14. Chapter 14
The chime of the motel clocks reverberated through the Underworld. Each toll summoned the slumbering specters and the resting wraiths, until the frozen landscape filled with life. Zoe watched in wonder as all manner of ghouls and spirits gathered beneath the light of the full moon. And as the party got into full swing, she had to admit; for a party of the dead, it sure was lively.
“Isn’t this great? I haven’t had ectoplasm jelly in years!”
With a hearty cry, Spooks dived into a giant bowl of glowing jelly, while Cerberus raced around with a bone he’d no doubt plucked from one of the guests. Zoe watched in bewilderment as ghouls feasted on the delights and delicacies brought from Misty’s saloon, while others danced to the tunes of the Phantom Fiestadores beneath the light of the twinkling will-ó-wisps. Despite the joviality that surrounded her, she searched the crowd for Shadow, hoping to spot him among the revelers. But no matter where she looked, it was as if he’d simply disappeared.
“Oh, I haven’t been left this breathless since the Headless Horsemen visited town. Those gents might not have much of a face to look at, but trust me when I say they have bodies to die for…” Misty winked suggestively as she fanned herself, before another suitor approached for the next dance. “You should join us, sugar!”
“I think I’ll have to pass.” Zoe glanced uncertainly at the array of specters as they danced through the sky. “I have two left feet at the best of times, let alone when dancing in the air…”
“Hmm, perhaps you have a point.” But Misty broke into a knowing smile as she took the hand of a skeleton who ushered her to the dancefloor. “Just wait until the stroke of midnight. That’s when the real fun begins!”
With a hearty laugh, Misty took to the dancefloor, whirling through the skies until her skirts bloomed elegantly beneath her. As the ghosts and ghouls continued their revelry, Zoe wandered through the center of the maze, marveling at the quaint courtyard garden that sat behind the gates. The frost-covered ground was made from gnarled roots, while the air shimmered with light of dozens of will-ó-wisps. In the center, a gathering of vines twisted into the sky, like a cocoon, concealing something vast beneath their thorny tendrils. Zoe shook her head as she gazed at the sight. She’d thought that her visit to the center of the maze would reveal the source of the Underworld’s true power. But once again, she was left with more questions than answers.
As the ghosts continued to take to the dancefloor, Zoe approached the vines cautiously, drawn by the ethereal mists and the light of the will-ó-wisps that emanated from within. She reached towards them curiously, wondering what they concealed, before she paused and reprimanded herself. She had made her decision. No good would come from investigating the secret of the Underworld’s power. And no good would come from staying in a world in which she didn’t belong.
Zoe watched the spirits as they enjoyed the revelry of the ball. She smiled as undead suitors battled for Misty’s attention, as Cerberus chased the will-ó-wisps across the courtyard, and as Spooks bathed himself in a vat of jelly. Where once she had thought of them as nothing more than nightmarish nuisances, now, she realized, she thought of them as friends. And it was exactly why she had to leave.
She glanced at the motel in the distance, now deserted as the specters gathered for the ball, and knew this was her chance. Her chance to slip away unnoticed, and return to her life, before it was too late. With a sinking heart, she retraced her steps, back towards the gates…
“It’s happening! Come closer, fleshie!”
Zoe yelped as a jelly-splattered hand took hers, and she was propelled towards the center of the courtyard. As the chime of the clocks filled the air, all those gathered turned to the cocoon of vines gathered before them. The feeling of anticipation hung in the air as all eyes watched and waited, until even Spooks gazed at the sight with an unusual silence. Zoe glanced at the crowd in confusion, until she drew a sharp intake of breath at the sight before her.
With each chime of the clock, the vines slowly parted, unfurling like petals of a flower. A cloud of glowing mist drifted from within, while hundreds, if not thousands, of will-ó-wisps fluttered into the air, their glowing bodies illuminating the night sky like fairy lights. But as the mists cleared to reveal the secret contained within, Zoe’s eyes widened in surprise.
“That’s the treasure of the Underworld?” Zoe looked at the object of the ghost’s rapture in confusion. “A tree?”
“Not just any tree, sugar. Persephone’s Tree.“ Misty whistled in awe as she gazed at the vast pomegranate tree. “The original tree that gave life to everything here.”
