by Ching, G. P.
Chevy nodded and pushed himself up to his feet, wiping the tears from his cheeks. He turned from the snake woman and exited the room.
Don’t do this. Please. I have a bad feeling.
“Sorry, Raine, you just don’t understand,” he said, closing her out behind the steel wall.
Chevy jogged down the concrete stairwell, past the pool, and into the Prickly Pear Diner. The place was practically empty, aside from an elderly couple in a booth near the back and their mousy-haired waitress. It was easy enough to find Jaden; there was only one boy bussing tables. He looked up when the bell above the door rang.
“Can I help you?” Jaden asked politely.
Chevy strode forward and grabbed Jaden’s wrist.
“Hey? What the hel—”
The snake woman was right. The jump was almost instinctual. He willed his soul out of Raine and into Jaden, sliding easily into the boy’s skin. The first thing he noticed was the weight of the bin of dirty dishes in his hands. He rested it on the table in front of him.
Raine’s hand still gripped his wrist, only she had power over it now. From inside Jaden, Cheveyo could see what he’d done to her. Dark circles loomed beneath her eyes, and her hair was a rat’s nest. The clothes he’d put her in were wrinkled and dirty.
“Don’t do this, Chev—Chevy,” she whispered. “We can go home. The elders will know what to do.”
“Al, you better get out here!” the waitress called.
Chevy gazed at Raine, the girl he’d grown up with, his good friend, and understood what he had to do. This was his problem, not hers.
A large man in an apron appeared behind the counter. “What’s going on out here, Jaden?” he asked.
Chevy didn’t hesitate. “This is the missing girl, Raine Nokami. I don’t think she’s right in the head.”
“No. No!” Raine protested. She backed up, shaking her head. “Don’t do this. It’s wrong. She’s a bad spirit.”
The man behind the counter fished a phone from his pocket. When it was obvious he’d called 911, Raine made for the door, but the stout man leapt over the counter and blocked her path. The police responded almost immediately, the spinning red cherry lights lighting up the diner. Soon Raine was ushered into the back of an ambulance, shaking her head and uttering the truth, which sounded like nonsense to everyone else.
“Wow, that was something. Good job recognizing her. I’ve seen the flyers but, man, she was in bad shape.”
Chevy nodded. “Lucky, I guess. I just saw the flyer this morning. Scary though. Did you see how she grabbed my arm?”
“Yeah, a real head case. Okay, enough excitement. Back to work. Maybe we’ll get some tourists in here curious about the drama.”
Sure enough, a few diners appeared in the doorway. The mousy-haired waitress began seating them at the booths, telling the story over and over about the found girl with the messed-up head. He grabbed the rag off his shoulder and began to wipe down the nearest table, telling himself this was for the best. Raine was safe now.
What? What’s happened to me? Jaden’s panicked voice woke up inside Cheveyo’s head. He ignored it, slammed the steel door shut, and kept working. He’d explain it all to the boy tonight, safely behind the locked door of room twenty. And then, he would wait. He’d follow the spirit’s instructions. He’d find this Dane and keep him from doing whatever evil thing he planned to do. Raine would see. This was the only way. Soon, he’d have his body back and be able to explain everything. Soon.
He hoped.
Chapter 8
Party in Paradise
Dane climbed off the boat and stepped onto the path to the Eden School for Soulkeepers, oddly nervous. Odd because he’d spent enough time here to be comfortable with the path through the jungle, the stately white adobe mansion, and all of the people who lived here, but for some reason, waves of anxiety had been plaguing him since morning. Heart racing and head swimming, he was afraid to think too hard about what his body was trying to tell him. He suspected his nervousness was due to Malini’s request to talk with him alone. He’d heard somewhere bad news came in threes. His father’s illness had been number one. Was this the night the council would kick him out of Eden because he wasn’t a Soulkeeper?
He glanced over his shoulder at Malini as she followed hand in hand with Jacob through the jungle trail. She smiled just like always, not giving him any indication of foreboding news. He picked up the pace, pushing aside wide palm leaves and branches of trees he couldn’t even name. Tropical birds cawed overhead, and a legion of lemurs stared at him with round, reflective eyes as he broke free of the vegetation and crossed the yard to the entrance of the school.
