Page 101 of The Monsters We Are

Wynter sighed. “Why do you always expect to see them at every celebration we attend?”

The old woman shrugged. “It only makes sense that they’d be included.”

“It makes sense that guys would be wandering around naked as the day they were born?”

“It was what the Lord intended when he created us.” Hattie grabbed the pitcher of apple cider and poured some into each of their glasses. “I was a nudist at one time, you know. Me and my Derek, God rest his soul, gave it a whirl. It was his idea. He wasn’t able to keep it up for long, though.”

“Why not?” asked Anabel.

“Well, he died,” replied Hattie. “I had him buried naked, he would have wanted that. It meant we couldn’t have an open casket, of course, but people understood.” Sighing sadly, she slid her gaze to Cain. “I’ve lost a few husbands in my time. It was tragic that they only lived relatively short lives, but that was evidently God’s plan for them.”

“Oryours,” said Delilah with a snort.

Hattie notched up her chin. “A divine power of some sort could have intervened on their behalf. None ever did. The only force that came for them was death itself.”

“Did you feel its breath?” Anabel asked the old woman.

Her hand tightening on her glass, Delilah leaned toward the blonde. “No onefeels it.”

Anabel tossed her a teacher-to-student look. “Just because you haven’t personally experienced something doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”

“But youdidn’texperience it.” Delilah tapped her temple. “It’s all in your head.”

Hattie turned to the blonde. “Very dismissive at times, isn’t she? And so disapproving. As if it’s her right to sit in judgment over the choices and actions of others.”

“It is not only my right, it is my calling,” insisted Delilah.

“Because a one-eyed, child-eating, human-sacrificing, bogey-witch said so?” Anabel let out a derisive snort. “Excuse me if we place no weight in her words.”

As the two females continued to bicker, Wynter exchanged an amused look with Cain. It was as she began to turn away that she caught sight of some witches eyeing him warily. To be fair, quite a few guests were sliding nervous glances his way. It was no doubt thanks to the public punishment he’d earlier administered. Well, it had been pretty brutal. A statement that any who evenheardof plans to harm her would be dealt with harshly if they didn’t report it.

A message that had been very clearly received.

Not wanting to think on negative stuff right now, Wynter turned her attention back to the ball. The overall celebration had begun at dusk with a parade that featured lots of lavish floats and scary costumes. Not all magick-users had attended. Some preferred to hold private feasts or even threw by-invitation-only house parties. To each their own.

A loud groan erupted out of Xavier, who glared at Anabel and Delilah. “For the love of all that’s fabulously unholy, can we please be done with the arguing? It’sSamhain. We’re supposed to be celebrating. You’re shitting all over it.”

Anabel folded her arms. “Fine,” she clipped.

“Fine,” Delilah bit out.

Xavier rolled his eyes. “Thankyou. Oh hey, Hattie, there’s George.”

Hattie tracked his gaze and smiled. “My, my, my, the man wears a suit well.” She tipped her glass in his direction, and he returned the gesture.

Anabel’s brow pinched. “Who’s the guy next to him? They’re sitting pretty close. Almost intimately close, really.”

Hattie patted the back of her hair. “Ah, well, he’s one of George’s swinger friends.”

Wynter blinked. “Swinger friends?”

The old woman cocked her head. “You don’t know what swinging is?”

“I do, yes. I’m wondering ifyoudo.”

“Well, of course.” Hattie sipped her cider. “I had a most fascinating introduction to it.”

“Hold on,” began Delilah, “on top of everything else, you’re into swinging now?”

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