Haunted on Bourbon Street (33 page)

I’m here. I’ll stay,
he said.

Just until I’m strong again. Then come back and kick that bastard’s ass.

My pleasure.

Chapter 22

Kane faded from my consciousness and as I lay there, staring through the top of my prison, boredom set in. My barriers were firmly in place and all the pain had subsided. I had nothing to do but wait.

Roy kept his distance, and I suspected he knew I was stronger. I contemplated letting my guards down to see if I could best him in another energy match. But I didn’t want to risk wearing myself down for when the group showed up. Whenever that was.

Some time later, Roy edged closer to my case, as if to test the safety of coming nearer. I wanted to laugh. What exactly could I do in my position? Clearly, he still had the upper hand, considering I was trapped, even if he couldn’t cause me physical pain.

Roy floated above me, back and forth from the box to his corner. The cigarette hung unlit from his lips. Was he doomed to roam forever in his ghost state, always wanting to light that cigarette? A small twinge of satisfaction rolled through me at the thought of him in permanent nicotine withdrawal.

“Serves you right,” I said.

Roy appeared above me, peering in.

I lifted my eyebrows and watched him. It was nice not having to feel his foulness. Maybe after my friends freed me from this hellish box, my new connection with Kane would help me keep other people’s emotions out of my awareness.

Roy’s face contorted into a scowl as his mouth worked overtime. He was yelling at me, but I couldn’t hear him.

My indifference seemed to fuel his hostility. Fascinated, I studied the increasing animation of his face as he ranted. His scowl deepened, and his eyes bugged as he did an excellent impression of a demon possession. Suddenly, he launched himself and ended up lying flat, facedown on top of my box.

I narrowed my eyes. “You have nothing on me, you sick, demented bastard.”

His face turned beet red, and he roared. The case shook, but I still couldn’t hear it. It was weird how a ghost’s skin tone could change with anger. Although, this was an alternate reality, so I guess anything was possible.

I don’t know how much time went by as Roy continued his temper tantrum. Periodically I’d say some snide, colorful remark just to satisfy my own perverse need to get under his skin. It probably wasn’t wise, but I had nothing else to do to entertain myself.

Eventually Roy moved from my sight. Bored out of my mind, I closed my eyes and faded in and out of a semi-conscious state for what seemed like eternity. In my weakened state, my barriers started to collapse as someone pushed at my walls. I imagined armor forming around me, determined to not let Roy push his way into my emotional field.

No!
A chorus of voices rang in my mind.

My eyes popped open wide, and I turned my head back and forth, searching for my friends. A faint outline hovered above me, and I smiled in relief at the sight of Kane. I let the armor fall but still kept my emotional barriers in place.

There you are,
I said, again with my mind.

And I’m not leaving without you.
Kane turned his head toward the center of the club where Bea sat in an old tattered chair, surrounded by Ian, Holly, Charlie, Lailah and Kat.

Where’s Pyper?
I asked.

Sitting at the hospital with you. She wanted to come help, but I refused.

I nodded.
Good call. Roy’s fixation on her is too dangerous.

Exactly.

I turned my attention to the others. Although I still couldn’t hear, they appeared to be chanting. As they did, Roy got even more agitated (if that were possible) and flew around the room. His image moved so fast I had trouble following him.

Kane hovered closer.
Be ready, Jade.

For what?
I couldn’t get over the weirdness of communicating in our heads. Though I suppose it wasn’t any weirder than being held prisoner in another dimension by a ghost.

To leave that case. It’s almost time.

I waited with growing impatience. Testing my restraints, I tried to lift my arms. Pain jabbed at my wrists.

Not yet. I’ll tell you.

Okay, so Roy couldn’t get in my mind, but the barbs still stung. And I wasn’t asleep, at least not in this reality, and Kane was talking to me in my head. Color me confused.

I shook my head to clear the thoughts and tried to focus. All of the people who normally worked at Wicked were absent. Either it was daytime, or Kane had closed the place down for this event. To me, it didn’t matter much. They couldn’t see this anyway. Too bad. It would have been a show-stopper.

As Bea chanted, the bright white light surrounding her started to dissipate, fading into a foggy mist. She stood out, vibrant and full of life. For the first time, I realized the other five people appeared to be slightly translucent, and so did Kane. They had to be in their dream states. But what about Bea? Was this a witch thing?

Kane, did you dreamwalk all of them here?

Everyone but Bea. She came on her own.

Is she dreamwalking me?

No. She’s awake.

Impressive.
In all of my dreams when Kane dreamwalked me, had we been translucent? I couldn’t remember, but I supposed I’d been too preoccupied to care.

He floated over my case, smiling down at me.
You haven’t seen anything yet.

Since I couldn’t do anything else, I laid there staring up at my boyfriend. Yep, that’s right. My boyfriend. My smile widened as I explored every inch of his body with my eyes. What I wouldn’t give to have another night wrapped in his arms, leisurely kissing every inch of his tender flesh. My mind wandered to the events that took place in his shower, just before I’d replaced Pyper in the box. In spite of my current situation, my body started to tingle.

Jade!

Huh?

Stop it. You’re distracting me.

Oops. I guess in this state you’re a mind reader.

Kane put his hand up, signaling for me to be quiet, while he watched our group of friends. I couldn’t really tell what was happening. After a moment he turned back to me.
I can’t read your mind unless you direct your thoughts to me. What I can do is sense your emotions. I can’t believe you’re getting turned on right now.