“Master Dane! Welcome back to Eden.” Archibald, the head garden gnome, stood near the door, pointy green hat in hand.
“Good to see you again, Archibald. Are you working tonight?”
“No, sir. Ms. Bonnie gave me the night off and said I could do anything I like. I like watching guests arrive. Your clothing is unusual.”
Grinning, Dane looked down at his favorite plaid shirt, jeans, and work boots, comparing them to Archibald’s green lederhosen. He guessed it was all in what you were used to.
The gnome reached a hand tentatively toward his shirt.
“Would you like to touch it?” Dane asked.
Archibald’s lips pulled back from his ragged teeth. He waddled forward a step and stretched a grubby, green-stained hand toward Dane. He rubbed the gray plaid between his fingers, and then ran his chubby touch down the outside seam of his jeans. Dane disguised his groan as a cough, when he noticed the streaky grass stain the gnome left in his wake.
“The fibers are strange, Master Dane. Does the fabric itch?”
“No.”
The gnome rubbed his chin skeptically.
Malini came to his rescue. “Please excuse us, Archibald. We don’t want to be late.”
The gnome bowed his head and backed into the shadows. “Of course, Healer. Enjoy your evening.” His body twisted, and he was gone.
She brushed the excess dirt from Dane’s side. “I don’t think this stain is going to come out.”
“It’s just a smudge, Malini. No big deal.”
“That was cool of you. Archie kinda gives me the creeps,” Jacob added.
Dane shrugged. “You’ve got to think he’s never been outside of Eden. I can buy a new shirt, but how many chances will he get to see one like this?”
“You are a sweetheart, Dane,” Malini said, pecking him on the cheek.
Jacob growled.
Dane followed the two of them to the dining hall, placing a hand on his flip-flopping stomach. Behind the ornately carved doors was a natural wonderland. Candelabras lit the carved wood interior between crossbeams draped in evergreen, red fruit, and pinecone swags. Fir trees lined the walls, branches laden with berry sprays and additional candles. Pushed against the windows, the dining tables sat loaded with large bamboo bowls of popcorn, chips, and cookies. A glass punch bowl bubbled with a tropical blue drink. Where the tables used to be, a dance floor was squared off, and music played from a small but powerful battery-powered speaker someone had obviously brought in from the outside world.
Bonnie and Samantha swayed casually to the music, sipping cups of the blue liquid. The girls were all dressed up in black mini-dresses and jewelry. Now that he thought about it, Malini was wearing a dress too, a casual emerald number. Maybe he should’ve worn a tie? No, Jacob was wearing jeans and a black button-down, and Ghost appeared near the girls in his usual faded T-shirt. Guess it was come as you are.
Dane’s eyes flipped around the room. Why did he feel so antsy? Maybe because Jacob and Malini had crossed the room to talk to Bonnie, leaving him standing alone awkwardly at the entrance. He approached the snack table, hoping no one would notice his accidental abandonment. That was when the door creaked open.
Ethan entered the dining hall in the black T-shirt and jeans he almost always wore. His eyes found Dane immediately, and he smiled. An easy calm
overcame Dane as he smiled back. Maybe this was the problem; he needed a friend. Jacob had Malini, Jesse had Sam, and Bonnie almost always hung with Sam too. Dane was a third wheel until Ethan was around. Ethan always made him feel important, part of the group, even when he obviously didn’t belong. The guy had seen him at his worst, when he’d first returned from Hell nothing more than a skeleton, but somehow he still treated him as an equal. He was such a good friend.
“What’s in the blue juice?” Ethan asked as he approached the table.
“I’m not sure,” Dane said. “Looks like some kind of berries or something.”
Ethan poured a glass and took a sip. The corner of his mouth pulled to the side, and his eyebrow arched. “I think it’s alcoholic.” He handed over the glass.
