Page 5 of Ballad of Nightmares

“I think we’d be stupid not to take precautions,” he said.

Millie huffed out a breath and sat back up to type again. As she continued giving him updates for the day, Sam couldn’t help his wandering mind. Of what exactly could be his match and why today. Why on his day.

“—but the big question is,” Millie finally said as she dragged Luna into her lap from the floor. “What will the man of the hour go as for his special day?”

Sam glanced back at her. “What do you think?”

“Oh, my King,” she drawled smugly, almost spinning in the chair. She picked Luna’s front legs up, cuddled her against her chest, and held her so that her paws were in her hands. “I think you should go as yourself.”

Sam crossed his arms, smiling at Millie as she moved one of Luna’s paws in a growling gesture.

“Leave my cat,” he said, though his tone was more amused than anything else.

Millie pouted. “Ooo, Daddy won’t let us play, Loons,” she mocked to the feline. She gave the cat a final kiss on her head and placed her on the desk, where the cat sprawled out, daring someone to touch her exposed stomach.

“You’re really worried about this, aren’t you?” Millie asked him.

“The ancient witches may not be here any longer, but their texts and prophecies are nothing to brush over. Just keep your eyes open tonight.”

“Will you let me paint you in your usual?” she asked as she swung in the chair again.

“That shit demon doodle, you mean?” Rolfe grunted as he joined them, a bag of chips in his hands. He plopped in one of the grand leather armchairs by the desk and kicked his feet up. “Maybe you could paint him something better this year, Mills. Maybe a clown to match his thinking the witch tale is true.”

“If you didn’t believe it, why did you look so pale when you told me about the ravens this morning?” Sam drawled, to which Millie laughed.

“Watch out, Rollie, he’s in a strangling mood.” Millie laughed. “Something tells me Daddy Cain is looking to have his own fun tonight,” she said before running her tongue along her mouth, brow arching teasingly in Sam’s direction.

“Whomever it is will be disguised, if it is even a someone,” Sam said, ignoring her banter.

“Or something,” Rolfe added. “Don’t worry, boss,” he winked. “Millie and I will keep an eye out.”

Laughter threatened Sam’s lips, but only a crooked smile came out, and he eyed his friend through his bangs. He knew better than to think Rolfe would be paying attention to anything more than his next victim, as Millie would be too, but he didn’t snap back this time.

“It’s probably nothing,” Millie said. “The old witches were never reliable. Now the new ones…” She sighed back in the chair as a haze took over her eyes. “They’re a delightful bunch,” she grinned.

“How many witches do you know in this kingdom?” Rolfe asked.

Millie seemed to count them in her head as she laid her head back. “A fair few,” she finally answered. “I’m sure they’ll be out hunting tonight. Would you like to meet them?”

“No,” Sam answered for him.

Rolfe glared and looked like he might throw his chips in the air. “Come on, boss. Might be fun.”

Sam’s concerned gaze flickered to Millie. “You need to be careful of them,” he said. “People know who you are. You think they won’t use that to their advantage to get in here?”

“If you don’t like them, maybe you shouldn’t have allowed them refuge here,” Millie said through a clenched smile.

Sam glared, and Millie’s unbothered grin only widened.

“You’re cute when you’re concerned,” she teased. “Don’t you think, Rolfe?”

“Like a kitten.” Rolfe crunched hard on his chip. “Will the claws come out tonight?” he said to Sam.

“Ooo… there’s a sight I’d love to see,” Millie said. “I do miss the wings. Remember when you would go as yourself to this festival just to watch people bow at your feet?”

“Those were the days,” Rolfe drawled.

“Weren’t they?” Mille turned to Sam. “Tell me, Samarius… When you find out who it is, or even if there is someone in your kingdom. What will you do? Will you appear to them as Death or King Arius?”