I was meeting up with other folk who preferred to take a wilder approach to celebrating Hallow’s Eve. We would gather, acknowledge the holiday together, and then we would let ourselves be free. Free to run, free to prowl the woods, free to let our inner beasts out.
We had decided to meet deep in the Greenwood Forest, in a spot where spongy moss padded the ground and cushioned every step. It was far enough from town that the more mild-mannered folk wouldn’t hear any suspicious sounds, but close enough that the walk home wouldn’t be too strenuous.
The perfect spot for what we had planned.
I was one of the last to arrive. Fae, orcs, shifters, vampires, and other folk were milling about, chatting excitedly. SomeI knew personally, some I had only seen a few times. We welcomed anyone who wanted to participate.
I noticed Redd and Fiella among the crowd—the two vampires had decided to join us in the woods this year. I tried not to think too hard about what they would be doing to celebrate. Blood made me queasy. I drifted over to them. Fiella greeted me with a cheery smile and wave, while Redd simply nodded.
The group of folk began our discussion when the first of the dual suns kissed the horizon. Mayor Tommins kicked us off. “So, everyone, we’ll meet here again tomorrow, at this time. Come prepared. Eat beforehand, nurture your bodies, and bring anything you’d like.” He glanced sharply at a shifter man. “But no sacrifices this year. That’s barbaric.”
“Lame!” a voice called out.
“We don’t need to end another life to honor Hollow’s Eve,” Tommins argued. “We will light a bonfire—you can bring something to toss in. Incense, letters, herbs, whatever calls to you. And then we will run.”
An excited chatter kicked up throughout the small crowd. This was what we did—we gathered, we paid mind to the holiday, and then we let our instincts run free. We prowled the forests, we ran, we screamed, we let the wildness take over our bodies. Most of us chose to don masks and cloaks, hiding our identities so we could be our truest and most free selves.
“Behave yourselves. Or if you’re going to damage something, at least repair it before morning, so I don’t have to deal with it.”
I stifled a laugh.
“No violence of any kind. Keep your wildness away from anyone who is not privy to it. And don’t be an idiot. Now—is everyone clear on the rules?”
Murmurs of assent echoed through the forest. Most of us knew better, but occasionally someone got carried away and took things a bit too far.
“Great. Now, go get some sleep, and we will be back tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 34
Kizzi
Magic hummed in my veins as I milled about my apothecary, gathering ingredients and making my Hallow’s Eve preparations.
Magic always felt stronger on Hallow’s Eve—richer, more saturated—and today it felt galvanizing. The hairs on my arms stood on end.
It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling, but it was overwhelming. It took up too much of my attention. I could normally tune out magical sensations with minor effort, but it demanded to be noticed today.
The sprites were one edge, too.
They flitted around, lifting strands of my hair, jostling papers, nudging jar lids. They usually kept their mischief contained where I couldn’t see it, but they were especially rambunctious.
I had given up on trying to control them. I would simply clean the mess up later.
I packed a basket with the essentials. Dried onion skins, swan feathers, a rose quartz crystal, berries from an ancient bush, ever-tree bark, royal honey, and a few potions, tonics, and poultices.
A breeze caught my attention. I glanced up to find the front door drifting open.
“Hello?” I called out. “I’m closed for Hallow’s Eve. Sorry. If you need anything, I can grab it for you later.”
No voices answered. Nobody entered, either.
“Hello? Anyone there?”
Nothing. The door (newly repaired, thanks to Redd) creaked quietly on its hinges.
Huh. Maybe I had left it open?
I drifted toward the door, only to be stopped short. A squeal escaped my mouth.
