Spirits, Rock Stars, and a Midnight Chocolate Bar (Pyper Rayne Book 2)

by Deanna Chase

  Vienna! I tried again, but her name echoed in my mind.

  She couldn’t hear me. No one could. I imagined myself pounding desperately on a glass wall, trying to peer out into the void. Praying someone would notice me, let me out of my mental prison. No one responded. I shouted, only to hear my voice echo into the distance.

  I tried to take deep breaths to calm myself, but I couldn’t. I was suffocating, slipping away into a world of nothing where no one could hear me or see me. I was nothing but a fragment of a soul, trapped in darkness. In nothingness.

  I was lost.

  Everything ached. My frozen skin, my brittle bones, my raw throat. Even my eyes from the strain of trying to see in the darkness. Fatigue washed over me, and all I wanted to do was sleep. I drifted off, ready to be taken away. Ready to let the darkness swallow me. Warmth encircled me. Comfort. The pain was gone. Finally… I could sleep.

  “Pyper!” Strong hands shook me.

  I heard my name but couldn’t open my eyes. My lids were too heavy. The ice was back.

  A moan escaped from the back of my scratchy throat.

  “Wake up, my love.”

  That voice. So rich, with just a lilt of an accent. So familiar. “Come on, baby. You can do it. Open your eyes.” Something warm brushed over my cheek, soothing the icy chill.

  “We need Bea,” a woman said, her voice thick with tears. “I should’ve waited. What was I thinking?”

  “You did what you thought was best,” another male voice said. Another one I recognized but couldn’t place. “She’ll wake up. She has to.”

  Open your eyes, Pyper, the voice said in my head.

  Go away.

  Relief flooded through my heavy limbs. There you are.

  I shook my head, or at least tried to, but wasn’t certain I was able to move. All I wanted to do was go back to sleep.

  “Pyper?” the tender male voice said again.

  My heart ached to hear more of that voice. A small ball of warmth materialized in my chest and started a slow but steady pulse.

  “She’s in there. I can feel her.” Jade’s voice finally registered.

  “Jade?” I croaked out and opened one eye. She was hovering over me, blocking the stream of sun coming in the window. She looked like a storybook angel sent from heaven with the light illuminating her.

  She let out a gasp, and suddenly I was being smothered by my best friend’s wife. “Thank the gods!”

  “Jade,” Kane said softly from behind her. “Let her breathe.”

  She laughed and let me go. Still hovering over me, she wiped at her eyes.

  “Welcome back.” Julius was sitting on my other side, staring down at me with a relieved smile.

  “Hey.” I lifted my hand and cupped his cheek. “I missed you.”

  He gave me a wry smile and lifted one eyebrow. “You sure do have a flair for the dramatic this trip.”

  I pushed myself up—again—and glanced around. “Did it work? Is Muse okay?”

  Silence filled the room.

  Son of a… “Where is she?”

  Kane waved a hand, indicating the adjoining room. “She’s in there. The spell didn’t work. All it did was knock you out.”

  Jade covered her face with both hands, rubbing her forehead in frustration. “You were right. We should’ve waited for Bea.”

  “I want to see her,” I said, already swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.

  Julius put his hand on my arm. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes. I’m sure.” That ball of pulsing energy in my chest was growing. It was feeding me, making it impossible to stay still.

  “Okay.” Julius hopped off the bed and opened the door for me.

  Just inside, Muse was mirroring my recent position on the bed. Only she still looked like death.

  Oh no, Vienna said. I don’t know what happened. One minute I was giving my magic to Jade and the next everything backfired. I was no longer in control and you were passed out.

  I could feel Vienna’s desire to take over again, but I wasn’t having it. That pulse of warm energy was enough to hold her back. “Jade? What was the spell supposed to do? Walk me through it.”

  She paled, then visibly swallowed. “I was supposed to take a thread of Vienna’s magic, presumably magic that contains traces of Xavier’s, and mix it with the black magic consuming Muse, then send it back to Vienna for her to neutralize. Only when I sent it back, all it did was knock you out. Nothing changed with Muse.”

