“Nope.”
“Great. See you Friday.”
“Cya, man.”
I ended the call just as the elevator reached the mansion’s upper level. A rich purple carpet ran along the hallway, leading up to my bedroom door. When I pushed it open, a shaft of light spilled into the room, illuminating the bed. The maids had changed the sheets and comforter. Black silk. Perfect.
“Lights on,” I enunciated my command.
Instantly, the room came into focus as bright lights flooded every corner.
“Play music.”
“Playing Halloween Hits,” the computerized female voice responded.
Boys and girls of every age…
Wouldn't you like to see something strange?
Come with us and you will see…
This, our town of Halloween!
“This is Halloween! This is Halloween!” I sang along, shucking off my shirt and tossing it into the hamper.
Eager for a shower, I crossed the room into the bathroom. There, I caught sight of my reflection in the vanity mirror. I grinned, slicking my hair back.
Damn. I looked good.
Chapter 3
ESSIE
I stood in front of the mirror, admiring my costume. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but it turned out amazing. I took Alice’s usual short blue dress and turned it into a flowing and sexy little gown that shimmered like a sea of diamonds. The top of the dress hugged my waistline with a built-in corset giving me a wonderful hourglass figure. I probably could have made the neckline a little more modest, but what was the fun in that?
“Are you almost done in there?” Ebony called through the door. “We’re going to be late.”
I popped my head out of the room and grinned at her. “If I recall, just a week ago, you didn’t want to go to the party. Now, you’re eager to leave.” I teased.
“I just want to get this over with.” She pursed her lips together, truly looking like the Queen of Hearts. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ordered my beheading by the end of the night.
“I think I made a good choice with your costume.”
“No. A good choice would have been no costume at all.”
“Hmm… you’re right. That would have been truly scary.” I stuck out my tongue at her before grabbing my phone, tucking it into the pocket of my dress. Every good dress needed pockets. “All jokes aside, you do look great,” I said, running my eyes over her figure. Ebony had always been much tall, making her look slim and sexy, but her good looks went to waste since she was usually so prude and cold toward anyone who flirted with her. Oh well.
“Let’s just go,” she grumbled, grabbing the keys to her car.
“What are you doing?”
“Um, how do you expect us to get there? It’s not like there’s a rabbit hole for you to fall through.”
“Haha. Very funny.”
“Then stop asking stupid questions.”
“Well, maybe if you listened to me for once, you’d know why we don’t need to drive.”
She pressed her hand to her hip, waiting for me to elaborate. Her eyes flicked to the clock hanging above the TV. Ebony was one of those punctual types who grew anxious even if they were a minute late.
“We are fashion designers, it’s to be expected that we would be fashionably late,” I said, throwing my curly hair behind my shoulders. Luckily, my locks were naturally blonde making me the perfect Alice. Ebony, on the other hand, had raven-colored hair, taking after her father.
“That still doesn’t explain how we are going to get there.”
“This is the Graves’ Estate Annual Halloween Ball.”
“Yeah, and?”
“Which means there will be a car waiting for us outside.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
With a smug look on my face, I marched over to the window, pulling aside the blinds. “Ta-da!” I waved my hands like I was Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune.
She walked up to me, the crinoline of her skirt swaying back and forth with her every step. The little hearts I attached to the peaks almost looked like they were dancing. I nearly laughed, trying to imagine what she would look like on the dance floor… that is… if I managed to drag her onto it.
“You have to be kidding me… There’s actually a car down there.”
“Not just any car… a Rolls Royce. Come on, Ebony, let’s go ride in style.”
***
Soon enough, we arrived at the Graves’ Estate. “Damn, they really went all out on this place, didn’t they?”
The lawn was covered with tombstones, most of them lopsided, like those of an abandoned cemetery. Fog hovered around the entrance of the mansion, making all those who walked in look like ghosts. Guarding the gates were two large gargoyles whose heads swiveled in the direction of every newcomer.
“I’ve seen better,” Ebony huffed. I didn’t know if she was just hard to impress or a downright Negative Nancy.
“Can you just pretend to have fun tonight?”
“No promises.” She got out of the car, struggling with her dress. “And, why did you have to make this thing so impractical?”
“Because you look cute. You’ll be thanking me later when you come home with your bra stuffed with numbers.”
“No one writes down numbers anymore.” She finally managed to tug her dress out of the door, nearly stumbling into the arms of a werewolf. He was about to help her when she turned around, giving him such a death glare that he immediately backed off.
