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“So…” Misty gathered the scarlet-hued material, skillfully draping it across Zoe’s body to emphasize her curves. “I understand you and the master enjoyed each other’s company last night?”
Zoe spluttered at the specter’s knowing smile. She glanced at the Throne of the Underworld in the distance, before she shook her head.
“It wasn’t like that…” She cursed as heat rose into her cheeks, matching the color of her gown. “We were… enjoying the view.”
Zoe yelped as the waist of her dress was yanked tighter. The knowing gleam in Misty’s eyes suggested it wasn’t entirely unintentional.
“Oh, please. Do you think I was born yesterday? I run a saloon, not a nunnery.” Misty took a sip of her coffee, while a group of enchanted hair and make-up brushes liberally dusted and teased Zoe’s tresses into shape. “Besides, the master might seem like the brooding type, but ever since the two of you have been enjoying your nightly stargazing sessions, he hasn’t been able to keep the smile off his face.”
“Really?” Zoe cleared her throat, and reprimanded herself for the eagerness in her tone. “Well, regardless of what you think, nothing can happen between Shadow and I. We’re from two different worlds. Worlds that aren’t meant to be together.”
Zoe glanced at her hands, and thought back to their night of stargazing. Of their exchange of longing gazes beneath the spectacle of light from above. Of the feeling of anticipation that had built between them. Of the sensation of his hand passing through hers, no more than a brush of the wind. Of the frustration of knowing that they could never truly be together.
“My dear. If there’s one thing I know about the Underworld, it’s that anything is possible. All it takes is a sprinkle of magic. Speaking of which…” Misty smiled as she took the scissors, and in a flash, sliced the material from the floor to Zoe’s thigh. “There, that’s perfect!”
Zoe gasped as the dress tumbled open, revealing her bare legs beneath. She clutched at the material to try and cover herself, only to gawp in surprise as a mirror was brought to her. The red silk of the gown gleamed like rich merlot in the soft light of the saloon, its fabric cascading in smooth, sumptuous waves to the floor. Black lace adorned the hems, decorating her decolletage with delicate flowers, while the bodice emphasized her curves to give her an hourglass figure she’d only ever dreamed of. A thigh-high slit ran through the gown, the material falling tastefully to expose her legs, adding to the sensuality and magic of her costume. With a trembling hand, Zoe gently reached towards her hair, now twisted into an elegant braid and clasped together by jewel-encrusted flowers, before she admired the dusting of make-up that gleamed on her cheekbones. She drew a breath through her berry-colored lips, and gazed at her appearance in bewilderment through her dark, smokey eyes.
“Well, don’t be shy. You’re quieter than a mime convention in a library.” Misty glanced at Zoe worriedly, while her enchanted makeup brushes quivered in anticipation. “What do you think?”
“This is… it’s incredible.” But Zoe’s heart sank as she glanced outside, to see the lights of the city twinkle on the horizon. “But… I really should be on my way.”
“Nonsense! What you need is a night to forget about your mortal woes. A night of dancing. A night of magic. A night of romance. And I won’t hear another word against it.” Misty drew a deep breath, before her voice echoed through the motel. “Spooks?”
A shrill whistle, followed by the steady chugging sound of a steam train filled the saloon, until Spooks appeared in a cloud of blue smoke. He grinned mischievously as he made a beeline for Zoe, and let out a merry whistle.
“All aboard the Spooks Express! Next stop… the Spectral Soirée!”
Zoe tried to move out of his path, only to curse as the corsetry of her dress held her in place.
“Oh, no…”
With a merry cackle, Spooks took her hand, until they burst from the doors of Misty’s saloon and out into the gardens beyond. Zoe yelped as the wind caught her dress, until it ballooned upwards as they sped across the frozen landscape. Despite Zoe’s protests, Spooks raced into the maze, navigating each twist and turn like a runaway train, before they came to a screeching stop before the gates.
Zoe stumbled backwards as the poltergeist released her, before she desperately tugged her windswept gown back into place. As the jester giggled gleefully, she drew a breath and fixed him with a formidable glare.
“Take me back to the motel this instant!”
“Why in Tartarus’ name would you want to go back to the motel?” Spooks swung upside-down as he floated through the air, and raised his eyebrow. “You’ll miss the main event!”
“Look, I don’t know what you and Misty are planning, but I don’t have the time to play your games.” Zoe sighed sadly, before she met the poltergeist’s gaze. “I don’t belong here, Spooks. And I never should have pretended I did…”
A blast of the mariachi band’s musical instruments filled the air, followed by a deep rumble that shook the earth below.
“Oh, goodie, it’s about to start!” Spooks plucked a bow tie from thin air, before placing it on the collar of his jester’s tunic. “Oh, I do love a good ball! The music. The dancing. The shrieks of horror as I begin the jelly fight…”
“But where is everybody?” Zoe glanced at the empty maze in confusion. “And why are we all the way out here?”
The rumbling grew louder, until a sliver of light appeared from behind. Zoe turned in surprise as the locked gates inched open, the shriek of their rusted metal hinges filling the air. A cloud of ethereal glowing fog drifted from beyond, engulfing Zoe in a mist of flickering lights. She shielded her eyes from the glare, and drew a breath as her vision cleared.
A pair of dark eyes met her own, as a figure emerged from the mists. As his dark silk shirt fluttered in the breeze, he extended a hand, and broke into a smile.
“Welcome to the Spectral Soirée, Zoe.”
Zoe’s heart raced in her chest as she met Shadow’s gaze. She looked at his outstretched hand, and stood torn with indecision. She knew she should return to her world, for both their sakes. And yet, despite the doubts in her mind, her heart stirred at the light that gleamed in his eyes. Before she could think twice, she placed her hand in his, and stepped into the center of the Underworld.
14
The chime of the motel clocks reverberated through the Underworld. Each toll summoned the slumbering specters and the resting wraiths, until the frozen landscape filled with life. Zoe watched in wonder as all manner of ghouls and spirits gathered beneath the light of the full moon. And as the party got into full swing, she had to admit; for a party of the dead, it sure was lively.