As he reached for the punch, Dane didn’t think twice about drinking out of the same glass, but when his fingers brushed Ethan’s, a wave of heat passed through him. His mouth dried up, or maybe his tongue swelled, he wasn’t sure. He caught himself staring at the point of contact like he couldn’t pull his hand away. With magnetic accuracy, his eyes flicked up to Ethan’s dark ones. His mind drifted while his visual cortex fixated on the way Ethan’s bangs swept across his brow and his lips curled around impossibly white teeth.
He didn’t analyze the experience; he just pulled away, turning so he could distract himself with the jungle outside the window. He took a long swig, emptying the glass. “I think you’re right. There is alcohol in this.”
“Don’t get too excited,” Ethan said. “Like everything else in Eden, I’m sure it’s rated G. You can drink the alcohol, but it won’t make you drunk.”
Dane gave a breathy laugh. “Yeah, I think I’m safe from getting too excited.” The words came out sounding defensive even though he didn’t mean them that way.
Ethan didn’t seem to notice. He just poured himself another drink. “So, how are the Ps?”
“My parents … not great actually. My dad isn’t feeling well.”
“Sorry to hear that. Something going around on the outside?”
“Yeah, something like that. Hey, would you mind helping on the farm tomorrow, just for a few hours?”
When Ethan didn’t answer right away, Dane pivoted toward him, and the magnetic thing happened again. Right to the chestnut browns.
“Of course I’ll help,” Ethan said. “You know, every time I talk to you, you say how much you hate the farm. Yet every time you invite me to do something with you, it’s on the farm. Are you trying to tell me something?” He chuckled softly.
“No. Ah, maybe. It’s hard to explain.”
Bonnie appeared beside them, swirling the liquid in her cup. “Did you guys know, in Eden, alcoholic beverages won’t make you drunk? Something about the nature of the place.”
Dane glanced at Ethan and laughed, then took another drink.
“Ethan, would you like to dance?” Bonnie asked.
He shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Dane, and took a drink in an all-too-obvious attempt to delay giving her an answer. Didn’t Bonnie know Ethan was gay? Duh. She was making him uncomfortable. He decided to save the guy the embarrassment of turning her down.
“I’ll dance with you, Bonnie,” Dane offered. “I think Ethan was just about to get something to eat.”
Bonnie looked at Ethan impassively, then gave Dane a hint of a smile. “Of course. Thank you.”
He offered his hand and led her onto the dance floor. When they reached the center, Bonnie’s arms wrapped around his neck, and Dane noticed Ethan looked less than happy about the situation. Of course, now he was alone without anyone to talk to. Dane hadn’t thought of that.
“So how is life outside of Eden?” Bonnie asked flatly as they swayed between the other couples.
Dane raised his eyebrows. “Boring and shallow. I’d rather be here any day.”
“You’ve got to be kidding? Sometimes I’d like to chew my own arm off to get out of this place.”
“Honestly? You’d rather be studying for a calculus final than learning how to mix an herbal cocktail capable of blowing a demon’s head off.”
Her lips parted and a tiny laugh lightened the air between them. “Well, Abigail’s class is pretty interesting. Sorry to be such a butt about it. I think I’ve just caught cabin fever. Not for long though. Lillian says she thinks Abigail is going to send us on a mission.”
“Us?”
“Well, all of the Soulkeepers.”
Dane’s ears grew hot. Not him. She was talking about the real Soulkeepers. He swayed silently, staring at the wall behind her shoulder.
“I’m sorry. How rude of me. I know you want to be part of this,” Bonnie said. “But honestly, I’d like to switch places with you sometimes. I miss having a normal life. School and … boys.” Her eyes darted toward Ethan, who was leaning against the snack table watching them.
Clearing his throat, Dane decided to broach the subject with her. “Are you, um, interested in Ethan? Because I’m pretty sure he’s gay. I mean, he’s told everyone.”
“I know he says he’s gay, but he’s only, like, nineteen. Maybe he just hasn’t been introduced to anything else. People can change, you know.”
He frowned. “I don’t think that’s how it works.”
Her fingers toyed with the back of his hair. It tickled a little. “Here’s what I think. Sexuality is a spectrum. You’ve got heterosexuals on one end and homosexuals on the other, but then there are people kind of in the middle.”
