Page 25

I stare at it for a second. “Cute.”

Probably some Bride thing. Hell, maybe this is where I’m supposed to be. I move closer, and the details become harder to ignore. The black dress isn’t just weathered for effect. It’s filthy, the hem stiff with dried mud where it hangs over whatever they’ve used for feet. One hand pokes from the sleeve, and at first I assume it’s a glove except it doesn’t look like one.

I lean in, squinting through the dark and see the pale plastic—a mannequin.

Obviously.

“Jesus, Sage.” I laugh under my breath, shaking my head at myself.

The drums continue somewhere beyond the clearing.

One.

Two.

Three.

I turn to leave when a twig snaps behind me. I whip around, but the scarecrow hangs exactly where I left it, arms stretched across the wooden beam, burlap face staring at nothing. “Not falling for that shit.” I point at it. “Stay.” Because apparently I’m giving orders to Halloween decorations now.

I back out of the clearing and disappear between the rows again. A whistle cuts through the maze before I make it ten feet… closer this time.

I follow it.

Probably dumb—definitely fun.

The row opens.

And there he is. Not Tall Guy. This man is leaning against a wooden post as though he’s been waiting all fucking night for me.

My steps slow.

His mask is different. Narrow. Predatory. Dark around the eyes and the carved mouth curves upward. He rolls something between his fingers. A strip of black ribbon. Then another and another.

Trophies.

“Oh.”

He pushes away from the post.

I take a step backward. “You’ve been busy.”

He walks toward me slowly.

I smile. “Are you supposed to scare me?”

He stops, then he laughs.

Unlike Tall Guy… I hear this one. It’s low and warm but with a deep undertone. Almost growly but not.

My stomach tightens.

“Well, that’s unfair.”

He takes another step.

I take one back. “You guys aren’t supposed to talk?”

He shrugs as he takes another step.