Page 15 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“The amount was more than we’ve ever gotten in the last eight years. It’s because of that geezer releasing a new version ofShadow’s Solitude.Doesn’t really sound anything like the original. Ours was a ton better.”

“Abby mentioned the radios are talking about Sonic Revolution.”

I bring the cuppas to the table, slide his over to him, and take a seat opposite him.

“Well, the original band’s name was bound to come up with the new version.”

“She thinks it’s our sign to make a comeback.” He says straight to the point.

I expected him to suggest it at some point, but more like eight or nine years ago, not now at this stage. We’re closer to thirty than twenty.

“And what do you think?” I ask, curious.

He swipes his hand over his face, across his forehead, and through his hair.

“I don’t know,” he sounds genuinely at crossroads. “That’s why I’m here. I hear this fucking song, and I just feel angry. But not furious-like. It brings back memories I held back for so long. I mean… I hate this covered version.”

What a fucking relief!

I chuckle, and Jagger cocks his head at me, questioning my amusement.

“I hate it too. It sounds like a cat in heat. Fuckin’ell! It sounds exactly like a blooming cat wailing deep into the night,” I suppress my amused grin. “How the fuck are people liking this shite?”

Jagger grins and huffs a laugh.

“Maybe nostalgia. People love different versions of the Beatles’ song.”

Hmm, that makes sense.

“Bloody hell, you’re right! But we can’t be compared to the Beatles.”

“Maybe, not the Beatles, but we were successful in our own right. Three number-one albums on the UK Albums chart, ten number-one hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and fifteen top ten singles in the UK chart. We dominated pop culture for six straight years with a hundred and five million records worldwide. Plus, a couple of Grammys, VMA’s, three BRITs. That’s no easy feat to beat. We did pretty darn good. TheVixensnever got a number-one album in UK Charts.”

“Those Grammy’s though, came after Eden joined the band,” I clarify. “We were already on our way up to stardom. She just accelerated the ride.”

The mention of her name brings an abrupt silence between us. I know Jagger and Callum don’t even want her name mentioned, but I dealt with her in my mind and cast her to oblivion after she decided to chicken out and disappear.

“This comeback you’re talking about,” I ask curiously. “Does it include her? As you know, we already tried to revert to just the four of us, and it didn’t work out. It led to Callum’s downward spiral and his and Haze’s fallout.”

“Sonics aren’t Sonics without her. But legally, I already looked it up on the way here. The record label and Oliver have the rights to the name and everything associated with it. I reckon we start fresh. The five of us. New name, our own songs, and everything we do is because we want to do it, not because some bigwig boss from a label wants us to.”

I tilt my head to the side in thought. Theoretically, it sounds good, but pulling it off is another entity altogether.

“You’ll need to get the other three on board, and there’s a fat chance one will want to remain buried, and the other two will tell us to fuck off. Haze seems to be doing well for himself. Why would he want to drop it all and join this venture?”

“Because music is in his blood. Just like it is in mine and yours. Maybe Abby’s right; this is our second chance to do it right. Make a change. Do it our way this time.”

Eyeing Jagger with skepticism, noting the unwavering seriousness etched across his face, as he remains steadfastly convinced that this idea holds potential.

While I've never denied my best friend something he truly believes in, taking a step toward this idea feels like enteringfantasyland. To attempt to resurrect our music careers would be insanity on a whole other level.

Then again, we've all been hibernating for far too long. Perhaps that ounce of hope in Jagger’s voice makes me consider joining him on this crazy adventure.

You get what you settle for, and I can’t say I’m neither here nor there in my current life, but I’ve never felt more awake in my life than when sitting behind a set of drums.

That’s something I haven’t dared do in almost a decade.

Maybe … Just maybe, it’s that hint of confidence in his voice that convinces me to join him in the crazy adventure.

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