Chapter 13 #3
It’s gorgeous. The instrument practically calls to me. Deep mahogany wood and silver inlays that catch the light. Am I imagining the power emanating from it? I run a finger down the neck reverently, and there’s definitely something there, a hum of energy that makes my skin tingle.
“Where did you get this?” I breathe, not looking up from the instrument.
“Wynn and I tracked it down,” Harper says simply. “It’s enchanted. Should work better with your... style.”
“Try it,” Marlow encourages, scooting closer with Iggy now perched alertly on his shoulder.
The moment my fingers find the strings, something clicks into place.
It’s like the instrument was waiting for me.
I strum a simple chord and the sound resonates through the barracks.
Nice and normal, with a strong sound. But when I start playing a simple tune and try to focus my necromantic energy, the power flows easily into the guitar, just as easily as the notes fill the air.
It flows naturally, guided by rhythm and melody instead of the crack of a whip.
“Okay,” I murmur, settling the guitar more comfortably against my body. “Let’s try this.” I play a melody that’s been stuck in my head for weeks.
The passage easily opens this time. The air in front of me shimmers, purple light bleeding through. It unfolds gently, expanding with each note I play. The gateway responds to my music, stabilizing when I find a steady rhythm.
I smile as I shift into a softer melody, something that speaks of friendship and loyalty rather than power and submission.
A snout appears first—black and wet, sniffing at our world. Then the dog comes bounding out. Tall with a fluffy coat and eyes that glow a soft red in the dim light of the barracks. I let my fingers still on the strings, the final note hanging in the air between us.
The spectral dog launches itself forward, passing straight through the boxing ring’s ropes, transparent body sailing right through.
The hound’s paws make no sound against the concrete floor as it darts excitedly toward the weight machines, nose extended and working furiously.
Looks like it’s having fun investigating all the scents of this world.
“Hey! That’s the same dog from the café!” Marlow points a finger. “You ate my cinnamon roll.” Marlow huffs a sigh when Harper stares at him critically. “Okay, I snatched the cinnamon roll when the dog broke the display case, but still, I called dibs.”
The dog’s ears flatten against its skull as it lets out a sharp bark at Marlow. It pulses through the air with an unnatural vibration, and Marlow yelps and scrambles backward, crashing into the ropes. Iggy flies up into the air, venturing somewhere up high and out of the way.
“No! Bad dog!” The demon wags a finger at the hound. “The barks can stun and confuse people, not to mention that little shattering trick it did with the glass.”
I settle my fingers back on the strings, coaxing out a slow, gentle melody that reminds me of lazy summer evenings. The hound’s ears perk up and it leaps back into the ring, sitting down directly in front of me. The dog’s tail thumps softly and it lays down, resting its head on its paws, content.
“She was drawn to you before,” Harper notes. “Now she’s back.”
“You play the guitar, her powers use sound,” Marlow muses. “Not a terrible fit.”
“Is she dangerous?” Harper amends, “Too dangerous?”
“Nah, mostly a nuisance in the underworld,” Marlow answers. “She can do some nasty things with a bark, but the effects don’t last long, and she can’t shatter people like glass.” He tilts his head in my direction. “With you supercharging her, she might be capable of doing damage.”
I set down the guitar and hold out a hand. “Can I pet you?”
“She’s a ghost,” Harper reminds.
“Actually, these dogs were never alive like the cat was,” Marlow says. “They’ve always been spectral. Don’t ask me how that works, I have no idea, but they have a physical and spectral form.”
Makes sense since she sure enjoyed the treats at the café. I hold my hand out to the dog. After a moment, she leans forward, head extending out to my hand and sniffing it lightly. Her spectral form tinted with a blue glow fades away to black fur, and a cold snout touches my hand.
When she finishes her inspection, she pushes her head firmly into my palm. I scratch gently behind one of her pointed ears, and she leans into the touch, her glowing red eyes half-closing in contentment.
“Want to stay with me and be my buddy?” I ask her.
She puts a paw on my hand. Think that’s a yes.
“You need a name,” I say next. “What about Melody?”
She wags her tail.
“Nice to meet you, Melody.”
Marlow nudges Harper. “Look at that, your pack’s getting bigger.”
“Shut up,” he grumbles.
The whip was a battle of wills about dominance. Sure, I want to be able to protect myself, but I don’t want to will some creature into submission. I’d rather be like Marlow with all his little buddies. I want a friend. Soothing them with music is much better than a fight for control.
Looks like the good detective cracked this case wide open.