Giving Up the Ghost

by Stella Price

  “Well, let Saffron know to be on alert, this one isn’t going to give his misery up without a fight, one that could possibly kill Saffron, depending on how powerful the girl has become.”

  “You think that’s possible? Goddess, Saffron is a pure human. She won’t be able to do this alone.”

  “And why do you think you are down here love? To hang out and screw your lovely demon in that fabulous shower?”

  Xxieda blushed and Dante just sneered. “I thought we were being watched.”

  “You’re always watched demon, hell I would sell tickets if I could.”

  “Goddess!” Xxieda said and blushed harder.

  The Morrigan just laughed. “Okay, well I’m going to go walk the grounds. Don’t worry. I’ll be close, but I need to find someone that can help. He’s here, but I don’t know where…”

  The lights on the stage next to them flashed and in that second the Goddess was gone from their tower.

  “People come and go so quickly…” Dante said, mocking the line from the Wizard of Oz.

  “The fact that she came is telling. This is not going to be easy for Saffron, or Rhys. Shit.”

  “You’re here love, forewarned is forearmed, remember?”

  “I love you demon…”

  “I love you too… now… It seems we look like alcoholics here, two beers and a rocks of whiskey. What should be done about it?”

  Xxieda smirked. “I know of only one thing…”

  ***

  Saffron stood backstage with Rhys, Nyx, and Tosh watching Whispers Her Name, the band they were on the tour with, finish their set. Two songs and Shades was on. Rhys was ready, Tosh was alert, Nyx, thoughtful.

  “Where is Winter?” Saffron asked as she looked around. “And Chandler?”

  “Chan is getting himself ready, wrists have to be limber you know,” Tosh offered. “Winter? Lord knows. He was in one fucker of a foul mood when he got back from talking to Lola.”

  Saffron nodded. Winter was not happy earlier and they had seen very little of him through the day, as he showed up only for the interviews and such.

  “Don’t worry, he’s never fucked a show, especially not one this important.” Nyx said and then stretched. “Gods that crowd is the biggest we have ever played to.”

  “You guys are going to rock it, I know.”

  Rhys turned to her and kissed her hard. “Last song. You guys ready?” Tosh and Nyx nodded. “I need to get the wireless set up, I’ll be right back.”

  “Shit me too…” Tosh said and went with him, and Nyx grinned at Saffron.

  “Wild right?”

  “It will be,” Saffron murmured.

  “Excuse me, Saffron?”

  Saffron turned to the female voice calling her. One of the zine girls, Rory, was standing there. “I just wanted to thank you again for the all access pass. This has been out of every dream I have ever had.”

  Saffron smiled. “Not a problem Rory, seriously. Glad you’re having a good time. No one is giving you a problem right?”

  The girl shook her head. “Nope, not one. It’s amazing! Do you live every day like this?” she asked with undisguised awe.

  Saffron couldn’t lie to her but the stars in the girls eyes were enough to make her tell the full truth. “Rory, lemme tell you, it’s not all glam and glitter. Bad shit happens in this life style. And it took me a lot to get where I am today. I don’t recommend this life style to anyone.”

  “But..but your dating Rhys! I mean that’s like every girls dream come true.”

  Saffron laughed. If only they knew what his real baggage was. “I am dating him yes, but that’s something that’s very rare. And trust me, you don’t want to date one of these guys, it’s not worth it to your heart.”

  “Well how do you deal with it?” The girl asked and got closer.

  “It takes a special kinda girl to date these guys. You can’t be jealous, can’t get hurt, and you have to understand, their past is always in the present, or as long as they are still on the road. These guys rack up a lot of admirers, because you meet so many interesting people you connect with on the road. Girls with these guys have to be a special breed that just doesn’t think like the normal girl. And that comes with consequences and its own laundry list of problems.”

  The girl nodded. “When I read on the Shades site that Rhys was attached, I was interested in seeing who it was that had him smitten. I’m glad it’s you. You have a good head on your shoulders, aren’t disillusioned by it all, and it seems you really like him. I’m happy he’s happy again.”

  A thought dawned on her. “Did you know him before?”

