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

with delectable goodies. Holy pumpkin, they looked amazing. I saw scones of every color and shape, sprinkles and cupcakes and cookies. I didn’t know what I wanted to try first. I had a serious weakness for sweets, and I was already anticipating a stomach ache.

“What can I get for you?” the girl behind the counter asked.

She was slender, perhaps no older than twenty, and had straw colored hair that hung in a dry curtain. She wore a witch's hat and long purple velvet robes. Her blue eyes were welcoming as she waited for my order, but widened a moment later. “Hey! You’re those new mortals everyone’s been talking about, aren't you?”

My smile thinned, but I tried to seem enthused. Norman beat me to the punch and said, “Not as mortal as you think.” I looked to my right and watched as he flashed the girl some fangs.

Her eyes lit up, and she placed her hands on her hips. “Well then, I know just what to whip up for you.” She looked to Freddy and I next. “What’ll you have? We’ve got pumpkin juice, witchbramble tea, blackberry cappuccino—”

“Surprise me,” I said with a smile. “I…trust you?” I really didn’t, but life was all about taking chances, and what harm could a little tea really do?

“Witchbramble it is then. It’s my specialty.” The girl winked.

“Make that two,” said Freddy. The girl nodded and twirled away. He looked down at me with a shrug. “What the fuck is witchbramble?”

I cringed slightly. “No clue, just hoping for the best at this point.”

We took a seat on a small set of couches and waited for the tea to brew. I was still eyeing that glass case of pastries. Eventually, it became too much for me to take, so I asked the girl to please grab me a pumpkin scone with chocolate sprinkles, and she passed it right over. Perhaps I should have been ashamed of the way I inhaled that scone. The guys watched me devour it in two bites with their mouths hanging open. I didn’t regret a thing. It was delicious and so much better than anything I’d had at coffee shops back in the mortal world.

Our tea came out a moment later in to-go cups. We thanked the girl, and I paid for them with some silver coins the aunties had given me. I’d need to set up some kind of credit system at the bank soon, because I felt like I was living in medieval Europe right now with my coins jingling in my satchel.

Norman hissed as he took a sip from his cup, and when he pulled it away from his mouth, his lips were stained in red. “Blood…” he said quietly, eyes flickering to mine in worry. “I-I—” he stammered, but I laid a hand on his arm and squeezed.

“It’s fine, Norm. You can drink blood in front of me. Your body literally needs it to survive, so you don’t have to be ashamed of that.”

He breathed out a long sigh, clearing his throat. “You’re not grossed out?”

I laughed. “Why would I be? Do I need to remind you how I let you slurp from my own neck a few nights ago?”

Freddy snorted and Norman sputtered, but I just grinned at them both as we left Toil and Trouble and started walking down the street.

“That was different and you know it,” Norman muttered, taking another swig of his bloody beverage.

“What was that?” I asked with a smirk.

“Just drink your flower water.” He was trying to suppress a smile, but failed badly.

Was it wrong to be jealous of a cup? Just the thought of his mouth on my neck again left my heart racing and me craving to feel his fangs pierce my skin again.

Five minutes down the street, a sign caught my eye. It said Palm Reading Here. I sipped my tea thoughtfully, stopping in front of the shop. I was surprised at the full, sweet flavor of the witchbramble tea. I still had no idea what I was drinking, but it sort of tasted like vanilla with a hint of mint and jasmine. It had a kick of spice to it as well, and I just hoped I didn’t end up somehow allergic to it.

“Don’t tell me you believe in psychics,” Norman said with a smirk, staring up at the shop beside us.

I gave him a dubious look as I said, “We traveled to an alternate dimension, and you’re suddenly the expert on what’s real or not?”

Freddy snorted, and Norman glared at his twin. “I’m just saying, most psychics are carnival con-artists. If someone could really see the future, don’t you think they’d like…tell the government so they could stop wars from happening?”

“You’ve given this a lot of thought, haven’t you?” asked Freddy.

“Shut up, man, you know what I mean. It's just a scam,” Norman said, punching his twin in the shoulder.

“Yeah well, two weeks ago, none of us believed in vampires and werewolves, so I think I’ll take my chances,” I muttered, tipping back my cup and downing the rest of my tea. “I’m gonna check it out. You girls feel free to do what you want.”

I made for the door, but the guys didn’t follow. I looked over my shoulder as I hoisted the door open. They smiled at me, and Freddy just said, “We’re gonna head over and grab a bite across the street, those scones have way too much sugar for this beach bod.” He patted his hard abdomen, and I just rolled my eyes.

“Meet us over there when you’re done getting conned,” Norman added.

I ignored their laughter as I entered the psychic shop. The inside was dark, since most of the front windows were blacked out, but it wasn’t like sunlight would ever threaten to peek through anyways. Candles flickered everywhere, putting my aunties’ manor to utter shame. It was warm, but not stifling.

Beads hung from the ceiling, along with multicolored gauzy fabrics. I suddenly got a sense of déjà vu. It slithered