“But I saw Callie and Lucas and wanted to say hi.” She turns around and gives Ruby the best puppy-dog eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Ruby says. “Don’t do it again, and apologize to the kids you cut in front of.”
“Fine,” Brooklyn sighs
“Hey,” I say to Ruby. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” I give the other two kids candy. One of them is Brooklyn’s brother, and I recognize the other boy from the coven as well.
“A few of us from the Academy volunteered to take some of the younger kids out. Their parents are working.”
“That’s so nice of you.” I really misjudged Ruby before.
“It’s fun. And I like coming downtown and seeing all the decorations.”
“Professor Darrows,” Brooklyn starts, eyes going wide. “Lucas has never had candy!”
“Oh, wow,” Ruby replies. “That’s tragic.”
“Can I see your fangs again?” Brooklyn asks, and Lucas crouches down, letting her lean in and look at his fangs. He says something that I can’t hear, but whatever it is, it makes Brooklyn laugh. Fuck, he’s going to be a good dad.
The bell chimes and I turn, seeing Abby and Penny come back out of the store.
“Hi, Ruby,” Abby says, setting Penny down. She makes a run right for the blow-up cat again. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Under different circumstances this time, right?” Ruby laughs.
“Hey, do not jinx us. I’m am bound and determined to have a good night today,” I say with a chuckle. Abby and Ruby move to the side, getting out of the way so other trick-or-treaters can come to the table.
Scott grabs Phil’s wrist and pulls him back, whispering something in his ear. He doesn’t like that Abby hangs out with me, and now that she’s familiar with my friends…he’s probably fucking pissed.
Good.
“Why aren't you wearing a costume?” Brooklyn asks Lucas. He stands up and flashes fangs.
“I’m a vampire.”
“But you’re always a vampire,” Brooklyn giggles. “That doesn’t count!”
“Fair enough.” He smooths out his suit jacket. “I’m a politician.”
“Oh, scary,” Ruby laughs, and Scott timidly shuffles forward.
“Who’s the cute little witch?” Brooklyn asks, going over to Penny. She drops down to her knees. “Hello, little cutie! You are so sweet, yes you are!” Penny giggles and Brooklyn beams.
“This is Penny, my niece,” I tell her.
“I’ve never seen her at gatherings before,” Brooklyn says, old enough to know that someone related to me would most likely be magical too.
“They live in Chicago,” I explain. “And they don’t go to gatherings, if you know what I mean.”
“Ohhhh, poor kid,” Brooklyn says quietly, but not quiet enough for Scott not to hear.
“What the hell is going on?” he hisses, grabbing Phil’s arm. “You let her associate with people like this?”
“Is there a problem?” Lucas strides forward, and the purple lights behind him illuminate his large frame in an eerie glow.
Nancy grips the stroller so tight her knuckles are turning white. Scott tries to keep his composure but is faltering. Another swarm of kids comes up to the table, all dressed like killer clowns.
“Abby,” Scott snaps, needing to yell at someone. “What are you doing?”
My poor sister looks mortified. We’re in public, and she’s still trying to cope with the guilt from the past.
“We’re taking Penny trick-or-treating,” she says slowly, and I can see the pleading on her face. I’m sure she talked with Scott and Nancy beforehand, asking them to just shut up and behave. “And that’s all we’re doing.”
“Come on,” Phil tries, putting his hand on Scott’s arm in an attempt to have him walk away.
“Don’t,” Scott sneers, jerking his arm back. “You’re okay with your wife associating with people like this? Aren’t they just like her?” He points to me, eyes narrowed and full of hate. Betty stares and a few families nearby pause, not sure what’s going on.
“I think you’ve overstayed your welcome,” Lucas says, voice calm and steady. “Move along.”
“You can’t tell me what to do,” Scott snaps.
Lucas shrugs. “I just did. Now leave.”
Ruby looks from Scott, to Nancy, and to me. Most people in my graduating year at the Academy knew some of the story of how Tabatha busted me out of the science lab. There are rumors circulating now, with one of the most common being that I broke out of some sort of supernatural prison. I’ve never confirmed or denied anything, partly because I don’t care, and another part is because I didn’t want to talk about it. Kinda hard to repress feelings when you’re constantly thinking about them, isn’t it?
But Ruby knows, and in the last weeks that we’ve gotten closer, she knows now that the Martins are my real family.
“I agree,” she says, crossing her arms. “It is time for you to leave, and for your information, yes, I am exactly like her. And I’m not the only one, and we all happen to be rather fond of Callie. So, if you had any sense in your head, you’d leave now before we make you.”