Wil frowned and touched my arm gently. "You should get back to your party. Kate might be wondering where you are."

"I don't think I feel like partying anymore," I said. A soft smile formed on his face. "How wil you get home?

You didn't drive here."

"Oh, right," I grumbled. "I guess I don't have a choice."

His apprehension seemed to wash away, and once again he became that familiar tower of security and comfort. He took my hand. "Come on."

I fol owed him back out into the hal , where Kate happened to hop in front of us, the sequins on her devil outfit making her glitter like a disco bal . One hand rested on her hip and the other held a Tootsie Pop propped in the inside of her cheek. She looked us both up and down.

"Where were you guys?" she asked with a suggestive flick of her eyebrows. "Makin' out, huh?"

I rol ed my eyes, pul ing away from Wil self-consciously.

"No," I grumbled. "Some guy was giving me a hard time." I thought it was wise to mention Cadan in case anyone had seen me with him.

"Not that hot guy, was it?" She frowned.

I nodded. "He wasn't as cool as he seemed."

"Creepers happen," Kate said with an indifferent shrug.

"Wel , it's midnight and they're about to judge the costume contest!" Ful of enthusiasm now, she locked an arm around mine and danced her way into the middle of the hal , dragging me along with her. Wil fol owed silently. The DJ had turned the music down and his microphone up so everyone could hear him. Cheers rang out as began to announce the winners. The scariest costume went not to Landon but to another zombie, resulting in a very pissed-off Landon. Chris actual y won for funniest costume. I decided I'd have to watch Super Troopers now. The sexiest costume category was won by a girl dressed as Eve. Her much-tootanned body was covered by a leaf over each breast and a very skimpy leaf bikini bottom. Unsurprisingly, the overal best costume honor went to Josie.

Kate leaned close to me and said with a quick nod, "She paid somebody off for that award." I nodded in agreement. When one a.m. rol ed around, the party was cooling off. I was in a better mood, final y able to shake off my memory of Cadan. As we prepared to leave, we stood by our cars and discussed the next phase of the night's celebrations.

"Is the after party stil at my house?" Kate asked excitedly.

"I'm down," Landon said.

Rachel was clinging heavily to Evan's arm, resting her head on his shoulder. Her face was flushed and she was missing her witch's hat. "I'm ready to just go home, actual y."

"That's fine," Evan said. "I can take you home. I'm feeling a little tired too."

"I have vodka," Kate said, waggling her fingers, trying to convince them to join. "Shots, shots, shots!"

As Rachel started to get excited, Evan guided her to his car. "She doesn't need any more."

"See you guys later!" Rachel cal ed. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her smile was outrageously huge. "I had so much fun!" Her face bulged suddenly and she dived around the back of the car and retched. Evan rushed to her side and pul ed her hair over her shoulders. He rubbed her back gently until she was through, and they climbed into his car. My face scrunched when I smel ed the puke.

"Ten bucks says they bang," Kate mused as they drove off.

I gaped at her in disgust. "She just threw up!"

Kate shrugged. "She can brush her teeth."

I frowned at her. "You couldn't be more blunt if you tried."

"Oh, I could," she said. "I could be far more blunt, but I don't want to damage your pretty little virgin ears."

I shoved her shoulder away as she laughed, and I turned to Wil . "Are you coming with us?"

He looked down at me, his eyes a cool mint green. He seemed to have calmed down since Cadan left. "If you wish."

"I would feel better if you were close," I whispered. "Cadan freaked me out."

"Then of course," he said. "I'l fol ow you anywhere."

I felt instant relief when I knew Wil would stay with me al night. Part of me was afraid Cadan or even Ragnuk would attack tonight. I'd give anything to keep that from happening when my friends were around, but that wasn't exactly something I could control.

24

WE FINISHED THE NIGHT OFF IN KATE'S BASEMENT by watching the original Halloween movie, but we just made fun of it the entire time, so it never got too gory for me. It was funny how many real horrors I faced every night, yet I stil couldn't handle a stupid scary movie. Landon was sprawled across the sofa chair, and I sat on the couch with Kate and Chris while Wil sat silently at my feet. The warmth of his body against my legs was comforting and I felt perfectly safe. I couldn't tel if he was enjoying the movie, but he sat stil as a statue against me, his eyes on the TV.

I started to nod off, so I checked my cel . It was nearly three, and I knew I was going to crash any minute. I was pleased to see that everyone else seemed to be feeling the same way. Chris was already passed out with his head propped on the back of the sofa and his mouth gaping open as he snored. He stil hadn't taken off his ridiculous mustache. Kate and Landon seemed to be in their own little world of giggles and clinking glasses. As soon as the movie finished, Kate wished us good night and left the den. Landon chose one of the two bedrooms, and Chris didn't seem like he'd be leaving the couch for a while. I left Wil by the TV to go change in the unclaimed bedroom. With my overnight bag plopped on the bed, I unzipped it and pul ed out my pajamas. I let my hair down and shook out the big curls.