Spooks & Specters: A San DeLain Short Story Collection

Chapter One

AS THE moon climbed higher in the starry night sky, Kit couldn’t shake the electrifying sensation that lingered from the recent kiss with his mates. The brief contact had sparked a deep fire within him, a craving for more.

Was it because it was Halloween? Or maybe it was because it was a full moon. Or maybe it was just because it was Hudson and Connie. Kit didn’t know why such a simple thing as a kiss had turned him on so much.

Could it be that the mystical magic that surrounded his dragons had been intricately woven into every fiber of his being now? It pulsated through the bond that connected them, filling him with a desire that defied explanation.

Or maybe he was just horny.

Kit walked into their living area, his heart fluttering at the sight of Hudson’s heated gaze upon him. A slow, heart-melting smile graced Hudson’s face as he took in Kit’s appearance.

Hudson’s eyes flickered to those of his dragon for the briefest of moments before changing back to their human brown. Yep, there was definitely something in the air tonight.

And oh, how Kit loved that look—it was full of invitation, a silent promise of what was to come later. He would never tire of seeing it.

“You look ravishing,”

Hudson said, his voice low and rumbly.

“Why, thank you, darling,”

Kit replied, striking a pose and batting his long lashes.

With the help of Connie’s powerful spellwork, Kit’s hair was now almost white-blond and styled into high pigtails—one side dipped in pink and the other in baby blue.

His lips were painted a bold red, adding to his fierce and striking look. And his eye makeup featured smudged black eyeliner paired with red and pink accent on one eye and blue on the other. An artificial beauty mark shaped like a heart adorned his cheek.

His outfit was just as bold—a three-quarter sleeve raglan jersey that he’d paired with red and blue sequin booty shorts and a black belt studded with silver accents. Of course he had the iconic two-tone red and blue jacket. Of course. Fishnet stockings, black combat boots, and a choker completed the daring look.

“You make a striking Harley Quinn,”

Hudson complimented as Kit twirled for him.

Kit had picked the Harley Quinn character from the movie Suicide Squad as what he was dressing up as for Halloween. “You bet your ass I do.”

“Speaking of ass...”

Hudson gulped. “Those shorts make yours look hot.”

Kit couldn’t help but grin devilishly at Hudson’s words, feeling a warm blush spread across his cheeks. He sauntered over to where Hudson reclined on the couch, matching his energy and the mischievous glint in his eye.

“Is that so?”

Kit teased.

“That’s so.”

Hudson reached out, grabbing Kit’s hand and then pulling him onto his lap.

Kit went gracefully, laughing as he settled against his mate. Their bodies met with an electric spark, the kind that could only be felt between those bonded by both magic and desire. Hudson kissed him, and Kit lost himself in their passion.

But their romantic moment was interrupted by a throat clearing from the doorway. Kit reluctantly pulled away from Hudson’s embrace, turning to see Connie standing there with a knowing smile on his face.

“If you two are quite finished, perhaps we could focus on the reason we’re all dressed up tonight?”

Connie asked with a hint of teasing in his voice.

Kit hopped up and turned to face Connie. “Of course!”

“Hudson is right, though. You do make a spectacular Harley Quinn.”

“Yes, he does.”

Kit’s gaze flitted between his two mates. Connie was dressed as a fierce gladiator—he wore a brown loincloth, thick leather belt, leg armor, arm guards, and gladiator sandals that accentuated his muscular calves.

Connie had foregone the helmet for the evening, leaving his chiseled features exposed for all to see. Kit was hard-pressed not to drool because, damn, he was also bare chested too, and he looked fine.

Intimidating, but definitely fine.

Hudson was dressed as a pirate—a brown jacket with a blue vest, an ivory shirt that dipped low in the front, black leather pants, a patterned waist sash, a brown belt, a pair of brown knee-high boots, a patterned red head scarf, and a tricorn pirate hat.

Kit extended his arms with a dramatic flair. “Then shall we go, my fine dragons? The night is young, and mischief awaits!”

“Mischief at the Halloween Bash.”

Hudson chuckled deeply.

The sound reverberated through Kit like thunder, sending shivers down his spine. He loved it when his dragons made that sound.

Hudson stood, stepping closer to Kit and adjusting his choker with a lingering touch on Kit’s neck. “Sounds enchantingly perilous.”

Connie nodded in agreement, moving closer too.

“Could very well be.”

Kit laughed, bouncing on the balls of his feet, enjoying their attention.

He did another twirl because why the hell not? He felt hella sexy. The sequins on his shorts caught the light, sending splashes of red and blue dancing across the walls.

The heat emanating from Hudson was palpable, even before he wrapped his arms around Kit. “Care to give us a private performance of this mischief you speak of?”

he murmured into Kit’s ear, his breath hot against Kit’s skin.

Connie closed the distance and pressed a gentle kiss against Kit’s neck, leaving a tingling path that seemed to have a direct line to his cock. The magic in their bond stirred, responding to their proximity and affection.

“Tonight,”

Kit whispered as he pulled out of their embrace. “We’ll pick this up again later tonight.”

Connie reached for Kit but caught himself. “Promise?”

