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Alexander walked with Theo into the woods, flinching as an apparition came screaming out of a nearby tree.
Theo’s head cocked after the third or so time it happened. “Is everything okay?”
“Octavius certainly went all out,” Alexander drawled. “These spells would have cost a pretty penny.”
Theo chuckled, the sound was nice and light. Pleasing to the ears. “I’m afraid he roped Min-ji into doing it all.” The werewolf frowned. “Though, I suppose you may not know who that is.”
“No worries, I know who you are talking about.”
“I have my suspicions that this may be Octavius’ favorite holiday.”
Alexander laughed. “I feel it’s more than suspicion at this point.”
“No doubt,” Theo snickered.
While all the decorations were rather impressive, they held no interest to him. He had no particular interest in any holiday, to be honest.
Alexander guided Theo around a few gawking attendees, and towards the stairs as they reached Scarlett’s home.
“We are a foot from stairs that wind to the left.”
Theo nodded with a smile. Making sure Theo wasn’t impeded by the line of pumpkins going up the steps, they made it inside without issue. The ballroom was only a few hallways away. As they stepped into the room, he took a deep breath, only to let out a startled hiss as an all too familiar smell reached his nose.
* * *
Theo blinked,frowning at the concerning sound Alexander just made. “What? What’s wrong?”
He knew they must be in the ballroom now, as the sounds of people laughing, screaming, and more were again loud and clear. There were so many smells and sounds, it was hard for him to trust his senses in any situation here.
“I smell…death,” Alexander said stiffly.
“Death?” Theo rasped, brows raising in shock.
Frown deepening, he took a deep breath and tried to sort through what he could smell, and realized he smelled it too. But one wouldn’t unless they were looking for it. He imagined a reaper’s senses perhaps automatically sought out that smell…maybe… At least, Theo thought that was the most logical conclusion for how Alexander smelled it before anyone else.
“Alright, my creatures of the night! Quieten down and listen here!” Octavius’ voice boomed out, the noise of chatter silencing soon after. “It is time for another grand performance. But this one shall be in the air. Prepare to be amazed and frightened by acrobatic feats that have never been seen before! A show that is heart stopping, and possibly a little bloody. Everyone, feast your eyes above!”
There was a swooshing sound followed by a loud crashing thud, along with shattering glass and metal crunching. He had some idea what had just happened due to the screams that followed the noise.
Alexander sighed. “Well, there would be the body…”
“I think…I should change my eyes back.”
“I can guide you to your room, or even to an empty room here. I know I said I’d stay with you, but…”
Theo turned and faced the direction he knew the reaper was standing and smiled. “Duty calls?”
Alexander let out a soft laugh. “Yes.”
He sighed. “Well, I think I would like to stay with you to find out what is going on, at least. I’ll change my eyes when it becomes necessary. Perhaps it will be fine, and I’ll feel more comfortable since the rest of my agency will no doubt be congregating near the body.”
“The rest of your agency?”
Theo nodded. “Yes, I decided to join The Undead Detective Agency.”
He wasn’t sure if joining had been the best decision, but it would certainly be something new and unknown…
Turney stood at the back of the stage watching Octavius dramatically announce another grand performance. The ballroom was black with white and gold diamond tiled floors. It was…another room Turney had never seen before, as both Octavius’ and Scarlett’s homes were ginormous. While the food and drink tables were similar to the other ballroom, along with the orange pumpkin candy bowl, the decorations here were black roses, thorns, spiders, and a shit ton of webs. There was also a bar in this ballroom.
