Six Times a Charm

by Deanna Chase

  The club pulsed with activity. One of the strippers crawled across the stage toward an eager front-row participant. I spotted Charlie, busy at the bar handling a line of bachelor party shots. The room was half-full with tourists, party goers and, of course, the regular at the table in the corner, sitting the same as always, with a cigarette and a bottle of beer on the table. He stared across the room at something. I followed his gaze.

  A platform in the back of the club levitated above the velvet couches lining the wall. I pointed and floated off toward it. As I got nearer, someone’s anger engulfed me, muffling my senses. The emotional imprint seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I spotted Kane just behind me, horror etched on his face. A twinge of desperation and panic I recognized as Kane’s pushed its way through the anger surrounding me. I sent my energy out to him, trying to link us together, but his emotions were far away and barely reachable. Disoriented, I turned back to the platform and floated up above it.

  A piercing cry rang from my lips, and my own terror pushed out all other emotions.

  On the platform, Pyper lay encased in a silver outlined clear box. Stripped naked, she’d been pinned down, spread eagle with nails through her palms and feet. Barbed wire wrapped around her limbs, causing her to lie still or suffer more puncture wounds. Her eyes, pleading, moved from me to Kane and back again. Her lips moved, but no sound was audible.

  The foreign, angry energy mixed with my own desperation, and I raised my arms over my head, ready to strike. Using all of my force I slammed my hands down, intending to shatter the silver-lined box. I barely felt anything as my hands bounced off the structure, propelling me backwards. Reminding myself my body was back in Kane’s bed and this was just my dream self, I changed tactics. Turning in a circle, I sent my energy out searching for the unwelcome visitor still crowding my awareness.

  Kane hovered above Pyper trying to communicate with her, his mouth working and hands waving. Charlie was oblivious to the action, as was everyone else in the club, except for one man; the quiet, creepy regular with the beer bottle and unlit cigarette whom I’d seen every night I’d ever been in the bar. He sat in his regular corner staring right at me, hatred ripping holes in my senses as it radiated off him.

  Our eyes locked, and in that moment I knew he wasn’t alive. A ghost. This had to be Roy. How had I missed it? Digging deep, I sent all of my awareness toward him and was engulfed into blackness so dark it was as if I’d gone blind. I floated back to Kane, reining in my energy.

  “There he is. It’s Roy, isn’t it?” I pointed to the ghost across the room.

  Kane turned, following my direction. “Son of a bitch!” He flew across the room, fists raised in challenge. Just as Kane came to a stop in front of the man, Roy’s hatred heightened, slashing at my very essence, and then disappeared as the ghost vanished. Kane whipped around, back and forth, and then glided back to me.

  I sent my awareness back out in search of him and felt a small tug. Then my energy was grabbed with such force, I felt as if it would be ripped from my being. Frantically, I tried to merge with Kane as I had earlier in the evening when Bobby had invaded my senses. But I couldn’t reach him. A thread of Pyper’s desperation reached me and I opened to it, merging with her instead.

  All at once, Pyper’s pain vanished, along with her restraints. I hovered near the case and melded my energy closer to hers. Pyper rose from the case and floated next to me. Seconds ticked by, and then I faded into nothing.

  I woke with slashes of pain radiating throughout my limbs. My eyes blurred with unshed tears and when I tried to move my arm, a ragged cry burst from my throat as sharp barbs pricked my flesh. The tears ran down the side of my face, and Kane’s face came into focus.

  I could see his mouth forming the word “Jade” over and over again, but I could hear nothing. Worse, I could no longer feel his energy. I was trapped in a void.

  You freed her—I needed someone to take her place, a sinister voice said in my head.

  “Why?” I asked in desperation.

  To punish you, of course. To punish them.

  I focused on the glare above me. I was now trapped in the case with my limbs wrapped tight in the barbed wire. Pain pulsed from my hands and feet, and I knew nails held them down. There wasn’t anything I could do to get free. I stared at Kane, looking as helpless as I felt, and cried out in anguish as he disappeared from my sight.

  He’s left to be with her, you know.

  “No!” I cried. “He’ll be back for me.”