“I definitely should have made you the Wicked Witch of the West.”
Her glare turned venomous as she narrowed her eyes at me.
“Or Medusa.”
She stormed off toward the gates.
I followed her, swaying my hips a little more than I needed to when I passed a rather handsome Prince Charming. I winked, bending my pointer finger in a ‘come hither’ motion as I disappeared into the fog, accidentally bumping into my sister.
“What are you doing?” she snapped, nearly losing her balance.
“If you are going to keep your arms outstretched like that, then I should have dressed you up as a Trapeze Artist.”
“I shouldn’t be dressed up in the first place. I shouldn’t be here at all.”
“Oh, come on, don’t be such a sour puss. Try to have some fun.”
“Greetings!”
Ebony and I both jumped as a zombie butler materialized out of nowhere. His makeup was so good that it looked like part of his face had rotted to the bone.
“If you’d like to enter this humble abode, I require two golden tickets!” He exclaimed, his accent deeply British. I loved a good accent.
I stepped up to him, placing a hand on his chest. “Well, Mr. Zombie, I have exactly what you need…” I whispered into his ear, my tone soft and seductive.
“Here you go.” Ebony snatched the tickets from my pocket and handed it to the zombie.
Before I could say anything, she grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me inside. “I did not come here for you to flirt with every single guy at the party.”
I laughed. “You think too highly of me. It would be impossible for me to flirt with all of them. But… half… now that seems attainable.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Welcome! Welcome!” Another zombie, this time female, appeared before us, holding a platter of Halloween-themed pastries. “Can I offer you some brains?” She elongated the syllable dramatically, chomping her jaw together for effect. “It truly is delicious!” She picked up a plate, waving it under Ebony’s nose. The pink jelly jiggled just like a real brain.
“Cool! Thanks!” I took the plate, giggling as I used a tiny golden fork.
“You’re disgusting.” Ebony shook her head.
“It’s Halloween. What did you expect? Rainbows and unicorns?’
She ignored me, pushing through the crowd, making her way down the corridor.
“Where’s
the fire?”
“I need a drink. The only way I’m going to survive this night is if I’m tipsy.”
“You haven’t even given it a chance yet,” I pouted. Sometimes, hanging out with my sister could be a real downer. She wouldn’t know how to have fun, even if it came up to her and smacked her in the face.
The kitchen was a large, open room, decorated like all the rest. Most of the knives were covered in fake blood. On the table was a huge, decomposing body, which turned out to be a cake. Body parts hung from the ceiling. I had to admit, whoever had overseen the decorations deserved a medal or something.
Ebony approached the back counter. There, ginormous bowls were filled with a blood red liquid. “You think this punch is alcoholic?” she asked.
“I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t.” I leaned down, taking a deep whiff. “Oh, yeah, that packs a punch.” I grinned. “Pun intended.”
“Lame.” Ebony grabbed a cup, ladling it to the top. Carefully, she took a sip.
“How is it?”
“Decent.”
“Nothing is ever good enough for you, is it?”
“I just have high expectations.”
“You mean, unrealistic expectations.” I countered, taking a swig of my own drink. “And, I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but this stuff is pretty good.”
“If you say so.” She shrugged, walking to the main parlor, where people were gathered in circles, chatting amongst themselves.
We found an open sofa and sat down.
“Have you noticed all the people that are here?”
“How can you recognize people if everyone is in costume?” she asked, running her finger along the rim of her cup, producing a soft humming noise.
“So? Look! There’s Heidi Klum dressed as Jessica Rabbit!” I pointed excitedly.
“How do you know?”
“Uh, because she posted a picture of it on her Instagram and tagged this place. Besides, who else would put that much effort into a Halloween costume? Everyone knows she’s the Halloween Queen.”
Ebony had her heart-shaped lips pressed together, her green eyes looking dull.
I scanned the room, searching for someone else that might spark her interest. “Look! There’s Joe Jonas as Derek Zoolander.”
“Who?”
“You know Joe Jonas, from the Jonas Brothers…?”
“You mean that boy band everyone was obsessed with in the fifth grade?”
“Yeah!”
“He’s still considered a celebrity?” she asked, taking a sip of her drink. Her cup was already half empty.
“You’re impossible.”
She shrugged. “I just don’t see what all the hype’s about.”
I sighed in exasperation. “You know what, let’s dance!” Before she could protest, I grabbed her hand, yanking her off the couch.
“Essie!” she screamed, trying to get away but I simply tightened my grasp, determined.
