Ghastly Glass by Joyce and Jim Lavene Page A

night the likes of which I knew we might not share again. No one had come yelling about some problem they needed Chase to resolve, and the banshee had stayed asleep. Chase was all mine and I was all his for a full, wonderful eight hours. “Don’t worry. If Henry tries anything again, he won’t have any legs left.”
    “That’s what I like to hear! Do you have your cup? ”
    I held up the cup that meant I could get free drinks all day, a Village standard for residents. “I’m going to try to have lunch around noon. Maybe at Fabulous Funnels. Maybe you could be there, too.”
    “I’ll try.” He clipped his mug to the black belt around his waist. This morning the Bailiff was in Halloween black with a touch of red at his throat.
    “If you’d get me a radio like yours, we could talk during the day.”
    “If you get a job with security, I can do that. Until then, we’ll have to do the best we can.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll see you later.”
    I was late as usual, with Chase and breakfast and everything. I still had to turn in my witch’s costume and pick up something made of cotton to stay in line with Roger’s decree. I was surprised there wasn’t a long line at the costume shop. The Village wasn’t open to visitors yet, which probably worked to my advantage. From what I could see, the residents were already decked out in their evil attire.
    Portia, of course, wasn’t thrilled to hear I needed a different costume. She took the witch’s black dress with a shake of her head. “Now we’re going to be short one witch. How’s that going to look? And what’s wrong with the costume? ”
    “I need cotton that doesn’t have billowy sleeves or a full skirt,” I told her again. “I’m going to be working with hot glass and flames. Roger doesn’t think the combination would be very safe.”
    “All right. I think I have exactly what you need.” She took out a green costume that was in two parts. “This should do it.”
    “What is it?” I looked at it but couldn’t decide which part went where.
    “It’s a demon costume. I didn’t give you the mask. It’s made of cotton. No billowy sleeves or skirt. Exactly what you need. Next? ”
    Since there was no one standing behind me, I decided to argue the point. I was going to have to spend a lot of time for the next few weeks in this costume, or one just like it. I really didn’t want to be a demon. “Don’t you have a Craft Guild costume for a man? Cotton trousers, shirt, boots. You know, something normal.”
    “We’re not doing normal right now. Look around you.” She gestured. “Does anything look normal? ”
    “Nothing ever looks normal around here, Portia.” I leaned on the counter. “Couldn’t you please find me something I can work in? I don’t think a demon costume is going to cut it.”
    “Cheer up. You don’t have to wear the red contacts that go with it. How’s that for helping you out?” She leaned toward me. “I heard the man playing Death was murdered. What’ve you heard? ”
    “Can you get me a shirt and a pair of pants? ”
    “Maybe.” She narrowed her eyes. “Come on. You’re with Chase. You know what’s happening.”
    That’s all it took, I’m ashamed to say.
    I spilled everything I knew for a pair of brown cotton britches I had to tie around my waist with a rope. I even made up a few things and got a peasant shirt that fit me closely. Portia threw in a hat, and I told her about things that might happen. She loves gossip, and she doesn’t care where it comes from.
    I took what I could get and hurried away. Portia waved before turning to share her news with the three seamstresses who worked on the costumes. It was worth it anyway. There’s so much gossip all the time flying through the Village that there was no way of knowing how it would actually end up.
    The main gate had just opened, and musicians had taken up their seats to serenade the first crowd of visitors. I could see by their werewolf, vampire, and