Page 60 of All My Witches
He lowered his mouth to my ear. “I hope it’s mywitch.”
I didn’t want to smile, but I couldn’t help myself. “I don’t think you’re going to get thatlucky.”
“I guess we’ll just have to wait andsee.”
INSIDE WAS BETTER THANoutside,but only from a clinical perspective. It was supposed to look grimy, but instead it looked like a video game version of Dracula’stomb.
“Oh, well, this is lovely.” Landon grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to his side. “Is that a coffin?” He gestured toward the center of the room with hischin.
I nodded. “Yup. A coffin with a moon roof to allow stardust to land on it.” I moved closer, but Landon wasn’t happy with my curiosity and pulled meback.
“What are youdoing?”
“Lookinginside.”
“Are youjoking?”
“Does it look like I’mjoking?”
“Why would you possibly want to look inside of a coffin?” Landon challenged. “No good can come ofthat.”
“If we don’t, we’ll never get out ofhere.”
“She’s right.” Thistle moved ahead of us. “I’ll doit.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Landon said after a beat. “It’s your turn to be the leading lady. That means you get to open the casket. We’ll stay right here and watch yourback.”
Thistle made a disgusted face. “Whatever.” She strolled to the edge of the coffin, looked around to make sure someone wasn’t about to jump out of the shadows and attack her, and tugged open the heavy lid. The figure inside threw me for aloop.
“Chief Terry?” I broke free of Landon’s grip and hurried to the coffin, leaning forward when I saw the familiar face. “Is he …dead?”
“It’s not real, Bay,” Landon reminded me, appearing at my elbow. “That’s not really ChiefTerry.”
“I know,but… .”
Chief Terry, who had been still as granite moments before, flicked open his eyes and pinned me with an unreadable look. “Who areyou?”
His voice was chilling, as was the echo that filled theroom.
“Why does he echo, but we don’t?” Clove asked, lookingaround.
“Because he’s a vampire, stupid,” Thistle chided. “Vampiresecho.”
“Since when?” Clove’s annoyance came out to play. “I don’t ever remember vampires echoing in movies and stuff. In fact, the vampires inTwilightdidn’techo.”
“That’s because the vampires inTwilightweren’t real,” Thistle shot back. “They were weak little brooders who sparkled. Those aren’t vampires. They’re Las Vegasshowgirls.”
She had a point. “Chief Terry, what are you doing in there?” I peered over the coffin edge even though Landon kept trying to drag me back. “I don’t think you should be in there. That can’t be good for yourback.”
Chief Terry smiled, the expression slow and seductive. His fangs gleamed under the moonlight and made my stomach twist. Even though I knew it wasn’t real, I didn’t like it. “I am the king of the living dead. I don’t suffer … back pain.” He rolled to a sitting position, groaning as he rubbed his lower back. “See. I’m aking.”
“You’re also wearing a cape.” Landon relaxed a bit when he saw Chief Terry’s outfit up close. “You look likeBatman.”
Chief Terry rolled his eyes. “I’m king of the livingdead.”
“Shouldn’t that be undead?” Thistle asked, fingering the cape. “Polyester, huh? Aunt Tillie should’ve spent a little more money oncostumes.”
“I have no idea who this Aunt Tillie you speak ofis.”
