Queen of Night

by Emily Goodwin

  “Well, you look great. And you’re going to look so adorable with a little belly. You’ve always been in such good shape, it’ll be weird to see you with anything but abs.”

  “Hah, but I know, right? I’m really hoping my nonhuman side helps me bounce right back after birth. Not that I’m particularly worried about not looking good, but because I’m so used to being athletic, if that even makes sense.”

  “It does, though as someone who doesn’t have you-know-who for a father, I don’t get the desire to work out. You know what I say about running,” she laughs.

  “Only if someone is chasing you,” I fill in and turn back to the register to ring up another customer. Another line forms as people bring their books up to purchase before we close down for trick-or-treating. We’ve tried being open before, and it’s a little chaotic, plus the store mostly fills with people browsing and not buying anything.

  And we like to go all out for trick-or-treating. I run the register while Betty sets up the table out front. She and Kristy already put up most of the decorations today, and we won’t set the candy out until we get there. Learned that lesson the hard way once too, when some asshole emptied our bowl of candy before trick-or-treating officially started.

  With just a few minutes to spare, Kristy turns off the open sign and takes the cash drawer out of the register. I quickly organize the books on our front displays, and Betty does a sweep through the aisle, putting away anything that’s obviously out of place. I’ll come back through when we get a lull, cleaning and straightening some more.

  There are crumbs on the floor in the children’s section, and the bathroom needs to be disinfected. Neither task takes too long, and with a little magic help, I’ll get this place nice and clean for the morning.

  “Think we have enough candy?” Betty asks, hauling two giant bags up from the break room. “We have more in the back too.”

  “Maybe we went a little overboard,” I laugh. “Though I’d much rather have too much than not enough, and now I won’t feel guilty for sneaking that Kit Kat.”

  “Right? I’ve been eyeing those Sour Patch Kids all day. We got the good stuff this year.”

  “We did, and I’m going to pick out a few things for myself before we dump it in the bowl.”

  “I like your style,” Betty agrees, and we each take a handful of our favorite candy, saving it for later. We get outside right as trick-or-treating officially begins, and the streets are already filled with kids and parents, all wearing costumes.

  “You said your sister was coming, right?” Betty asks.

  “She is. She should be here soon. I should probably get my phone and check to see if she got confused with parking or something.” I dash back into the store and get my phone from my purse. I have a missed text from Abby, saying they’re about twenty minutes away thanks to traffic. She sent the text ten minutes ago, so they’ll be here soon.

  I don’t want to see Nancy or Scott. At all. I don’t want to waste any time looking at their faces. And I was looking forward to seeing Abby, Phil, and Penny again. Guilt for lying to Abby starts to rise inside of me, and I do my best to squash it. I’m protecting her by not telling her she was shot.

  She’s fine. It’s over. Nothing bad is going to happen because of it and there’s no need for her to get upset about something that’s in the past.

  The door opens and closes behind me, and Kristy comes out. “You guys good?”

  “Yeah, we’re all set,” I tell her.

  “I went ahead and locked up the office for the night,” she says, pulling me in for a hug.

  “Thanks, you didn’t have to do that, though.”

  “Eh, it’s easy. And it saves you time so you can come party with us sooner.”

  “Now that I can get on board with.” I hug her back. “I’ll see you later. Don’t drink too much without me.”

  “I’ll be drinking for you,” she says quietly.

  “Not fair,” I say with a pout. “But you will be. I have to live vicariously through someone.”

  She gives me a wink. “I got you covered.” Kristy, unlike me, is a social drinker. She’ll have a glass of wine with dinner and might indulge on a second glass when we’re out together, but she doesn’t drink her worries away. She copes with them the way mentally sound people do, and doesn’t repress and bottle them up.

  Psshh, what an overachiever, right?

  “Trick or treat!” A group of kids all dressed like Toy Story characters comes up to our table.

  “Awww, look how cute you all are!” I reach into the candy bowl and drop a few pieces into their plastic pumpkins. More kids follow right behind, and in only a matter of a few minutes, lines start to form all the way around Main Street. Thorne Hill is a small town, but we’re known for our holiday celebrations and people come from all over to attend the Halloween Fest and then again for the town Christmas party. The town has been featured in magazines and various websites before, which is kind of funny when I think about it.

