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

and Freddy, who were smirking at the dress. If it weren’t for the burn of lust in their eyes, I would have flipped them off. Jason and Michael were studying me carefully, eyes running along the narrow bodice where my breasts pushed up invitingly. I wore a lace choker around my throat, with a tiny amethyst spider pendant dangling from it. There was approval in their eyes, all of them.

Satisfaction filled me as I took a cup of offered tea from Auntie Fe. Breathing in the jasmine steam, I let myself relax as we all watched Pip piddle around the kitchen.

“What kind of poison are we making this morning?” I asked.

“Oh! Only the most deadl—” Pip spun around mid-sentence with narrowed eyes and a hand on her hip. “You think you’re clever, don’t you?”

Maddie snorted, taking a seat at the table. “Smells like someone threw up in there…”

“Oh hush,” Pip admonished. “Before I decide to have you test out the cookies I made for the bake sale.”

Maddie snapped her mouth closed, eyes going wide as I said, “It’s a good thing most of Midnight Hollow’s residents are already ghosts…”

A spoon came flying through the air, straight towards my head, and I dodged it just in time, laughing until tears pricked my eyes.

“I’m heading to the festival early. Mr. Hottie—I mean, Baen has a booth set up, and I’m sure he could use some help,” Maddie said.

“Help with what?” Jason teased, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Unbuttoning his pants?”

Maddie’s eyes went round, and she blushed furiously, stammering, “I-I don’t know what you’re insinuating, perv!”

“Sure ya don’t,” added Michael, casting a knowing glance at Jason as the two of them bumped fists.

“Well, I was going to invite you guys to join me, but now I don’t think I will.” Nose in the air, Maddie stood up and took a cloak from the coat rack and swept out of the room.

“Mads, hold up!” I called after her. I glared at my smiling guys over my shoulder, muttering, “You guys must have a death wish…”

“Love you too!” One of them yelled as I crossed the threshold, and I staggered a moment, catching my balance as my heart soared. I knew how they felt, but hearing it would probably catch me off guard for a while.

Maddie stood with her arms crossed by the front door, smirking at me. “You know, these walls are mighty thin.”

Rolling my eyes, I pulled the door open, and we walked into the moonlight. “Maybe you should plug your ears then,” I mumbled.

“And miss all the entertainment?” She held a hand to her chest. “Honey, let me live vicariously through you for a while.”

I laughed, looping my arm through hers as we made our way towards town. I could see the festival up ahead as the aunties’ street blended into Main Street. “You don’t seem to be struggling in the man department.”

She sighed, but when I glanced sideways, her cheeks were flaming. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I don’t get why you’re pretending,” I said, squeezing her arm. “Everyone saw the way Baen and Cal were fighting over you at the bonfire. Clearly they’re smitten.”

“Smitten?” She laughed. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”

“Think whatever you want, but I know what I saw. Baen looked like he wanted to physically eat you in the best way, and you’ve had Calvin wrapped around your finger since you sashayed into school the first day.”

“Oh my god, that’s so not true! He was all over you! I was just the sidekick. Besides, I'm still kind of peeved about him not telling us about the Society.” Her face dropped.

“Maddie, you could never be a sidekick. You’re the main character, babe, and don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Besides, there's nothing going on between Cal and I. He doesn’t even like me like that, and I could never…” I shuddered just thinking about it. “Not to mention he’s pretty much always staring at you or your ass whenever you’re not paying attention. Maybe he had his reasons for keeping the secret society a, um, secret,” I air quoted.

“Maybe you're right, I mean it’s a secret for a reason. I don’t know. But for real…he stares at my butt?” She squealed, pushing my shoulder with hers. A smile lit her eyes, and I felt warm all over.

I’d been worried about Maddie since we got here. I could tell behind the façade of bubbly humor, she was struggling with this transition.

We reached the start of Main Street, and I could already smell the sweet and savory scents of cooking food, coffee, tea, and candy. Jack-o’-lanterns were everywhere, and twinkling lights hung in the trees like little fireflies. Torches were lit up and down the sidewalks, and the street lanterns were blazing, lighting up the whole area in a warm orange glow that matched the moonlight. I was starting to enjoy the perpetual night here. No more sweating my ass off under the glaring sun or worrying about my skin burning to a crisp. It was always pleasant.

There were some clouds in the sky, but not many, just enough that there was a small breeze flowing between the buildings and booths.

Booths lined the streets on either side, while the townspeople dressed in their best, selling handmade crafts, treats, and fresh harvested crops. I saw a booth for the blood bank, run by vampires stationed out front as one passed out flyers with a fangy smile. They were advertising flavor infused blood, sold in little glass bottles that you could carry around with you and add to your drinks. I’d have to snag a sample for Norman at some point.

Toil and Trouble Tea had a booth too, set up right outside their shop. Cauldrons were bubbling and ladles were pouring as the witches handed out small mugs to passersby with infectious cackles. My mouth immediately watered for more of that witchbramble tea. I had no idea what was even in it, but it was delicious.

“Oh, there's Baen,” Maddie whispered,