Despite the crowd’s rapture, Zoe studied the bare branches of the tree uncertainly.
“But… it’s dead.”
“Not tonight, darlin’.” The buxom spirit broke into a knowing smile as the chimes of the clocks reverberated across the Underworld. “Tonight, the dead return to life.”
Zoe watched as the will-ó-wisps gathered along the bare branches of the tree, infusing it with their light. She gasped as the tree glowed with a magical aura, until a small bud emerged on its bough. As the air shimmered with magic, the bud grew in size, glittering in the light like a giant ruby. But as the will-ó-wisps took flight, Zoe realized it wasn’t a precious stone that gleamed before her, but something altogether different.
“Is that a… pomegranate?”
“It’s the most precious treasure of the Underworld.” Misty’s eyes sparkled at the sight, while the ghosts gazed at the fruit in awe. “It’s time for you to see the true magic of the Underworld, sugar.”
Misty carefully plucked the pomegranate from the branch, handling it like a priceless treasure. From the gasps of excitement that swept through the crowd, Zoe knew that there was more to this than met the eye. And yet, she couldn’t help but look at the sparkling fruit in surprise. Was this really the secret of the Underworld? A fruit that she could just as easily find at Whole Foods?
Just one pomegranate seed carried enough magic to help a lost soul experience the magic of life again. It was Persephone’s greatest gift to the underworld. The gift of life, in death.
Zoe drew a breath as she recalled Shadow’s tale, until the fruit parted in Misty’s hands. Each seed sparkled like a flawless gemstone, infused with the magic from which it had been born. She watched with bated breath as Misty took a seed, and carefully swallowed it whole. A shimmering mist enveloped the specter, while emerald lights flashed from within. But as the mists cleared, Zoe gasped in wonder at the sight before her.
“You’re… human!”
Where once, Misty’s body had been transparent and mist-like, now it was solid and bloomed with life. Mortal life. Misty released a gasp of delight as her feet touched the earth for the first time in years, before she looked at her appearance in wonder.
“Oh, I’d forgotten what it’s like to have a body again! To have lungs that breathe. To have skin that can feel. To have a cleavage that heaves!” Misty glanced at her impressive bust in wonder, before she passed the pomegranate to the guests. “Well, what are you all waiting for, darlin’s? This will be a ball to remember!”
Zoe watched in amazement as Spooks cartwheeled across the ground, leaving a trail of handprints behind him in the frost, while Cerberus delighted at having his ears truly scratched for the first time in centuries. One by one, each of the spirits returned to their mortal forms, until the clearing filled with their cries of delight and the sound of the snow crunching beneath their feet. Zoe couldn’t help but smile as the specters took to the dancefloor, stumbling over every step as they adjusted to their fleshie bodies.
But despite the joy and revelry that surrounded her, Zoe stood alone on the edge of the dancefloor once more. She plucked at her dress self-consciously, barely noticing as the shadows stirred nearby. But as a cold breeze slipped behind her, she drew a startled breath, sensing the presence of another.
“Would you care for this dance?”
Zoe felt Shadow’s hand next to hers, like winter’s breath cooling her skin. Slowly, a silver light burned through the darkness, until his hand grew solid and warm to the touch. She gasped as his fingers laced with hers, his touch solid and warm, until she turned to face him. Where once, his body had been made from the shadows, now he was a being of flesh and blood. His muscular body radiated with life, while the magic of his ancestors enhanced his godly looks. But what drew Zoe’s attention were his eyes, which burned with an inner light, like a window into his very soul.
Zoe’s gaze lingered on Shadow as he led her across the dancefloor. She studied the features of his face, where a scattering of dark stubble swept beneath his high cheekbones, and felt the tautness of his muscles as they swept along the dancefloor. As they swayed to the music of the Phantom Fiestadores, they gazed at each other in silent wonder, as if seeing one another for the very first time.
“Zoe, you look…”
Zoe blushed as Shadow studied the curves of her corseted dress, down to the thigh-high slit below. He drew a breath, as if lost for words, before she filled the awkward silence.
“I know it’s silly, but Misty insisted, and–”
“You look like a goddess.”
