The Witching Hour

Chapter 26 - Pumpkins

Halloween in Malachi Peak varied from year to year. At times all the factions managed to honor their truce and allow everyone to come out, while at the height of violent decades, Halloween featured more "animal attacks" than any other part of the year.

This Halloween, the Pentacle had agreed to a night of fun after all that had happened. Numerous attacks, extra stress, they needed this to be a chance to let loose and not worry. After two weeks of non-stop training, they needed a break. Hell must have frozen over since Ella had come up with the idea of letting loose.

While waiting for the others, Ivy put the finishing touches on her costume. The group was supposed to meet at the shop before heading over together. She wound the vines around her legs and arms, enhancing the costume but also giving her a sense of armor. As supportive as Hunter was, she didn't know if he'd freak out watching her eave vines around her. He knew of magic in the abstract sense and that time when Marina used it on him.

"You almost here?" Marina texted the group. "I'm waiting by Ivy's shop."

Ivy opened the door to let Marina in, the beads of her 1920s flapper dress moving like waves around her. Her usual shoulder-length straight hair was curled and pinned back into a bob under a cap. Ivy smirked at the outfit. It fit with Marina's personality perfectly.

"Poison Ivy, I see," Marina ran her eyes over the ensemble, chuckling. "All you need is a red wig."

"You know that's Aura's thing," Ivy laughed, waving her off and running a hand through her curls. "No shocker for you either. It looks like you stepped right out of a speakeasy."

"You know me too well." Marina used the window as a mirror to fix her ringlets. Tucking one behind her ear, she spun on her heel and leaned against the same window. "Any word from the other two?"

"They should be arriving any minute — " Ivy's phone began to sing, and Ella's pouting face flashed on the screen. Grinning, Ivy pointed to her phone. "Speak of the devil."

Clicking the green button, she put Ella on speaker. "Where are you?" Ivy asked.

Marina joined Ivy by the cash register, her kitten heels tapping against the tiles. "I thought we were going to meet here before walking to the Thirsty Fork."

"Welllllll...we're already here," Ella admitted, her voice going into squealing territory. Ivy and Marina rolled their eyes at one another.

"Who's that? Oh, are you on the phone with them?" Aura's voice could be heard in the background. "Ivy, Marina, get your butts over here. Now!"

"We'll be there shortly." Ivy hung up, not bothering for a response. Her nostrils flared as she sucked in a deep breath. She ran a hand through her curls and shook them out.

"Let me just grab my jacket and we can walk." Ivy darted to the back and grabbed her overcoat. She pulled it close and opened the door for Marina. "Ready?"

"Lucian's probably bartending, hence getting there early." Marina stood under the awning, waiting for Ivy to lock up. "The pumpkins are a nice touch."

Marina pointed to the carved pumpkins on either side of Ivy's door. With Hunter's help, they had carved them the other night. Hunter had gone for a classic jack-o-lantern look. Ivy had carved a simple upside bat, which had taken most of the night. Hunter had finished hours ahead of her, teasing her the entire time. Hers at least came out cuter.

"Thanks. We did them the other night." Ivy chuckled turning the lock in place. "Lucian's probably already given them a couple drinks. What's going on with the two of them anyway?"

"I've seen them talk when we're at the bar, but that's it." Bringing her hands up, Marina shrugged her shoulders. "You know how private she is."

"True, true." Nodding in agreement, Ivy looked both ways for any cars. The lone one stopped at the crosswalk and waited for them to cross. They gave the driver a small wave and traversed the street.