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“No. No. NO. There must be another way.”

“There isn’t. It’s okay. Trust me. It’s okay.”

Alice sobbed, struggling to find the words. “I can’t. Don’t make me.”

“This is how I win. It’s my choice.” A tear fell from Hugo’s eyes onto Alice. “I was told by the fortune teller I needed to make a choice . . . and I’m making it. This is how I beat it. This is how I win.”

Alice was silent. She struggled to find the words, but they failed her. She knew what Hugo was going to ask of her, but she didn’t have the strength to do it. She couldn’t do it. She refused, yet she didn’t know what else to do.

“It’s on the coffee table,” Hugo said.

Alice searched for the dreaded object, but only found the underside of the table.

“I think I can try to let go of your hand if I concentrate hard enough.”

She focused back up to Hugo. The vampire fangs tried to inch closer to her neck. The pain shot up her leg and hip and through her spine. She didn’t know how much longer she could hold him. Tears flowed down her check.

“Before . . . before you do it,” Hugo said through his tears. “I need to ask you a question. A question I’ve been trying to ask you since the night in the Raskins’ store.”

“Anything,” Alice replied.

“You’ve brought me so much joy over the last year. I was in a dark place. I never thought I was going to get out of it. I was thinking bad thoughts. But then one night, I met the most beautiful, most loving, most caring person in my entire life . . .”

Hugo paused before continuing, “You bewitched me from the first time we met. I’m so glad you followed me into the woods, or else I might have never had the courage to ask you out. You rescued me. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else except you. I love you. You’re the moonlight that guided me out of the darkness. You’re my everything. Alice Primrose, will you do me the honor of being my wife and marrying me?”

“Yes,” Alice cried. “Yes. Of course. Of course, I’ll marry you.”

Hugo fought and managed a smile as he loomed over her. “Look up behind Galahad. There’s a black box. I’ve been holding on to it for a few weeks.”

Alice nodded.

“Tell the Raskins I love them, and I’m sorry for putting them in this situation. Take care of Max for me,” Hugo said.

“Of course,” Alice said.

“She likes her treats and whatever you’re eating. She barks a lot, but she’s a good girl.”

“I know.”

“And I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.”

Hugo gritted his teeth and snarled. His left hand shook as he struggled to free it from being entwined with Alice’s. He dragged his fingers a few inches to the palm of her hand, freeing her fingers to call forth her arcane powers.

“I want you to know that you’re not a good witch. You’re a great witch. Thank you for everything.”

Alice snapped her fingers. The wooden stake rose from the coffee table. She positioned it directly behind Hugo.

“I don’t want to do it,” Alice pleaded once more.

“It’s okay. It’s okay,” Hugo reassured her, managing a half smile. “Lie to me. Tell me it’ll be okay.”

“You’ll be okay,” Alice sobbed.

“You’re a terrible liar.”

“I learned from the best.”