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A cheer rises from the farm as his eyes snap to mine. “The Harvest recognized its Bride.”

Another pulse travels through the Earth. Then he says the one thing I don’t want to hear.

“The McBride came home.”

4

The Revel

Sage

Apparently being the Harvest Bride comes with free alcohol.

Finally.

A religion I can get behind.

The woman behind the bar sees the red ribbon around my wrist and immediately waves away the card I’m holding. “Bride drinks free.”

Mariah slaps both hands against the bar. “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?”

I grin. “Know your place.”

“You pulled a ribbon out of a barrel.”

“And now I’m royalty.”

Ali points at me with her cider. “You’ve had two drinks.”

“Three.”

“That’s not helping your argument.”

I take the cocktail the bartender slides toward me. It’s deep red with a cinnamon-sugar rim and a thin slice of apple floating on top.

“What is this?” I ask.

“Bride’s Blood.”

I stare at her as she stares back then I slowly look at Mariah.

“Oh, I’m absolutely drinking this.”

“You would.”

I take a sip. Holy shit. Apple. Cinnamon. Something smoky. And enough liquor to make my chest warm. “That’s dangerous.”

The bartender smiles. “Enjoy the Harvest.”

There it is again. The phrase is everywhere. On cups. Signs. Shirts. Wood tokens. Even stamped into the cocktail napkin under my glass. ‘ENJOY THE HARVEST.’

I hold it up. “They’re committed to the branding.”

Mariah takes it from me. “I respect it.”

Ali looks around. “I respect whoever decided adults need Halloween without children.”

“A visionary.”