Page 7 of Curses & Cold Brew
Damn, Iris. You’re so bored you’re trying to hang out with Randy now?
The date part didn’t surprise me. You’d think being a headless pumpkin monster wouldn’t be great for romantic pursuits, but Randy was the town’s Casanova, even more than any vampire or werewolf. For one thing, he was jacked. Apparently, hefting pumpkins did wonders for his physique. And despite his echoing pumpkin head, he had a deep, raspy voice that had all of the Maple Hollow residents swooning—including his cousin’s wife.
What a scandal that would be.
Hell, even I’d thought about giving his gourd a ride once or twice, and I was as straight as a zigzag. I never thought a headless pumpkin monster would be the most eligible bachelor in Maple Hollow, but here we were.
“He loves to roam,” Randy said with a shrug, and it took me an embarrassing amount of time to realize he was talking about my cat, not his penis. “But we’ve seen a few cat-eating beasts this close to the full moon. Not everyone remembers that Ichabod is under the protection of the witches in that state.”
“The pack still giving you problems?” I gave him a smirk and tried to hide the blush on my nose when he leaned down to rest his forearms on his own head.
Goddess, I need to get laid.
“If they stopped marking the back acre, I’d stop complaining about them. The smell gets picked up by the wind and pushes the deer into the patch. Bad for business.”
“It is pretty strong. But the humans don’t usually notice,” I countered, thinking of Wyatt and his pretty, off-limits sister.
“No, but those deer are eating the flowers before they can be pollinated. Can’t magic up the prettiest pumpkins in all the land if there are no pumpkins to enchant.” Randy clearly took his job very seriously. Being charged with a pumpkin patch in a Halloween-themed town was like being the governor or something. “No pumpkins means unhappy visitors.”
“Well, let me know if you need any wardings whipped up.” Randy gave me a thumbs-up, and I kissed Ichabod’s head. “Come on, you little troublemaker.”
“Right, well, I better head home and get ready for my date.” Randy turned Irving with a sharp grip on the reins, aiming toward the edge of the pumpkin patch.
I arched a brow. “Doesn’t the caretaker get the house?” I asked, hooking a thumb at the shed behind me. I knew it had a loft bedroom. “Juniper used to sleep there.”
“And risk someone snatching my head by accident?” He gave a deep, throaty chuckle. “And I’m pretty sure we have some ghouls squatting in the shed too. Don’t want to disturb them. The graveyard is as comfortable as any place to sleep, and there’s more grazing for Irving.” He patted his horse’s neck. “Would you like a ride back to the apothecary?”
“No, thanks. I got it.” The offer was kind but unnecessary. I was more powerful than anything lurking between the patch and the town square.
“And tell Jordyn to stop hooking up with Harlow in the patch!” he shouted as Irving sped away. “They’re worse than the teenagers on vacation.”
“Okay!” I called back and then muttered under my breath, “If I ever see her.”
Turning back toward the town square, I pulled Ichabod up to my chest. “Just you and me, buddy.”
He purred and gave an affectionate meow.
When we reached the town square, Ichabod yowled and leaped out of my arms, dashing through the crowd toward the apothecary. He weaved between legs with ease until he darted through the gap in the shop window.
I rolled my eyes. “Or it’s just me, I guess.”
Following my familiar’s lead, I made my way through the paranormals going about their usual business while the tourists were tucked tight in their hotel room beds. The village square was alive with late-evening energy: shopping and dining at the local restaurants, going to the hairdresser, and chatting unperturbed out in the open.
I passed Billy Bacchus outside Midnight Market arguing with the police chief, Dougall McCleighton, about town ordinances.The werewolf’s gruff voice clashed with the sound of Agnes and another vampire cackling on the corner. I glimpsed Willow and Wyatt drawing the curtains of the Witch’s Brew Café. They turned off the lights just as Wyatt’s little sister, Eloise, carried a giant stack of apple cider donuts down the sidewalk in preparation for the morning rush. A trail of already eager patrons followed her.
Crossing the last stretch of pavement to the apothecary door, I took in a grounding breath. I was about to relegate myself to a humdrum evening when a storming shadow cut across my vision and rushed toward the alley.
I knew her from the flash of her silhouette before I even caught the glint of her raven hair and silver eyes. Her long trench coat and statuesque physique were undeniable. Those long, slim fingers balled into fists. The moonlight peeked through the clouds and landed on her like a spotlight.
“And where might you be going in such a huff?” I murmured to myself.
Before I had time to think about it, my feet were rushing in her direction.
5
IRIS
I’d promised Jordyn that I’d stay away from Ramona, and I knew better than to go running after a demon down a dark alley, but something odd was afoot—andI was in desperate need of some entertainment. The leftover spaghetti in my microwave could wait. Ignoring the alarm bells blaring in my brain, I made a mad dash around the building.
