CHAPTER 170

"Thanks, you're a lifesaver. Where's Tink?"

The kitsune scowled. "I lost track of her after she pantsed some guy dressed like a preacher. She is out there raising mayhem, and everyone assumed I was her mother, so that wasn't fun for me. I ran into Death, he said he'd keep an eye on her until I get back."

Beth frowned. Could the grim reaper even do anything if someone tried to take the goblin? "You're headed back out?"

"I am. Some guy in a hockey mask kept shouting baka at me, so now that you have your candy, I'm going to hunt him down and teach him to be afraid of his own shadow." She stormed back out the door and ran down the walk. A little girl dressed as a princess stared in awe as Yuki vaulted the stone wall to bypass the group of parents that waited between the lions.

"Now that I'm thinking could become a fair bit o' trouble," Suly said.

"I hope not." Beth wasn't sure she agreed with Yuki letting Tink wander off, but there was nothing she could do about it now. If something happened to Tink, Death would be able to come home and let somebody know. The idea that Mike may come home and discover she was missing didn't sit well with her at all. Or Yuki, for that matter. She wasn't supposed to be their babysitter by any means, but she suddenly felt like the situation was starting to spiral out of control.

Quetzalli and Beth alternated handing out candy. Jenny and Reggie stood in the window and watched them come and go. More than a few kids stopped to take selfies with the Jabberwock. Beth got asked by more than a couple of adults if she was the new owner, and she noticed a bunch of people milling about the yard and admiring the gardens. The centaurs had long ago left, locking their portal door behind them, and she sent Sulyvahn out into the yard to chase off some people who decided to wander the hedge maze.

There were so many people coming and going that she didn't bother to close the door anymore and just waited with the screen shut for the next group of kids to arrive. The energy in the air was high, and she bid farewell to a group of high school kids dressed as ninja turtles when she looked up to see a dark figure in a black hoodie standing at the bottom of the porch.

"Hey there," she said in greeting, but her smile turned to a frown when the figure pulled back the hood to reveal their identity.

"Hi, Beth." Marco stood defiantly on the front walk of the house, his hands in his pockets. "I was wondering if we could talk?"

"About what?" She set down the candy bucket and scowled. "Why are you here? Clearly, it isn't for candy."

"It's for you." When Marco lifted his head to look at her, it revealed that his eyes were wild, his pupils dilated. "It's always been about you."

"Oh for fuck's sake." She stepped toward him and crossed her arms. "Is this about a stupid crush? We worked together for years, why the sudden interest now?"

"Yes. No, I..." He looked confused for a moment, his attention wandering across the face of the home. "I haven't been able to get you out of my head, not since the night I dropped off those boxes. I keep thinking about how I didn't appreciate you when you were there, and how you make me feel. Now I have to protect you from yourself, surely you understand?"

"Are you on something? Is that what this is about?" She took another step toward him. "You're broadcasting some major creep vibes right now."

"It's not about me, though. It's about you. This place is dangerous, Mike is dangerous. Don't you see? All this money he inherited was just part of it, and now you're under his thrall. He's controlling you!" His eyes were pleading now, and she wondered if he was going to cry.

"I've had enough of this. Get off my property before I come down there and kick your ass."

"Please, Beth." Marco took a step back. "This place does things to you. You haven't been the same since you left, don't you see that? He even has you dressing up for him, now. I get that you don't see it, you're on the inside looking out, you're caught up in all of this, but please, if you'll just come with me, I can explain everything."

She shook her head, hoping that Sulyvahn would reappear soon. Marco's posture made her nervous, and he stepped aside to let some kids past. She greeted them and gave them candy, her eyes never leaving his. Once the children were gone, she pointed at the street.

"Seriously, Marco. Get off my property before I have you removed."

"My property," he snarled. "He already has you thinking like him, doesn't he? You really are lost."

"Marco." She narrowed her eyes at him. Between the wild eyes and the weird statements, her best guess was that he had taken drugs earlier. "I will have your ass fired. This is not okay."

"It doesn't matter anymore," he told her. "None of it does."

With that, he turned and walked down the sidewalk until he vanished around the corner. Sulyvahn reappeared from the garden and shook his head.

"Yer never gonna believe at what I caught them doing...are ye okay, lass?"

"Yeah. I guess so." She frowned at the street. "C'mon, let's go inside and turn off the lights. I think I'm done giving out candy." She set the bucket by the door and flipped off the porch light. "Hey, Abella? Let me know if someone starts trouble in the yard."