Page 37 of Spooks & Specters

“I agree, but if the masquerade ball continues to grow in popularity, we simply will need more room. But hopefully we won’t have to deal with that for a few years yet,” Kage said.

All of the paranormal leaders of San DeLain had been there, along with their members. There had been more than a few movie stars, celebrities, and rock stars also, not to mention several political leaders of the city.

This was truly a gathering of the rich and famous, and it was definitely invitation only. It went without saying, the majority of people who were there were in the know.

It always messed with Austin’s head that the movers and shakers in the community—people who had money and power—knew what walked among the humans. It was your average Joe who had no clue.

Paranormals, of course, were always on their best behavior while out in public. That went without saying.

Now, the Halloween ball that was thrown by the Master of the City was entirely a different matter. It was the one time of the year they could all walk around in their true form and nobody batted an eye.

Kage had told Austin about it when he informed him of the masquerade ball, and Austin was looking forward to it. That should be a blast.

“I’m pretty sure I saw Hudson, Connie, and Kit,” Austin said, snuggling against Kage’s side.

Kage laughed softly. “Kind of hard to miss that red hair.”

Austin chuckled. “There’s that. Pretty sure I spotted Isadora. I saw several of our people also. Oh, and Axel and Terry. Outside of them, I just wasn’t sure who was who.”

“The vampires were there, as were several merpeople. Both wolf packs were there. I noticed a few witches too. The gargoyles also attended.”

“Oh, sure, I smelled all those people, I just don’t know them well enough to recognize them behind their masks,” Austin commented.

Kage’s blood had enhanced all of Austin’s senses, which generally he enjoyed, but the sense of smell could be problematic at times. Just because he couldsmellsomeone was a paranormal didn’t necessarily mean he couldtellwhat kind of paranormal they were.

Austin shivered.

Kage sat up immediately. “Getting cold?”

“A little bit, yes. We are, after all, lying here naked.”

Kage checked his watch. “It’s a little after one a.m. The ball is officially over. I guess we’d better get dressed and leave so the cleaning crews can get to work.”

Sounded like a plan to him. The last thing Austin wanted was be caught out here bare ass naked.

Kage gracefully rose to his feet, then held out his hand.

Austin let Kage pull him up. He even produced a handkerchief that Austin was in desperate need of—because going without condoms was great… until it wasn’t.

Together they found their clothes, which fortunately hadn’t turned into a search and rescue mission. Austin might’ve been overwhelmed with desire, but apparently Kage had been levelheaded enough to keep their things together.

He was glad somebody had been thinking because he certainly hadn’t. As usual, he was lost to the desire they shared between them.

“Are you ready?” Kage asked, his hand settling on the small of Austin’s back.

“I think so?” Austin checked his pockets. “I think I have everything, including this ridiculous mask.” No matter what, he was making sure he got out of these woods with that thing.

“You are entirely too concerned about that mask.”

“Of course I am. There arediamondson it. Jeez.” Even though Austin came from money, it had still been an adjustment for him when he found out exactly how wealthy Kage was. Which made sense, considering Kage’s age.

The moonlight peeked out from a passing stray cloud, illuminating the little area where they had made love. It was a lovely spot and was a memory Austin would treasure.

“Are we walking out of here or what?” Austin asked.

Not too long ago, he would’ve been completely dependent on Kage to keep him from tripping and falling while they maneuvered through the darkness.

But not now.

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