13. Chapter 13
The light of dawn seeped into the darkness of the bedchamber. As each ray of sunlight caught the frost-covered window panes, the room filled with an enchanting spectacle of light, until all was bathed in a golden glow. But despite the surrounding beauty, Zoe returned her gaze to her tracker with a sinking heart. She studied the readings she had made, each one hinting at the vast reserves of power buried within the Underworld. Readings that could change her life. Readings that could give her everything she had dreamed of. Readings that could destroy the Underworld.
Her gaze lingered on the maze in the distance. Ever since she’d stepped into the Underworld, she’d done everything in her power to gain entry and discover the power kept within. But the truth had been in front of her the entire time.
“Magic, huh? So that’s the source of the Underworld’s power?” Zoe sighed as she held the tracker towards the fluttering light held within the fish tank, until the readings spiked once more. “I always knew these readings were out of this world. I just hadn’t expected it would be so literal.”
Zoe watched the fluttering light, as she thought of the future she had always wanted. The promotion. The new office. Finally wiping that smug sneer from Swindleton’s face. And yet, her heart told her to protect the magic of the Underworld. To protect the lost souls and the spirits she had befriended. To protect him.
With a sinking heart, she opened the fish tank, until the light slowly fluttered out of its makeshift cage. She watched as it flew across the bedchambers, bathing the room in its magical aura.
“I’m sorry, little guy. If I’d known you were some kind of magical ghost fairy, there’s no way I’d have kept you cooped up in there.” Zoe opened the windows wide, until the crisp air of dawn blew into the chambers. “Well, I guess it’s time to rejoin your buddies, and do whatever you ghost fairies do… See you, little guy.”
Zoe watched as the glowing light fluttered from the bedchambers, and out into the vista beyond, taking her hopes and dreams along with it. She sighed, knowing that she’d done the right thing. She just wished that it didn’t leave her back at square one.
She returned to her bedside and packed her belongings, preparing herself for the journey ahead. But as a gentle buzzing drifted through the air, she turned in surprise to see the will-ó-wisp hover before her once more.
“You’re back already? Don’t you have some friends to play with?” The will-ó-wisp fluttered towards her satchel, as if peering at her belongings. “Oh, this? Well, I think it’s best that I leave now, and forget about all of this, before I cause any more damage.”
The will-ó-wisp let out a high-pitched shriek, while its body flashed a deep shade of red. But Zoe sighed and looked at the path that led from the Underworld to the distant city beyond. She studied the frozen waters of the River Lethe that glistened beneath its bridge, knowing that once she crossed its boundary, her memories of the Underworld would fade to nothing.
“Perhaps it’s for the best that I forget about the Underworld. And I’ll still have some memories of my time here.” Zoe admired the photos on her camera, each one depicting the beauty of the Underworld. She paused as she reached the photos of Shadow, his body no more than a blur of darkness, invisible to the human eye. She gazed at the faint golden shimmers of the photograph, hoping that some memory of him would remain, and blinked back her tears. “Besides, don’t you think Spooks and Misty will get suspicious soon? They think I’m some kind of travel blogger for the undead…”
The will-ó-wisp fluttered towards her laptop with a defiant buzz, and flickered in a spectacle of colors. Zoe looked in surprise as her screen flashed with a golden hue, until her travel blog appeared on the screen.
“How did you find that?” Zoe glanced at the treasure trove of photos and articles, each one depicting the wonders of the natural world. But despite the will-ó-wisp’s insistent buzzes, Zoe shook her head. “Spooks might have believed that I’m a travel blogger, but I haven’t touched this website in years. That thing is long-dead…”
The will-ó-wisp flapped its wings in protest.
“Okay, so perhaps a dead blog is fitting for the Underworld. But even if I resurrected it, how exactly do you expect a bunch of ghosts to read it?”
The will-ó-wisp buzzed, while its body shone with a kaleidoscope of different colors. Zoe watched as the screen flickered with an otherworldly glow, while a golden light emanated from beneath the keyboard.
“Huh, I guess Shadow wasn’t exaggerating when he said you were the messengers of the Underworld…” Zoe peered at the screen curiously, while her fingers flexed with anticipation. But despite the hopeful buzz of the will-ó-wisp, she shook her head with resignation. “Look, I might have had many roles in my corporate life. But something tells me I’m not cut out to be the Ferrywoman of the Underworld. I’m sorry, but I think it’s better for me to return to where I belong.”
Zoe gently guided the will-ó-wisp from her laptop, before she packed the last of her belongings. She gazed at the room, now returned to its former state, all signs of her erased. With a glance at the frozen waters of the River Lethe, she drew a breath to steel herself, and began her journey home.
