Chapter 10 Saige
Saige
If the outside of Magic Stixxx had been impressive, the interior was truly mind-blowing. I stepped through the doors and felt like I'd entered another dimension entirely.
"Holy moon maidens," I breathed, turning in a slow circle. "This is..."
"Incredible? Spectacular? The best Halloween display you've ever seen in your entire life?" Faris supplied eagerly, bouncing on his toes beside me.
He wasn't wrong. The usual lighting had been replaced with atmospheric purple and red lighting that cast long shadows across the space.
Cobwebs dripped from every surface, but these weren't the cheap cotton stuff from Halloween stores—these had been magically enhanced to shimmer and occasionally twitch as though real spiders were skittering across them.
The entire ceiling had been transformed into a night sky, complete with a massive full moon that actually cast moonlight down onto the floor. Bats—which I sincerely hoped were fake—occasionally fluttered across this magical ceiling.
"Are those real bats?" I whispered to Cam.
"Illusions," he assured me, his hand warm against the small of my back. "Expensive ones."
The space had been completely rearranged. Shelves of products had been pushed aside to create a winding maze. Where shelves didn’t form the walls of the maze, there were hanging black curtains embellished with glowing skulls that seemed to follow your movement with their empty eye sockets.
Ghostly laughter echoed through the space at random intervals, and somewhere deeper in the maze, I heard the distinct sound of chains rattling.
"How much did all this cost?" Sloane muttered, though I could sense his reluctant admiration.
Fischer whistled low. "The magical components alone must have been—"
"Worth every penny!" Rupert's voice called out before he emerged from behind a velvet curtain in a cloud of stage fog.
He wore an elaborate vampire costume, complete with a high-collared cape and fangs that were definitely not store-bought plastic.
His dark skin was enhanced with a silvery shimmer that caught the moonlight from above.
Faris gasped dramatically. "You look fabulous!”
Rupert winked. "Thanks, Faris, baby."
"How did you manage all this?" I asked, still trying to take it all in.
"Magic, money, and a very understanding business partner," Rupert said with a grin. "Plus, I've been planning this since April. Halloween only comes once a year, honey!"
"It's magnificent," I said sincerely.
Rupert beamed, then clapped his hands. "Now! Saige, darling, if you'll follow me. Your mates have arranged something special."
I glanced at my men, who were all studiously avoiding direct eye contact. Even Fischer, who normally couldn't hide anything from me, was suddenly fascinated by a display of glow-in-the-dark condoms.
"What are you all up to?" I narrowed my eyes.
"Just a little Halloween surprise," Bram said smoothly.
"Trust us," Kai added, brushing his fingers against mine.
I sighed, but couldn't help smiling. "Fine. Lead the way, Rupert."
He guided me through a door marked "Staff Only" and into a plush changing room. Unlike the haunted atmosphere outside, this room was well-lit with a comfortable chaise lounge, a full-length mirror, and a small vanity table.
"Your outfit awaits," Rupert said with a flourish, gesturing to items laid out on the chaise. "I'll leave you to change. Oh—Faris wanted me to give you this."
He handed me a sealed black envelope and left, closing the door behind him with a theatrical wink.
I examined the items on the chaise: a short black sleeveless dress that would hug every curve, a pair of thigh-high fishnet stockings, delicate lacy underwear and bra in a deep emerald that matched my eyes, and a pair of practical black flats.
"At least someone was thinking about comfortable shoes," I muttered, grateful I wouldn't be navigating whatever they had planned in heels.
I opened the black envelope and pulled out a note written in Faris's dramatic handwriting:
My beautiful witch,
Tonight, you enter the realm of fear and desire. We'll be waiting in the shadows, hunting you through the darkness.
I hope you're ready to run, little witch. We certainly are ready to chase.
Don't leave this room until the clock strikes 9:00. Then, and only then, step into our web.
Your loving predator,
Baby Fang
P.S. We’re going to fuck you. In case that wasn’t clear.
I laughed aloud. "I hate running," I told the empty room, but my heart was already beating faster in anticipation. This whole situation might give me a new appreciation for it, though.
My eyes fell on a large, ornate clock mounted on the wall. The time showed 8:45 PM. Fifteen minutes to mentally prepare for whatever my devious mates had planned.
I stripped out of my clothes and carefully put on the new outfit. The stockings clung to my thighs in a way I knew would drive them wild, and the dress hugged my curves perfectly, short enough to be enticing but not so tight I couldn't move freely.
Every rustle of fabric heightened my awareness. Were they waiting just outside? Were they already in position somewhere in that elaborate maze?
The lace of the emerald underwear felt deliciously wicked against my skin. Whatever game they had planned, it was clear they wanted to hunt me through this haunted playground.
"You want to chase me?" I whispered to my reflection as I smoothed the dress over my hips. "Let's see if you can catch me."
I checked the clock again—8:52 PM.