I was staring at you,
I replied in defense.

A hint of humor mixed with satisfaction escaped from him into my awareness, and I chuckled.

Get a hold of yourself. Bea is chanting now. In a moment it will be time for you to join me,
Kane said.

Okay.
I waited, suddenly tense and feeling totally unprepared. They obviously had a plan. Unfortunately, I had no idea what it was.

Out of nowhere, Roy appeared right above me, his eyes bloodshot and a crazed expression on his face. We stared each other down, neither one of us willing to look away.

“You can’t keep me, you bastard,” I said with venom.

He raised a fist and opened his mouth but before he could speak, some invisible force flung him backward.

Now,
Kane said with a fierce nod.

With my heart racing and fear curling in my belly, I stared into Kane’s eyes and gathered as much courage as I could.
Come on Jade,
I told myself.
Get on with it.

It’s all right. I’m here,
Kane said.

At the sound of his voice, I lowered my guards. Roy’s fury reached me like a flash of lightning, and I struggled to keep my defenses down.

“Stay with me.” This time, Kane wasn’t speaking in my head. The sound jolted me. I lurched forward. My hands and feet came free, and my body rose to float next to Kane.

“Thank God it worked.” Kane pulled me to him, his solid arms wrapping around me.

“This is just weird,” I whispered into his ear.

Kane pulled away, holding me at arm’s length. “You’re just now coming to that conclusion?”

I shook my head. “No. Not this.” I waved toward our friends standing in a circle in the middle of the club. “This—” I pointed at him, and then back to me, “—you and me, hugging in shadow form.”

Kane shook his head, looking exasperated. What can I say? I’d gone so far past my fear threshold, I’d completely given up on being afraid.

“What now?” I asked.

He started to answer but was drowned out by a sudden howling wind. Hot air swirled through the club, scattering advertisements and a few chairs. I pushed the hair out of my face. Lailah stood outside of the circle, arms raised. She appeared to be chanting, but I couldn’t hear over the roar.

Roy twisted as if in agony, suspended directly above Bea. She sat still as a statue, staring up at him, her eyes never wavering. The other four, Kat, Charlie, Ian and Holly, stood circled around Bea, their hands clasped.

I couldn’t help but be worried for Lailah. She wasn’t part of the circle anymore. Who was protecting her? If anything went wrong with whatever piece of magic she was wielding, there could be serious consequences. It dawned on me Kane and I were outside of the circle as well, but for some reason I had no fear for my safety anymore. I had to help.

I forced my way through the roaring wind down toward Lailah and pressed my senses toward her. Determination, mixed with a thread of frustration, met my inquiry. Frustration. Maybe the spell wasn’t working properly. I glanced back at Bea, still rigid in the chair. No help there.

Kane flew to my side and gripped my arm. “Keep your energy with me.”

“I can’t. I have to do this!” I shouted. We’d never be free of Roy if we didn’t finish it now.

“No! You will
not
merge with him again. I won’t let you.” Kane’s fear penetrated my mind.

“Not him. Lailah.”

Kane’s face relaxed, but I knew it was a conscious effort. Tension radiated from him like a beacon. He held his hands up as if to say
wait
. “Can you take me with you?”

Could I? I had no idea. Usually I focus on one person and can tune everyone else out. I didn’t know if it would work with two. “I’ll try.”

Standing together, next to the struggling Lailah, I took turns focusing on each person in the room and systematically shutting them out. Everyone except Roy. Then I turned to Kane. Connecting with him took no effort. I sensed his relief at being merged with me. I sent him a small smile and turned my focus toward Lailah.

She frantically strained to complete something. I didn’t know what she was doing exactly, but it was clear she was struggling. I gathered Kane’s spirit to me and sent everything we had in her direction. She straightened and stood taller. With a renewed air of confidence she tilted her head back, chanting words I didn’t understand.

Kane and I stood next to her, our arms around each other, and waited. Everything turned pitch-black. My fingers tightened in his until triumph flowed from Lailah. Then a circle of light formed in front of us, radiating orange and red, and the wind stopped. The room took on an eerie glow.

Curiosity lured me toward the light.

Kane’s arms tightened around me. “No, Jade. It’s a portal.”

“A what?”

“It’s where we’re sending him.” Kane pointed toward Roy.

My eyes went wide as I watched Bea stand. The other four broke away, giving her room to move. Even though they weren’t touching anymore, they stayed in a circle formation.

Roy still floated above Bea, contorting as if in pain. She moved slowly, carefully, never taking her eyes off him. We stood transfixed, all of us, watching.

The closer Bea and Roy got to the portal and to me, the harder it was to block Roy from my awareness. I took a few steps back and felt Lailah cling to our connection.

“No, Jade. I need you close. You’re the one making me strong enough to hold the portal open,” Lailah said.

I took a deep breath and moved closer to her, bringing Kane with me. We formed a barrier on the edge of the portal and waited for Bea to reach the other side.

Even with Kane’s and Lailah’s strength, Roy slowly worked his vitriol into my being. Hatred and despair wedged its way into my soul, sending small stabs of pain through my body. I clenched my hands tighter around Kane’s and Lailah’s, trying to block it out. A trickle of her airy essence pressed on my skin, but Roy overpowered it. Then, in a gut-wrenching slash, Roy’s energy severed my connection to Kane. Struggling, I sent my own energy out in a panic, desperately trying to hold on to Kane’s strength, but nothing worked. Eventually the pain became sharp daggers.