  Thorne Hill was settled by witches who swore to protect the Ley line. Spells were cast over the land to keep nons away…but eventually the town needed revenue, and allowing nons to move in worked as good cover. It’s pretty obvious to demons and hunters alike when a town if full of no one but witches and warlocks.

  The sunlight is fading fast, most of the storefronts are decorated with orange and purple lights. We have a big blow-up black cat and Kristy really went all out on our window display this year. Abby texts me that she’s finally here, and asks if she should come to the store first or get in line and go with the flow of trick-or-treaters.

  I tell her to get in line and I’ll be here, since it’s easier to start down the road and follow the lines. It’ll take her a good fifteen minutes at least to get here. I try to pick her out from the gobs of trick-or-treaters, but can’t find Abby.

  Though I do spot my very sexy husband walking down the street. He’s still wearing the suit he had on earlier, and I think it’s even better than the Superman costume.

  “Hello, my love.” Lucas takes me in his arms and leans in for a quick kiss. “It’s busy down here.”

  He hair is windswept from moving at vampire speed. I rake my fingers through it, pushing it back into place.

  “It always is,” I say and step back to the table to hand out more candy.

  “Hey, Lucas.” Betty’s cheeks flush a bit when she greets him. “I’m Betty, in case you didn’t remember or the red hair threw you,” she laughs.

  “I remember. We've met a few times before, and Callie speaks very highly of you.”

  “She does?” Betty’s cheeks grow more red.

  “I do.” I turn, giving her a smile. “Because you’re the best.”

  “Well, thanks.”

  I take Lucas’s hand and guide him around the table with me. “So Nancy and Scott are here with Abby,” I say, smiling as I give another cute kid a few pieces of candy. “And I want to completely ignore them.” I look up at Lucas. “Like, literally act like I can’t see them. With everything else going on…I don’t even care about them anymore. Plus, it will piss Scott off to try and annoy me and get no reaction.”

  “Can you curse a piece of candy really fast to give to him?”

  I press my lips together in a thin line and shake my head. “Don’t tempt me.”

  “You’re no fun,” he grumbles.

  “Hey, I’m lots of fun. And I would let the curses fly, but I don’t want to raise any eyebrows.”

  Lucas looks out at the busy street and inhales. “There are a lot of witches here,” he says softly so only I can hear him.

  “There are. And a lot of people from the neighboring towns. Pretty much all of Paradise Valley comes here. Newport and Eastwood too.”

  “It’s…it’s nice,” Lucas says slowly. “Very family-friendly.”

  I know what he’s thinking, and I have to work to keep the tears at bay. It's nothing to cry over and I’m getting more and more annoyed with my stupid emotions. Another surge o
f kids come up to our table, and a little girl dressed like Wonder Woman wants to take a picture with me. I do my best Gal Gadot impression and pose for a photo with the girl.

  I’m still smiling as she runs off, catching up with her friends. And then I turn and see Scott. Motherfucker. I said I wanted to ignore him, but the second I see that smug look on his face, I’m not sure I can keep that promise.

  Chapter 13

  “Hey!” I coo, moving around the table. Penny toddles over, little arms stretched out toward me. She actually recognizes me, and holy shit, if anything was going to make me emotional tonight, it’s knowing my niece knows who I am. “Look at you! What a cute little witch!”

  Penny gives me the best little baby hug and I pick her up. “This is my niece, Penny,” I tell Betty. “She was the flower girl at our wedding. And look at her little witch dress!”

  I’m not stating facts like this just to piss off Scott. I’m not stating facts like this just to piss off Scott. I’m not stating facts like this just to piss off—dammit, I so am.

  I kiss Penny’s cheek and set her back down. She reaches for the big inflatable black cat, and Abby picks her up, moving to the side so we can chat.