She tiptoed through the Underworld Motel, not wishing to wake its spectral inhabitants. She peered at Spooks as he slumbered on the chandelier, his snoring gently swinging him back and forth, while the Phantom Fiestadores dozed beneath their sombreros. Despite the tug in her heart, she forced herself to continue her journey. Any goodbyes would just make things harder.
A low whine drifted from the shadows as Zoe reached the motel lobby. She turned to see Cerberus pad silently from the gloom, his tail drooping behind him. He gazed at her with his glossy dark eyes, before he let out a mournful whimper.
“I’m sorry, boy. But I have to go back to where I belong.” She lowered her satchel as she scratched each of the dog’s heads affectionately. “Just keep an eye on Shadow for me, okay?”
Zoe watched as the will-ó-wisp perched on Cerberus’ ear, until it buzzed softly, as if whispering to the dog conspiratorially. She cursed as a mischievous gleam filled the dog’s eyes, until he snatched her belongings in his jaws, and bounded playfully down the hallway.
“Hey, where do you think you’re taking that?” Zoe groaned as she chased after the dog, wary of waking the slumbering spirits. “This isn’t a game of fetch. Give that back!”
Zoe raced after Cerberus, following him around the twists and turns of the motel, until she sped through the doors of Misty’s saloon. She looked in surprise to see the emerald-hued specter surrounded by a vast array of material, masterfully conducting a dozen enchanted sewing needles as they wove through the fabric.
“Morning, darlin’.” Misty waved cheerily in Zoe’s direction, while she fussed over the mound of material before her. “Looks like you’re just in time!”
“In time for what?”
“Your fitting, of course. I asked Cerberus to fetch you, and it seems that for once, he obeyed his orders.” Misty tossed Cerberus a treat, before she gestured to Zoe. “Now, stand closer so I can see what looks best on you.”
Zoe watched in bewilderment as the ghost held an array of different fabrics to her skin. Within moments, the saloon was filled with reams of elegant material; the vibrant flashes of azure blue, the opulence of deep amethyst, and the classic elegance of honeyed gold. But Misty hurled each one over her shoulder with a dismissive tut, until she reached for a roll of deep scarlet material.
“I wonder…” The specter gasped with delight as she held the rich silk against Zoe’s skin. “Of course! Why, this is the perfect shade of pomegranate red. It will be perfect!”
Zoe watched in confusion as Misty eagerly cut the fabric, before the enchanted sewing needles stitched the material together.
“But what exactly is this perfect for?”
“Why, the Spectral Soirée, of course.” Misty let out a laugh and shook her head. “We can’t have you turning up in those fleshie clothes of yours…”
“The ball?” Zoe sucked in a breath as the specter bound her waist within the material. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I have time for…”
“Oh, surely it won’t kill you to take one night off from work? It’s the best night of the year, sugar! And something tells me this will be a night to remember.” Misty broke into a knowing smile, before she pulled the material tighter. “And I won’t take no for an answer. Now, let’s get you out of those clothes, and into something truly spectacular…”
Zoe drew a startled breath as the silk bound in her place, wrapping around her body so fast that she struggled to move. A dozen enchanted sewing needles darted through the air as they stitched the material together, while a pair of scissors flashed menacingly before her, warning her not to place a toe out of line. Zoe narrowed her eyes as the will-ó-wisp perched on her shoulder and buzzed happily, while Cerberus contentedly munched his treat. So much for her quick escape. She’d been outsmarted by a firefly and its slobbering side-kick.
Minutes turned into hours as Misty masterfully oversaw the enchanted needles and thread as they stitched the garment into place. Zoe glanced through the windows impatiently as the light of dawn became a fiery sunset. But as the material bound her in place, and her own clothing lay in a crumpled pile nearby, she knew her chances of making a quick escape were slim.
“So…” Misty gathered the scarlet-hued material, skillfully draping it across Zoe’s body to emphasize her curves. “I understand you and the master enjoyed each other’s company last night?”
Zoe spluttered at the specter’s knowing smile. She glanced at the Throne of the Underworld in the distance, before she shook her head.
“It wasn’t like that…” She cursed as heat rose into her cheeks, matching the color of her gown. “We were… enjoying the view.”
Zoe yelped as the waist of her dress was yanked tighter. The knowing gleam in Misty’s eyes suggested it wasn’t entirely unintentional.
“Oh, please. Do you think I was born yesterday? I run a saloon, not a nunnery.” Misty took a sip of her coffee, while a group of enchanted hair and make-up brushes liberally dusted and teased Zoe’s tresses into shape. “Besides, the master might seem like the brooding type, but ever since the two of you have been enjoying your nightly stargazingsessions, he hasn’t been able to keep the smile off his face.”