“Promise,” Kit said.

Hudson rumbled softly, giving Kit a knowing look. “You plan to drive us crazy tonight, don’t you?”

“Guess you’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?”

Kit grinned, ready for whatever adventures and mischief awaited them at the Halloween Bash.

As they exited the house, stepping out into the warm evening air, Hudson looked over at Connie, who met his gaze with an understanding nod.

Kit caught it but didn’t say anything. As much as he wanted the three of them to have fun tonight, there was no escaping the fact that Lennox was still out there and still a threat.

His dragons were both protectors by nature. They defended their court and now Kit. But tonight, though, they would also be partygoers, having fun at Raven’s Halloween Bash. For just a little while, they would partake in this holiday’s charm and chaos.

THEY TOOK one of the many black SUVs Hudson owned, and the traffic into San DeLain was insane as usual. As they drew closer to Club Nomadic, Kit saw that the streets were bustling with people dressed in their Halloween finest.

Vampires mingled with witches, ghosts floated past superheroes, and Batman walked past arm in arm with the Joker. The Joker was a cool character, but Kit much preferred his gladiator and pirate.

Since they were downtown, it was adults only, and it was already getting crowded. All the businesses in the area had a Halloween theme going too.

Hudson used valet parking, then escorted Kit and Connie inside the club. The doorman welcomed them with a nod as mysterious music drifted from inside. The building was the size of a small warehouse. The outside was nothing to look at, but the inside certainly made up for that with its exposed brick, concrete floors tinted black, and open stairwells heading up to the second and third floors.

There were plenty of awnings throughout and private nooks enclosed with drapery. Heavy ornate black leather furniture fit the theme of the place, along with the black chandeliers. A rolling fog crawled throughout the area, the lighting dim. Finally, there was a massive bar and dance floor. And that was just the everyday décor. Raven had gone the extra step for the holiday, of course.

Stepping into the main room was like entering another realm.

There were huge spiderwebs in the corners, red strobe lights gave everything a demonic glow, and pumpkins and skulls adorned every table. Even the staff had dressed up in gruesome costumes, adding to the otherworldly feel of the club. At least the ones who hadn’t come as what they truly were—vampires.

Orange and purple lights danced on the walls, casting eerie shadows throughout the club. People were dressed in a variety of costumes, from witches to zombies to ghosts.

A large cauldron bubbled in one corner, emitting a slight metallic odor. Everywhere Kit looked, there were signs of Halloween festivities. Every so often, a fake bat would swoop down from the ceiling, its wings making a fluttering sound as it dived toward unsuspecting guests. At least he thought it was a fake bat.

The music playing was a mix of spooky sound effects and classic Halloween tunes like “Monster Mash”

and “Thriller.”

The atmosphere was alive with excited chatter and the occasional scream from thrill seekers.

Raven had outdone himself. The club was a haunted haven that beckoned with its eerie glow and enveloped all who entered in a ghoulish embrace. Lights danced across masked faces, laughter blended with melodious tunes, and an air of exhilaration filled the space.

“Oh wow.”

Kit pulled slightly away from Hudson and Connie to fully take in the scene.

Hudson watched him fondly, then he turned to Connie. “Be on guard,”

he said softly.

“Always.”

As they made their way farther inside, Connie leaned over to whisper in Hudson’s ear. “No setting anyone who looks at Kit on fire,”

he teased.

“Might I remind you that you’re the one who had to make frequent trips to the pool?”

Hudson joked back.

“Oh, now that’s just cold,”

Connie complained. “As was that water.”

Kit snickered.

“I’ll be good, but I make no promises if someone tries to steal a dance with our Kit,”

Hudson proclaimed.

Kit chuckled, squeezing their arms tighter. “Honestly? I don’t think that’s a worry. Everybody knows I’ve been claimed by the both of you. Besides, I’m only dancing with my favorite dragons tonight—unless you’re planning on breathing fire on any admirers?”

“Don’t tempt him,”

Connie warned.

“That can be arranged,”

Hudson replied simultaneously with mock seriousness.

Kit laughed as he pulled Connie and Hudson into the crowd, ready to lose himself for an evening where their worlds blended perfectly—where magic met fun under the spell of moonlight and romance.

“Let’s make sure we stick together, no matter how tempting it might be to wander off,”

Connie reminded Kit, his voice carrying a hint of protectiveness.

Kit nodded, feeling the gravity in Connie’s words mesh with the excitement bubbling up inside him. “Of course. Together,”

he agreed, linking his arms through theirs. “Always better together.”

The three of them moved in perfect synchrony, their bodies swaying together as if they had been dancing like this for a lifetime. In the midst of the swirling crowd of dancers, Kit couldn’t help but feel as if he was in a dream—surrounded by magic and romance under the watchful eyes of his dragon mates.

As they spun around the dance floor, Kit’s heart overflowed with love and gratitude for the bond they shared. It flared between them, an enduring flame that burned brighter with each passing moment.

The music seemed to embrace them, carrying them along in its thumping tempo. This. This was what he needed—an escape from the shit that life could be sometimes. Just him and his mates, thrusting and grinding together in a dance as old as time.