by Marta Szemik
“I really do miss my senses.” Sweat dripped down my back as I pushed myself up. If I’d been in my own body, I’d have my abilities. Then my friends wouldn’t be able to surprise me. It must have been a week of sneaking and whispering. Even the twins were acting as if they were hiding something, I realized now. At least I wasn’t a ghost, though I missed my mother, the same way I’d missed her my entire life. Willow often stepped in to comfort me when I thought of her.
“Change first, then come back out.” William motioned me inside. “And, Sarah, take your time.” He winked.
“Like I could move quicker than a turtle.” I rolled my eyes and walked to my room.
My hands swept through the clothes in my closet, and I looked for a comfortable skirt with an elastic waist. Fitting Miranda’s body into my wardrobe and trying to care for a neglected face turned out to be a challenge each morning. William had bought a few necessities, though I didn’t want much; I’d rather hold onto the hope that it wouldn’t be long before Eric could exchange my soul with Xela, who still possessed my body.
After a few unsuccessful outfits, I pulled one of William’s t-shirts over my head. What seems like a fast change for me must seem like an eternity for my husband and my friends, I thought, not happy with my outfit, but it was the best I could do. I left the room and headed back out to the porch.
The twins had changed and shifted to younger selves to play rock, paper, scissors in the doorway. They looked like they’d been at the game for a while now, two nine-year-olds as carefree as I remembered them. It made me happy to know they could lose themselves so easily. I stepped between them onto the porch, squinting into a setting sun.
William sat in a lounge chair, sipping a Bloody Mary. A Fuzzy Navel waited for me on the table. Mira swung on the hammock Eric had installed, one end attached to the stump left after Ayer took the tree down. Xander and Xela relaxed on the lower step of the porch, his arms wrapped around her. I still had a difficult time getting used to seeing Xander’s arms around my body and wondered if it bothered William.
William read my expression. “I know who you are. I always will.” He pulled me onto his lap.
Willow was at the end of the porch, reading through a new gardening book. Atram and Ekim had moved the loveseat from the solarium to a corner of the porch and were now discussing their plans for tomorrow. My father said he’d join me on my trip to the prison, to meet up with an acquaintance in Pinedale.
“I’d like to come along my friend,” Atram said to my father.
“Not a good idea this time. It’ll be dangerous,” Ekim said.
Before I had a chance to question him, my gaze found the center of the clearing.
I gasped. “How did you . . . when did you . . .”
The Hummer had been moved back to its usual parking spot at the side of the house. In the spot where the last of the evening’s rays streaked through the lower canopy, a garden bloomed. I remembered stepping out of William’s Hummer for the first time to feel the tickle of the freshly mown grass. Now the blossoms of orchids I had never seen before bloomed here, their stems swaying with the breeze as if they were dancing. With William at my side, I walked toward heart-shaped bed of flowers.
“Happy birthday,” William whispered.
“I forgot.”
“I know. You remember everyone else, but not yourself.” He wrapped his arms around me from behind. “We want you to know you’re not forgotten, and never will be. Everyone helped.”
“Thank you!” I threw my arms around his neck.
My family lined up behind William, and instead of singing Happy Birthday, Crystal, Ayer, and Eric shot sparks from their palms that exploded above the canopy like fireworks. Their crackling sounded just like the song.
I watched the display in delight. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”
“I have,” William said, holding my gaze as he set me on the ground. “There’s one more thing.” He motioned Eric forward.
“We’re ready to switch your souls.” My evil-bender looked from me to Xela.
“I thought you said you couldn’t do it yet.”
“Not by myself, but I have some help now.” He pointed to my children, who had already shifted to their caster age of seventeen. I never noticed when they managed to change. The shifting came so naturally to Crystal and Ayer, it seemed they were born with the ability. Because they were, I reminded myself.
I examined Eric’s neck. “You’re still bleeding. I can’t ask you to do this.”
