Page 8 of The Other Side

“How—” The single whispered word was all he could mutter.

“Tuft, do you not wish to return to me? It has been so long since we last spoke.” His brows furrowed as his nostrils flared. “Since we last…touched.” I leaned in close, my new lips hovering so close to his.

“You play a sick game, Cypress. A sick, twisted game.” I only smiled as the warm glow of my pretend skin continued to beam. Tuft sighed, dropping his face in defeat. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

“Wonderful.” My voice morphed back to itself as the warm glow vanished and my body returned to its ashen ethereal state. I admired my deep gray skin, comfortable to be back within it, shivering at the idea of the warm man I had changed into. “Gold skin is so overrated. Ugh, I’ll never understand what you see in that demi-god of yours. He’s truly no better than his father.”

“I said I’ll do what you ask,” Tuft growled, rising as he balled his hands into fists at his side. “But if you speak of him anymore, I’ll take it back and remain here until the end of time, defying you in every way.”

“There’s no need to be so dramatic.” I tapped the tip of his nose, returning to my throne. “I’ll stop talking about…my nephew. Gods, I can’t even bring myself to speak his name. It makes me sick.” I make a face, pretending to gag. “Besides, your moods are suffering enough. Releasing you will almost be as much of a reward to me as Iris-Marie succeeding.”

“Then we have a deal?” he asked.

“Indeed we do,” I smiled. Tuft kneeled before me, preparing himself to seal our new exchange when I lifted my leg, pressing it to his bare chest. “Not this time. I’d rather keep my witch’s taste on my tongue. Besides, I know you’ll keep true on your part. Your demi-god is far too precious to you.” I rolled my eyes again and lowered my bare leg as he made a face, backing away from me.

The cave began to vibrate and rumble as the pool of fire rippled beneath us.

“She’s doing it again,” Tuft grimaced, glancing around.

“She is.” My nails dug into the throne as I grinned, excitedly listening to the sound of a lost soul as it screeched in the distance beyond the waterfall of fire. It was invigorating.

“Why do you let that witch conjure your souls? It goes against everything you stand for. You’re the keeper of souls, Cypress. If Ozias finds out a human is sucking them from the Underworld, he’ll—”

“Exactly.” I began to laugh, the fire of my hair surging as I climbed backwards in my throne and perched on my knees. I glared through the fiery glimpse into the other side and watched Iris-Marie. She was using her staff and magic, putting on a show as the soul she summoned broke through the veil, seeping from the Underworld. My mouth began to salivate as I watched her, completely transfixed by her beautiful, powerful display.

Yes, take it. Take every soul from me and charm those humans with my power. Make it known what you can do so they can spread the word. It’s only a matter of time before Ozias hears of your abilities. The next time you conjure a soul, I shall return with it and call upon my favor.

An old longing ached in my chest as I continued to watch her. Regardless of the outcome of this game, I knew one thing for sure: I didn’t just want her soul, I wantedher.

Chapter

Two

IRIS-MARIE

The bell above the shop door jingled as my body remained facing away from it. A smile branched from the corner of my mouth as I struck the match, listening to cautious footsteps. I stared at the flame before me as it burned, its weak, warm glow nearly an inch from my face.

“Your fear grows stronger with each step, mon cher.” My voice remained low as the steps halted. “You have no reason to fear me,” I spoke, lighting the incense before turning to face them. “Salut.” I removed my hat, offering the man a gentle bow before returning it to my head. “Now, tell me. What can I do for you?”

The man was tall, his gangling frame towering over me. He was completely anxious and drowning in fear, twisting his cap in his hands as he swallowed, his eyes frightened to meet mine.

“I-I hear you c-can conjure s-shadows—spirits of souls w-who have left our world.”

“Is that a question or a statement?” My brow raised as I stepped closer, my jewelry clanking together as I moved, the floorboards of my shop creaking from my weight.

“S-statement, miss. You see, I-I am looking to speak w-with my wife. She passed recently, but I—” I raised a hand, magic drifting from my palm as I gently silenced the man.

“You’ve come to speak with your deceased wife, correct?” He nodded. “Well, I’m sure we can arrange some sort of deal.” I tilted my head with a smile. “Bastien?” The man’s eyes widened as the floor creaked, the giant alligator slithering into the room, a book firmly grasped in its mouth. I reached down, my eyes locked on the man as I retrieved the old book from the alligator. “Thank you,” I cooed as the beast grumbled, circling behind me. “Now.” I lowered my gaze and flipped through the pages with my magic, searching the old text for the right spell, one I recently found myself performing all too often.

There it is.

My fingertip traced the inked letters, pretending to find what I was searching for when truthfully, I already knew. It was something I had learned over the years—people in this town liked the show of magic, not just the outcome. I’d come to learn how to perform to entertain them, something I had grown rather fond of doing.

“I can bring your wife’s soul forward, but you know the deal. Such a task is not so easily achieved. It will cost you.” I raised my hand, opening my palm as he fumbled with his pockets, searching frantically before dumping a few coins into my hand. I raised a brow at the disappointing amount. “I’m afraid it’s going to take a little more thanthatto bring her soul back from the Underworld.” The man began to sweat, pulling the fabric of his empty pockets out to show he had nothing else to give. As I watched, I noticed the metal flash of a ring on his finger. A simple silver wedding band.

Perfect.

“Your ring.” The man furrowed his brows, glancing at his ring finger. He shook his head as I dropped my smile.

---