“Aren’t they called bisexual?” Dane asked.
“Yeah, I guess. Well, those people can change, right?”
“I guess.” Dane shrugged.
“So, maybe Ethan has just limited himself. Maybe, if the opportunity presented itself, he’d, er, change his direction.”
“Huh. Okay. Well, good luck with that.”
He pushed a strand of her red hair behind her ear. The way her freckles peppered her nose was cute. The sprinkling of brown dots reminded him of a doll his sister once had, which made him think of his mother and how disappointed she was when he took off that evening.
“How about you?” Bonnie asked. “Is there anyone special in your life?”
Dane took a moment to answer. “No, not really. I used to date this girl named Amy, but there wasn’t a hell of a lot there to work with. I’m not sure why we dated each other, exactly. I guess because people in town expected it.”
“Oh, how sad.”
He shrugged. “Not really. I don’t think about her at all anymore. We never, um, you know, got very serious, so.”
She nodded. “Yeah, Sam and I haven’t dated too much either. It’s hard for guys to understand that we are two different people, but we never want to be apart. Our condition is weird for outsiders.”
The song ended. Dane lowered his arms. “Thanks for the dance.”
She nodded. “I think I’ll go get a drink.” Her eyebrows waggled. She wandered off toward Ethan, who glared at Dane expectantly.
“Sorry, buddy, I tried. You’re on your own,” Dane said under his breath.
Malini appeared in front of him, shaking her head in Bonnie’s direction. “That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
“I know, right?”
“Well, since you are without a dance partner anyway, how about that talk?” she asked.
Dane bobbed his head. Oh, man, here it was. Might as well get this over with.
He followed her out of the room, to the end of the hall, across the veranda, and out into the garden. Night shrouded the tropical plants as they entered the jungle, the full moon’s light glinting off the tops of shiny leaves but not strong enough to reach the path below. Monkeys leapt from tree to tree, and a flock of fluttering wings erupted to their left. The scent of banana and coconut thickened the air. She led him deep into the greenery by touch or instinct, to an overgrown place where the trees pressed in around them, exposing only a sliver of the night sky. Pivoting, she halted and looked up at the stars visible between the branches.
“I like it here. It’s peaceful,” she said.
“Me too.” Dane’s voice sounded small and weak. No hiding his apprehension.
“I’ve wanted to talk to you for some time now about how you were able to come to Eden.”
He nodded, although she might not have noticed in the darkness. Even with the light of the moon, she was barely more than a silhouette under the branches.
“When Dr. Silva traded herself for you, she knew you would die if she didn’t get you to me fast. She carried you to the boat, risking her own life in the process. No one knew how close a fallen angel like Abigail could come to Eden. She wasn’t exactly a Watcher because she’d never eaten flesh, but she definitely wasn’t a Soulkeeper.”
Malini placed a hand on Dane’s. He cringed. Now was the part when she would tell him Abigail had broken the rules and he couldn’t come back after this. He braced himself for the bad news.
“She placed you in the boat, but she wasn’t sure how it worked. With only a few moments before she must return to Lucifer’s side, she left you. Do you remember what happened between the time she placed you in the boat and the time Jacob and I found you?”
“No,” Dane said, but his answer sounded uncertain, even to himself.
“What do you remember? Please.” Malini reached out and touched his hand.
Rubbing his eyes with his finger and thumb, Dane considered his options, and then decided he had nothing to lose by telling the truth. “I remember dreaming.”
She tugged at his hand. “What did you dream about?”
He took a deep breath. “A spider.” Malini didn’t laugh or comment or anything, so he continued. “There was a spider in the boat. A massive spider, bigger than me, and she had one of those bug sacks, all wrapped up in her web.”
“You called the spider ‘she.’”
“Yeah.” He laughed. “When she was real close, she had a face like a woman, long black hair, and big dark eyes with the whole universe inside them. Thousands of twinkling lights.” Dane shook his head. “I must sound crazy. I’ve never told anyone this before.”
