Page 4 of Emerald Treats
Curious, I ventured closer, my hands drifting up to my own mouth as I remembered the way I'd also worn a similar torture device. I didn't care for that one bit, not on me, and certainly not on this older gentleman who seemed just to be warning a woman about the time.
I'd probably have to speak with a manager about this. Where were Bram and Kai? I tossed a look back at the door and found them entering the store, heading in my direction. They'd know what to do. I turned back to the poor muzzled gentleman.
"Don't worry, sir. We're going to get this injustice figured out."
Suddenly, the metal muzzle dropped from his mouth, and his eyes turned blood red as a scream bellowed from his mouth.
"AHHHHHHH!!!!" I shrieked, jumping into the air, my fist flying out without a second thought. The man flew backward, hitting the wall and clattering to the ground.
"By the moon, Faris!" Bram exclaimed, rushing over. The sound of Kai's deep laughter echoed throughout the cavernous store as he doubled over in hysterics.
"What devilry is that man? Did you see him attempt to attack?!" I blinked up at Bram, exasperated. My heart was racing at speeds I hadn't felt in quite some time.
Bram took in the now quiet man, where he lay on the ground, silenced by the fact that there was a hole in his face the size of my fist.
"Is everything all right over here?"
A tall man with beautiful umber skin rounded the corner. I blinked as I took in his glorious outfit. Knee-high black boots with silver glitter spider webs decorated the leather, matching his short silver sequined dress. The entire ensemble was put over the top by the blood-red floor-length cape that draped over his shoulders. He took one look at us, one look at my attacker, and promptly erupted with a booming, contagious laugh.
"I told Nik that somebody was going to punch ol' boy out one of these days." He took a deep breath, trying to regain composure. "Which one of you screamed?" Any composure he'd gained was lost as he mimicked the sound I'd let loose, and I couldn't stop laughing.
"Rupert?" Kai asked the man with confusion. "Do you work here?"
"Just once a week while it's open. I get a nice discount on supplies that I use to deck out Magic Stixxx. Did you know we turn it into a haunted house every September throughHalloween night?" Rupert answered, a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
"I didn't know that!" Kai exclaimed. "Bet that's great for business, especially with all the tourists we get in Emerald Lakes around this time of year."
Rupert nodded. "It's nonstop busy, but it's by far my favorite time of the year!"
"We'll have to see if we can come check it out," Bram said.
"We'd love to have all of you. I haven't seen Saige in ages."
"It's been busy with the twins," Kai replied with a content smile.
Rupert straightened his cloak. "Good thing you have so many pairs of hands in that cottage then." He winked. "You're welcome any time. I have to go help Nik. Someone dropped a jug of fake blood, and it looks like a murder scene."
We said bye to Rupert, and he strutted off, sparkling with every step.
I crossed my arms and glared down at the lifeless mannequin on the floor. "What are we going to do about him?"
"We'll just pay for him when we check out." Bram bent down and started to lift the man into his arms.
"Absolutely not, lover. That isn't going anywhere with me!" I turned my back and raced over to where the shopping carts were located. Using my speed, I was moving past Bram and Kai in seconds. "Goodbye, boys!"
"Don't let him out of your sight!" Bram shouted to Kai, but I didn't turn around to look. I had treasures to explore and trinkets to procure! There'd been enough shenanigans.
I was on a mission.
Chapter 3
Cam
"When will they be back?" I asked Fischer as he stood at the top of a ladder, stringing purple and orange lights along the red brick face of The Mystical Piglet.
He chuckled and glanced down at me. "They took my lunatic twin to a Halloween store, so my best guess is they'll be back by... next Halloween."
I laughed. "You're right. They basically entered a portal to another world the moment they took him past the front doors."
