Kathrena’s eyes nearly fell out of her head as she gawped at the giant pumpkin in my arms. I was more than a little smug that I was able to carry it with the same ease that Skye had, and he’d laughed along with me, putting a hand on my shoulder and suggesting that I do the heavy lifting in the relationship from now on. Then we’d kissed goodbye, the pumpkin quickly forgotten, and the kiss had lingered on my lips, and in my thoughts, as I’d watched him slip away. The crowd had died down, now, and there were only a few dog walkers out, picking their way through the fallen leaves as their pets scurried along beside them, their noses to the ground. “It’s great that you’re getting in the Halloween spirit, El, but did you need to buy such a big one?” Kathrena grinned. Her friend, it seemed, had put her in a jovial mood. I wiggled my eyebrows at her. “My friend picke

The Pumpkin Fayre took place in a small meadow that edged the high street, and it stretched all the way from the pedestrianised section of the town to the back hedges of the meadow. Kathrena and I had to park further afield than usual, as the nearby lanes were littered with parked cars. Some were slung across verges, and others were left at crooked angles, half on the kerb and half in the road.“So,” she said, half leaning out of the truck door, “need to know?”“Need to know,” I nodded, with a tight-lipped smile. “We should probably stay close-ish, though.”“I agree.” Kathrena jumped down, and smoothed down the lapels of her checked blazer. “Just – don’t look too closely, okay? I – I will tell you when I’m ready. I’m just scared,” she admitted, her voice hollow-sounding as she dropped her eyes to the pavement.I averted my own gaze as I replied. “It is scary, Kath. But this would be easier if we could be honest with each other.”“And we will be.” Then the words spilled out of her, floo

The scream echoed in my ears, long after the sound had stopped ringing through the meadow. The jovial chatter had silenced, and the coil of sirens was burning through the cold night air.My breath came in short, quick gasps as I ran. I could feel Skye behind me, could feel his footsteps ricocheting off the pavement as we thundered down the high street. I needed to know where Kathrena was. I needed to know that she was safe. If she wasn’t – if she was hurt – it would be my fault, all over again.I’d underestimated the attacker. I hadn’t thought that they’d risk an assault here, not somewhere so public. But, as I scanned through the crowd, pushing against the tide of people, I realised that somewhere public was the perfect place to commit such a crime. They could blend in, merge with the tide like a pebble being dragged across the shore, falling, seamlessly, back into the sea.There was a huddle of people just past the coffee shop, and I pressed myself to run faster, just a little furth

The site of the attack was deserted. Even the last of the curious onlookers had tired of staring, and there was nothing there but half-dried blood and billowing police tape. The wind had picked up, rustling the nearby fir trees and blowing orange and burgundy leaves to the ground. Skye stilled beside me, dropping my hand as he crept around the bloodied imprint. “I’ve smelt this before.” I raised one eyebrow. “Not a vampire?” He shook his head. “No, it’s the same smell that lingered after Pera was attacked. Not a vampire… I’m not sure what it is.” Kathrena frowned, stepping closer. I was scared to move more than an inch towards the blood: it was less appealing to us once it had congealed, its life force diminished, but the scent of it was still thick and heady in the night air. The sky had darkened fully now, and the glow of the streetlamps

My phone felt like lead in my pocket as we recounted Toby’s attack to Aradia and Ezrand. They listened intently, wearing identical, worried expressions that pulled their mouths into grim lines and narrowed their eyes. I’d replied to Skye’s message before we’d come inside, but we’d not had a chance to talk properly yet. He was with Pera, and I had responsibilities of my own. As such, we’d agreed to meet on Monday afternoon, straight after school, in the Hawthorn Central Library. It gave us a safe place to discuss Pera’s attack – and Toby’s – and also provided the perfect opportunity for us to approach Herb.Ezrand heaved out a sigh, leaning forwards and pressing his elbows against the kitchen table. He held his chin in his upturned hands, and slumped his shoulders dramatically. His patterned shirt was too bright for the conversation, dotted with pink palm trees and neon green seagulls. “It’s getting worse, Ar,” he muttered, the top of his head moving up and down in a freakish, comedic