  Rory nodded. “Long time fan, my brother used to take me to see them play when I was a bit younger. I mean I’m seventeen now, but I knew him when he was with Phaedra. My brother was close with Chandler for a long while.”

  “Why isn’t he here?” Saffron hedged, trying to figure out what was going on with this kid.

  “He’s deployed right now, but I am going to send him pictures. He was so proud to hear they had made it to Voodoo. For the kids here, it’s like becoming Led Zeppelin, it means you made it.”

  Saffron nodded. Hometown kids make good was always a huge deal. “So what was he like with Phaedra?”

  She frowned. “Always trying hard. It was about her, not about the fans or the band. He was really only himself when on stage. It’s not like that now. He’s happy. It shows.”

  Saffron puffed up with pride. Hearing that from someone that knew him, it felt good to know she was part of his return to normalcy. She decided to change the subject, less she get a bigger head the needed. “So you wanna see the show from the side stage with me?”

  The girls face lit up the only way a real fans could. “You kidding?”

  “Hell no, it will be good, and maybe you can meet Xxieda too. Not sure where she is right now, but no doubt she will be there for the set. Come on…”

  Whispers played the last strains of their final song and the crowd went wild. Rhys and the band, Winter included, walked up, ready for the change out and Saffron grinned at them. “Go big baby…” she said as he pulled her to him and kissed her.

  “Fuck yeah.” He winked and they were all off, leaving Saffron and Rory to follow in their wake.

  Chapter 20

  Don’t you see that this charade is over? And all the best deceptions and the clever cover story awards go to you. –Dashboard Confessional

  “Black Roses… its always black roses with you…”

  Rhys’ growl penetrated the night, reached the ears and minds of the darkened crowd beyond the lights of the stage. He always felt powerful when he was up here, but tonight was more potent. The crowd gave off its own energy, lulling him into one hell of a mood.

  He looked to his right, Saffron stood there with Keith Metz’s little sister Rory, and Xxieda, Dante and Uncle Reemus, though they couldn’t see him. He didn’t cross the barrier to become flesh, at least not yet. Normally on Halloween Rhys didn’t see him, but this year they were all on alert.

  Phaedra hadn’t shown her face yet, and that alone was disconcerting. He scanned the faces her could see, let his eyes wander the front of the crowd as he went to his knees to sing the chorus. Nothing. Well, no Phaedra.

  The crowd sang along with him, screamed for the band, called their names. This, this was what it was all about, and yet he couldn’t get lost in it like he normally did. Thank you Phaedra for coming and fucking everything up.

  Still, he had to play it like nothing was wrong, and was doing a pretty good job of it if he was so inclined to think. Xxieda was not frowning, Dante was but he was in a perpetual scowl anyway, a frown was a damn sight improvement.

  His eyes locked on Saffron, who licked her lips. Shit. The action zinged blood straight to his cock. She knew what she was doing.

  She was so going to get it.

  His brain entertained the ideas of all the naughty things he was going to do to her when they were done there. Lord there were many, and she w
as game for all of it. Naughty thing that she was.

  He looked out to the crowd again, whispering the next lines of the song, and his heart sped up. There, in the front of the crowd, as if she just appeared, was Phaedra. She was smiling at him, her eyes bright and lively, her cheeks flushed, a wet sheen on her bottom lip. Her hair was loose, carefree, and she was void of makeup. He did a double take, and missed his queue, and the band went through the bridge again so he could pick it up. Shit. This wasn’t good.

  She looked fresh, new, and her eyes were for him alone. He looked over at Xxieda who caught the new edition herself and she nodded. No this wasn’t going to get out of hand. He needed to finish this set, three songs to go… Don’t think of her and what she’s trying to do.

  He looked over at Saffron who was talking to Xxieda, and then over to Winter, who saw his sister standing there, in all her newly fleshed glory, and shook his head. He wasn’t happy either.

  ***

  Saffron looked over at the girl that literally just appeared in an open spot in the crowd. So that was Phaedra? She looked a bit different, not clothed in anything she normally would have worn, and her hair wasn’t all done up, nor was her face. She looked young, and innocent, but her intentions were anything but.