“He’s strong enough.” Xander slapped his hand on Eric’s shoulder, then gripped it, digging his fingers in deeper than I liked. A red spot blossomed on the bandage around Eric’s neck as one of his spikes oozed fresh blood. Xander lowered his eyes, taking his grip away. “Sorry. It’s just been a long time, and I have needs.”
“Xander!” Xela smacked him on the back of his head, the way Mira would have.
“I just want you.” He placed his hands on Xela’s hips and pulled her in.
“I know exactly what you want, but the more patient you are, the better it will be.” Xela leaned into her soul mate. The scent of estrogen and testosterone blended with the evening air.
“Okay, you two.” Mira stepped between them and turned to Eric. “You better do this soon, or I’ll throw up.”
“I’m not doing this for them. I’m doing this for Sarah. She needs to finish her work at the prison, and I’m sure William has had enough of her being away from her body.”
“You’d do that for me?” I asked.
“I am bound to you, aren’t I?” Eric smiled. “Consider it a birthday gift.”
“Thank you, Eric.” I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. He squirmed, and I saw a scab on his neck rupture. “What does it mean for you?”
“It means someone else will need to wait a little longer to get his soul mate back. Xela will take over this body for now.” He tightened our embrace.
“I already have her back,” Xander said.
“So, can you do something about this?” I spun in front of my evil-bender.
Eric locked gazes with Xander. “If I do, I won’t be able to bend for a while.”
“If we can borrow your ruby until Eric recovers, that would help.” Xander winked at his witch.
“You only think about one thing, don’t you?” I rolled my eyes at my friend.
“I try. Do you know how difficult it is to concentrate with the extra blood flow?” He raised his brows.
I shrugged. “Then why don’t you help yourself get rid of it?”
Mira burst out laughing, and water sprayed out of her mouth in a fountain from the sip she’d just taken. “You’ve got perfect timing,” she sputtered.
“I may not have my vampire hearing back, but I can still hear you,” I said.
“I know.” She forced a laugh and returned to the hammock.
“I don’t want Xander looking at someone else when he’s with me. No offense,” Xela added to me.
“None taken,” I said.
“I only see you.” Xander’s eyes mellowed as he consumed Xela with his gaze. It was as if he were seeing her for the first time. Love shone from his face like it hadn’t in decades. “But out of respect for Sarah . . . this has to be done.”
“Then done it shall be.” Eric motioned to Crystal and Ayer, and the twins moved to stand on either side of him.
Xela came closer to me. She squeezed my hand.
“You really want to do this?” I asked. “You’ll be stuck in this body.”
“You’ve done enough, Sarah. It’s time for you to enjoy the life you were meant to live.”
When she said things like this, the black witch that’d I glimpsed in her once in a while disappeared.
“Besides, Xander likes role playing.” She winked.
Eric held the twins’ hands, and the swirling in my stomach began, the same sensation I felt before entering a vortex. The treetops ruffled their leaves as the wind picked up; the moon rose higher in th
e darkening sky, quicker than it should. I wasn’t sure if the time passed for me differently than the others, but I’d never seen the moon rise this way.
“What’s going on?” I asked, but I couldn’t hear my voice.
Don’t worry. We need to draw energy. Eric’s voice in my head soothed my worries, though the sound coming out of his mouth vibrated. The red dots on his bandaged neck enlarged.
The body hosting me weakened as my soul was sucked from it. I hovered above its head and exchanged a nod with Xela’s spirit. Her black curls flowed down her back and chest, toward an hourglass waist, framing a pale face. Golden eyes like those of an eagle glowed as her ghost floated toward me, hands gesturing gracefully for us to trade places. No wonder Xander fell for the black witch. She was better than any woman Xander had ever dated, at least in my lifetime.
