Once Upon a Dark October

Chapter Thirty-Five

S orcery hastened winter’s arrival, a frost-laden breath exhaling over the ballroom like a January squall trying to drown the wharf. Candlelight smothered in an instant. Wisps of pale smoke streaked the air as if she’d called upon the souls of the lost sorcerers to her aid. Noises of tense delight ricocheted through the crowd. A few bursts of applause and laughter followed, though some were left shivering in their fine evening gowns. The harbor was used to dramatics like this, especially on the night of the Blood Moon, where conjuring the dead and reveling in the macabre were part of tradition.

Bathed in red moonlight, surrounded by ruins and forgotten ghosts and ancient tales of blood and magic, they didn’t know anything was amiss.

Morrigan pushed the warded metal into her ears and dropped the pair she’d stowed away for me into my palm. Stay close. I’d rather we didn’t get separated.