Of course, the party went…no, of course it didn’t go well, because not five minutes after Martin left, Loki showed up.

Not that anyone else would have recognized him. He’d taken the form of a green ogre. Kind of based off of Shrek. It looked like a really good costume.

I knew better. “Kanesha, alert.”

“Not another one.”

“It’s the trickster.” I didn’t use his name. “I’d better…”

“Go.”

I wove through the crowd and bumped into him by the food. Where he was helping himself to a plate that contained decidedly more dessert than real food. “Hey there.”

“Thought I’d drop by. Don’t worry. I don’t plan on doing anything harmful.”

“Well, we’ve already had drama tonight, so please keep the harmless pranks toned down.”

“Oh, would I do anything?” He turned to face me.

“Yes, you would, and do you have to dress as something from a kids’ movie?”

“Nobody will suspect me. Besides, I liked that movie.”

I laughed a bit. “Just…please. I’m trying to relax and enjoy an evening.”

“Whilst armed for bear.”

“It’s Halloween,” I pointed out, shifting the scabbard again. Him pointing it out made it feel heavier.

“Yes, yes it is. But the real dangers won’t be out tonight. It’ll be the little things. Stray ghosts, random fairies doing interesting things to the candy.”

“If you put cayenne in any of the desserts…”

“Would I?” He lifted his hands.

“Yes.”

“…which one.”

I glanced around, snagged a brownie bite and sniffed it. My instincts were good. “You know that doesn’t work on me,” I added, taking a bite out of it.

“You have taste.”

I hoped nobody in the room was allergic to it. “If anyone goes into anaphylactic shock, you’re fixing it.”

His lips quirked. “Well…”

“You said nothing harmful. I’m holding you to it.” Not that I could stop him, but there was the overall pressure of him liking me. It might achieve something.

Maybe.