Zoe’s breath caught in her throat as Shadow’s gaze connected with her own. A shiver ran along her spine as his breath danced across her skin, while a deep heat pooled within her in anticipation. As they danced beneath the twinkling lights of the will-ó-wisps, she couldn’t help but feel swept away by the magic of the night. Where once, she had seen the darkness of the Underworld, now she saw its beauty. And for just a moment, she never wanted the magic to end.
Zoe drew herself closer to Shadow, relishing the feel of his taut muscles beneath his silk shirt. She held his gaze, noticing the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. The darkness within him, that had served as his protection for so many years. But as his inner light burned brighter, she felt the last of Shadow’s barriers fall. Her lips parted, until she leaned in towards him…
Zoe yelped as an explosion filled the courtyard, followed by the wet slap of a splatter of jelly. She wiped the sticky substance from her eyes, to see Spooks cackle with delight as he dived into a giant trough of the dessert, the impact coating nearby revelers from head to toe. The lively music ceased as the Phantom Fiestadores’ instruments grew clogged, while Misty huffed in outrage as Cerberus tried to lick her clean.
“Just for once, you’d think we could have one night where you didn’t cause chaos!” Misty shooed Cerberus away, and sighed in despair at the jelly-covered surroundings. “Well, the night is still young, and I for one want to make the most of this body. Who fancies skinny dipping in the River Styx?”
A dozen male party-goers cheered in excitement, while Spooks hauled out a giant glowing water gun with a mischievous grin.
“Well, I’m going to make some finishing tweaks to the Ecto-3000. These fleshie fingers and thumbs will be perfect for creating my new and improved design!”
As the guests excitedly drifted from the clearing, Shadow turned to Zoe as they stood alone on the dancefloor.
“Well, what would you like to do, Zoe?”
“I…”
Zoe gazed hungrily at Shadow’s body, knowing how she’d like to make the most of his time as a mortal. And yet, despite the stirring in her heart, she glanced at the magic that surrounded her. A magic that brought life to the Underworld. A magic that was endangered by her very presence.
With a sinking heart, Zoe took her hand from Shadow’s. Despite what she wanted, she knew that the best way to protect this magic, and her future, was to return to where she belonged.
“I… should head back.” Zoe reluctantly tore her gaze away from the magical sights of the clearing, and looked at the lights of the city in the distance. “I have to meet my deadline…”
She risked a glance in Shadow’s direction, to see the light fade within his eyes. But despite his disappointment, he took her hand once more, and met her gaze.
“If that’s what you want…” The longing in his voice filled Zoe’s heart with anguish. “Thank you, Zoe. For helping me see the magic in the Underworld once more.”
Shadow pressed his lips to her hand. It was a kiss that was as light as air, and yet, it burned through to her very soul. Before Zoe could draw her next breath, Shadow returned to the darkness, leaving her alone in the clearing once more. She shivered as the winds picked up into a gale, before she returned to the silence of the motel.
Zoe’s heart sank as she arrived in Misty’s saloon, before she fetched her satchel once more. She knew this was her chance to leave the Underworld. To protect its secret, and to return to the city before it was too late. And yet, she couldn’t help but feel her gaze return to the maze.
Thank you, Zoe. For helping me see the magic in the Underworld once more.
Her heart fluttered in her chest, as if she’d swallowed a will-ó-wisp. But despite the sensation, she steeled herself. No, this was nothing more than the effect of the Underworld’s magic, and one too many goblets of Misty’s punch. What she needed was a plan. Something to help her focus. Something that would secure the future she’d always dreamed of.
Embracing the silence of the motel, Zoe perched on one of the bar stools, and opened her laptop. She flicked through each file and studied every document, eager to spot any detail that might uncover her next site. But where her work had once occupied every inch of her mind, now it left her listless and bored.
Zoe looked at the laptop before her. For so many years, she’d been glued to its screen, missing out on the richness of life around her. But now… now it seemed so dull. So lifeless. She drew a shaky breath, until her gaze returned to the maze, where she knew Shadow waited.
The chime of the clock reverberated through the motel, counting down what little time remained until Persephone’s magic faded. With each chime, a growing realization dawned on Zoe. A realization that she didn’t want to return to her normal life any more. That she didn’t want the corner office, the promotion, the paycheck. No, she wanted magic. She wanted to feel alive. She wanted him. And she needed to tell him, before it was too late.