  “This is so stinking adorable, Cal!” she gives me a half hug, and I see Lucas and Phil shake hands out of the corner of my eye. “And holy shit, look at you! You look amazing, and I have to say this costume is quite fitting.”

  “I know, right?” Betty laughs, and Abby looks at me in question. I give her a small nod, letting her know Betty is looped in.

  “How was traffic?” Lucas asks, and I try hard not to watch Nancy and Scott fuming.

  “Not too bad until we got right to the state line,” Phil answers. “There was an accident, and you know how people have to slow down and look.”

  “I do. They cause more of a hold-up than the actual accident,” Lucas says.

  “That’s what I said on the way here!” Phil laughs.

  “Hold her for a second,” Abby tells me and puts Penny back in my arms. “I need a picture of this.” Abby attempts to put Penny’s witch hat back on but the kid isn’t having it. Lucas passes out candy for me so I can move over to the big blow-up cat and take a picture with Penny.

  “This is her store?” Nancy asks Scott, side-eyeing me. I’m still doing my best to ignore her, but I’d be blind not to notice the guilt wrapped in fear in Nancy’s eyes.

  “It is,” Abby answers loudly. “She owns this. Isn’t that amazing?” Abby smiles at me. “Speaking of, can I beg you for a favor and use your bathroom? This little one needs a diaper change.”

  “Of course. It’s unlocked so head on in.”

  “Thanks.” Abby takes Penny back out of my arms and grabs the diaper bag from the stroller Nancy is gripping so tight her knuckles are turning white. Phil is asking Lucas about a car he saw for sale on the way here, and Lucas genuinely seems interested. I step behind the table again to pass out candy, and Nancy and Scott stand rooted to the spot, eyes flitting from me to Lucas and back again.

  “Callie!” someone calls, and I hear little shuffling footsteps rushing up to the table. It’s Brooklyn, a young witch from my coven, whose very life has been spared twice now thanks to both me and Lucas.

  “Hey, Brooklyn!” I say. She runs over, throwing her arms around me. “I love your costume! Tiana is one of my favorite Disney princesses!”

  “She’s my favorite!” Brooklyn lets her arms drop from me and then looks at Lucas, going to him for a hug next. The girl isn’t scared of him, not at all, and I hope my own daughter is this smart. Brooklyn was raised with the notion that you don’t ever trust a vampire. It was ingrained in her head that vampires are ruthless and evil and will drain a witch dry the second they have the chance.

  Yet, Lucas has proven otherwise, and that’s what she judges him off of.

  “Hey, kid,” Lucas says, awkwardly patting her on the back. “Did you get lots of candy?”

  She shows him her bag, which is getting pretty full. “I’m thinking about dumping this in the car and coming back for another run.”

  “That’s pretty smart of you,” Lucas tells her.

  “You’ve never had pizza,” she starts, eyes going wide. “But what about candy?”

  Lucas shakes his head. “I was dead before they invented it.”

  Brooklyn’s jaw drops. “That’s so sad,” she says seriously, and Lucas, Betty, Phil and I all laugh. I glance up, watching the horrified expressions on Nancy and Scott’s faces. For all they know, Brooklyn is a nonmagical resident of Thorne Hill, and she’s talking to Lucas, acknowledging he’s a vampire, and isn’t bothered by it. At all.

  “Brooklyn!” someone calls, hurrying over. It’s Ruby, and she’s holding another kid by the hand. “I told you not to run off like that anymore.”

  “But I saw Callie and Lucas and wanted to say hi.” She turns around and gives Ruby the best puppy-dog eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine,” Ruby says. “Don’t do it again, and apologize to the kids you cut in front of.”

  “Fine,” Brooklyn sighs

  “Hey,” I say to Ruby. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” I give the other two kids candy. One of them is Brooklyn’s brother, and I recognize the other boy from the coven as well.

  “A few of us from the Academy volunteered to take some of the younger kids out. Their parents are working.”

  “That’s so nice of you.” I really misjudged Ruby before.

  “It’s fun. And I like coming downtown and seeing all the decorations.”

  “Professor Darrows,” Brooklyn starts, eyes going wide. “Lucas has never had candy!”

