Page 54 of Haunted Hearts

“No, I can’t,” said Minerva. “And be careful not to step on Sam.”

As they headed for the table, Lillith realized that Blaze seemed shaken.

“Do cats bother you that much?” she asked.

“Only when black cats run between my legs on Samhain,” he grumbled. “I’m going to have bad luck now.”

“That’s a myth and you know it, Blaze,” scolded Minerva, bending down and picking up the cat which yowled and swiped out its paw in the air. “Although I must say something is upsetting my familiar. I think he knows the dead come back to life tonight.”

“That’s not true. Is it?” asked Lillith, suddenly feeling scared.

“Anything is possible,” said Minerva. “Oh, Lady Lillith, you’ll sit here next to me,” said Minerva as they walked up to the dais.

Lillith looked around and saw way too many settings for just the three of them. “Who are all the extra plates for?” she asked.

“Well, one was for Serena, but she’s up in her room,” said Minerva. “The other two are for your father and brother.”

“What?” Lillith’s heart jumped and her body stiffened. “Lady Minerva, they’re not coming. They’re dead.”

“I know. But after all, it is custom to set places for the dead tonight.”

All this talk started to spook Lillith. She felt as if she wanted her sister by her for comfort.

“Blaze, I think Serena should be here. Can you go get her?” she asked.

Blaze was about to sit. “What? Why?”

“She didn’t want to miss the celebration. Besides, she has to eat.”

“And she is your betrothed, Blaze,” said Minerva.

“Not for long,” he mumbled.

Minerva put her cat down on the table. “Son, I agree with Lady Lillith. It would be good for appearances if your bride-to-be was here as well. Now, go get her.”

“If it’ll stop you two from hounding me so I can eat my meal in peace, then I will.”

He headed away, leaving Minerva and Lillith by themselves.

“Is there anything you’d like to ask me, my dear?” Minerva picked up a goblet with some spiced wine and took a sip. Sam inspected the items on the table, rubbing up against them.

Lillith had a lot of questions about witches and Samhain and even Blaze. However, seeing those empty places at the end of table for the dead spooked her so much that she couldn’t even think of a thing to say.

“Nay,” she said, taking a goblet of wine from the cupbearer and chugging down the liquid. Something felt odd but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. Nightfall would be closing in fast. With the loss of light, spirits from the other side might start to emerge, just as the myths said. As much as Lillith would love to see her father and brother again, the thought of them showing up in spirit form made her very uncomfortable. Lillith had been so excited about these festivities, but now, she couldn’t wait until All Hallows’ Eve was over.

Once Serena joined Lillith at the table, she immediately felt better. It wasn’t easy watching Blaze carry her to the table, when all Lillith could think about was herself being in Blaze’s arms. Still, they enjoyed the meal, and handed out soul cakes to the beggars and children who approached the dais, promising a prayer for a dead one in exchange for the small bun.

“Thank you for suggesting I join you,” said Serena, finishing up her meal.

“I wish Father and Robert were really here with us.” Lillith glanced down the table once more to the places that were set for them. There was actually food on the plates now, and that was eerie.

“Don’t you think it’s a little scary, setting plates of food at the table for the dead?” asked Serena in a whisper.

“I do,” Lillith whispered back. “It’s not like the ghosts are really going to eat.”

The meal continued, and a little while later, Lillith looked back to the places set for the dead and gasped.

“Serena,” said Lillith. “Look. The food is gone at the place settings they put out for Father and Robert.”