My pulse quickened as I sat on the chaise, feeling the familiar heat of anticipation building inside me. Six men, all wanting me. All planning to pursue me through a haunted store.
The clock ticked slowly forward—8:56 PM.
Somewhere beyond the door, I heard the faint sound of movement, then silence again.
8:58 PM.
I stood and approached the door, my hand hovering near the handle.
8:59 PM.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself.
9:00 PM.
The clock chimed softly, and I turned the handle, stepping out to meet whatever my mates had planned in the darkness beyond.
The entire space felt altogether more sinister, now that I knew what my guys were planning. The purple and red lighting had dimmed significantly, leaving long, menacing shadows that seemed to reach for me like grasping fingers.
My eyes landed on the staircase that stretched upward, each step adorned with flickering LED candles and more of those unnervingly realistic spiderwebs.
Miniature jack-o'-lanterns lined the banister, their carved faces leering at me with knowing grins, as if they were in on whatever my mates had planned.
"Up we go, then," I whispered to myself, my voice immediately swallowed by the haunting music that now filled the space.
The soundtrack was nothing like the cheesy Halloween tunes Faris had been playing in the car. This was all dissonant strings and jarring piano notes that seemed designed to set every nerve on edge—the kind of music that played right before the killer jumped out in a horror movie.
I ascended the stairs slowly, one hand trailing along the banister. Each step creaked beneath my weight, though I couldn't tell if it was intentional or just old wood protesting. The fishnet stockings rubbed my thighs as I climbed, making me acutely aware of how exposed I felt in this getup.
Halfway up, I froze. Was that a footstep behind me? I whipped around, my heart hammering, but saw only shadows dancing across the empty staircase.
"Get it together," I muttered, continuing upward.
The second floor opened into a space that had been transformed into what looked like a Victorian séance room. Plush velvet furniture, crystal balls that emitted an eerie glow, and tarot cards scattered across antique tables as if abandoned mid-reading.
The music swelled suddenly, a crescendo of violins that made me jump. Then I caught it—the distinct sensation of eyes on me. I spun around, scanning the shadows. Nothing. But the feeling persisted, raising goosebumps on my arms.
"I know you're there," I called out, trying to sound braver than I felt. "You wanted to hunt me? Well, here I am."
Something moved in my peripheral vision—I turned, but caught only empty air.
Another footstep, this time definitely real. Close. Then silence.
My breath quickened as I backed toward the center of the room. Six predators, and only one me.
I forced myself to stand still, listening intently. The Victorian séance room surrounded me with its gothic opulence, but I knew I wasn't alone. The sensation of being watched crawled over my skin like a physical touch.
"If you're trying to scare me, it's working," I said, attempting to sound casual despite my racing pulse.
A low, rumbling chuckle sounded from behind a heavy velvet curtain, unmistakably Kai's. I moved toward it, but as I reached for the fabric, a rush of cold air swept past me, carrying Faris's familiar scent—a hint of cherries and something metallic. He had used his supernatural speed to circle me.
"That's cheating, Baby Fang," I called out, turning in a slow circle.
The lights dimmed further until I could barely make out the contours of the furniture. I took a cautious step backward and bumped into something solid and warm. Before I could react, strong arms wrapped around me from behind.
"Found you," Cam's deep voice murmured against my ear.
I shivered involuntarily. "I wasn't hiding."
"No," he agreed, his hands sliding over the silky fabric of my dress. "But the night is young, little witch."
Just as quickly as he'd captured me, he released me and disappeared into the shadows. I spun around, disoriented by his sudden absence.
"What exactly are the rules here?" I asked the darkness as I stopped in front of an antique mirror. I quickly pulled my hair back into a ponytail. I was already heating up, and we hadn't even begun yet.
I squealed, grabbing my chest and spinning around when a face appeared in the reflection right behind me. A ghost face mask, maw open in a silent scream.
"Run," came Sloane's gravelly voice from behind the mask, the single word making my stomach flip with anticipation.
A theatrical fog began rolling across the floor, curling around my ankles like ghostly hands.
"And when you find me?" I challenged, backing toward what looked like a narrow hallway.
Another figure stepped partially out of the shadows, wearing a matching mask.
My heart was now thundering in my chest, adrenaline starting to rise.
I shifted, allowing my thighs to rub together, noting the way I was already wet with arousal.
The masked figure inhaled deeply and growled.
"When I find you, Goldie, I'm going to taste that fuckin' pussy. "
Bram never made threats he didn't follow through on.
My back hit the wall, and I realized I'd run out of space. Or so I thought, until my hand brushed against what felt like a hidden door panel. Without hesitation, I pushed it open and slipped through, finding myself in a dimly lit corridor lined with doors.
Behind me, I heard Faris's delighted laugh. "The game begins! One... two... three..."
I didn't wait for him to finish counting. I slammed the door shut, and I ran.