Noah planned to open the tavern later than usual, since everyone would be over by the high school’s baseball field watching the fireworks.
He looked around with satisfaction. Streamers were hung, candles were waiting to be lit, and a band—complete with bagpipes—would be in around nine to play patriotic music. Just now, though, Noah had digital music playing softly in the background.
Hanging from the ceiling was the Halloween ghoul, dressed in red, white, and blue, and with a sash across its hollow chest reading Happy Birthday.
Soon, groups of twos and threes and fours, men and women would enter.
And the occasional vampyre or two.
Sebastian Hanover, a friend of Gabriel’s, had come down from Connecticut, along with his black swans. They were staying with Noah and Gabriel in the big hous
