VEE

I've never spent much time around kids, in my real life or my imaginary life. I'm uncomfortable with them, as are Joss and Heath. Children at the party repeatedly accost poor Heath to stroke his fur and run away shrieking when he growls at them. Is his growl playful or annoyed? I haven't decided. Joss's realistic costume keeps them away from him. If I were a kid, I doubt I'd want to go near a tall, muscular guy whose skin peels to reveal black and bloody flesh beneath.

Kailey approaches us. Blue food dye smears her mouth, and when she grins her tongue matches. Brightly coloured food and sweets cover the carpet around us; some trampled underfoot.

Kailey holds out a hand. “I have an eyeball! Look!” She closes her eye and pushes a large, squishy object in against her eyelid.

I laugh as she attempts to hold it in place. “That's not very pretty for a fairy,” I reply.

Kailey smirks and pushes the eye into her mouth instead. “Yummy!” Red food colouring squirts along her chin.

I don't think Heath could back any further into the wall than he is now. I wish I could see his face. Joss's face isn't much clearer, but he breaks into a bemused smile at her actions.

Kailey tugs my hand. “Play a game! You promised”

“Um.”

“Yes, Vee. Play a game,” says Joss. “What are you playing, Kailey?”

“Musical Monsters! Then we're going Trick or Treating!”

Joss blinks rapidly. “You have to stay in the house, Kailey.”

Her mouth purses and a frown appears; a look she no doubt inherited from her sister. “But I want to go trick or treating!”

I gesture at the bowls filled with the sugar-high inducing sweets on the table nearby. “But you have a house filled with treats! And look, all your friends are here.”

“Jamie's mum said she'd take us. We'll be okay.”

“Shit,” mutters Heath and I stomp on his foot.

“Don't swear.”

“She can't leave the house,” he whispers. “We promised Portia.”

“Maybe the mum asked Portia's permission?” I suggest.

Joss makes a 'pfft sound'. “Don't let Kailey out of your sight.”

I squeeze my eyes closed for a moment and sigh. “Okay, Kailey. Show me how to play musical monsters.”

* * *

HEATH

I'm sweating in this heated house and bloody furry outfit. I pull off my werewolf mask and watch Vee walk across the room with Kailey gripping her hand. Damn that girl's sexy in her costume. Hell, we all appreciate Vee's ass on a regular basis, but this dress shows off her body in a way that leaves almost zero to the imagination. Sometimes I wonder if Vee was created for us, and not us for her.

Hell, if she heard me say that I'd get a smack in the mouth.

No. I've figured out the answer is probably both.

“Hold in those animal urges,” says Joss with a laugh.

I run a hand through my damp hair to push it away from my face. “Oh, come on. You know you're having the same thoughts, Joss.”

Joss's eyes glint in the light. “Best hope she doesn't kill anyone tonight. A supercharged, horny Vee dressed like that would probably have us all at her feet.” He arches a brow. “Or anywhere she wants.”

“Shush!” I hiss. Two overly interested school mums are too close for comfort, and I swear are edging closer to us. That's all I need—married women ten years older than I look hitting on me.

Why the hell aren't there any men here? I wince at another girl screeching in excitement. Oh yeah, that's why.

Music blares into the room, and a rendition of “Monster Mash” blares from nearby speakers, joined with singing voices.

“Vee's always hot for you, and not only when she's in rampant sex drive mode.” Joss peels at some latex falling from his face. “Lucky, lucky guy.”

“I don't understand how you can share a bed with Vee and not do anything.”

Joss shrugs. “Don't you think things are even sweeter if you need to wait for them? Vee's coming to terms with how she feels about us all. She's confused by what drives her when she loses control.”

“I guess.”

“So I'm not confusing Vee further. She can't have the same type of relationship with all of us; we're all different guys. I like that she's comfortable with me and we can fool around. Me and Vee? We tune into each other on a deeper level.”

“Uh huh.” I give him a knowing smile. “A deeper level? Don't make yourself sound like you have noble intentions.”

“I never said that.”

Joss is right. I love that my bond with Vee exists on a different level to the other guys. Ours comes from a closer connection to the human world, Vee's past and my spending more time amongst humans than the other guys. But I'm worried because I offer her something she doesn't want—reminders she's human.

“We all love her in our own ways, some of us just won't admit it yet.” He looks past me. “Ah! Xander. Speak of the devil. Well, the Phantom.”

Xander ignores Joss and stands in front of us. “There are vamps in the house.”

“What the hell?” I ask.

The music stops, and the room falls silent for the first time since we arrived—no kids voices at all. I glance over in alarm. Several stand in awkward poses, unmoving and Vee in the middle, frozen. A spell? The song starts again and the group begin moving. Oh. The Musical Monsters game?

“Elyssia brought two vamp friends. I swear that girl deliberately does things to piss her mother off,” says Ewan as he joins us.

“Does she not learn?” I say and sigh. “People use and trick her. For a nineteen-year-old, she's pretty damn immature.”

Ewan laughs. “Are you a teen expert?”

“No, but—”

“Nineteen,” puts in Joss. “A kid. A spoiled, sheltered one. This girl is the embodiment of 'princess'. She'll learn.”

“She's strong though,” says Xander. “I can sense that. Nobody's going to fuck with her.”

A woman standing nearby throws Xander a filthy look, and he apologises.

“I think the vamps are harmless,” puts in Ewan. “They're here to amuse themselves at the Halloween spectacle.”

“They’re vamps! I want them out of the house. Aren't we supposed to be guardians tonight?” Xander pauses and looks around. “Where's Vee?”

I point to the corner where she sways from side to side sharing a smile with the mini-Dracula and devil-horned child hanging onto her hands. Xander's mouth falls open. His face may be obscured beneath a mask, but he can't hide his surprise.

Another woman nearby dances too and she passes Vee a drink. The pair smile and raise their plastic glasses in a toast before sipping.

Ewan laughs. “Elyssia was drinking that punch, and it smelt bloody strong.” Vee drains the cup. “We might have a drunk Vee on our hands later.”

Xander's expression changes. “Oh, great.”

“Hey, at least she's with Kailey,” I reply. “Ewan, where are the drinks? I could do with one too.”

Xander's half-faced expression darkens. “Oh. So I'll deal with the fucking vamps then?”