Zoe raced from the saloon and into the night, each chime of the clocks powering her every step. She raced through the howling winds to the center of the maze, where Shadow awaited beneath a canopy of will-ó-wisps.
“Zoe?”
Shadow turned to her in surprise, until the two held each other’s gaze. But despite the yearning in his eyes, his guard remained. Zoe watched as the darkness surrounded him, protecting him like a shield. But she knew that if anything was going to change, she had to bring him into the light. She took a step closer towards the veil of darkness, until she could feel its cold touch drifting across her skin like an Arctic breeze.
“When I first came to the Underworld, I could only see the darkness in these lands. All I wanted was to return to my own world. To secure the future I’d always dreamed of.” Zoe met Shadow’s gaze, and broke into a soft smile. “Until you opened my eyes.”
She stepped closer to the darkness, until her skin broke into goosebumps from the icy winds that kept her at bay.
“For years, I’ve been sleepwalking through life. I’ve always chased the next job. The next promotion. The next paycheck. But I was never really living.“ Zoe drew a breath, and gazed at the magic of the clearing. “Until now.”
Another step brought her closer to the darkness. The winds howled, warning her not to come closer. But despite the ferocity of the gale, Zoe stood her ground, refusing to back down.
“I know there’s a million reasons why we shouldn’t be together. I know that we’re from two different worlds, destined to be apart. That a mortal has no place in a land of the dead…” Zoe took another step closer, until she was within touching distance of Shadow. “But ever since I met you, you’ve made me feel alive again. You’ve helped me see the magic in the world. And I’m not ready to let that magic go. To let you go.”
With a sudden whoosh, the Arctic winds ceased their howling, and the darkness dissipated into the twinkling lights of the will-ó-wisps. As the air sparkled with a magical glow, Zoe took the final step, and drew her body to Shadow’s. Their lips touched, softly at first, then with a firmness that burned through to her inner being. Zoe lost herself within the kiss, at the feel of Shadow’s lips against her own, the roughness of his stubble against her skin, the feel of his hands within her hair. It was a kiss that swept her away. A kiss filled with desire and longing. A kiss of magic.
The clock chimed once more, pulling the pair from the moment. Shadow cursed, and glanced at the moon as it lowered on the horizon.
“We’re running out of time.”
But Zoe broke into a smile, and led him towards the motel. “Then we’ll have to make every moment count.”
Their journey became a blur of passion as they embraced each other in the courtyard, the gardens, the motel. Zoe gasped as Shadow masterfully loosened her bodice in Misty’s saloon, and eyed him hungrily as she tore at his silk shirt, leaving it strewn on the staircase. With every step, their hands explored each other, loosening their clothing in their desperation for their flesh to meet, until they reached the threshold of his bedchambers.
With a devilish smile, Shadow drew Zoe to the silk sheets of the bed, before he pressed his lips to her body. He relished each kiss, savoring the sensation on his lips, while his hands masterfully caressed her. His eyes gleamed as his lips brushed her bare legs, working his way upwards, until he reached the deep split of her dress. A hunger flickered in his eyes, a primal longing, before Zoe drew him to her.
She gasped at the feeling of his tongue as he teased her, building her body into a crescendo. Her hands dug into the headboard as he explored her with a masterful rhythm, while her toes curled as she reached her peak. A wave of pleasure wracked her body, until she breathlessly clung to Shadow. But as the minutes ticked by on the clock, she smiled, and drew Shadow to her once more, knowing she had to make every second count.
Shadow’s eyes burned with passion as their bodies met. After years of being confined to his spectral form, he savored each sensation, until every touch, every kiss, every caress felt like the first time. Together, they explored each other’s bodies with a primal want, a need, as if it were their last night on earth. In this land of death and darkness, every kiss, every touch, became a celebration of life itself, until together, they reached the peak of their pleasure.
Together, they lay breathless, their bodies united beneath the silk sheets. Zoe held Shadow close, and relished the weight of his body on hers. As she gazed at the star-filled sky beyond, she knew this was the most magical night of her life. And she never wanted it to end.