Page 126 of Trick Knot Treat

I rub my temples.

“Head home, Jace. We’ll all look forward to seeing you at Trick Knot Treat.”

I lift my head. “Tomorrow. I can’t believe it’s tomorrow already.”

“It has come fast. I am sorry to keep you working so much the last few days.”

I’ve barely seen them. All my time is consumed with working or sleeping. The hours have been long. When I get home, it’s just a few stolen moments before I fall asleep, but I can feel the tension.

Clint has been avoiding me.

Zaire and Khione are together all the time, and Felix watches me with a question in his eyes that I can’t decipher.

I want to tell them it will be fine, that everything will work out.

Tomorrow will be perfect.

Once we are matched…everything will just magically work out. I believe it with my whole heart.

Chapter 30

Khione

“We’re late,” I mutter anxiously, searching the crowd as we push our way through. There are lots of people here. More than I expected.

“It’s fine, no one noticed,” Felix murmurs, glancing at Jace, who looks exhausted. He’s barely slept.

“Welcome to Trick Knot Treat!” The Pack Makers sing out together, and explosions shoot orange and black confetti into the air.

I yelp but then spin around giggling as people dressed as skeletons advance into the crowd and grab us.

“Pick a skeleton and go with them for your last and final date. At the end of tonight, you’ll decide. Trick Knot Treat. Are you finding love?” Fox shouts.

The crowd roars.

He turns on music, and a song about witches booms out, and everyone starts singing and dancing. This is a freaking party, not a pack-making event. The energy level is so much higher.

A skeleton grabs my hand. “Come on, Key, let’s get you dressed up.”

I feel fairly certain that it’s Sofia, and when we are pulled into a house, we’re led into a room with a whole heap of skeletons and half of the matches.

One person from each group.

A beta gulps and tries to look brave as they get her into a red glitter dress that has her impressive chest practically falling out. Her face burns red, but Cordelia grabs her cheeks.

“This is a chance to be someone else, to find something deep inside you that you want to show.”

“What if they don’t like it?”

“Do you like it?” Cordie asks and turns her to look at the mirror.

“Oh, wow. I look…”

“Beautiful is the word you are looking for, sweetie. Beautiful, adult, and stunning. You’re not hiding behind glasses or big cardigans tonight. This is the powerful you, the femme fatale.”

She nods, and when she smiles, I think she believes it. Cordelia lifts a half-mask up and helps secure it.

“Khione?”