Scary not Scary (The Holidaze Book 3)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

George stood at the head of a long table, and he had to stifle the hysterical giggle that built in his throat. If he didn't laugh at this, he might just cry, or worse yet wet his pants in terror.

All those ghoulish faces stared back at him expectantly, and George had no idea of what they wanted. He'd never seen a room so full of creatures of the night and he struggled to keep his composure.

In the highest rafters of the huge room he could hear bats flying and squawking. He saw a skeleton grinning devilishly at him when he glanced at it for a split second. This place gave him the creeps.

"Let's discuss the thirteenth," Devinah said once everyone hushed, and all eyes turned to George.

"We would like to hear a word from our king first," one of the garish ghouls spoke.

"Me? You... you want to hear from me?" George looked around the group timidly as thirteen sets of eyes bored into him.

"I think the first thing we should do is to begin introductions," Devinah said loudly, which caused a shuffling amongst the thirteen.

"I shall start, even though you know who I am, Sire. I am Gardemon, and I am the head of the staff here in your haunted abode. I advise on how best to care for your household and all those who dwell within it," Gardemon said with a bow.

"Thank you, Gardemon," George said, while his mind swirled over a zombie in charge of a household. Didn't they only think about eating brains and not much else?

"I am Phineas," the man most likely to be the vampire stood and faced George.

Phineas towered over George as he drew his dark cape around him. George was sure he saw the flash of a fang and it unnerved him when the man crept ever closer. The man, maybe vampire, glided right up to George until he grinned in the evillest manner. With a gulp, George tried to stand his ground and stop his legs from shaking.

"I am your chief adviser, the one who will answer any question you may ask," Phineas said as he continued to smile broadly, showing George his gleaming fangs. It took everything within him not to run from the room.

"Ah, oh, okay then," George replied as he took a step backwards.

"As your advisor, I am always here to aid you," Phineas said smoothly.

"Right," George gave a thumbs up and took another tentative step backwards.

"No, he's not going to attack you, George. Technically, you're his boss and you could demote him at any time," Devinah said in the sweetest tone that made Phineas quickly step away.

"I would do no such thing," Phineas declared with an affronted expression.

"You tried it with me," Devinah accused with narrowed eyes.

"You are not our king. You are nothing but a diversion, and a tasty one at that," Phineas eyed Devinah as a starving man might stare at a feast and that angered George.

"Nobody, and I do mean nobody will touch her in any way again," George's voice thundered in a most unexpected way, and every creature in the room bowed to him, "right, ugh, maybe you should keep introducing yourselves."

"Thank you," Devinah said as those brilliant eyes met his.

George said nothing as he turned back to the room. He didn't know where that harsh voice had come from. It wasn't a noise he'd ever made before. What was this place turning him into?

"Sire, I am Hadgar," a tall wiry man said from the opposite side of the table, "I am the second in line of your advisors. If at any point Phineas cannot do his job, I will take up the position," an evil smirk filled Hadgar's face, and George could only stare.