“You’re going to dance whether you like it or not!” I bellowed, tilting my head back, letting out an evil laugh.
Maybe I should have dressed up as Maleficent…
Chapter 4
ALLEN
“Are you almost done?” I asked, looking down at Gretchen as she adjusted the tongue of my boot.
“I just need to do a few more things…” she answered, sewing needle in hand.
Anxiously, I glanced at the clock. The first guests were due to arrive at any minute. What kind of host would I be if I kept them waiting?
“Was that the door?” I tilted my head, listening carefully. Doing so, the tiny hat on my head nearly fell off. “Also, we need to secure this hat better. Don’t you have some of those magical bobby pins girls always use in their hair?”
Gretchen nodded.
I jumped down from the stool I had been standing on, heading for the mirror. “The costume came out quite nicely, didn’t it?”
“It did, sir.”
“Do you think I should put on some makeup? Johnny Depp wore makeup in the newest movie… But, then again, it didn’t do that great.”
“I think that you look…” she paused as if choosing her words very carefully.
“Hideous?” I suggested, frowning deeply. “I knew I should have been Robin Hood. Who can resist a hot, sexy vigilante?”
Gretchen’s cheeks colored slightly. “Um…”
“Too late now. Anyway, do come here with those bobby pins.”
She quickly snapped back to reality. “Could you… um… bend down for me?”
I smirked, about to make a dirty comment, but I held back, knowing Gretchen didn’t handle them very well. “Sure.”
Carefully, she tethered the hat to the wig I was wearing. “H-how's that?”
I shook my head like a rabid dog. The hat stayed in place. “Perfect! You’re a miracle worker, Gretchen. You really are!” I hugged her tight before I walked out of the room, sliding down the banister, just in time to see Kirk walking through the door.
“Allen! You look quite… mad.” He grinned, his joker lips twisting manically. “But tell, have you ever been insane enough to dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?”
“Batman, 1989.”
“Damn, I thought I’d get you with that one.”
“You forget that’s the version I grew up with.” I patted him on the back. “And to answer your question, I’m crazy enough to take on Batman and the IRS.”
Kirk was silent for a moment, rubbing his hands together like he was hatching some evil plan. “The New Batman Adventures, 1996?”
“Damn. We’ve watched way too much Batman.”
“There’s no such thing as too much Batman.”
“Hmm, I think you’re right.” We laughed.
“Where is everyone?” he asked after a moment.
“They should be trickling in shortly,” I answered, and just on cue, a group of girls dressed as the seven dwarves walked in. “Welcome! Welcome!” I bellowed, taking Sleepy by the hand and twirling her around before I reeled her into my body.
She looked up at me with great big eyes. “C-Chris Grave!”
I instantly let her go.
“I’m offended that you would confuse me with my brother.”
“Oh!” The girl gasped, turning red when she realized her mistake. “I’m sorry!”
In response, I grabbed my retractable cane from my pocket, snapped it into place and walked off.
Kirk followed me, grabbing a glass of champagne from one of the serving platters. “Hey, don’t look so glum, it’s an honest mistake.”
I turned suddenly. “An honest mistake? What a regrettably large head you have. I would very much like to hat it… And hit you upside the head for making such a comment,” I growled.
“Hey, no need to get your panties in a bunch, man.”
“If I was dressed as a werewolf right now, I wouldn’t hesitate to tear you limb from limb.”
“Chill man, chill. No need to get so worked up. Look at all these beautiful ladies.” He swept his arms out to encompass the entire gallery. “How can you be angry in the presence of Mona Lisa?” he asked, walking up to her painting. Of course, it was just a replica, but it had still cost me quite the pretty penny.
“I can’t fool around with a painting.”
“You obviously haven’t tried hard enough,” Kirk answered with a grin.
“And I thought I was the pervert…”
He chuckled.
Eventually, we made our way to the ballroom, sitting down at one of the tables lining the perimeter of the dancefloor. The DJ was already playing a mash-up of popular Halloween songs.
“Do you see Jasmine and Aladdin getting down right now?” Kirk pointed to a couple who were grinding on one another, their hands roaming each other’s bodies.
“Oh yeah, huh?”
“When are you going to find yourself a girl like that?”
“Tonight,” I smirked. “Just you w
ait and see.”
“You say that every year.” He pointed out before calling over a butler and snagging one of Kathy’s spider cupcakes. “You afraid to commit or something?”
Beasts Awakened Page 33
