Page 88 of Soul Food

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The next few days faded much like the last ten years had—in a recording room. Writing and changing words to make them the perfect ones for what I was feeling. Only now there was the added anxiety of Mr. James’s harassing phone calls. I had no clue how he knew I’d been there the night Liz died unless he knew something about Liz kidnapping me. I hadn’t seen him, and I didn’t think the demon had either. And if he did know something why hadn’t he gone to the police?

The demon was finally giving me distance although Lars stayed at my house. But something told me that just because I couldn’t see the demon, didn’t mean he wasn’t there. Which gave me paranoia as well as an odd sense of safety.

To feel safe by the one thing I should fear most? He had a way about him—of making me feel everything.

“Are you excited?” Jayne whispered next to me as the sound guy clipped on my ear piece and handed me a mic.

“Yes.” This was my moment—my few minutes where I wouldn’t be consumed by anxiety or worry. Instead, I’d let the music lull me in to her beats, and I’d sing for her like I always did. She gave me the vocals to sing, and I used that gift over and over.

“I think my mic’s not working either,” Liam piped in next to us. That was the other thing. I had convinced them to let Black Hearts’s new band play with me tonight. Liam, Pete, and Steve adjusted their instruments while Liam ate Jayne up with his gaze. That guy wasn’t subtle at all.

“I don’t think so,” I warned him, and he gave me a knowing smirk before he shrugged.

I listened to Sammy and Michonne—the two talk show hosts of S&M—talk about the latest gossip around Liz’s death. Even that didn’t knock me off beat since I knew I was about to perform.

“I know you guys have been waiting to hear our special guest,” Sammy played with the audience and had them cheering.

“Because singing is the only way we can get her on our show,” Michonne pointed out and everyone laughed.

“From just another pretty face to worldwide sensation—even called Dark Goddess by some—SoulGoddess has made her mark on the music world. A decade in, and she’s yet to fall or lose her spirit in this mad entertainment industry,” Sammy told them.

Jayne ran backstage after giving me another thumbs-up. They would be parting the curtains after the two of them finished talking, and the anticipation rolled through me as I waited for my reveal so that I could finally sing.

“We’ve heard from SoulGoddess herself that the song she will sing has never been heard before,” said Michonne.

“And what an interesting song title,” Sammy added right after. “Also performing with her today is Black Hearts’s newest rock band. I’m sure some of you may recognize this indie band.”

“Let’s give a round of applause for SoulGoddess singing her new song ‘Soul Food’ with The Oppressors.” Michonne held her arm out, and the curtains parted.

My hands went together as I placed the mic on its holder. It was showtime.

I smoothed a palm over my tight-fitted dress all the way down to my hip, took a deep breath, and let it go. Heady energy pulsed around the four of us. I turned to Liam, standing across from me, then turned to the other two behind us and shared a knowing grin—a mutual love for the same thing. I could never detest anyone that loved music as much as I did and seeing their heavy-lidded expression as the adrenaline spiked in our veins I knew they understood it too.

Steve’s drums started up, then came Liam’s electric guitar and Pete’s bass. Their haunting melody synchronized, paving the way for my chilling melody.

(Ruth’s verse)

I’m just a girl who fell for fool’s gold.

(Liam)

I’m just a demon in disguise.

(Ruth)

Smokey eyes and cold goodbyes.

I’d fall again—I’m already falling again.

I’m the one you haunt, the one you want.

I try to stay away, but you won’t leave me alone. (scream)

I know what I am; I know what you want.

My soul to take, my soul to eat.

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