AllFreeNovel
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“So this is what you do every night? You race each other for sport?”
“It’s not just any race. The winner gets to be the King of the Underworld for an entire day!” Spooks floated upside-down before he fixed Shadow with a grin. “One of these days, I’ll beat you across the finish line. And when I do, finally I’ll get to set the rules! There’ll be jelly parties with the Titans in Tartarus, and mandatory custard showers for all!”
Shadow’s eyes narrowed. Something told Zoe that he didn’t share the poltergeist’s vision for jelly parties and… custard showers.
“It doesn’t matter how many times we race, or how many times you cheat. You’ll never beat me to the finish line, Spooks.”
“We’ll see about that. I have plenty of surprises left up my sleeves.” Spooks cackled, before he glanced at the currents of wind in the sky. “Speaking of which, we should take our places. The race is about to begin!”
Zoe watched as the ghosts assembled by the motel gates. Misty hitched up her voluminous skirts to aid her movement, while the Phantom Fiestadores mounted ghostly steeds and raucously cheered as they stood in line. Even Cerberus took his place alongside the line-up, scrambling up into the air until he floated beside the spirits. But despite the magic of the flying specters, Zoe sighed, knowing this was one part of the Underworld she couldn’t experience for herself.
“Hey, what are you doing standing down there, fleshie?”
“Not all of us can fly, remember?”
“Oh, don’t you worry about that. I have the perfect solution!” A mischievous smile flickered across Spooks’ lips as he drifted towards Shadow and Zoe. “A way for you to enter the race. Together.”
Zoe yelped as a pair of handcuffs appeared on her and Shadow’s wrists. With a click of Spooks’ fingers, they locked firmly into place, refusing to budge, no matter how much they struggled.
“Behold my new invention. The Spirit Shackles!” Spooks giggled with delight, despite Zoe’s look of horror. “Powerful enough to keep a Titan chained to Tartarus for eternity. There’s no way anyone will wiggle themselves free of their grip unless I say so!”
Shadow shot the poltergeist with a formidable scowl. “This is just another cheap trick of yours to win the race.”
“Me? Cheat? Never!“ Spooks let loose a peal of laughter, before taking his place on the starting line. “Besides, this could be the perfect date.”
“But my work!”
“You’ve worked hard enough! It’s time for you to see the fun in life, fleshie.” The chime of the motel clocks rang through the night sky, striking midnight. “Ooh, it looks like the witching hour is upon us. Which means the race is about to begin!”
As Spooks performed his best imitation of a revving engine, Shadow and Zoe turned to each other in horror. Shadow tried to yank his wrist free from the device, only to curse as the handcuffs became tighter.
“As King of the Underworld, I command you to release me!”
“Sorry, boss. If you want to be freed, then you’ll have to beat me, fair and square.” Spooks laughed joyfully once more as the chime of the clocks reverberated through the landscape. “Ready, set… see ya, losers!”
With an explosion of smoke, Spooks sped forwards and launched himself into the powerful currents of wind. The Phantom Fiestadores galloped after him, while Misty and Cerberus followed close behind, until the sky filled with the ghost’s cries of excitement. But despite the joyful scene before them, Shadow and Zoe turned to each other in abject horror.
Shadow glanced at the handcuffs, then back to the race. With a disgruntled curse, he launched himself forwards, only for Zoe to yelp in objection.
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”
“I have to stop Spooks, before it’s too late.” Shadow’s eyes narrowed at Zoe. “Unless you think a custard shower is a good idea?”
“I… Well, quite honestly, I don’t even know what that is.” Zoe inspected the handcuffs once more. “There must be some way to open these.”
Shadow held her gaze solemnly. “There’s only one way.”
“But I can’t fly!”
“Luckily, I can.” Shadow held Zoe’s gaze pleadingly. “I swore I would defend the Underworld, Zoe. And that includes protecting it from meddling poltergeists. Please, I need your help.”
Zoe glanced back at the bedroom window, where the desk lamp illuminated her pile of work for the evening. But despite her brain pleading with her to keep her feet on solid ground, she returned her gaze to Shadow. Buried within the darkness of his eyes, a golden light gently flickered with hope. And as the sight of it stirred something deep within her heart, she realized she was powerless to fight against it.
“Fine.” Zoe glanced at the airborne racetrack uneasily. “But how does this even work?”
“Just take my hand. And hold on!”
Zoe drew a breath as she placed her hand within Shadow’s. Just like before, it sank into his, as if she held nothing but cold air. But as she focused on his presence, new sensations arose along her skin. The feeling of frozen air gently caressing her skin. The sensation of his cold touch spreading through her. The quickening of her heartbeat as she gazed into his dark eyes…
