Dead Girl Dancing

“Me? Criticize your shopping obsession?” I teased. “Never happens.”

“Yeah, right. And it’s not an obsession, it’s a talent. Check out what I bought.”

Sadie was showing me cleaning liquids and bedding when suddenly a sleek, multicolored creature shot out from underneath the bed and pounced on her lap.

Swearing, Sadie shot at least a foot off the ground.

The cat tumbled down, landing expertly on its four feet.

“A cat!” Sadie reached down to pick up a bottle of cleaner that had rolled out of her bag. “Who let it into our room?”

“It’s the other way around. I think this is her room and we’re the invaders.” I laughed as the calico turned its back on us and curled cozily between the two bed pillows. “I don’t think she has any intention of leaving.”

“Just great. We’ll have cat fur all over our clothes and I’ll need to take—” she sneezed “—an allergy pill.”

“You’re allergic to cats?”

“Duh, you know I am. Cats, dogs, ferrets, people with bad hygiene.” She rubbed her eyes. “And you can bet my cousin knows, too. She did this on purpose! Everything about this place has been a disaster! If all the hotels around here weren’t booked, I’d so check into one right now.”

“Hotels are really expensive,” I pointed out.

“So I’d just charge it. Or you can pay. Do you have any extra hundred-dollar bills lying around?”

She asked this in a joking tone, but her words startled me. I almost answered, “Yes, I happen to have a big wad of hundreds in my purse.” But I swallowed the idea of honesty and fought to hide my panic. Did she know about the hidden money? And why was Sharayah carrying around so much cash anyway — especially after discovering Sadie’s five-fingered habit? It seemed so reckless, as if she was daring Sadie to steal from her again.

While I was burdened with guilt and secrets, Sadie didn’t even notice. “There’s no way I can sleep in a room covered in cat hair,” she said, scowling at the sleeping cat.

“So, where … ” I yawned “ … will you sleep?”

“If things don’t work out with Warren, I’ll crash in the car.”

I tried to listen as I flopped onto the bed, but my brain had already checked out. Sleep, blissful sleep, that’s all I craved … I was only slightly aware of Sadie fixing her hair and changing into a clingy, night-black dress. I was glad when she left — relieved to be blissfully alone.

Well, except for the cat. She (I’d already guessed it was a “she,” since male calicos are rare) peeked out from her plush cave between pillows, a splash of white fur under her orange nose. Her large green eyes studied me, and her orange tail swished across my face, tickling. When I didn’t push her away, and instead scratched gently under her soft neck, she purred. She curled on my chest; her soft, warm fur-body pressed up against me was actually very nice. Closing my eyes, I imagined being at home with my own cat, resting in my bedroom with my parents just a shout away and my little sisters toddling around the house.

These memories were a sweet lullaby, carrying me deep into sleep. I only stirred once, to move my hand when it was being kitty-kissed by a rough tongue.

I don’t know how long I was deep asleep before I heard hissing, spitting, and growling.

Something heavy pounced at the edge of the bed.

Bolting upright, I gaped around the darkened room. It was dimly lit by a slice of moonlight shining through the curtain slits. Beside me, the orange cat continued to hiss at the murky shape, her back arched, her ears flattened back, and her fur raised in attack mode.

Following her gaze, I saw a beast twice the size of the cat.

Fierce sharp teeth, gleaming.

At me

14

I started to scream — then snapped my mouth shut.

My eyes adjusted to the dark, and I realized that it wasn’t the beast’s teeth that were gleaming but the shimmering collar around its neck. Not an ordinary collar, either, but a Duty Director: a glowing, otherworldly sphere spinning with holographic images. The beast was just a dog, with black curly fur, floppy ears and a happy- to-see you wagging tail. When I was a little girl he’d been my constant companion — until he died at a ripe old age.

“Cola!” I cried, startling the cat. Hissing, she scampered off the bed and disappeared. “I’m so glad to see you!”

What sounded like an ordinary bark translated inside my head to, I came because I heard you were having problems.

“Am I ever! I lost the GEM and can’t find out anything about my mission. It’s driving me crazy, trying to live someone else’s life without knowing much about them. I did figure stuff out, though, and I have a plan to help her.”

That’s no longer your concern.

“Of course it is. Before I lost the GEM, I read the Nine Divine Rules so I know that part of my job is to guide my Host Body to better choices.”

Secrecy is also part of your job, Cola said disapprovingly.

“I didn’t know that until after I’d already told Eli.” I didn’t add that Eli hadn’t kept the secret, either. “But since I read the GEM rules I’ve been following through on Sharayah’s plans and I haven’t gotten any tattoos or piercings. I’ve even figured out how to help Sharayah. There’s an audition in two days—”

You won’t be here in two days. Cola’s dark eyes shone at me.

“Why not?” I asked nervously.

Your grandmother has reconsidered your mission.

“What do you mean?”

Your grandmother is sorry for all your troubles and regrets sending you on this mission without training or experience. She apologizes for her mistake.

“But it wasn’t a mistake — I’ve been helping Sharayah.”

Arrangements have been made to reverse the soul exchange. You will return to your physical body tomorrow.

“Tomorrow!” I cried, shaking my head.

Isn’t that quick enough? Do you need to switch sooner?

“No! That’s not it at all! I’m not ready to go back.”

Cola cocked his head, looking less like an angelic messenger and more like an ordinary dog given a command he doesn’t understand. You don’t want to return to your true body?

“Sure I do — just not till after the audition. It’ll boost Sharayah’s singing career and her self-esteem. This guy, Gabe, broke her heart and destroyed her spirit so much she gave up on herself. Now do you understand why I can’t leave?”

No. But I am only a messenger — your grandmother is the boss.

“Then give her a message that I need to stay for two more days.”

It will do no good. She wants you away from danger.

“Danger?” Squeezing my pillow to my chest, I glanced quickly around the shadowy room. “What are you talking about?”

A Dark Lifer has been reported in the area.

“I knew it! I’ve been suspicious of Warren ever since I met him. No one wears gloves to the beach unless they have something to hide. But how did you find out?”

Cola’s Duty Director started flashing red and green lights as it began to spin. There are Earthbounders — humans like you — who are sensitive to energy shifts.