Page 98 of The King of Halloween
“No, no. They don’t watch birds. They are birds. The old ladies who basically run every event in this town. Cross them and kiss your life goodbye.”
Raj gulped. He needed to talk to Logan now. And do a lot more research on what scary old ladies liked. Maybe birds, too.
“Thanks for the warning,” Raj said.
“No problem. Now, why aren’t you dancing? Standing near the punch bowl is for the old and ugly. I’ve got that covered in spades.” He laughed at himself, and Raj got the memo right away.
“Don’t be silly, you’re young enough to be my brother.”
That made him smile, securing another year for the hotel to not deal with an irate fire marshal. “Go on. Go find a pretty young thing. Halloween is the holiday of love.”
Raj was about to argue before he realized that, no, the mayor was right. “I’m waiting for someone, actually.”
“Oh. Already got a little filly?”
No, a stallion. One with a long flowing mane and a coat that shines in the sun, who also refuses to get his hooves muddy. Adam, where are you?
“Well, don’t let me keep you.”
What if he doesn’t show?
Don’t be stupid. He was so excited about the ball while my mouth was around his cock this morning. He’ll be here.
He has to be.
Unless I’ve been fucking a ghost this whole time.
The lights dropped, and so too did Raj’s stomach. The beat faded to nothing more than a steady thump of a heart. One by one, the people glanced at the only source of light. Gold streamed through the open door from the hallway when it was suddenly replaced by a silhouette. The form was thin and lanky. Framed in darkness, it appeared naked but otherworldly, on spindly legs with a tall, flat head.
Raj moved his way closer, needing to be near this mysterious stranger. With a flicker, the spotlight landed, and a voice called from on high.
He couldn’t hear it.
All of his senses shut down so he could take in the magnificence before him.
?
Adam took a deep breath. He shook back his hair, or tried to. The top hat started to fall, and he skittered back. The loud clopping of his heels drew attention from the incoming party-goers. His first instinct was to turn around and run for his car.
Take off his shoes, then run for the car.
Is this too much? It’s too much.
I should start them out small. Maybe a pride pin on my lapel. A little leather cuff on my wrist. Or a hint of eyeliner.
No. This monster was tired of hiding in the shadows.
Adam adjusted his outfit, doing his best to make certain everything was in place and not stained. With this jet black lipstick that wasn’t easy to do. Cocking his hat to the side, he walked through the door.
Everything went quiet. Adam tried to peer through the holes in his mask to find Raj. Damn it, why didn’t he ask what he’d be wearing? Just as he caught someone with dark hair, the lights died.
His heart fluttered, but he stood tall. He wasn’t Adam Stein. He was their king. Raising his head, he struck a pose in the doorway. His thighs crossed. He raised a finger and put it to his lips. Then he leaned against the door just as the spotlight fell on him.
“We have a skeleton…man?” a voice cried from on high.
That was exactly how god would greet him, question mark and all.
Taking a deep breath, Adam plunged into chaos. Eyes lingered on him, staring at his chest before venturing toward his thighs, then swinging back up. A giddy thrill climbed his spine. This was the eve for the unwanted, the horrifying, the macabre, the monsters. Let them all get a good look, then think of him while lying in bed as they leave their lights on.
