Page 218 of Trick or Stalk

That’s what he does.

I step forward and wrap my arms around him.

He freezes for a second. Then his arms close tightly around me.

I press my face against his chest.

His heart is pounding.

“You really chased him.”

“I wasn't going to let him scare you.”

I close my eyes. “I think I want to go home.”

“Okay.”

“I need to get Penny first.”

“I'll take you.”

I pull back. “You don't have to.”

“I know.”

His hand finds mine. “I'm taking you anyway.”

Penny loses her mind when she sees us.

She barrels across Gracie's living room in her orange bat sweater and launches herself at my legs.

I scoop her up. “Hi, baby.”

She attacks my chin with kisses, tail furiously wagging.

Walter watches from the couch with the exhausted expression of a man who's spent the evening babysitting.

Gracie takes one look at me. “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

Her eyes narrow. “You’re lying. I can tell.”

“How?”

She gives me a look. “I’m not giving away my secrets.”

Hades steps closer. “She got scared at the festival.”

Gracie's expression immediately changes. “By what?”

I hug Penny tighter. “I'll tell you tomorrow.”

She studies me. “Okay.”

I kiss her cheek. “Thank you for watching Penny.”

“Anytime.”