Chapter Six
M athias entered the palatial home that reminded him of Michael Keaton’s mansion in Batman, complete with suits of armor and paintings of now-dead people staring down their snooty noses. As if the plebeians staring at them weren’t worth their time.
He and Vinris were led by the butler up the grand staircase and down a hallway, walking into a bedroom that had the stench of death lingering in it.
A frail, older gentleman lay sleeping in a four-poster bed.
Tied back, black drapes hung like mourning shrouds.
His gnarled hands were a roadmap of blue veins popping out, signaling the thinness of his skin, while his waxen appearance gave a hint that he didn’t have much time left.
A physician leaned over the man, listening to his chest with a stethoscope. Flanked on the other side of the bed stood two men in dark suits. They had that air about them that screamed ‘We’re lawyers, so you better not fuck with us because we will sue’ vibe.
“Hello,” Mathias greeted. “I’m Dr. Mathias Lang.”
Multiple sets of eyes narrowed as they studied him, but the greeting wasn’t returned. Did they know why he was there?
The physician stood and draped the stethoscope around his neck. “Doctor?”
“Medical examiner.”
Surprise registered, immediately followed by sardonic amusement.
Yeah, he recognized the irony. Then a young man walked into the room, escorted by two big security guards with vest holsters and guns.
The poor kid looked freaked out, and Mathias wrestled with his conscience.
He might have been a doctor of the dead, but that didn’t make his vow to do no harm any less meaningful.
“This is the paid volunteer,” the physician said.
Mathias narrowed his gaze and stepped up to the volunteer . Thought with all the sarcasm he could muster.
“Are you sure you want to proceed?” Mathias asked in a low voice.
“Yeah,” the kid nodded, swallowing hard. “Sure.”
Wasn’t much he could do if the kid agreed.
“Let’s proceed,” one of the lawyers said.
Mathias wanted to get this done quickly because he wanted to get the hell away from this place.
Put it behind him and hoped remorse wouldn’t bite him in the ass.
By the way the kid was breathing quickly, nerves were getting the better of him.
He shot a quick look at the lawyers, who nodded at some silent agreement, then laid down on the mattress.
The physician reached into his black medical bag and pulled out a vial of something, along with a syringe.
He drew up what he needed and approached the kid, who had his eyes shut tightly.
As soon as the medicine kicked in, the kid relaxed and was out like a light.
Then the physician and guards left, leaving behind the two lawyers.
“You two staying?” Mathias asked.
“We have to,” one of them replied. “In order to certify the transfer.”
Mathias looked at Vinris, who gave the nod for him to start.
The lights were turned off. Curtains drawn.
The dark helped him focus. He started the chants that would lift each soul from its mooring.
Breaking free of the coil that held them to their mortal bodies.
He felt energy seeping into his bones. Building higher with each refrain.
The air between the two bodies shifted with an electric imbalance, causing an obsidian glow to form around the space.
Two ghostly souls lifted slowly, then switched spots.
Mathias carefully guided them down, and as soon as the transfer happened, the bubble popped.
Mathias stumbled back and ran a hand over his face.
The young man’s eyes fluttered open, and he sat up, looking down at his arms. Patting himself with widened eyes. He glanced up at Mathias. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“Thank me by doing right by him,” Mathias said, nodding toward the old body. “He’s taking your place in the abyss of souls. Keep him comfortable until he passes.”
“I will,” the young man said. “I promise.”
Mathias didn’t know if the kid would keep his word, but he hoped he would.
****
“Y ou need to get out there and meet people,” Clement said matter-of-factly.
Nova glanced at her. “You mean date? No, thank you.”
“Nova—”
“ No , thank you,” she enforced, smiling at her friend to make sure she wasn’t upset, only determined. “I’m not ready. I might never be ready.”
“Well, how about just going out with the intention of not finding a date. Only to have a bit of fun.”
She wanted to say no. Wanted to lock herself in her bedroom at Clement’s, where she’d lived for the past ten months.
Her friend had saved her life, and she had no idea where she’d be if Clement hadn’t taken her in, but now she was ready to go back to the home she had once shared with Mathias.
She’d slowly acclimated to the idea that she was alone. That Mathias was never coming back.
“Okay,” she agreed. “No men. Just a drink.”
“Deal.”
After work, they went home and ate dinner before changing and heading to Clement’s car.
Her friend had decided they needed a dance club.
Nova followed her friend into the place, early enough to avoid the long lines into the club.
Music pumped through the speakers as they made their way to the bar.
She ordered a soda while Clement ordered herself a cocktail.
For the first hour, they simply stayed at the bar, talking while she grew used to being out on a Friday night. As the time continued, more and more people filtered into the club. The dance floor grew crowded.
“Come on,” Clement said loudly, holding out her hand. “Let’s dance.”
Nova bit back a grimace and took hold, following as Clement led her into the heart of the people dancing.
It was sexy techno music, and people were bumping and grinding to the beat.
It took a few minutes to relax and join the rest of the people.
All was fine and dandy for a while, but then someone touched her back, and when she looked over her shoulder, she saw a man far too close.
She stepped forward, trying to put distance between them, but he didn’t take the hint. Every time she moved, he moved closer.
“My name is Marko. What’s yours?”
The last thing she wanted to give him was her name. “Oh, um, it’s April.”
“Nice to meet you, April.”
He tried to move closer, but once more, she tried to back away.
There were people behind her, so she wasn’t able to put as much distance as she wanted.
Leaning close, Marko tried to put his arms around her, but she moved in an effort to block them.
She was trapped, and she didn’t like what was happening.
“Can you back away?” she yelled, trying to be heard over the loud dance music.
“What?” he yelled back.
“Move back!”
He must have heard her a little because his eyes widened and he backed up a tad. But then she got bumped and was pushed toward him. Satisfaction lit up his face, and his arms came around her.
Dancing went out the window. She wanted away from Marko, away from him holding her, so she knocked his arms away and started weaving her way through the thick soup of jostling people vibing all around.
Once she made it back to the bar, a hand grabbed her arm, and she swung around, expecting to see Clement.
Instead, a scowling Marko stood there looking like she had offended him.
“I still want to dance with you,” he said.
“I’m sorry,” she replied, deciding to let him down nicely. “I’m not interested in dancing anymore. I’m just going to wait for my friend.”
“Okay, I’ll sit with you.”
Damn it! “That’s okay. I think there were a few girls out there who were checking you out. You might want to go to them.”
“No one is as pretty as you.” Marko smiled, and she honestly believed he thought she was interested. “I’ll stay and watch over you so no one bothers you.”
“Listen, Marko. I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in you. So, please, go back to dancing.”
Anger flashed over her face, sending a warning signal through her body. Luckily, at that moment, Clement appeared and gave a guarded look at Marko.
“Everything okay?” Clement asked.
“No, I’d like to go home,” Nova said.
“Okay.” Clement took hold of Nova’s hand. “I’ll lead us out.”
“Wait, April. Let me get your number,” Marko called out.
“Goodbye,” Nova said, relieved when people swallowed them up. Moments later, they made it outside. “Thank you for rescuing me.”
Clement frowned. “Who was that?”
“Some guy named Marko. Wasn’t taking a hint.”
“Why do men always ruin girls’ night?” Clement rolled her eyes. “Let’s get out of here.”
They walked back to her car, and she drove them home, very glad to leave Marko and his irritating perseverance behind.