Dead End: Midnight Hollow by Penn Cassidy (free novel 24 TXT) 📗

Freddy tightened his grip on me as Maddie and I gasped at what was on the other side. I could only stare in shock and awe. Swirling colors in an endless loop formed a tunnel, kind of like a horizontal tornado. Beyond it was a galaxy of stars that never seemed to end. Honestly, it kind of reminded me of Micheal’s eyes when they changed while he used magic. Purple and grey clouds crashed together with lightning and thunder as a storm came from within, trying to suck what was on the other side in.

“What is it?” Michael asked, unable to look away. He stepped closer to it until Jason stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s a portal that can go anywhere, even the mortal realm. It’s open all year long, not just Halloween.” The aunties said the last part at the same time in an eerie, practiced way.

I wondered how that worked. I’d learned about the city bus that transported you to the mortal world on Halloween night each year. As far as I knew, the price to go back and forth was pretty steep. But this... This was some other kind of magic.

“Why does it make that knocking sound?” Maddie asked, peering at the portal curiously, black hair whipping around her face.

“To let you know it’s still here. It can feel anything living in this house, because it too lives and breathes,” Auntie Fe explained and shot a worried look at her sister.

“It’s time to make a decision,” Auntie Pip said and gestured to the portal.

It was quiet, as all we could do was stare at the swirling colors. I grew up on that other side, made friends, fell slowly in love, had my heart shattered when my parents died, then lived a year alone as I isolated myself. I never found myself until I came here. The truth was I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t feel like the mortal world was home anymore. This was where I felt most like myself, and my stomach curled with dread at the thought of returning.

“I’m staying,” Jason said in a sure voice, staring at me already as I looked over Freddy’s shoulder.

“I actually kind of like this place. Feels like home,” Micheal declared next, twirling a lock of my orange hair around his finger with a soft smile.

“Fuck, you guys know I’m in. I think the moons keep my wolf somewhat sane. Plus, you need my crazy ass for a little comic relief. Y’all are so dour sometimes.” Freddy squeezed me closer to his chest as tears welled in my eyes.

Norman snorted at his brother but then speared me with those jewel green eyes that saw deep down to my soul. “Where you go, I go.”

They stared down at me, gathering closer as they waited for my answer. The aunties let us have this private moment as they backed away, but I could see them leaning forward to eavesdrop. They didn’t want us to go, and something told me that if I returned, they’d go with me.

“I’m finally home and where I belong,” I said with confidence, smiling at my boyfriends. “I fucking love you guys.”

Freddy whooped, squeezing the breath out of me as Norman kissed my hairline with a deep, relieved breath. Michael grinned widely, rubbing his hands together as he winked, mouthing, I love you too. I knew that kinky fucker was planning more ways to fuck me in public. I rolled my eyes at him but smiled.

“You sure about this?” Jason placed his hands on my cheeks, staring deeply into my eyes as he looked for a sign I didn’t want to stay, but he wouldn’t find any.

“Positive. Besides, I don’t think the mortal realm would approve of me dating four guys at once,” I said cheekily and felt my face warm as his eyes sparkled with hot desire, the naughty demon showing through with a flicker of yellow eyes and a forked tongue slithering out and back in.

I felt like I was floating on cloud nine and was never going to come down. The aunties clapped and did a little Irish jig as they lifted their skirts to spin in circles. I glanced around for Maddie and saw her standing at the doorway to the portal with a sad look on her face. She must have felt my stare, because she turned her head and took a deep breath as she slammed the door closed.

“Guess we’re here to stay.” Maddie dusted her hands and skipped over to us, wrapping her arms around the guys and gathering us close together as she giggled.

It felt like old times, with all of us together again, and I felt at peace with the decision to stay.

This was home.

I woke up the next morning to the smell of something awful. Cringing, I pulled the pillow over my head and groaned. Pip was cooking…again. At least this time, I knew she wasn’t cooking us breakfast, but rather brewing up a potion for the competition held at the festival.

“Maybe I should have stayed dead,” Jessica grumbled. She was perched on the branch next to my bed. It was so relieving to see her there.

“That’s a little dramatic,” I said with a straight face. “And after I went through all that trouble…”

“Wow…” Jessica deadpanned.

“Too soon?” I chuckled, ignoring her grumbling.

Smiling, I managed to roll out of bed, grateful it was empty. Freddy had slept with me last night. I made them promise to take turns every once in a while so I could have a little room on the bed. Also, Jessica liked to hang out with Albert and Billie sometimes in Michael’s room. Freddy and I got a little alone time last night, and I needed it badly.

My thighs tingled, remembering the way his mouth had played over them last night, the way that skilled tongue swirled around my clit, making me shake. I’d held in my moans behind a