Page 2 of A Warlock for Halloween

“I need to clear my mind,” I snarl, shouldering my way out of the seller’s tent.

Except this environment can’t possibly give me peace as I’m surrounded by loud, obnoxious humans in every shape and gender, and all of them seem determined to block my path or assault my ears with their loud braying chatter.

Unable to stand this a moment longer, I shield myself in a soundproof bubble and immediately my steps lighten. I’m still not any happier to be here when I could be home, but the fresh air is invigorating. And I must admit now that I’m moving about, the sun doesn’t feel nearly as oppressive. It actually feels, dare I say it? Good.

Breathing deeply, I’m reminded that though I might be centuries old, there is still a lot of life and living yet that I want to be doing. Perhaps it’s time I step away from the shop and my sisters for a few decades and see more of the world again. Being surrounded by monsters, undead and reanimated, has made me too comfortable and far too much of a homebody.

I stop and nod briskly.

Yes, I’ll spread my metaphorical wings and put the spring back in my step and regain my zest for the glorious life I lead. After all, who wouldn’t want to be a powerful and immortal warlock such as myself? I don’t need a soul mate to complete me, I just need a change of scenery and to remind myself who I am.

CHAPTER TWO

NATALIE

Letting out a content sigh, I survey the festival and grin widely. It’s such a perfect day! The weather is warm enough that the sweater I have in my car is unnecessary and I even need to push up the sleeves of my long-sleeved orange shirt. And all around me, yummy scents hang heavily in the air. It smells like fall, my absolute favorite time of the year.

The colors, the smells, just the overall feeling. I adore it.

Even better, I got a fat stack of cash in my wallet and I’m ready to do some serious shopping. I just moved into my house two weeks ago and I need decorations. Considering I’m getting such a late start, I might keep them up until Thanksgiving, maybe even until December.

And why not? It’s my own place and I can do whatever I want. For once.

A small happy squeak escapes me.

Guiltily, I glance around, hoping nobody heard that or has noticed the joyous full-body shimmy that I’ve been doing.

Thankfully, it seems everyone is too caught up in their own excitement and shopping to pay any attention to a little weirdo like me.

Because let’s face it, these events are the perfect place to be yourself and embrace your inner weirdo or let your everydayfreak flag fly. My attire and even the leftover glitter in my blonde pigtails are tame here.

“Oh yeah, let’s get shopping,” I say to nobody in particular and join the steady throng of people working their way down the first row lined on both sides with vendors selling a bit of everything.

I’ve barely made it past the fifth stall when I have to stop for some apple cider and a donut. Then I run into an old coworker, Jackie. She’s never seen me outside of work before and I can tell by the way her eyes go over my short black skirt, orange and black stripped thigh-high stockings, chunky black combat boots, and orange shirt with the words boo ya in black glitter that she’s a bit surprised.

“Hey Nat!” she says, throwing her arms wide for a hug.

We weren’t super close when we worked together, so the hug surprises me. Still, I roll with it, smile, and wrap my arms around her when she squeezes me tight.

I don’t have a ton of friends, so it’s nice to have a bit of girl time.

“Jackie, how have you been?”

Laughing, she gestures behind her where I see a short, thin man holding the hands of twin girls that look like miniature Jackies. “Busy, like always.”

I don’t remember her husband's or daughters’ names, so I smile awkwardly and wave at them. “How old are the girls now?”

“Four and a complete handful! I’d say enjoy your twenties and have kids in your thirties, but I’m wishing I had the energy I had in my twenties.” She laughs, her brown eyes bouncing around almost manically.

Since I’m single and have no kid plans anytime soon, I nod and try to keep the forced grin from slipping off my face.

And it’s hard because for the next five minutes Jackie rambles about kids, how expensive daycare is, and the horrors ofscented laundry detergent. I’m not quite sure how that ties into things, but sheer willpower keeps me smiling while I slowly start edging away.

“Wow, it was great catching up, Jackie. Don’t let me keep you any longer. I know you’re busy.” I quickly give her and her family a friendly wave and set off in the opposite direction. I’ll revisit this row last before I go.

Jackie and I worked together at a pet store doing dog grooming over a year ago, and while we weren’t best buddies by any stretch, we did chat a bit during our shifts together. I don’t remember her being quite so vocal about certain things. Or maybe I’ve simply forgotten about that in the excitement of my new life?

I finished my courses and got hired at Simon’s Animal Hospital nine months ago. It’s been a dream come true. Growing up, my parents would joke I’d either end up a farmer with a barn full of animals or a veterinarian. A vet tech isn’t too far of a stretch from that.

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