Page 66 of Practically Magic

“What did you just say?” Zach says in surprise, and steps closer.

Another scream cuts the air, and I turn to see the Headless Horseman approaching. This time, he’s flanked with his undead army. As he nears the pumpkin display, he bends from the saddle and scoops one up, affixing it to his shoulders. The jack-o’-lantern flickers back at me.

Why did he have to pick one that was carved to look like the poop emoji?

“Oh, shit,” I whisper. The church clock tower chimes. It’s midnight. The veil is falling. We need to stop the Horseman now. “Zach, I gotta go.”

“I’m not leaving you,” Zach says gruffly, and I feel his hand on my lower back.

I don’t even realize I’m pressed against Zach, my fist clinging to the front of his Henley shirt. “I need to get to Harry at the monument. That’s the only way to stop this,” I tell him.

That’s when I hear my name being called.

“Kat!”

“Katherine!”

“I love you, Kat Hadley!”

Descending on the green from the opposite direction of the Horseman are high school boys. Lots of them. I hear them calling my name while they move slowly as a pack as if they’re paddling through mud. Reese, Hunter, and Justin are all there. So is Colton, cradling his head under his arm. But there are dozens more too.

“Oh no,” I whimper.

“Are you threatening Kat?” Colton says, pointing at the Horseman.

His pumpkin head tilts like a curious puppy.

“She’s our girl!” says Reese.

“Yeah, the best!” says another.

“We love you, Kat!” they chorus.

“And we’ll save you!” Colton cries, and then the boys race forward, clashing spectacularly with the zombies.

So much for a damsel in distress. I’m going to have to rescue all of them—and fast.

“Zach!” I exclaim, an idea striking me as the clock finishes its twelfth chime. “Gather everyone you can and meet Harry and me at the monument! And hurry!”

Then I hold tight to my witch hat and dash off to the monument to reach Harry before it’s too late.

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When I reach Harry at the monument, I see spell prep is well underway. She’s drawn a circle with chalk and, instead of salt, she’s painted a barrier using sugar packets from Witches Brew. The pentagram at the center of the circle could be blood, but it—

“Is that chocolate syrup?” I ask.

“I had to improvise,” she grits out, paging through Beatrice’s book. “That should be what it takes to end the Horseman. If we can do the wards—”

Behind us, I can hear the commotion on the green. People are shouting; several are screaming. I can’t make out voices, but I’m worried for all of them. For Laney. For Zach. For all of us. The energy in the air is crackling with negativity. The wind picks up, and I take a deep breath. “Yes,” I say, and reach for her hand. “Together.”

“Together,” she repeats, giving me an anxious smile. She loops Zach’s apron, and I take the other end and do the same.