  I sat down on the bed, studying the singer. The magic was still eating away at her. Jade hadn’t gotten it all. She’d never wake up until she was free. It suddenly hit me that she was likely trapped in a dark place, just as I had been moments ago. What was it that brought me back? My friends’ voices?

  No. I heard them, but I didn’t think that was it. It was something else. Something that I desperately didn’t want to give up. The warm ball of energy pulsing in my chest. I didn’t know what it was, or where it came from, but I knew Muse needed it.

  “Jade?” I turned to her.

  “Yes?”

  “You need to try again. It’ll work this time.”

  She shook her head. “No. I’ll only hurt you.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” The ball of energy grew and with it, I started to feel drawn to Muse. Like I had to help her. As if I didn’t have a choice. “But this time is different.” I grabbed her hand and pressed it to my chest. “Feel that?”

  Her eyes widened. “Yes.”

  “It wasn’t there before, was it?”

  “No.” Her voice took on a bit of awe. “It’s powerful. Almost heady.”

  No kidding. It was making me feel invincible. Like I had a purpose in life. “You need to use that. Give it to her. It’ll break her out of her prison.”

  Jade dropped her hand. “I don’t know…”

  I stood, placing my hands on my hips. “I know. And I’m asking you to do this. Please, Jade.”

  She took a step back, shaking her head. “I can’t.”

  “I will.” Julius took her place beside me.

  “This is not a good idea,” Jade said, her voice rising in panic.

  I stared up at him, my mouth parted in surprise. He just smiled down at me and squeezed my hand.

  “Look at what happened last time,” Jade said. “We can’t just put them both in danger like that.”

  “I’m doing this. I have to,” I said, softly. “There’s magic inside me that can help her. I don’t think I need it anymore.” I turned to Julius. “Ready?”

  “Ready.” He reached for Muse’s hand, and the second we were all joined, the ball of magic that had been pulsing in my chest shot down my arm and into Julius and straight into Muse.

  I stumbled back, but Julius’s grip kept me from toppling over, and while losing the energy ball didn’t do me any favors, it hadn’t knocked me out either. My legs were wobbly and a wave of fatigue hit me, making me long for a bed—the one in New Orleans with the overstuffed pillows and expensive sheets.

  “Look,” Jade whispered.

  I blinked, clearing my vision, and stared at Muse. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing more even, and her eyes were fluttering open.

  The four of us stood there, no one saying a word, until finally Muse frowned and said, “Did I miss the party?”

  25

  Muse sat on my bed while I was busy packing my suitcase. After her ordeal, no one was comfortable with her being alone. Neither was she for that matter. Julius had disappeared to speak once again with the Witches’ Council. Because we were still docked in Montego Bay, he was petitioning them to get us on the next flight back to New Orleans. We’d seen enough of the high seas. Jade and Kane had disappeared into their room to do their own packing.

  “What are you going to do now?” I asked.

  She plucked at the comforter. “I don’t know. Concentrate on my music? Consider a solo career? I’m fairly certain the band is over me and my drama. It’s probably better if I just go my
own way.”

  I stuffed my lace-up boots in my suitcase. “If there is one thing I’ve learned these last few years, it’s that friends, true friends, are family. Are you sure you want to cut them off without even trying to work it out?”

  She shrugged. “It was never the same without Vienna.”

  The ghost in question, the one still taking up residence in my body, was eerily silent.

  “It’s stupid, you know. I was always jealous of her. Her talent, her relationship, her fans. And then after… her accident, I sort of became a shell of her. Her band, her fans, her stalker. I guess in some twisted way, I sort of deserved what I got.”

  “No you didn’t,” I heard myself say. Only it wasn’t my voice. It was Vienna’s. I glanced down, once again noting her rings and the long blond, copper-streaked hair. She’d taken over, but I wasn’t exactly just a spectator. I could’ve pushed her out but didn’t see the need. Instead, I faded into the background, giving her and Muse their moment.

  “Vienna?” Muse’s eyes widened, then filled with tears. “It’s true. You’re here.”

