Page 22 of The Heartbreak Hex

The farmers crowd forward, waiting for him to speak. The tension is palpable.

Vlad continues, “The winner of the pumpkin contest, and the jack-o-lantern that will sit on the top of the wishing fountain, is pumpkin number three, the black cat pumpkin!”

“YES!” Betty shouts jubilantly. “Eat that, losers! Thanksgiving is mine!”

The other farmers grumble and groan, but seem to take it in stride. At least better than they took being told the contest was a draw.

“With that taken care of,” Vlad says, “let’s get to the village square and begin the Halloween Welcoming Ball!”

There’s a little cheer from the farmers and everyone surges out of the atrium, the giant pumpkins floating behind them, ready to be taken out and put on display.

Vlad squeezes my hand again and whispers in my ear, “Just one more speech, sweetheart and then I’m all yours, I promise.”

The butterflies are back in my stomach at his words, but I don’t have time to dwell on it. We have to hurry to the village square for the Halloween Countdown. It’s almost midnight, so we need to hustle.

Exiting the building, I see a huge crowd of people already milling around in costumes. People and creatures from every neighborhood, ready to celebrate Halloween. The sky over the square is littered with floating candles, twinkling lights, and jack-o-lanterns, enough to light the whole square. A giant clock also hovers in the sky amid the lights, summoned as part of the decorations. It slowly counts down to Halloween. Just a few minutes and it’ll be officially October 31st.

Bridget bustles forward, all business as usual. “Mr. Mayor, if you’ll follow me to the stage, it’s time for your speech welcoming the holidays and the official countdown.”

Vlad gives me a conspiratorial smile, one that says, “What can I do?” and then we walk through the throngs of people to the orange and black stage off to one side. It’s decked out with piles of smaller jack-o-lanterns and striped bunting. A band plays on one side of the stage, setting the mood. We get behind the stage and Bridget says, “Ms. Nightshade, you can stay back here with me. I made sure the podium is close enough to the back curtain that you two can be apart while Mayor Everdark gives his speech.”

Right, I can't go on stage with him. That’s what a wife would do and Vlad and I are . . . something. Something new and exciting, but not marriage.Yet, I say to myself, smiling secretly.

Vlad squeezes my hand again before letting go of it. I already miss it, but I’ve never been a clingy girlfriend and I’m not going to start now. Especially since I'm not even his girlfriend officially, just his date.

The back curtain parts and Vlad steps through, raising his hand up in a perfect politician’s wave, before the curtains fall closed and I can't see him anymore. From backstage I hear the cheers of the gathered crowd and then silence falls, even the music going quiet.

“Ladies and Gentlecreatures,” the vampire begins in his most mayorly voice. “It is my pride and pleasure to welcome another Halloween with you. Our neighborhood has been working tirelessly to create the perfect holiday both here and in the Human Realm. A night of magic and mystery, and yes, some scares. A night where anyone can be anything and everything is possible. We come here to the 175th annual Halloween Welcoming Ball to ring in the holiday in style. And that holiday begins in ten. . .”

“. . .nine, eight,” I count down with him, as the whole crowd joins in, “seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”

“Happy Halloween!” everyone shouts.

“Have fun at the ball, everyone, and drink responsibly,” Vlad announces over the microphone. “Happy Halloween!”

The music starts again and Vlad comes through the back curtain, beckoned by Bridget, who holds the curtain back for him so that he can exit easily.

I give him a welcoming smile. “Nice speech, Mr. Mayor.”

Vlad returns my smile before reaching for my hand again. “Thanks. I like to keep it short and sweet. Especially since I have you waiting for me.”

I give him my hand and we climb down the stairs behind the stage, making our way through the crowd to get to where the dancing is. It’s difficult though, because Vlad is very popularand we get stopped every few feet by people wanting to rub elbows with the mayor and take pictures. Everywhere we go, I get curious stares. Everyone knows who I am, it’s a small village, but up until last week I was with Harry. But Vlad just smiles and talks and doesn’t let go of my hand, acting like it's the most natural thing in the world to have me at his side.

Finally, we get to the dance floor that’s been set up around the wishing fountain.

“May I have this dance?” Vlad asks, his gaze smoldering, even as he smiles at me. The look in his eyes means something. Something that makes me squirm a little internally and my body come to attention. Something big is going to happen tonight, I can feel it.

“Of course,” I reply. My hand is already in his, so it’s an easy thing for him to just pull me out to the dancing throngs to join them. The band is playing a whimsical waltz and Vlad’s arms come up around me to lead. He’s an excellent dancer and I enjoy his twirling me around the dance floor. All the while, he gives me that smoldering stare and the promise in his smile. It almost feels like we’re the only two in the square and I don’t want it to ever end. But, sadly, it does, the last strains of the music coming to a close. Everyone stops and applauds the band before the next number begins.

“Another?” Vlad asks, holding out his hand to me again as we finish clapping.

I’m about to agree when I hear a familiar voice.

“Gerty!”

I turn and see my older sister, Beatrix, on the edges of the dance floor. She’s wearing an autumn fairy costume, made of sparkling leaves, complete with delicate wings coming off of her back. Her usual light green hair is dyed orange, but it’s in its typical bob. She must have used one of my glamour potions, because the wings look real. I haven’t seen her all week, eventhough I’ve been at her usual stomping grounds, City Hall, multiple times.

“Bea!” I return, stepping off the dance floor to give my sister a hug. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages!”

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