I took a big step away from the sinister accountant—making sure I was far out of his reach. “Nice try, creep! Try your fake cop routine on someone else, because I wasn’t born yesterday. Everyone knows you can easily buy a badge like that.”

I faked right and went left, finally able to evade the guy before he could block me again. Now that he wasn’t pinning me to the spot with his disturbing stare, I was a lot less freaked out. Still, I looked back to make sure that he wasn’t following me. He was watching me like a hawk but appeared to be staying put.

My best bet was that he was on drugs, because he didn’t seem drunk. He didn’t seem particularly high, either, but whatever the case, he was a certified asshole, and if he accosted me again, I was going to make a scene for the sake of my safety.

I’d finally made it into the kitchen where I thought I saw Harley. I caught another glimpse of the tall wolfy guy that I’d seen before I was interrupted and made a beeline for him.

I was determined to talk to Harley again, if only to rub it in the fake cop’s face. I had plans to laugh out loud at everything Harley said and do a lot of really obvious whispering to drive the fake cop bonkers. I had a feeling that he wouldn’t try any of his weird stuff with Harley by my side.

I barely know the guy, and I’m already treating Harley like he’s my bodyguard. He certainly got rid of that Alpha bear-dog guy, so it makes sense that he’d do the same with the aggressive accountant.

“Still up for that drink?” I asked as I moved close to Harley…only for me to get a good look and realize that I’d been fooled yet again. This wasn’t Harley—not by a long shot. This guy was wearing a lot of eye makeup, had a collar around his neck, and now that I was up close, I wasn’t sure that he was even supposed to be a werewolf.

“I’m a tabby cat,” he said after I looked him up and down for the third time.

“She knows; it’s obvious,” remarked the guy standing next to him—one of three hard-drinking frat-guy types who were all dressed as angels. “Or maybe she doesn’t know since she’s wearing those whack cat ears. What are you, a bat?”

“No, I’m not a bat! You just said it yourself that I’m wearing cat ears!”

I didn’t stick around to debate. I was starting to think that perhaps I wasn’t meant to stay at the party and have fun tonight. No one knew what my costume was, the music was too loud, the current karaoke enthusiast was screaming the wrong lyrics, and I’d just been accosted by a mean guy dressed as an accountant but posing as a cop.

I considered going back to thank him for making me lose sight of my prey, but I figured I shouldn’t push my luck.

My foot slipped on something, and I looked down and nearly puked—it was a puddle of green vomit and beer. Now that was a sign.

Perhaps it was time to cut my losses and leave. Simone would get over it…eventually. I’d had enough of this. I was tired, and maybe if I left right now, I’d still have a drop of energy left to look over some of my GRE study materials before bed.

Anyway, I was fooling myself if I thought I was really going to hook up with a hot werewolf at a Halloween party. This place was for party animals with no goals—people who were afraid to grow up. I was an adult with a big future ahead of me.

Knowing that Simone would be even angrier with me if I left without saying goodbye, I went looking for her. I was already coming up with some fresh excuses to throw at her, but in the end, I didn’t need one. I spotted her in the corner making out with a couple dressed as Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein. Maybe my luck was turning around.

I left Simone’s place and went outside, excited to inhale some fresh air after the smoky, stuffy, vomity air of the party—but the air outside smelled like sewage. Probably a result of the pile of trash leaking on the curb beside me, but, on the plus side, at least I was out of the party and on my way home.

I started walking and ripped my cat ears off when I came across a filthy but charismatic barefoot woman with long gray hair. Her frail body was draped in tattered robes, and she was standing on a bench with her arms stretched toward me.

“You!”

I stopped short and looked up at the woman, then pointed to myself. “Me?”

“Yes, you! Beware, daughter. Listen to me! I am your mother, Truth. The beast has chosen you!”