  He’s always loved her best. There will never be room for you in his life.

  “Lies. You’re an evil, lying bastard.”

  Roy chuckled, and his laughter rang in my mind. Call me whatever you like. You’re mine now.

  “I’ll never be yours.” My voice was flat to my own ears. Where had Kane gone? I couldn’t believe he’d left me here like this.

  That’s right, Jade. He left you. Really, what did you think he would do?”

  “Stop it! Just stop it!” In my rational mind I knew Roy was playing off my fears, but I was powerless to stop him.

  Roy continued to spew his brand of hate at me for what seemed like hours. Tired and worn down, I turned inward, pulling my guards up. Suddenly I couldn’t hear him anymore. The pain in my limbs dissipated to a dull ache. Why hadn’t I tried that before?

  This isn’t real, I told myself. Of course it wasn’t. Pyper had been in a coma in the hospital with no visible marks at all. Roy had stolen just her conscious self. Now, I’d traded places with her. All the pain was an illusion in my mind.

  I tried to lift my arms, but all I felt was weight holding me down. There wasn’t the sharp stabbing pain as before, but I couldn’t lift my arms or legs. Still trapped. Damn it!

  With nothing else at my disposal, I decided to try merging with his emotional energy again. It was the only thing I could think of to do. After taking a few deep breaths, I let my guards down. My arms throbbed in pain from where I’d tried to lift them against the barb wire. I pressed my arms down on the platform, trying to get as far away from the prickling metal as possible.

  That won’t help you, Roy said.

  “Shut up, you bastard.” I glared up into his twisted face.

  He gave the mechanical laugh of someone destined for a padded cell. His image floated above me, and I sent my energy toward him.

  Stop trying to invade my soul, you witch! I’ll kill you if you keep it up.

  His venomous thoughts spurred my determination. I pressed harder, seeking to merge my energy with his. The hatred crawled up my spine, making me squirm and cry in pain as wire stabbed my limbs. I stilled and fought to keep a hold on his emotions. As I pressed deeper I sensed a twinge of his panic, but his toxic determined energy took over as he loomed over me, staring into my eyes.

  I stared back, determined to break his hold on me. Sweat broke out on my face. I struggled to keep connected with him. His hateful emotions wore me down faster than I anticipated and before I could build up my walls, he lashed out with his mind. Wielding an imaginary whip, he slashed at my torso, leaving raised welts. My cries of terror mixed with hot tears as I struggled to shut him out, but the pain and fear took over.

  After half a dozen strokes, he stopped to peer at me in the box. Are you going to behave, or do you need to be punished some more?

  I turned my head so I wouldn’t have to look at him, using the moment to build my guards. I vaguely felt the imaginary whip come down a few more times, but when I didn’t flinch or respond, Roy retreated.

  That plan didn’t go well. My earlier panic had faded, and I was left feeling only despair. Where was Kane? I couldn’t believe he’d left me alone. He had to be coming back. Somehow I knew if he was here, we could fight this together. I hoped Pyper had woken, and he’d gone to see her.

  Time became nonexistent as Roy hovered, waiting for my resistance to fail and doing his best to taunt me and break me down. But no matter how tired I got, I wouldn’t give him the s
atisfaction.

  Eventually I started to fade into an unconscious sleep state. Something familiar reached out to me. Something comforting and pleasant. I reached for it with my mind, and then Kane spoke. Jade, there you are.

  Kane, where are you?

  I’m with you, next to the case you’re trapped in. I have been for hours. But your guards are up, and I couldn’t reach you.

  Is this a dream? Confused I tried to look around, but saw only darkness.

  I’m speaking to you in your dream state. It’s the only way I could reach you.

  I don’t understand. Nothing made sense to me. I hadn’t seen Kane or felt him since I’d freed Pyper and became trapped in the box.

  Your guards are up. I assume it’s helping you keep Roy away, but it’s also shutting me out.

  Oh. Is Pyper safe?

  A rush of gratitude and love streamed from him. Yes, love. She’s fine. You, however, have now taken her place at the hospital.