Our bodies stiffened and stood still, waiting like mannequins, frozen in time. I floated above my head as Xela’s spirit drifted toward Miranda’s host. Before I sank into my flesh, I looked at Eric. His face showed strain, and his neck bled more heavily. Crystal and Ayer were supporting him, their banded tattoos whirling around their wrists the same way they had in the underworld, channeling the keepers they’d told me. Mira dropped to her knees. I never saw my best friend cry before.
I drooped lower. As I touched the top of my head, the colorful jungle went black.
* * *
The undeceiving aroma of William’s scent mixed with mine wrapped around me when I woke up in my bedroom. The birds chirped outside, and my freshly washed linen drapes fluttered in the open window. The intoxicating blend of fresh blossoms from my flower garden brought a smile to my face. No other nose than a half-breed’s could be sensitive enough to identify each kind of flower. Hearing the murmur of voices, I perked my ears like a cougar’s.
“Her heart rate’s changed. She’s waking up,” William said in another room.
I grinned.
“It’s about time. It’s been three days,” Xander said.
“Cool it,” Mira warned.
“Switching bodies is a big deal. It takes a lot of energy,” Xela explained.
“I know, I know. Are you two ganging up on me?” I imagined him throw his hands up.
“Let’s go.” My father’s voice but, of course, William was the first to enter the room.
“Hi.” He leaned in to kiss me before sitting beside me. The brush of his lips felt like our first kiss. I tasted warm peppermint tea.
“Hi.” I smiled, savoring his touch.
“You all right?” asked Xander.
Mira bounced on the other side of the bed.
“Yes.” I sat up. “How is Xela?”
“I’m fine too.” She stepped from behind Xander.
“You don’t have your body,” I noted.
“No, that would really take a lot of bending. Eric isn’t strong enough, and it’s a little complicated to bend a black witch.” She pointed to her neck while raising her brows. I assumed my bender’s spikes hadn’t healed yet.
“Everything is always complicated. Where’s Eric? And the twins?” I listened with intent, but couldn’t hear them, or their breathing anywhere in the house.
“They’re fine. They’re resting.” William took my hand into his.
“I drained them?”
You didn’t drain anyone, I heard in my head. I’m fine, the twins are fine, but we can’t come right now.
Where are you?
It’s not important. Rest. I can’t speak too long; it takes a lot. But trust your senses—your children are all right. I’m all right.
Thank you.
Just doing my job.
Eric’s humble attitude never ceased to surprise me. When he spoke in my mind, I felt his presence, even though I knew he might be on the other side of the planet. Our exchange took seconds.
“You didn’t drain them.” Mira took my other hand. “Just make sure you’re strong and know you’re back to your normal self.”
“That’s right. You just relax.” My father tapped my shoulder as a suggestion to lie down.
“I’m fine, you guys. You don’t have to treat me like an invalid.” I pushed myself up again.
“Good, because you have some work to do. A message came from the warden with the latest sample. He has the papers ready to sign,” William said.
Did I hear a tremor in his voice? Why would William’s nerves peak, and why was he trying to hide them?
“Perhaps she should wait a few days,” my father cautioned. I noticed him kick the side of William’s leg.
“In a few days, he may change his mind. Now is the right time,” William insisted.
“William’s right. I need to get back to work as soon as possible.” I paused. “Plus, I want to make sure the warden is feeling well after Aseret’s possession. William’s right. We don’t want him to change his mind.”
“I’ll come with you,” William said.
“No, you’re behind on your work, too. I’ll be fine.” I sat up higher, stretching my arms to the side.
“What if—” William passed me a bottle of water.
I held the container between my palms. “There is no ‘what if.’ No seekers or demons would follow after seeing what happened to Aseret.”
“She’s right,” my father said. “If there was ever a safer time, it is now.”
“Good.” I swung my legs over the side of the bed. “Because I’m ready to live my life, the way we were supposed to.”
After a hearty breakfast and a hunt, I packed my suitcase, then reread the paperwork. The warden’s prison, one of the last to be bound by the agreement, would become an execution-free facility. Once done, we’d be able to receive blood donations from the prison in exchange for security.