  Saffron looked over to Rory, who was so engrossed in the show, her eyes on Chandler only. It was obvious the girl had a thing for him. As long as she didn’t see Phaedra, things would go okay.

  Xxieda moved closer to Saffron. “Leave it to her to make a grand fucking entrance.”

  “She wouldn’t be who she is, if she didn’t right?”

  “You seem really calm about this.”

  “Why shouldn’t I be? He’s going to pick me.”

  “And you don’t think she going to fight to keep him miserable?’

  Saffron gave a sidelong glance. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning she’s powerful, even more so now. She’s been quite all this time, probably conserving her energy for something like this. My GoddessGoddess said not to underestimate her.”

  “So I take it it’s not like the ‘you have no power here’ kinda thing in Oz?”

  “Fuck no Saff. Its Samhain, All earth bound spirits are their most powerful tonight.”

  This was not something Saffron was expecting.

  “What did you think she would just show, Rhys tells her he chooses you and she goes away without a fight, or worse, trying to take you or him with her? Phaedra’s narcissism is legendary. Picking you over her is not in her end game. She’s going to fight because she’s not used to losing.”

  “So what am I supposed to do X?”

  “Fight. You want him, you’ll fight for him.”

  ***

  Rhys looked at Winter, who nodded and they switched tempo, Rhys running into the cover they did. It kept the crowd jumping, and singing and would get them off the stage quicker. One more song after this one and shit was going to hit the fan.

  He watched Phaedra watch him from her spot in the crowd. Something that was definitely new to her as she had never stood out in front of the band, keeping to the side of the stage or staying backstage. If she was trying to show him she was changing, well…

  He sang, but didn’t look at her while he did; He played to the crowd, and looked over at Saffron as he said “I’ll give you anything, Anything…” She looked a bit involved in something but she winked at him. Lord this was not how he wanted this to go. Why the fuck did she have to show up now?

  The song ended and the lights went down, the strains of ‘Payback’ started and the crowd erupted in movement. Phaedra was jostled but didn’t move. She just stared up at him. Shit it was kinda creepy. He closed his eyes and sang, played his part and counted down in his head as the final notes of the song were played. The lights went down, the crowd went wild and he walked off stage without a backwards glance.

  Saffron smiled at him and kissed him as he gained her. Xxieda looked them both over and shook her head. “Let’s get to the tour bus… I don’t want shit going down here, and heaven forbid the world realize ghosts are real.”

  Rhys nodded and they quickly said goodbye to Rory who was getting hugged by Chandler. It was good that the drummer was going to be engaged with Rory, he wouldn’t be any use if shit went down, and it was better for his ego this way. Rhys gave his friend a meaningful look and he nodded. As they left he heard Chandler ask, “So how the hell is Keith? Where is he deployed? When’s he coming home…”

  The made it to the tour bus unmolested, a few fans had called to them, but no one was keen on getting anyone else involved in the mess they knew was coming.

  Reemus, in human form, stood at the door of the bus, his arms crossed over his barrel of a chest. In the flesh he was one bear of a man, imposing, but his eyes were kind.

  “Kid, fucker of a situation you got yourself in.” he said to Rhys and then smiled at Xxieda and Saffron. “Pardon the language…”

  “I’m just as bad Reemus. It’s good to see you again.” Xxieda said and kissed the man on both cheeks. “We can have introductions later, I assume you are staying around?”

  “Yes ma’am, Kid needs some back up, and no offense, but you and the demon can only do so much.”

  Xxieda nodded. Reemus looked at Rhys and then to Saffron. “Saffron.” He inclined his head. “So kid? Shall we?” he motioned to the open door of the tour bus. “The quicker the better I think.”

  Rhys and Saffron followed Reemus onto the bus, with Xxieda, Dante and Winter bringing up the rear. Once On Reemus sat down and sighed. “I tell ya, the one thing you miss being dead 364 days a year is sitting your ass down.”

  Saffron smirked and shook her head. “Where is she?”

