The guys are. I only know her because of them.”
“Right. Portia is lovely! Isn't she?”
Are we talking about the same woman? “I don't know her well.”
Sarah touches her chest. “Oh, my. She fundraises for the school and community with all her projects. As head of the parent's council, she has everything, and everyone organised. We've raised enough to pay for a new school playground. Isn't that wonderful?”
I'd imagined Portia front and centre in the community, but at the same time, confused why she'd expose herself this much. She's taken the 'in plain sight' idea to the extreme; nobody can question who Portia is when she's this deeply involved in the community.
Clever Portia decided not to live on the edge, but to have the community surround her.
“Such a shame she missed tonight. Portia would've loved all this.” She gestures at the people around us. “But, family is the centre of her world.”
Uh huh. Including the daughter who's disappeared, with Xander chasing her.
Heath touches my shoulder and leans in to whisper, “We need to get Kailey back to the house.”
I attempt to hide my alarm as Sarah watches. “Why?”
“Xander called. We need to meet him.”
I turn to face Heath so Sarah can no longer see. “Why? What happened to Elyssia?”
“This isn't about her, but something else. Are all the kids in th
is street supervised?”
My heart thumps against my chest. Kids? “I think so. Heath, what's happening?”
“Hey, uh... Kailey. Your mum's on her way home. We'd better get back to the house before she does,” says Ewan.
Kailey's face falls for the second time in five minutes.
“Shit, she's not about to cry is she?” Ewan's alarmed face amuses me as if the little girl will transform into something horrific.
“Honestly!” I hiss. “How many times? You can't swear around kids.”
Ewan tips a half smile to Sarah. “Apologies.”
One smile, and he's charmed her into forgiving him. Judging by the look on her face, she'd forgive him anything for another smile, or even a touch. “That's okay. I don't think she heard.”
“Elyssia says ‘shit’ all the time,” Kailey informs us.
An awkward silence follows Kailey's foul-mouthed admission, but Kailey continues. “She also says fu—”
“Okay, Kailey!” interrupts Sarah and claps her hands
“C'mon,” says Heath through gritted teeth. “Get them home.”
“I don't want to!” pouts Kailey.
“I think you have enough sweets,” I reply. “Come on, let's go home for more cake. Don't we have the special Halloween piñata to hit?”
“Piñata!” The little boy jumps up and down showering the street with his spoils.
“He can carry me; I'm tired.” Kailey points at Ewan. “He can scare the monsters away.”
“He sure can,” I laugh out.
“I can't carry you!” He backs away.
“Aww, look, Ewan can fight monsters, but he's scared of little girls.” I bite away a laugh as Ewan shoots me a look.
“Pick her up, it'll be quicker,” urges Heath.
What's going on here?
Kailey holds out her arms and Ewan picks her up. He awkwardly holds her at arm's length, scared she’ll touch him. “Joss should be here. He can do this.”
Sarah giggles too. “I don't think Ewan's dad material, is he? She won't bite you.”
“Shoulders,” she demands.
He frowns. “Please.”