  “Oh, wow,” Ruby replies. “That’s tragic.”

  “Can I see your fangs again?” Brooklyn asks, and Lucas crouches down, letting her lean in and look at his fangs. He says something that I can’t hear, but whatever it is, it makes Brooklyn laugh. Fuck, he’s going to be a good dad.

  The bell chimes and I turn, seeing Abby and Penny come back out of the store.

  “Hi, Ruby,” Abby says, setting Penny down. She makes a run right for the blow-up cat again. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Under different circumstances this time, right?” Ruby laughs.

  “Hey, do not jinx us. I’m am bound and determined to have a good night today,” I say with a chuckle. Abby and Ruby move to the side, getting out of the way so other trick-or-treaters can come to the table.

  Scott grabs Phil’s wrist and pulls him back, whispering something in his ear. He doesn’t like that Abby hangs out with me, and now that she’s familiar with my friends…he’s probably fucking pissed.

  Good.

  “Why aren't you wearing a costume?” Brooklyn asks Lucas. He stands up and flashes fangs.

  “I’m a vampire.”

  “But you’re always a vampire,” Brooklyn giggles. “That doesn’t count!”

  “Fair enough.” He smooths out his suit jacket. “I’m a politician.”

  “Oh, scary,” Ruby laughs, and Scott timidly shuffles forward.

  “Who’s the cute little witch?” Brooklyn asks, going over to Penny. She drops down to her knees. “Hello, little cutie! You are so sweet, yes you are!” Penny giggles and Brooklyn beams.

  “This is Penny, my niece,” I tell her.

  “I’ve never seen her at gatherings before,” Brooklyn says, old enough to know that someone related to me would most likely be magical too.

  “They live in Chicago,” I explain. “And they don’t go to gatherings, if you know what I mean.”

  “Ohhhh, poor kid,” Brooklyn says quietly, but not quiet enough for Scott not to hear.

  “What the hell is going on?” he hisses, grabbing Phil’s arm. “You let her associate with people like this?”

  “Is there a problem?” Lucas strides forward, and the purple lights behind him illuminate his large frame in an eerie glow.

  Nancy grips the stroller so tight her knuckles are turning white. Scott tries to keep his composure but is
faltering. Another swarm of kids comes up to the table, all dressed like killer clowns.

  “Abby,” Scott snaps, needing to yell at someone. “What are you doing?”

  My poor sister looks mortified. We’re in public, and she’s still trying to cope with the guilt from the past.

  “We’re taking Penny trick-or-treating,” she says slowly, and I can see the pleading on her face. I’m sure she talked with Scott and Nancy beforehand, asking them to just shut up and behave. “And that’s all we’re doing.”

  “Come on,” Phil tries, putting his hand on Scott’s arm in an attempt to have him walk away.

  “Don’t,” Scott sneers, jerking his arm back. “You’re okay with your wife associating with people like this? Aren’t they just like her?” He points to me, eyes narrowed and full of hate. Betty stares and a few families nearby pause, not sure what’s going on.

  “I think you’ve overstayed your welcome,” Lucas says, voice calm and steady. “Move along.”

  “You can’t tell me what to do,” Scott snaps.

  Lucas shrugs. “I just did. Now leave.”

  Ruby looks from Scott, to Nancy, and to me. Most people in my graduating year at the Academy knew some of the story of how Tabatha busted me out of the science lab. There are rumors circulating now, with one of the most common being that I broke out of some sort of supernatural prison. I’ve never confirmed or denied anything, partly because I don’t care, and another part is because I didn’t want to talk about it. Kinda hard to repress feelings when you’re constantly thinking about them, isn’t it?

  But Ruby knows, and in the last weeks that we’ve gotten closer, she knows now that the Martins are my real family.

  “I agree,” she says, crossing her arms. “It is time for you to leave, and for your information, yes, I am exactly like her. And I’m not the only one, and we all happen to be rather fond of Callie. So, if you had any sense in your head, you’d leave now before we make you.”

  “Is that a threat?” Scott goes on, ready to bust out his go-to line of contacting his lawyer, I’m sure.