Page 39 of Of Poison & Pumpkins (Of Witches & Men #3)

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Elias

T he black streamers, balloons, spiderwebs, and never-ending pumpkins has transformed Blake Street. I’ve heard that more ghosts than usual have flocked to our festival, swarming the night air.

I wait on pins and needles by the fake tombstone that is our designated meeting spot, curious if Rynn will wear the costume I picked out for her.

Children dressed as zombies and fairies, superheroes and dragons, run about with buckets full of candy in their hands.

Part of me is surprised that they don’t seem the least bit scared by the haunting music creeping from the hidden speakers.

Maybe their worries have disappeared because of the lanterns casting light upon the square.

Along the building walls, the shadows change into different shaped animals and chase each other along the brick.

Magic sparks to life in every direction, thanks to the Fuzers whose unique spells can be used to enhance the mood.

I’ve been to countless Halloween festivals, but Oakmar’s may be my favorite.

Goblets levitate to my left, full of crimson liquid, hovering over the stand of a psychic and tarot card reader.

I scan the rest of the town square. At the fountain, the water rises straight to the stars, defying gravity.

I pluck Goosie’s hair off my lion costume and let it fly away in the breeze, chased by auburn leaves.

No longer in need of searching for my place in this world, moving from town to town, I let the scene sink in.

My whole heart belongs in this quaint town with its gorgeous gothic architecture. My new home.

Right on cue, Rynn rounds the corner, dressed in all black spandex, with cat ears atop her head and whiskers drawn on her cheeks. Adorable. Plus, she went above and beyond with the smokey dark makeup framing her bright eyes.

I clutch my heart dramatically. “I can’t stand how hot you are.”

“You too, my mighty lion in suspenders,” she says, running her hands along my straps, then pecks my lips.

There’s no chance I’ll settle for such a short kiss, so I tug her to me and pepper her with kisses all over her face until she’s in a fit of laughter.

“Stop! Maya will see!”

“I don’t care.”

“Yeah, you can kiss him, Wynn.”

“Woah, careful with your sword, munchkin.”

“I not a munchkin. I’m a knight!”

“A mighty fine knight you are, indeed,” I say, bowing low to her.

“She changed her outfit twenty times,” Tinsley says as she approaches in a panther mask. “Her playroom is currently a massacre of costumes. I still don’t understand the theme.”

“Mommy, twust us. Come on!”

I exchange a grin with Rynn and let Maya pull our hands toward the main event. Food trucks line the street and I follow my nose to the taco one I’ll visit later.

Groups mingle, and I see people holding ice cream, others with coffee or beer. I inhale the crisp autumn air and savor this perfect moment.

“Bro!” Zanther hollers from a cluster, fully decked out as a panther. “You made it!”

He rushes over, bows to little Maya respectfully, then slips an arm around Rynn for a hug. Surprisingly, she doesn’t wince in the slightest. Maybe my girl has started to trust someone new already.

“It’s almost nine. They’re about to call the winner.” Zanther nods to the stage, where the council members chat at a long table behind a podium.

Next to me, Rynn stops in her tracks and pivots to the stage.

I want to massage the tension out of her shoulders, promise her it’ll be okay, that I’ll take care of her no matter what, but that isn’t what she wants to hear right now.

If I had known before what I know now, I would’ve tried to sabotage Pumpkins’ chance of winning to give her a better shot.

A thumping comes from the microphone. “Ladies and gentleman, or should I say … acrobats and witches and mermaids …” The council leader laughs alone. “Let’s thank Stokur’s Hardware Shop for creating this wonderful display and to Guilliani Event Planning for organizing all the vendors and games!”

There’s a small round of applause, then a shriek as two children run into fake skeletons while playing, disjointing all the bones so they rumble down the street.

He continues, “I have the results of our 2025 winner. Drumroll please.”

I hold my breath as Rynn bounces on her tiptoes neurotically. She leans forward to hear him better.

He rips open an envelope and smiles. “The prize money goes to Lily’s Lillies! Congratulations!”

“That’s bullshit,” Zanther whispers, then shakes his head.

“Yeah, bullshit!” Maya stomps her feet.

“Hey, young knight, that is an adult word.” Tinsley points a finger in her daughter’s face. “Please don’t repeat that.”

“The panther said it first! Make him get in trouble!” Maya weaves between Zanther’s legs like an obstacle course, giggling and striking his knees with her sword.

“You little menace, I’m going to eat you!”

She screams with glee and scampers off, chased by the massive panther that is my brother.

Now that they’re gone, I lay a hand on Rynn’s shoulder, since she still hasn’t turned around to face me. Is she crying?

“I’m sorry, Tinz,” she speaks to her best friend. The sadness in her voice rips my heart in two. “I wanted this for you, I really did. This is my fault.”

“Woah, woah, woah. Stop right there, back up,” Tinsley says, waving her arms around like a lunatic. “Why would you apologize?”

“The money. For Maya.”

Tinsley gives me a look. Without knowing her well, I’m confident we’re on the same wavelength.

“Rynnlee Eve. I’ll be fine. Yes, I had a rough summer, but there are lots of solutions.

This isn’t about me right now, or my insane mini knight trying to chop the balls off a panther.

This is about you. Sure, everything has been crazy, but even before Elias arrived, your heart hasn’t been in Palooza for a while.

” Tinsley lowers her chin, giving her a stern teacheresque look.

“What do you want? Are you happy at Palooza still?”

“Owning a shop was never my dream,” Rynn says so fast, and I’m so damned proud of her for admitting it.

“It was a means to make money when I had the opportunity, so I didn’t have to rely on my family back home for income.

Plus, I’m not a natural salesperson. I was afraid to move on because you and Maya relied on that money. ”

“We will be okay, I promise. With or without obscene purple invading our lives.”

Rynn chuckles. “I guess I need to trust that you can figure it out. But know I’m always here to help, okay?”

“I know.” Tinsley rests her forehead against my girlfriend’s for a sweet moment that makes me glad she has someone else also in her corner. “Now I need to go find my daughter before she breaks someone.”

Alone, I pull Rynn into a crushing hug. “I’m proud of you.”

“For what?” She groans when I squeeze too tightly. “I lost. You did too. So, we both failed.”

“I sure didn’t fail.” I run a hand through her hair. “I got you. You’re all I need.”

She twists part of my lion mane. “I can’t live a life of only needing you. I also need hobbies, my own income, my own friends. So, I can’t say the same. I love you, Lias, but I need more to be fully happy.”

“Enlighten me. What do you need? Other than all those orgasms this morning.”

“You’re such a guy.” She gently slaps my shoulder and rolls her eyes. “I was thinking of asking Viv for a part time position at Hooves of Love. And I can sell knitting projects. Also, I want to get to know Orion again.”

“Can I be by your partner in crime?”

“You already have been, so we may as well continue … if …”

I grin. “If what, my dear Sunflower?”

“If you can give me a piggyback ride, since you made me wear these stilettos.”

“Wait a rottin’ second. I didn’t force you to wear anything.”

“You gave me the cutest little puppy look. How could I deny that?”

“I’m cute? Okay, okay, hop on!” I kneel so she can climb up my back.

I carry her on my back as I march down the cobblestone streets that hold centuries of secrets. Goddess, I’m so grateful I found her.