Ripper (The Morphid Chronicles Book 2) by Ingrid Seymour

to commit treason had been easy.
    “Of course I’ll help,” Perry had said. “I’m tired of sitting here doing nothing while our world twists and turns all around me. If it’s true that your aunt is alive and Sam set her and your uncle right, hell is coming this way. We’d better be ready and on the right side of the flames when it arrives.”
    So they had sneaked out of the castle with the help of one of the maids, a young, redheaded girl named Xasdia, who Perry had slept with a few months back.
    “I think it’s this way,” Perry said, stepping out from under the staircase to which he had transported them, next to an apartment building.
    Ashby stumbled, following his friend.
    High-pitched voices ahead gave them pause. They waited as a group of kids rounded the corner. A little girl sparkled under the light of a street lamp. She wore a fluffy gown and wings. A boy dressed in a ghastly green outfit growled at them, while another wearing a black cape smiled and extended a bucket in their direction. Ashby stared, mystified by the eeriness of the moment.
    “Trick or treat,” the kids chanted in unison.
    “Oh, yeah,” Perry said. “It’s Halloween. Hold on a minute, kids.” He turned his back on them and surreptitiously reached for his pendant. After a silent incantation, he faced the children again and bared his teeth, growling like a werewolf. His eyes were now entirely black and his mouth filled with long, bloodied fangs.
    The kids stood frozen for a split second, then let out a collective scream and ran the way they’d come, calling for their mums.
    Perry laughed as if he’d played the most brilliant joke ever. Ashby watched him with detachment, not even bothering to reprimand him for his childish behavior. There seemed to be little of Ashby’s past self left behind. No merriment or zeal of any kind. Only a vicious fury and lust for revenge, inspired and stoked by his mother and Veridan.
    Still chuckling, Perry signaled him forward. “Come on. Sam’s flat is in this building.”
    Ashby looked up. The building had three stories and very many doors and windows. He vaguely remembered being here once and could only be grateful for Perry’s presence and help.
    As they approached the building, something stirred in Ashby’s stomach. Nerves, if only enough to cause a tiny fluttering. It was good to feel something. Maybe, as time went by, he would feel more like himself.
    Suddenly, it occurred to him that Danata could have hurt Sam. Or that Greg, in an effort to keep her to himself, could have taken her away, never to be found. His nerves turned to fear. He took a deep breath and tried to push the negative emotions away.
    She will be there. Unharmed.
    Looking in every direction as if expecting trouble, they walked to the last door on the first floor.
    “Won’t you make that go away?” Ashby gestured toward Perry’s face.
    He shrugged. “Why? It’s Halloween.”
    Before, Ashby would have ordered him to set his face right. Now, wasting what little strength he had over such a trifling thing seemed ridiculous. He shrugged.
    “All right, let’s hope she’s here.” Perry knocked on the door.
    After a few seconds, a woman wearing a baggy, blue garment opened the door and looked them up and down. She was holding a plastic cauldron full of candy in one hand.
    “Aren’t you guys a little too old for trick or treating,” she asked, looking amused.
    “Never too old,” Perry said, reaching a hand toward the candy pot.
    The woman smiled in a friendly manner and allowed Perry to pick whatever he wanted.
    “Butterfingers are my favorite.” He took a couple of them and thanked her with his most charming smile.
    “Do you want some?” The woman pushed the candy in Ashby’s direction.
    “No, thank you. We are actually looking for Sam. Is she here?” Ashby held his breath, as the woman looked him up and down once more.
    “Haven’t I met you before?” she asked, frowning.
    Ashby cocked his head to one side,