We walked into the room to find it packed as usual. The annual ball was a costume party and an event where people could speak and interact freely with those who practiced Witchcraft. There would be Tarot cards, folk magick, spells, crystals, astrology, ceremonial magick, and so much more. And food. There would be some amazing food as well as it just being a really fun time.
Walking farther into the room, I stopped to read the food menu.
Warm Brie Dip
Buffalo Cauliflower with a blue cheese dip
Chicken and Lemon Tacos
Veggie Egg Rolls
Cheese Boards
Fruit Boards
Mediterranean Station
“I say we hit up the Mediterranean Station. Those marinated olives and grilled veggies sound like heaven!” I said as my hand covered my growling stomach.
Kristin grabbed my hand, and we wound our way through the crowd, stopping to say hello to friends along the way.
“Hollie?”
The sound of my name caused me to stop. Turning, I saw Shawn, Lucas’s best friend.
“Hi, Shawn.”
He made no effort to hide the fact that his gaze was sweeping over my body. “You look amazing.”
“Doesn’t she, though?” Kristen agreed. “We’re on our way to get some food. Toodles!”
Pulling me by the arm, Kristin practically dragged me away from Shawn.
“That was rude,” I said as we walked up to the food table and each took a plate. I started to pile grilled veggies onto my plate as Kristin huffed.
“Please, he has the hots for you and wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that he was eye-fucking you. If Lucas saw the way he was staring at you, he’d punch him.”
“Kristin!” I cried out with a laugh.
“It’s true.”
Next to the grilled veggies, I set some marinated olives, along with some roasted bell peppers and marinated artichokes.
“We’re never going to find a place to sit down and eat,” I called out over the music playing.
“Follow me! We’re sitting with some friends!” Kristin said as she made her way through the crowd. “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry started to play, and so many people went to the dance floor.
Kristin walked up to a table that had a few people sitting at it and motioned for me to sit down. I glanced around to see the other people at the table all worked with Lucas.
“Hey, guys! We’ve been waiting for you,” Manny said as he stood and held out a chair for me. I sat as we all exchanged hellos, then I shot Kristin a questioning look. She simply smiled and shrugged.
Before I even had a chance to take a bite of food, I felt a shiver run down my back. Warm breath tickled my neck as Lucas spoke against my ear.
“So, you wanna play with magick?”
My eyes darted up to see no one at the table watching as Lucas mimicked the words of the song into my ear. I tilted my neck and felt goosebumps erupt over my skin at the heat of his breath hitting it.
“What kind of magick are you talking about?” I turned in my seat to look up at him. The air caught in my lungs as I took in Lucas. He wore a vintage, black tailcoat jacket and a black Victorian frock coat. It was topped off with a black top hat. He was also carrying a walking stick. My eyes moved over his body, and I had to remember how to speak.