Page 18 of Halloween Haunting
Grace narrowed her eyes on her. Before anyone could say anything else, she shot forward and grabbed one of the small glasses, downing the drink with a single gulp. They gaped and laughed, watching as Grace’s face contorted and crunched up at the sour and unpleasant taste. But the warmth sank easily into her stomach, engulfing her in a much needed comfort foreverything that was about to unfold. Grace might’ve been on the edge of believing everything they were telling her, but there was no way she could get through any of it without alcohol’s helping hand.
She retrieved the bottle and poured herself another shot. “You all better catch up,” she blurted. “I’ll be plowing through these if we’re about to get into what I think we’re about to get into.”
“Well, that’s all the encouragement I need.” Anna downed her first one, letting out a sharp yelp as the drink settled into her.
Olivia pointedly followed suit, along with Caroline. They released similar whoops and hollers before clapping their hands, readily accepting their next drink.
By the time they had downed their respective fifth shots, Grace was leaning far back into the sofa, a fluffy pillow pressed against her chest. She squeezed it as close to her bosom as possible, till she felt as though her heart was thudding against it. The sensation was almost like a tether to reality, a remembrance of something she had from before she knew the truth about the world she lived in. Reality lied just around the corner, and Grace still wasn’t entirely sure if she was ready to face it. But she had survived a divorce. She survived a loveless marriage that never gave her what she wanted out of life. She survived moving across the country, meshing into a town that she had never heard of, and made friends with people that were total strangers to her only days ago.
Grace Baker survived more than she could have ever imagined.
What was one more thing?
She gave Caroline a firm nod. “I’m ready.”
“Okay.” Caroline took a deep breath.
“Just give it to her straight. Don’t dance around it. We’re past that point,” Anna said quietly.
“Holiday Hollow is exactly what the welcome sign says it is,” Caroline began. “A haven. Magic is strung through the very soil of this town, though sometimes I’m not even sure what it means. Long before you or I were ever born, long before this place ever had a name – creatures with magic in their blood roamed freely. This land stood as a natural hub of their magic, a place where it naturally bloomed, where it was stronger.”
Anna leaned forward. “And so, the magical creatures stayed.”
“It didn’t take long for us to realize what it was that makes Holiday Hollow magical,” Caroline said. “And it’s sort of how it got its name.”
“Holidays?” Grace murmured. “Because of the Holidays?”
Caroline nodded. “The holiday season brings more joy than anyone ever realizes. And somehow, cheer is the one thing that fuels the magic in this land. All of the magical creatures living here make wonderful holidays for the humans to experience. In return, the celebrations refill the town’s magic. And we get to keep on living here.”
“I don’t understand,” Grace said. “Why human joy?”
“We have no idea. But honestly, what isn’t beautiful about seeing a family laugh together? About witnessing real acts of love shared between people?” Caroline shrugged, her face entirely lit up as she talked about it. “No matter what it is, it’s what keeps the magic alive in Holiday Hollow. None of us would have our magic without it.”
Grace glanced between them curiously. “So…who exactly lives here?”
“Well,” Caroline pointed to Anna, “there are mermaids in the lakes, of course. Shifters tend to linger in the woods. You know, with their habits of changing into animals and such. Witches, like myself, like to reside in coven manors.”
Olivia leaned toward Grace. “Don’t get her started on the covens recently.”
Ignoring the vampire’s snide comment, Caroline eagerly continued on her talk about the town. “Holiday Hollow hasn’t had a psychic for a very long time, you know. You could be really useful, if you wanted to be, that is.”
Grace’s ears perked up. “Me?”
“Sure! Why wouldn’t you be? Psychics can change the game in a lot of ways.”
“I’m curious, Grace,” Anna started. “What did you do before coming here?”
Grace lamely shrugged. “I didn’t do much. Basically, I just worked as a Private Investigator’s assistant, but it was only part-time. I mostly only handled phone calls and paperwork.”
Caroline gaped. “Hold on now! Don’t PI’s hear all the juicy secrets? You must have something ripe to share!”
“Well…” Grace tapped her chin as she thought of what to say. Not too many exciting things happened when she worked as the assistant, but she knew of a way to make them laugh. And in the midst of so many things changing, Grace knew that she wouldn’t mind some simple laughter. “There was once a man we were investigating, because the woman was sure he was cheating. What we discovered is that he wasn’t cheating, but she was, with five different people. My PI didn’t take her money, but he did talk to the husband and hired him as a client instead. He divorced her.”
They all cackled.
Caroline flopped back in a way only a drunken person could. “What else?”
Grace took a minute to think. “This isn’t PI related, but now that I’m no longer shackled to Chuck, I can admit that he wasterriblein bed!”