  Great. I mentally groaned. Kane…I don’t know how to get out of this.

  That’s why I’m here. We’re coming for you. Me, Bea, Ian, Lailah, Kat, Holly and Charlie. All of us. Be prepared to let your guards down. It’s the only way we can help you.

  How?

  I don’t have all the details. Just be ready. Bea says you’ll know.

  Okay. I’m ready now.

  Kane gave a sad chuckle. Me, too, love.

  His energy started to fade. I mentally reached out to hold on to it. Don’t go!

  I’ll stay as long as you need me.

  Forever. I need you forever. But for now, just until I feel strong again. I don’t know why, but Kane’s energy fed me. Already the weariness of holding Roy off waned.

  I’m here. I’ll stay, he said.

  Just until I’m strong again. Then come back and kick that bastard’s ass.

  My pleasure.

  Chapter 22

  Kane faded from my consciousness and as I lay there, staring through the top of my prison, boredom set in. My barriers were firmly in place and all the pain had subsided. I had nothing to do but wait.

  Roy kept his distance, and I suspected he knew I was stronger. I contemplated letting my guards down to see if I could best him in another energy match. But I didn’t want to risk wearing myself down for when the group showed up. Whenever that was.

  Some time later, Roy edged closer to my case, as if to test the safety of coming nearer. I wanted to laugh. What exactly could I do in my position? Clearly, he still had the upper hand, considering I was trapped, even if he couldn’t cause me physical pain.

  Roy floated above me, back and forth from the box to his corner. The cigarette hung unlit from his lips. Was he doomed to roam forever in his ghost state, always wanting to light that cigarette? A small twinge of satisfaction rolled through me at the thought of him in permanent nicotine withdrawal.

  “Serves you right,” I said.

  Roy appeared above me, peering in.

  I lifted my eyebrows and watched him. It was nice not having to feel his foulness. Maybe after my friends freed me from this hellish box, my new connection with Kane would help me keep other people’s emotions out of my awareness.

  Roy’s face contorted into a scowl as his mouth worked overtime. He was yelling at me, but I couldn’t hear him.

  My indifference seemed to fuel his hostility. Fascinated, I studied the increasing animation of his face as he ranted. His scowl deepened, and his eyes bugged as he did an excellent impression of a demon possession. Suddenly, he launched himself and ended up lying flat, face down on top of my box.

  I narrowed my eyes. “You have nothing on me, you sick, demented bastard.”

  His face turned beet red, and he roared. The case shook, but I still couldn’t hear it. It was weird how a ghost’s skin tone could change with anger. Although, this was an alternate reality, so I guess anything was possible.

  I don’t know how much time went by as Roy continued his temper tantrum. Periodically I’d say some snide, colorful remark just to satisfy my own perverse need to get under his skin. It probably wasn’t wise, but I had nothing else to do to entertain myself.

  Eventually Roy moved from my sight. Bored out of my mind, I closed my eyes and faded in and out of a semi-conscious state for what seemed like eternity. In my weakened state, my barriers started to collapse as someone pushed at my walls. I imagined armor forming around me, determined to not let Roy push his way into my emotional field.

  No! A chorus of voices rang in my mind.

  My eyes popped open wide, and I turned my head back and forth, searching for my friends. A faint outline hovered above me, and I smiled in relief at the sight of Kane. I let the armor fall but still kept my emotional barriers in place.

  There you are, I said, again with my mind.

  And I’m not leaving without you. Kane turned his head toward the center of the club where Bea sat in an old tattered chair, surrounded by Ian, Holly, Charlie, Lailah and Kat.

  Where’s Pyper? I asked.

  Sitting at the hospital with you. She wanted to come help, but I refused.

  I nodded. Good call. Roy’s fixation on her is too dangerous.

  Exactly.

  I turned my attention to the others. Although I still couldn’t hear, they appeared to be chanting. As they did, Roy got even more agitated (if that were possible) and flew around the room. His image moved so fast I had trouble following him.

  Kane hovered closer. Be ready, Jade.

  For what? I couldn’t get over the weirdness of communicating in our heads. Though I suppose it wasn’t any weirder than being held prisoner in another dimension by a ghost.

