I got so sad thinking of her situation. Opal wouldn’t get to see her daughter until after her release. It was so cruel to separate a parent and child like that, but the United Supernatural Union had their laws, and they couldn’t be broken.
“It’s just a pill. Not like it’s permanent,” Charlie added.
“It’s permanent until we get the hell out of here, at least.” I crawled out of bed and began rifling through the closet. “Do you still have your suit from the Villain’s Ball?”
“Yeah, why?”
“It’s a surprise. We’re doing a group costume this year with Kallie and Marcus,” I said. “Put it on.”
Charlie and I got dressed. My high-heeled boots clicked on the floor as I led him to the Villain’s Den. Halloween was the only time of year I could wear stilettos at the Institute, and by the ancestors, I was working them.
I spotted Marcus and Kallie near the couches. I stopped Charlie and put his hand on my arm. “Okay, now you can look.”
Charlie laughed as he felt the arms of my costume. “What are you wearing?”
“A black leather pantsuit. We all are,” I said. “We’reCharlie’s Angels!”
Kallie, Marcus and I struck karate poses. Oberi barked and wagged his tail. I blinked. “Uh, I know you can’t see it, but we’re all posing right now.”
“Mine’s a little small,” Marcus complained, and he yanked at the side of the suit. Kallie’s eyes were locked on the bulge in his leather pants.
“I’m guessing I’m Charlie?” My husband wore a playful smile, and it made my breath skip to see.
“Of course. We thought it’d cheer you up, since you’re having so much trouble with teaching the Elves and all,” Kallie said.
“And I’ve been working on my spy moves for weeks,” Marcus said. He fumbled forward and did a cartwheel. Hetriedto end it in the splits, but he fell over and ended up ripping a giant hole in his crotch.
“Aw, man!” Marcus complained. “Now I’ve gotta go to class like this!”
“Nice dinosaur boxers.” Kallie snickered.
“Nobody ever asks you what your favorite dinosaur is when you’re an adult,” Marcus grumbled resentfully.
I thinkIlook the best. Oberi had insisted on being a pirate this year, and had donned a striped shirt with a matching skull and crossbones hat. Marcus had put Rishi in a taco costume, which was better than last year’s pumpkin by far.
“Are we still having that Halloween party tonight?” Kallie asked me.
“Yep. The balcony at seven o’clock,” I told her. “I can’t wait.”
“A party, huh?” Charlie poked my side, and I giggled.
“It’s just a little thing with all our friends,” I said, and I swatted his hand away. “Eddie wanted to have one. He’s never celebrated Halloween.”
Charlie frowned slightly. “I didn’t realize. I should probably be paying more attention.”
“Believe me, his costume is a riot. He went all out,” Kallie said. “Let’s go, Marcus, before Professor Mazur flips a nut about us being late.”
Kallie picked up Rishi and headed out of the Villain’s Den. Marcus waddled after her, holding his book bag in front of his pants.
We grabbed a quick breakfast, then Charlie walked me to Hemlock’s class. I sat by Opal. Her face was painted with a variety of fake blood and dirt, and her clothes were ragged and ripped, like she’d just pulled herself out of a grave. Charlie pulled out my chair to help me in as I sat down— what a sweetheart.
“Nice costume,” I said to Opal.
“Ez and I are zombies this year. What fun!” Opal grinned widely before Hemlock walked in. She had a Jack-O-Lantern pin on her cloak, but that was the only decoration she wore. She glanced at Charlie, looking him up and down.
“You’ll want to sit in on this class, Mister Wahkin,” Hemlock said. “It contains some very relevant information.”
“I’m sorry, but I have to get to Criminal Justice,” Charlie said.