  “I’m here.” Vienna’s words came out in a sob. “I’m here, Em. And oh, God, I’m so sorry. What happened with you with Xavier, you didn’t deserve that. If I’d been stronger somehow, been able to reach someone, anyone, I could’ve saved you from that terrible fate.”

  “No!” Muse jumped off the bed and grabbed me by the shoulders. “Are you crazy? That bastard killed you, Vee. He threw you over the ship. What do you have to be sorry for?”

  Vienna bit my lip and blinked back tears. “I saw what he was doing to you. I knew, but I couldn’t figure out how to stop it. It wasn’t until”—she waved at my body—“until Pyper came along and stood up to him that I was finally able to reach anyone. I just wish…” She shook my head. “I’d do anything to save you from these past years.”

  Muse let out a strangled, humorless laugh. “You have nothing to apologize for. I’m the one who knew Xavier was obsessed with you. If I’d warned someone, maybe this wouldn’t have happened to either of us… or Razer. I’m not saying it’s my fault. I’m done blaming anyone except that sicko creeper, but I can’t stop thinking about how things could’ve been different… if I hadn’t been so jealous. If I’d just said something—”

  Vienna reached out and grabbed Muse, hugging her tightly. The other witch froze for just a second, then hugged her back. They both held on for a long time, the embrace soothing wounds that would likely never fully heal.

  “I love you, Em,” Vienna whispered. “It’s not your fault. It never was. He had his hooks in me long before you ever knew anything about it. I should’ve confided in you.”

  “I love you too, Vee. And I’m sorry anyway. I miss you.”

  Vienna pulled back and studied the golden-haired witch. “Do me a favor?”

  “Anything.”

  “Put everything you have into your music. Or anything else you’re passionate about. Live for me. Love. Enjoy every moment you have, and never, ever, let anyone get in your way.”

  Geez. Her words made me want to cry. The passion radiating from her was inspiring.

  Muse let out a choked sob and nodded. “I’ll live for you. I’ll make sure your music lives on.”

  “No. Make your own music. Let your voice be heard. If you want to play my songs, it’s fine, but only do it if it’s for you.”

  Muse smiled up at Vienna. “I like playing your songs. It makes me feel closer to you.”

  A single tear fell down my cheek, and I wasn’t sure if Vienna was crying or if I was. These two loved each other like sisters. And I knew this was the last time they’d have this opportunity. I could sense Vienna’s desire to move on.

  “I’m going to miss you,” Vienna said into her ear, and then just like that, she left my body and I morphed back into myself. A weight lifted off me, and a heaviness that had settled in my chest was gone. I felt light and free and almost giddy. Until she’d left, I’d had no idea what a toll sharing my body had been.

  Muse untangled herself from me and stepped back, wiping her eyes. “Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize.” I gave her a reassuring smile, suddenly grateful I’d been able to be a conduit for them. “That must’ve been remarkable, seeing her after all this time.”

  Muse nodded. Then she moved toward the door. “I’m going to go have a word with the band, then I’ll meet you all at the dock.”

  “Sure.” I watched as she disappeared from the room. Hopefully she’d be able to find her footing now that her ordeal was over. I imagined therapy would be in order, but I hoped the next time we ran into her she’d be standing tall instead of falling-down drunk the way we’d found her just a few nights ago.

  “She will be,” Vienna said with confidence, still hovering near me.

  “I hope so.” I eyed her. “So your work here is done?”

  She shrugged. “I guess so. I think it was my mission to make sure she was okay.”

  “And what about you?” I asked. “What will you do now?” The thought of her haunting the ship didn’t sit well. Not after the hell she’d been put through. There had to be something we could do for her. I was just about ready to call on my guides for answers when she spoke again.

  “I’m not sure, but I think there’s somewhere I should be.” She turned and moved toward the door.

  “Want some company? Just in case?” After everything that had happened, I felt weird about leaving her alone.

  “Okay,” she said as she slipped through the closed door.

  After a hasty note to Julius to let him know where I was, I ran out the door. To my surprise, Vienna was waiting for me.