  To leave that case. It’s almost time.

  I waited with growing impatience. Testing my restraints, I tried to lift my arms. Pain jabbed at my wrists.

  Not yet. I’ll tell you.

  Okay, so Roy couldn’t get in my mind, but the barbs still stung. And I wasn’t asleep, at least not in this reality, and Kane was talking to me in my head. Color me confused.

  I shook my head to clear the thoughts and tried to focus. All of the people who normally worked at Wicked were absent. Either it was day time, or Kane had closed the place down for this event. To me, it didn’t matter much. They couldn’t see this anyway. Too bad. It would have been a show-stopper.

  As Bea chanted, the bright white light surrounding her started to dissipate, fading into a foggy mist. She stood out, vibrant and full of life. For the first time, I realized the other five people appeared to be slightly translucent, and so did Kane. They had to be in their dream states. But what about Bea? Was this a witch thing?

  Kane, did you dreamwalk all of them here?

  Everyone but Bea. She came on her own.

  Is she dreamwalking me?

  No. She’s awake.

  Impressive. In all of my dreams when Kane dreamwalked me, had we been translucent? I couldn’t remember, but I supposed I’d been too preoccupied to care.

  He floated over my case, smiling down at me. You haven’t seen anything yet.

  Since I couldn’t do anything else, I laid there staring up at my boyfriend. Yep, that’s right. My boyfriend. My smile widened as I explored every inch of his body with my eyes. What I wouldn’t give to have another night wrapped in his arms, leisurely kissing every inch of his tender flesh. My mind wandered to the events that took place in his shower, just before I’d replaced Pyper in the box. In spite of my current situation, my body started to tingle.

  Jade!

  Huh?

  Stop it. You’re distracting me.

  Oops. I guess in this state you’re a mind reader.

  Kane put his hand up, signaling for me to be quiet, while he watched our group of friends. I couldn’t really tell what was happening. After a moment he turned back to me. I can’t read your mind unless you direct your thoughts to me. What I can do is sense your emotions. I can’t believe you’re getting turned on right now.

  I was staring at you, I replied in defense.
/>   A hint of humor mixed with satisfaction escaped from him into my awareness, and I chuckled.

  Get a hold of yourself. Bea is chanting now. In a moment it will be time for you to join me, Kane said.

  Okay. I waited, suddenly tense and feeling totally unprepared. They obviously had a plan. Unfortunately, I had no idea what it was.

  Out of nowhere, Roy appeared right above me, his eyes bloodshot and a crazed expression on his face. We stared each other down, neither one of us willing to look away.

  “You can’t keep me, you bastard,” I said with venom.

  He raised a fist and opened his mouth but before he could speak, some invisible force flung him backward.

  Now, Kane said with a fierce nod.

  With my heart racing and fear curling in my belly, I stared into Kane’s eyes and gathered as much courage as I could. Come on Jade, I told myself. Get on with it.

  It’s all right. I’m here, Kane said.

  At the sound of his voice, I lowered my guards. Roy’s fury reached me like a flash of lightening, and I struggled to keep my defenses down.

  “Stay with me.” This time, Kane wasn’t speaking in my head. The sound jolted me. I lurched forward. My hands and feet came free, and my body rose to float next to Kane.

  “Thank God it worked.” Kane pulled me to him, his solid arms wrapping around me.

  “This is just weird,” I whispered into his ear.

  Kane pulled away, holding me at arm’s length. “You’re just now coming to that conclusion?”

  I shook my head. “No. Not this.” I waved toward our friends standing in a circle in the middle of the club. “This—” I pointed at him, and then back to me, “—you and me, hugging in shadow form.”

  Kane shook his head, looking exasperated. What can I say? I’d gone so far past my fear threshold, I’d completely given up on being afraid.

  “What now?” I asked.

  He started to answer but was drowned out by a sudden howling wind. Hot air swirled through the club, scattering advertisements and a few chairs. I pushed the hair out of my face. Lailah stood outside of the circle, arms raised. She appeared to be chanting, but I couldn’t hear over the roar.