“Really?” Zoe cleared her throat, and reprimanded herself for the eagerness in her tone. “Well, regardless of what you think, nothing can happen between Shadow and I. We’re from two different worlds. Worlds that aren’t meant to be together.”
Zoe glanced at her hands, and thought back to their night of stargazing. Of their exchange of longing gazes beneath the spectacle of light from above. Of the feeling of anticipation that had built between them. Of the sensation of his hand passing through hers, no more than a brush of the wind. Of the frustration of knowing that they could never truly be together.
“My dear. If there’s one thing I know about the Underworld, it’s that anything is possible. All it takes is a sprinkle of magic. Speaking of which…” Misty smiled as she took the scissors, and in a flash, sliced the material from the floor to Zoe’s thigh. “There, that’s perfect!”
Zoe gasped as the dress tumbled open, revealing her bare legs beneath. She clutched at the material to try and cover herself, only to gawp in surprise as a mirror was brought to her. The red silk of the gown gleamed like rich merlot in the soft light of the saloon, its fabric cascading in smooth, sumptuous waves to the floor. Black lace adorned the hems, decorating her decolletage with delicate flowers, while the bodice emphasized her curves to give her an hourglass figure she’d only ever dreamed of. A thigh-high slit ran through the gown, the material falling tastefully to expose her legs, adding to the sensuality and magic of her costume. With a trembling hand, Zoe gently reached towards her hair, now twisted into an elegant braid and clasped together by jewel-encrusted flowers, before she admired the dusting of make-up that gleamed on her cheekbones. She drew a breath through her berry-colored lips, and gazed at her appearance in bewilderment through her dark, smokey eyes.
“Well, don’t be shy. You’re quieter than a mime convention in a library.” Misty glanced at Zoe worriedly, while her enchanted makeup brushes quivered in anticipation. “What do you think?”
“This is… it’s incredible.” But Zoe’s heart sank as she glanced outside, to see the lights of the city twinkle on the horizon. “But… I really should be on my way.”
“Nonsense! What you need is a night to forget about your mortal woes. A night of dancing. A night of magic. A night of romance. And I won’t hear another word against it.” Misty drew a deep breath, before her voice echoed through the motel. “Spooks?”
A shrill whistle, followed by the steady chugging sound of a steam train filled the saloon, until Spooks appeared in a cloud of blue smoke. He grinned mischievously as he made a beeline for Zoe, and let out a merry whistle.
“All aboard the Spooks Express! Next stop… the Spectral Soirée!”
Zoe tried to move out of his path, only to curse as the corsetry of her dress held her in place.
“Oh, no…”
With a merry cackle, Spooks took her hand, until they burst from the doors of Misty’s saloon and out into the gardens beyond. Zoe yelped as the wind caught her dress, until it ballooned upwards as they sped across the frozen landscape. Despite Zoe’s protests, Spooks raced into the maze, navigating each twist and turn like a runaway train, before they came to a screeching stop before the gates.
Zoe stumbled backwards as the poltergeist released her, before she desperately tugged her windswept gown back into place. As the jester giggled gleefully, she drew a breath and fixed him with a formidable glare.
“Take me back to the motel this instant!”
“Why in Tartarus’ name would you want to go back to the motel?” Spooks swung upside-down as he floated through the air, and raised his eyebrow. “You’ll miss the main event!”
“Look, I don’t know what you and Misty are planning, but I don’t have the time to play your games.” Zoe sighed sadly, before she met the poltergeist’s gaze. “I don’t belong here, Spooks. And I never should have pretended I did…”
A blast of the mariachi band’s musical instruments filled the air, followed by a deep rumble that shook the earth below.
“Oh, goodie, it’s about to start!” Spooks plucked a bow tie from thin air, before placing it on the collar of his jester’s tunic. “Oh, I do love a good ball! The music. The dancing. The shrieks of horror as I begin the jelly fight…”
“But where is everybody?” Zoe glanced at the empty maze in confusion. “And why are we all the way out here?”
The rumbling grew louder, until a sliver of light appeared from behind. Zoe turned in surprise as the locked gates inched open, the shriek of their rusted metal hinges filling the air. A cloud of ethereal glowing fog drifted from beyond, engulfing Zoe in a mist of flickering lights. She shielded her eyes from the glare, and drew a breath as her vision cleared.
A pair of dark eyes met her own, as a figure emerged from the mists. As his dark silk shirt fluttered in the breeze, he extended a hand, and broke into a smile.
“Welcome to the Spectral Soirée, Zoe.”
Zoe’s heart raced in her chest as she met Shadow’s gaze. She looked at his outstretched hand, and stood torn with indecision. She knew she should return to her world, for both their sakes. And yet, despite the doubts in her mind, her heart stirred at the light that gleamed in his eyes. Before she could think twice, she placed her hand in his, and stepped into the center of the Underworld.