  “I’m ready,” I said.

  She nodded and floated down the empty hallway.

  Room 1538 was eerily silent. No lights flickered. The temperature was stable. Flames didn’t erupt in the mirrored wall. Nothing was out of place except the man standing in the middle of the room, staring just past my shoulder.

  If I squinted, I could still see the outline of Julius in his dark suit, his tie undone, and thick dark hair, sticking out in spiky clumps.

  But when I just gazed at him, all I saw was Razer. He was thin and lanky, had jet-black hair shoulder length, and was exactly what I’d expect from a typical rocker. He wore skintight, black leather plants, lace-up combat boots, and a T-shirt that read Sex, Drugs, and Black Magic Witches.

  I smiled at that. It was a promo T-shirt from Vienna’s band. Fan till the end.

  “Razer,” I heard the ghost behind me whisper, almost on a gasp.

  His brilliant blue eyes bored into hers as he moved, his hand outstretched.

  Vienna let out a strangled sob and ran to him. But when she got there, her ghostly body slid right through Julius’s.

  My heart nearly broke at the expression on both of their faces: devastation.

  Razer was still using Julius’s body, and solid for the moment, but Vienna wasn’t. Not anymore. When she’d said good-bye to Muse, she’d been expelled from my body. I still didn’t know why.

  She hovered near him, wringing her hands.

  He reached out to stop her but pulled back at the last minute and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “It’s okay, love. We’re here together, that’s all that matters.”

  Tears welled in her beautiful eyes as she floated around him in a slow circle. “You don’t understand.”

  “Of course I do.” He moved with her, keeping his eyes locked on her lovely face. “I spent ten years in this room, waiting for you to come back to me. To hear your news. To make love to you before I gave you this.” He pulled a small black-velvet box out of his pocket and lifted the lid.

  A bright, shiny princess-cut diamond the size of a small boulder shone in the artificial light. Prisms bounced off the mirror and the ceiling.

  Vienna’s hand went to her open mouth, covering it as a fresh onslaught of tears streamed down her face. “You were…” She gasped in a small sob. “It was true.”

  He too
k a tiny step closer to her, still holding the ring out. “What’s true, Vivi?”

  She let out a choked laugh as she closed her eyes. “Muse told me you were going to propose.” Vienna reached out, and even though she couldn’t hold on to him with her ghost body, she lined her palm up with his heart and held it there. “I can feel your strong heartbeat.”

  Razer shook his head sadly. “No, that’s Julius’s. He kindly let me share his body while we investigated what happened to you. I’m afraid my heart stopped beating the moment I learned you were lost as sea.”

  She shook her head. “You’re still in there. I can feel you.”

  Razer lifted his arms to simulate wrapping them around her.

  She let out a sigh and tilted her head to the side as if were resting it on his chest.

  And as I stood there watching their tragedy play out, something broke inside me. A dam of built-up emotions burst, and without thinking, I moved toward them. There was nothing to consider. All I felt was their love. It was all around me, pressing in on me, propelling me forward. They’d suffered enough. We’d shared my body before; we could do it again. I had something I could give her, and I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t.

  “Lily?” I whispered to myself.

  My guide materialized beside me, a proud expression claiming her soft features. Are you ready?

  “I am.”

  Razer’s eyes opened, then widened as he spotted me standing right behind the shadowy form of Vienna. “What are you doing?”

  I held up a hand and gave him a genuine smile. “My gift to you both.” Then I glanced at Lily. “Now.”

  My guide beamed at me as she waved a hand. My other guide, Tru, appeared. “Good evening, Pyper. I see you’re embracing your new ability.”

  I nodded. “I just need a little help.”

  Tru nodded to Lily and the pair of them stood behind me, side by side, shoulder to shoulder.

  “All you need to do is open your mind and your heart,” Lily whispered into my ear.

  I continued to stare at Razer as I nodded.

  “Now, find the connection. If you can ground yourself to the Earth somehow, you can share your body like a shell without being compromised,” Lily said.