Page 85 of Spooks & Specters

“But where?” Kit questioned. “Have you looked at this dance floor? It’s huge?”

“In the middle,” Hudson said slowly.

“You’re right! It did sayin the middle.” Kit grabbed Hudson and Connie by the hand and dragged them behind him as he tried to make his way to what he thought was the middle of the dance floor.

“By Gaura.” Connie laughed as they stumbled along. “Kit, look.”

Each step on certain tiles caused them to light up brightly.

“Well, there’s your path. Focus on that,” Hudson said.

Kit, guided by his instincts, danced across the floor, triggering a sequence of lights with each step. Suddenly, a panel in the center of the dance floor slid open. A small pedestal rose up, revealing a large black envelope tied with a blood-red ribbon.

“Mother of all.”

They crowded around it, Kit practically vibrating out of his skin.

“Go ahead,” Hudson said. “You solved it.

Kit opened it. The note said:Your courage and cleverness have proven worthy. A donation of a million dollars will be made in your name(s) to whatever charity you designate. Congratulations! Now, let the party continue!

Kit’s mouth fell open. Even though he was mated to stupidly rich dragons, a million dollars was still an outrageous sum as a prize. “Holy shit.”

Hudson just laughed like he knew what Kit was thinking.

As the reality of their victory sank in, the crowd around them burst into applause. Patrons rallied around, congratulating them on their cleverness and good fortune.

Kit hugged both of his mates tightly. “Do you know what a charity coulddowas this kind of money?”

“Oh yes,” Connie said. “Absolutely.”

“Well, babe, you figured it out. Who should we donate to?” Hudson asked.

“We should support an LGBTQIA+ youth charity,” Kit suggested. “Think about how much that could help young people struggling with their identities.”

Connie nodded in agreement. “Absolutely, let’s do something that gives back to our community and supports future generations.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Hudson agreed enthusiastically.

A decision was made, and they informed Raven.

“Excellent choice. And while you’ve earned your prize fairly, who’s to say this is where your journey must end? There are always more mysteries in this world—more shadows where light has yet to tread.”

Connie snickered. “Are you suggesting this isn’t the end?”

Raven’s smile was enigmatic. “All endings are merely beginnings waiting to be uncovered. But for now—celebrate your victory!”

As Raven melted away into the shadowy depths of the club once more, the DJ ramped up the music again.

Kit pulled Connie and Hudson close. “You heard the man. Let’s celebrate our victory.”

Trapping Kit between them, they did just that—moving to a rhythm, the pulsating beats flowing through his body.

AS THE night wore on, the club thinned out, and they found themselves taking a break near the bar.

“It’s not every day you solve a mysterious puzzle and help make such a huge difference,” Hudson said as he took a last sip of his drink.

Connie leaned against the bar, smiling at Hudson. “It’s like we were meant to find that envelope, you know? Like Fate or something magical guided us here.”

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