Page 80 of Spooks & Specters

There was a long silence that stretched so thin, Austin thought perhaps he had crossed some invisible line. Then softly, but clearly, the voice said, “You are very dear to me.”

Flustered by the admission and feeling bolder than ever, Austin once again asked if he could see his monster. The silence returned, thicker this time, filled with unspoken words and feelings that buzzed like electricity in the air.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity but was likely only a few moments, the voice returned. “It is not... time.”

“Why not?” Austin pressed, a mixture of disappointment and desperation flooding him.

“You are unprepared for the changes that will come with seeing me. It is not time yet, Austin. Enjoy being a child while you can.”

“A child? Are you kidding me? I’m nearly eighteen! I’m leaving for college soon!”

“And I am much, much older. Do not chase after adulthood, with its stresses and responsibilities. It will be here soon enough, but the time is not now.”

“But one day?”

“One day.”

Austin sighed deeply, feeling both rejected and strangely protected. “I don’t understand,” he said quietly.

“I know that you don’t. But…” the creature added slowly, as if choosing its words carefully. “Though you cannot see me as I truly am, I am always by your side. In every shadow cast by your light, I am there.”

Encouraged by these words, yet still hungry for more substantial contact, Austin tried to stop pushing the monster for what it wasn’t willing to give. He shifted his focus to graduating and preparing for college. Pouring his emotions into his writing, he found solace in the eager reception of his readers. Their enthusiasm helped ease some of his longing.

And he delved into research, determined to uncover the identity of the creature lurking beneath his bed. As soon as he turned eighteen and left for college, Austin took his first step towards independence by reaching out to Lanny Brookes, a renowned literary agent. Much to his delight, he was accepted. And not long after that, his paranormal romance book was published.

One day he would meet his monster, one way or another.

Mischief at the Halloween Bash-monthly

Chapter One

AS THE moon climbed higher in the starry night sky, Kit couldn’t shake the electrifying sensation that lingered from the recent kiss with his mates. The brief contact had sparked a deep fire within him, a craving for more.

Was it because it was Halloween? Or maybe it was because it was a full moon. Or maybe it was just because it was Hudson and Connie. Kit didn’t know why such a simple thing as a kiss had turned him on so much.

Could it be that the mystical magic that surrounded his dragons had been intricately woven into every fiber of his being now? It pulsated through the bond that connected them, filling him with a desire that defied explanation.

Or maybe he was just horny.

Kit walked into their living area, his heart fluttering at the sight of Hudson’s heated gaze upon him. A slow, heart-melting smile graced Hudson’s face as he took in Kit’s appearance.

Hudson’s eyes flickered to those of his dragon for the briefest of moments before changing back to their human brown. Yep, there was definitely something in the air tonight.

And oh, how Kit loved that look—it was full of invitation, a silent promise of what was to come later. He wouldnevertire of seeing it.

“You look ravishing,” Hudson said, his voice low and rumbly.

“Why, thank you, darling,” Kit replied, striking a pose and batting his long lashes.

With the help of Connie’s powerful spellwork, Kit’s hair was now almost white-blond and styled into high pigtails—one side dipped in pink and the other in baby blue.

His lips were painted a bold red, adding to his fierce and striking look. And his eye makeup featured smudged black eyeliner paired with red and pink accent on one eye and blue on the other. An artificial beauty mark shaped like a heart adorned his cheek.

His outfit was just as bold—a three-quarter sleeve raglan jersey that he’d paired with red and blue sequin booty shorts and a black belt studded with silver accents. Of course he had the iconic two-tone red and blue jacket. Of course. Fishnet stockings, black combat boots, and a choker completed the daring look.

“You make a striking Harley Quinn,” Hudson complimented as Kit twirled for him.

Kit had picked the Harley Quinn character from the movieSuicide Squadas what he was dressing up as for Halloween. “You bet your ass I do.”

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