Page 212 of Trick or Stalk

Gracie claps. Penny barks while Walter sneezes.

“On one condition.”

Everyone looks at me.

I point at Hades. “No mustache.”

His eyebrows raise. “It's part of the costume.”

“No.”

“Seems important.”

“It looks like something you'd find stuck underneath a couch.”

Hades stares at me for two seconds. Then he laughs again.

And something inside my chest goes warm.

I like making him laugh. A lot.

“Well, have fun shopping.” Gracie waves, then wheels Penny and Walter away.

Hades and I exchange a look before we follow.

His hand finds mine again.

“Meddling Gracie.”

Hades smirks. “And the sidekicks.”

A laugh bursts out of me. “Yeah. Walter and Penny were clearly on her side.”

As we walk, my eyes trail over the various costumes and masks.

When my gaze lands on the wall, I freeze.

Every bit of warmth drains out of me.

A white, weathered, skeletal mask hangs from a hook.

The same one that my masked stalker uses.

My hand tightens around Hades's.

He notices immediately. “What?”

I stare at the mask.

He reaches over and grabs it. “You want me to wear this⁠—”

“Don't.” The word comes out sharper than I intend.

He stares at me.

I swallow. “Just... don't.”

Hades studies the mask, then me. “What is it?”