  Xxieda shook her head. “No clue, but you can bet she will figure out how to get to him.”

  Winter grabbed a bottle of jack and took a swig. “Sorry but it’s a bit disconcerting seeing your dead sister staring back at you from a crowd.”

  “You don’t think it’s worse if it was your fiancée? Cuz lemme tell ya man, she is nothing like I remember… at all. Not the other night and certainly not tonight.”

  “Twins, motherfucker. I was born with her. I felt her fucking die.” Winter took another long draught of the amber liquid, seemingly shoring up his courage.

  Saffron shook her head. “Far be it from me to get into our personal life in front of other people…”

  “Let’s not shall we?” A new voice said from the doorway. Rhys hadn’t seen The Morrigan in a long time, but she apparently never changed. She was dressed in her normal jeans and flowing poet’s shirt attire, her feet clad in strappy sandals and her riotous hair pulled back and rolled into a messy bun. “There’s more at stake then Rhys getting his swerve on ghost style.”

  “Like what? And who the hell are you?” Saffron asked and frowned.

  Xxieda held a hand up. “This is my Goddess, The Morrigan, and so help me Saffron, one more unkind word…”

  The Morrigan shook her head. “No, it’s okay. Saffron has a right to be angry, and it’s that anger that’s going to help her, and Rhys.” She nodded to Saffron who nodded back. Rhys smiled at the Goddess.

  ***

  “I’m sorry, GoddessGoddess.” Saffron said and shook her head. “What the hell is going on, we are cowering in here waiting for her? Fuck that.”

  “Let’s not be hasty Saffron…” Xxieda said as Saffron pushed past her, breezed past the Goddess to a now eerily vacant lot. Nothing was there, no concert, no people, nothing but blackness and void. Saffron turned towards the bus and arched a brow.

  The Goddess smirked. “Well I couldn’t very well let this happen in front of everyone could I? She will come, and soon, cuz she’s drawn to your lover like a beacon. Doesn’t help that her twin is here as well. Once Rhys denies her, she will go for you… You need to stand tall.”

  “What will she do?” Saffron looked around into the blackness, creeped out by the lone street lamp that had not been there earlier. It was like Narnia at night.


  “She will try to get you to falter. If you back down, at all, she wins, no matter what, and she can take your place.”

  “My… You mean..?”

  “That she can change souls, and she would be puppeting your body around. With your lover on her arm again, making him miserable all over again.”

  “Fuck that.”

  The Goddess chuckled. “Fuck that indeed. Look, I like Rhys, and I owe him big. Don’t fuck this up girl, he was meant to be yours, but the future is never certain. Its fluid and the changes come so quick… believe me I know. Stand true for him, for the two of you.”

  Saffron sighed and rolled her shoulders. “What do you think she’s going to do?”

  The Goddess shrugged. “Not one clue. A lot of jealousy in that one… But don’t worry, Rhys isn’t stupid, he knows where his happiness lies. Don’t let her fuck with you Saffron.”

  Rhys and Xxieda walked out then, Winter and Dante trailing. “Son of a Bitch. Where the hell are we?”

  The Goddess shook her head. “Unimportant. What is important is that you are both ready for this. She won’t take no for an answer Rhys.”

  He walked to Saffron and pulled her close to him and kissed her, the action electric. She felt the tingle to her toes. And then she felt the wind.

  It was both there, and not there, and it carried sparks, sparks of life, but they were muted. She shivered and ran her hands up her arms. “Did you feel that?”

  “Oh no, that was just for you…”

  She heard the voice before she saw the body it belonged to. Phaedra walked out of the darkness, her long blonde hair bouncy and perfect, her outfit simple, but dear gods, the look in her eyes was anything but friendly.

  Saffron gave her a bored look. She might be unsure of what was going on, but she was going to take the Goddess’ advice and be strong. “Really, you didn’t have to.” She said to Phaedra and turned to face her fully.

  Phaedra looked at Rhys. “I’m here baby.”

  “So I see.” He said and moved closer to Saffron. Phaedra frowned.

  “You aren’t happy to see me? Even after that sexy night we spent together?” she pouted.