Chapter Nine
T he next night, at the exact time, a knock sounded on his door.
He glanced quickly at Nova, and she gave him a small smile and nod, letting him know without words that she was ready.
Mathias opened the door, and there stood Marko, looking nervous.
He gestured for him to come inside, and the instant he saw Nova, Marko relaxed.
“My love!” he said, rushing over.
Nova moved back, keeping space between them. “You hurt me.”
Marko’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kill you. But you’re back! We can move past this nasty business.”
“Hard to prove manslaughter if there isn’t a body,” Nova said bitterly. She sent a quick look at Mathias before leveling her shoulders. “But, thank you for correcting your mistake.”
“I truly didn’t mean to hurt you,” Marko said.
“I realize that. You have to treat me better.”
Marko smiled. “I will, my love.”
Mathias moved behind him and then, as quickly as lightning, stuck him with the syringe he had filled with flunitrazepam. Marko spun, but a moment later, his legs went out from under him. As he fell, he grabbed hold of Mathias.
“What did you do?” Marko demanded.
Nova stepped closer. “I know what you’re hoping. You brought me back because you think, for some reason, that I belong to you.”
Marko opened his mouth, but nothing came out. A sedated look fell over his features.
“She’s not yours,” Mathias added. “She’s mine. And I’m going to make sure you can’t hurt her again.”
The medicine kicked in, and Marko fell in a heap on the floor.
Nova smiled at him. “Phase one down.”
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
Mathias hefted Marko’s dead weight onto his shoulder in a fireman’s hold and, with Nova’s help, maneuvered them out the door. He laid Marko in the back seat of his own car and then slid behind the wheel. Nova sat next to him on the passenger side.
Mathias drove them back to Marko’s mansion, pressing the gate button to enter the property. After he parked the car, he and Nova carried him up the steps to the front door. The butler opened it and stared wide-eyed at his unconscious employer.
“Hi, remember me? I was here not too long ago. He came out drinking with me and overdid it,” Mathias explained. “I’ll take him upstairs. I remember where his room is.”
“Oh,” the butler said, clearly unsure what to do. Mathias didn’t give him a chance to say no. “Okay.”
Mathias glanced at Nova and led them to the stairs. It wasn’t easy, but they took one step at a time to the top floor. At the bedroom door, Nova opened it, and Mathias stumbled inside. He was in good shape, but Marko was dead weight.
Marko’s old body lay still in the bed, and he maneuvered until Marko lay sprawled next to him.
“We have to hurry,” Mathias said.
Nova nodded and locked the door. Mathias started his chanting in a low voice.
He wove the spells together, almost melodic as he intonated the words.
Again and again, over and over, layering his voice until the two spirits rose, crossed one another through the black void, and settled into the bodies.
It was done.
Mathias finished his chant. Sweat dripped off his forehead, and he felt fatigued. Soul swapping wrecked him. He stumbled back, and Nova caught his arm, helping him balance.
“Are you okay?” she asked, concerned.
“Yeah. This gig takes a lot out of you.”
“You should drink orange juice or something. The sugar would help.”
The young man who used to be Marko suddenly sat up, gasping, looking around with terror in his eyes. Then he touched his chest, like he was making sure he was still himself. As he looked up, his gaze landed on them.
“Am I hallucinating?” he asked, a tremor ran through his tone.
“No,” Mathias said, pointing. “I take it you didn’t want to be trapped in that body?”
The young man followed the line of Mathias’ sight, and he let out a yelp, falling out of bed as he stared at Old Marko.
“I was trapped in his body,” he whispered. “I kept banging my fists, but no one could hear me.”
“What’s your name?” Nova asked.
“Peter.”
Mathias sighed and ran a hand over his face. “That guy’s name is Marko. He wanted to live forever, so he paid a fortune for me to switch your souls. I kept asking if you were okay with that, but never got an answer.”
“I thought it was all bullshit,” Peter admitted. “He paid me ten grand, and I thought it was the easiest money I’d ever make because body swapping? That was in the fucking movies!”
“All too real, my friend,” Mathias said.
“If that body died, I would’ve died, too. Right?” Peter shook his head. “You know, three weeks ago I would’ve never believed this shit could happen. But then I got stuck in some old man, and I could feel him dying. I willed him to stay alive, but I was growing weaker every day. It was a nightmare.”
“Well, there’s one good thing you should know.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“Marko has already changed his will, leaving you all his wealth because he thought once you swapped bodies, you would die and he’d have a do-over with a fat bank account.”
Peter’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you saying I’m rich?”
Mathias smiled. “Yep. As soon as he dies, you’re filthy rich. And I hope you spend his money very unwisely.”
Peter stared at him for a moment, and then he chuckled. “Easiest money I ever made. The whole being trapped in a dying body aside, that is.”
“Best revenge ever,” Nova remarked.
Mathias placed a kiss on top of her head. “Yep.”