I left for Huntsville the next morning. This time I’d travel like a human—William had made arrangements for a car to be ready in Sao Paulo. In less than ten hours, the warden’s signature would seal the deal. And humans and vampires will be one step closer to coexisting peacefully.
Chapter 16
The door to the warden’s office pushed open with ease. I wondered how many times Aseret had stolen the warden’s body in the past and used it to stalk us. How many times had he used information from the fragile man with a cane to hunt us?
The warden sat hunched behind his desk, the bulk of his upper body outlined by the glow from the window behind him. Dust had settled into in the curtains’ creases, and cobwebs laced the window’s corners. The warden’s hands rested relaxed on his desk; his cane was propped by the chair. He looked at me from below his unibrow and smiled. It reminded me of a teacher welcoming students on the first day of school.
Instead of the confusion I’d expected after being posessed by Aseret, the warden seemed relieved to see me, as if he felt the time to sign the papers was long overdue. He gestured with his hand for me to come in, his fingers longer than I remembered; the skin paler, as if he’d had his tan from a week ago surgically removed from his flesh—or perhaps he’d forgotten to apply his makeup. His nose appeared shrunk, as well.
I pulled out a chair, placing my folders on the desk in front of me, and sat down. A tall candelabra at the side of the desk held melted candles. The wax that fell before hardening had left a splattered, solidified puddle on the hardwood floor. The room had an odd smell to it, one that reminded me of a blown-out match, the scent mingling with that of ancient paper. I peered at the bookshelf on my right. The leather-bound books looked hundreds of years old, the few pages sticking out yellowed, the red ribbon bookmarks faded to a sickly pink. They were crammed onto the shelves any which way. What an odd way to keep books, I thought, remembering my parents’ neat collection in the basement before it burned, all of the books arranged by genre and height.
My scan for titles instead found strange markings and symbols on the spines. I recognized not only the water mark and the sphere on a few, but also an orchid identical to the one on my left wrist. Out of sight below the desktop, I wrapped my other hand
around my tattoo and felt the mark heat. My gut was warning me, but I wasn’t sure of what. When my gaze found the last tome, displaying the mark the twins had received on their wrists, shivers flew through my body.
The warden’s unibrow had softened, and he looked like a puppy, although I didn’t think I’d want a puppy with his face. I sat still in the leather chair across from him, warily scanning his desk for the papers I’d come to sign, but all I saw was a map. An odd map, not the city or country type I was used to. Multi-layered diagrams of hollow tubes, tunnels, and mazes in two-dimensional layers criscrossed the paper. My thighs stiffened as the pounding in my chest became more pronounced. But why? Aseret and Miranda were gone for good. What was the warden’s business with the underworld?
“What is this?” I pointed to the map.
“Ah, the time has come.” His pale hands remained flat on the desk, nonthreatening.
A red stream of light zoomed from the warden’s mouth and hit my chest. I lost consciousness.
* * *
A swaying light bulb within a cheap shade dangled above my head when I woke up, its white glow searing my sleepy eyes. The shadow cast by the lampshade relieved the blinding effect of the illumination, but my heavy eyelids closed anyway. A buzz of electricity circled the room. Moving was impossible as restraints on my wrists and ankles kept me immobile. What material would be strong enough to hold me down? Me, a half-breed vampire. My back lay flat against a metal surface, and my arms were stretched out to the sides, as if I were attached to a cross. I wanted to open my eyes again, but they objected. My chest ached.
As I twisted my arm, the restraint burnt around my wrist. The smell of fresh blood forced me turn my head and open my eyes. The burgundy liquid trailed from a cut on my arm. My head fell to the right, and I looked at a mirror. Something inside me whispered that it was a two-way mirror, covered by a curtain on the other side. I tried to remember where I’d seen a two-way mirror before, and the memories flooded back. The prison. I’m in the draining room.
