Jesika Binet walked through the snow up the hill to meet her friends sitting at the top. They were gathered in a circle, talking and eating.
The day had been a drab one, the sky overcast and cloudy. There was a sharp coolness to the air, with a very slight breeze that only added to the chill.
She lowered herself to the ground when she reached them, sitting on the blanket they had laid out.
"Nice of you to drop in," Rowan said, giving Jesika a nod.
Jesika smiled. "Thanks. What were you guys talking about? And more importantly—" Jesika paused, leaning over to look at the basket in the middle. "What food did you guys leave for me?" she said, a childish excitement to her voice now.
"Nothing," Darryn deadpanned.
Jesika jerked her head up, glaring at him.
He laughed, throwing his hands up in a show of surrender. "Sorry, Jes, but you took too long. Should've gotten here sooner. We agreed on this picnic yesterday."
Jesika rolled her eyes. "Excuse me for being busy ruling a kingdom," she said pointedly.
Rowan grinned, reaching behind him without looking away from her. "Fortunately, you have one friend who remembers you," he said, handing her a sandwich.
Jesika's mouth fell open in surprise for a moment. She grinned widely, looking up at him. "You saved me something!? Thank you, Rowan!"
He shrugged, handing it to her.
Aquila rolled her eyes. "Kiss up," she muttered.
Both Rowan and Jesika shot her a glare.
Jesika took a bite out of her sandwich, then asked again: "So what were you guys talking about?"
Rowan glared at her. "Jesika, c'mon, not with your mouth full. I expect more from you."
Jesika snickered at that. "Pfft, why?" Swallowing, she asked again.
"Something about Halo Eve... No. Hallow Years? No. Halloween? Nah, that's not it either," Darryn said, scratching his head.
Rowan shook his head. "Night of the Hallow."
Jesika's eyes widened. "Oh! Is that tonight?! I always loved that festival as a kid."
Rowan grimaced. "Can't believe they would have a festival for such a terrible night."
"What's so terrible about it?" Aquila asked. "It's just a party in Wimborne."
"What's terrible about it is the true meaning of Night of the Hallow," Rowan said.
Jesika grunted. "Is this about those stupid rumors about bad things happening in the forest on that night? Doesn't that happen year 'round? I don't understand what the big deal is about this one night."
Rowan sighed. "It's not just rumors. And no, this doesn't happen year 'round. On Night of the Hallow, all of the creepiest, darkest, and most dangerous beasts come out of hiding and go on the attack. Some even make it into the kingdom walls. They're the ones that can't be tamed, are never destined to anyone, and have no mercy. Most of them can't even be killed. It's killed many hunters and scholars."
Jesika, finished with her sandwich, leaned over, her elbows rested on her knees. "I doubt much of that is true. Why would they only come out on this one night?"
He shrugged. "It's the only night they need to. They get such a big harvest of prey, that they can stay where they like most for the rest of the year. The shadows."
