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“I don’t know what happened,” Hugo said. “Magick, I guess.”

She slapped Hugo under the chin with her parasol. There was no pain, only the reverberation of his lower teeth slamming into his upper ones. He glared at her, never turning away.

Madeline slammed the end of the parasol into the hardwood floor. Her voice rose. “Was she the one you drank from the cup with?”

Hugo remained silent and stoic. His eyes narrowed, never backing down.

Her face seethed as her eyebrows arched, and her lips closed in. She took a few steps closer, nearly touching his side with her dress and boots.

This time, her voice lowered. “I have been patient. I have been accommodating. I have been kind.”

Madeline tucked the parasol under her arm before adjusting her black lace gloves. She took a deep breath and exhaled. Hugo scowled up at her. He thought about tripping her, had the rider not been standing a few feet away.

“Fine. We’ll do this the way you want it. If you’re not willing to submit to the banshee’s call, then I’ll force you.” Madeline rammed the end of the parasol into the hardwood floor. Thesound of wood against wood echoed throughout the living room. She slammed it down twice more.

“Bring me the mask!” she shouted.

Four ghouls entered, one carrying a wooden chest. It was a dark, blackish-brown. No distinguishing features. They placed the chest on the floor next to Madeline.

“Pick him up,” she commanded the ghouls.

They gathered around Hugo. His eyes scanned back and forth. He tried to scramble, but their skeletal like hands grabbed and tugged at his arms and legs, pulling him all directions. He squirmed, attempting to break free, but the ghouls held their grip tight. The two holding his arms lifted him off the ground, while the other two held his feet in place. He was trapped.

Madeline bent down and opened the lid to the chest. “Mr. Dodds, if you won’t cooperate, then I’m going to force you to play nice. I don’t need you. I need the essence held in your soul.”

She withdrew a bronze mask and held it aloft for Hugo to see face to face. It was old and weathered, shaped in the face of a male figure writhing in agony. Hugo’s heart sank.

She locked eyes with Hugo. “I would like to introduce you to the death mask.”

Chapter 13

Found Family Reunion

Alice stood in front of the Raskin’s white front door and inhaled. The air was crisp on the bright sunny day. A deceiving day. The type of day where one would expect warmth and comfort from the welcoming sun, only to find the bitter cold of the oncoming winter’s breeze. The Christmas lights rattled against the white trim of the blue house. The plastic LED bulbs beat against the wood, like chains foretelling doom and gloom.

Max tugged on the leash, distracted by the activity off the porch and the people out for a stroll. Alice drew the inquisitive pup closer, and Max sat at Alice’s feet. She glanced over her shoulder and gave a final bark to the people walking past.

One week until Christmas. I have to hurry. Please answer the door.

Alice’s neck tightened. She held her breath, not wanting to relinquish her inhale. She rolled her neck three times, exhaling over the entire stretch to relieve the tension. She straightened and locked onto the green Christmas wreath decorated with a gold ribbon hung in the upper center of the door.

Alice raised her hand and gave three swift knocks. After a delay, the door opened, and Carol Raskin peeked through the opening.

“You,” she said in a low grumble before closing the door.

Alice lowered her head. She pulled down on the brim of her hat to hide the tears welling in her eyes.

I deserved that. I could really use a hug right about now.

Alice turned to Max. “Come on, Max. We’re not welcome here. I’ll drop you off with Ez. It’ll be okay.”

A tear ran down her cheek. She turned to leave the porch when the door opened once more. Instead of a small crack, it opened wide to welcome the neighborhood witch into their home.

“You’ll have to forgive Carol,” Oliver Raskin said, standing in the entryway. “She’s still not taking it very well.”

“No, I deserved her slamming the door on me,” Alice said.

“No, you didn’t. You’re family. We don’t shut the door on family. Come on in.” Oliver stepped aside, holding the door, and welcomed her into his home with an open arm.