Page 1 of His to Fear
Chapter 1
Nadia
Present day. Halloween night
A scream splits thefrozen night, ragged and raw, like a body being dragged over shattered glass. It clings to every molecule, echoing with the promise of something evil. That sounded way too real to be a fraud.
It comes again: sending shivers down my spine like the sound of nails scraping against an old chalkboard. Haunted circus music fills the air outside the enclosure, neon lights illuminating the area.
This is the country’s best fair—Gravewoods Fair has, for the first time, come to our little secluded town.
Although I have no idea why they decided to host it here this year. People from all around the country have gathered, probably not even having a clue as to what transpired two years ago.
The Halloween night that turned into a purgatory. Our town’s first serial killer, taking the lives of at least ten people in the course of one single, brutal night. They caught the killer, though. There hasn’t been a single murder since.
A touch on my shoulder makes me flinch, my heart pounding like a hammer hitting its jackpot despite trying to stem my overly reaction.
“Relax. It’s me.” Eveline comes up beside me, offering me one of her soft smiles.
It does nothing to ease the jittery coil of nerves slowly eating me up from the inside out.
“So jumpy,” Eros—Eveline’s man—chimes in from behind, his muscled arm securely hooked through Zack’s. Tattoos snake up from his hands in sharp, thorny branches, disappearing beneath his long-sleeved black shirt. Zack—Eveline’s other man—smirks.
Yeah, they’re all togethertogether. All three of them.
At least one good thing came out of that nightmare-inducing night; Eveline met the men of her life.
To be fair, I’ve only met them a handful of times. They went on a vacation last year, whatever that involved. They’ve all been secretive about it.
“Why did I even agree to come?” I mutter, turning to face Eveline again.
“Because you love me. And because you know it’ll be fun.”
“Sure…fun.”
The Halloween chill cuts through my outfit. My lace dress ends just above my knees, with bell sleeves flowing, and wine-red details glimmering under the neon lights. The patterned tights and black combat boots do little to keep me warm.
I’m going for the whole sexy-vampire look, while Eveline and her men have done their makeup like a skeleton.
“Come on! Your makeup is fire,” Eveline says, nudging my shoulder.
“These teeth are uncomfortable,” I grumble, touching the sharp fangs glued to my front teeth, careful to avoid the fake blood running down the sides of my mouth. Smoky red eye shadow, black eyeliner, and wine-red lipstick complete the look.
For the first time in months, I feel…sexy.
The queue is full of fairgoers clad in Halloween attire, adding to the buzzing, spooky sensation. But the closer we get to the main entrance, a gaping clown mouth streaked with blood and speakers playing eerie circus music, the more my stomach sours, nausea creeping up my throat.
Thatnight started much like this—with excitement bubblinginside.
I shiver, trying not to meet Eveline’s gaze. Her too-kind smile makes guilt flood through me, because I know I haven’t earned her kindness. I haven’t been the friend she deserves, barely even been able to get through my own life.
At least she’s had both Zack and Eros. While I’ve had a cheating boyfriend that I dumped months ago after finding him in bed with another woman.
Fucking Max.
“Look,” Eveline begins, and her men instinctively step back, giving us some space. “I know better than anyone what that night was like. The nightmares never really leave. But don’t you think it’s time to at least try living again? To have some fun? Nothing like that can happen twice, and they caught the killer.”
Her eyes flicker, a nervous trait of hers, and I wonder if she’s as scared of venturing inside as I am, even when she’s the one who invited me.
