Dead Girl Dancing (22 page)

“Don’t fall—” Dyce jumped up to catch me.

“Nooooo!” I screamed as his Dark Lifer hands came toward me. “Stay away from me, Gabe!”

He stopped abruptly. “What did you call me?”

“Um … nothing.” Steadying myself against the wall, I avoided his gaze. “I’ll just hop over to the bathroom.”

“Wait. Why did you call me Gabe?” He blocked my way.

“A slip of the tongue.”

“It was more than that. What have you guessed, Sharayah?”

I faked confusion. “I don’t know what you mean. We only met yesterday.”

“You know better than that,” he said softly.

“I only know that my arms and legs hurt, I want out of here, and I need to pee.”

As I waited for him to answer, my gaze returned to the shiny patch on his hands. He caught my look, and glanced down and covered the shiny skin with his other hand.

“Who are you?” he demanded, sounding more confused than angry.

“That’s a stupid question,” I snapped. “You admitted to studying me for months, so you probably know me better than I do.”

“I’m not so sure anymore.”

He reached out toward my face with his arm—the one with the shiny patch—and I recoiled. “No! Don’t touch me!”

“Why not?” he asked, moving closer.

“I-I just don’t like being touched.”

“Or could it be you don’t like
my
touch?” he said, reaching out with both hands. “Tell me why.”

His palms hovered so close that my pulse raced with fear.

“No!” I cringed, turning away.

“I’m going to place both of my hands on you and keep them there, pressing down harder and harder until you tell me the truth. Just like this—”

At the touch of his palms, I screamed, “Keep your Dark Lifer hands off me!”

My words seemed to steal the air from the room. Instantly Gabe pulled his hands back and went silent. Overwhelmed, I collapsed on the bench.

Gabe crossed to the table, sitting in a chair with his arms bent and his head resting against his hands. He sat like this for at least five minutes. The only sound was my quick breathing and an occasional drop of sea water slipping from his shirt to the floor. I wanted to kick myself, but of course I couldn’t with my legs bound. I’d forgotten to act like Sharayah. Dumb, so dumb! I’d blundered big time. I’d thought that knowing his secret while he didn’t know mine would give me power. But maybe I was looking at this the wrong way. Maybe the truth, as the saying goes, could literally set me free.

As long as I mixed in a good amount of lying.

“Okay, I admit it,” I said. “I know what you are.”

He arched one dark brow, his expression like stone. “What do you know about Dark Lifers?”

“They’re renegade Temp Lifers but without energy from the other side, so their hands and fingernails are gray and glowing. I guessed that you sprayed on a tan to hide your glow.”

“How does a mere girl know this?” he demanded.

“My grandmother told me.”

“Your grandmother?” he repeated doubtfully. “I suppose you believe in the Big Bad Wolf and Humpty Dumpty, too.”

I didn’t appreciate his mocking tone. “FYI, my grandmother has an important job on the other side. And I know Dark Lifers are real because I’ve met one. He tried to hurt me, too, but I got rid of him.”

“Oh?” Gabe looked doubtful. “And how did you do that?”

“I contacted the Dark Disposal Team.”

His tanned face turned as pale as old bones. “You know about them?”

“Yes, and they’ll be here soon.” A method for telling a convincing lie that I’d learned from
Let’s Fake a Deal
, a self-help book written by a top Hollywood agent, was to first convince yourself you were telling the truth. “The DDT will be here soon,” I repeated.

As if my words had physically struck him, he stepped back from me. Then he shook his head. “I don’t believe you.”

“Then wait around to find out. But from what my grandmother tells me, you won’t like what they do to Dark Lifers.”

“Your grandmother is the overseer of the Temporary Lifer program?”

“Yeah, and even though she’s dead she’s very protective of me. She told me a secret way to let her know when I find a Dark Lifer. So you better scrap your plans for dumping me in the ocean and get out of here while you can.”

“I’ve eluded capture for over a century and have no intention of returning now.” He glared at me. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

“I think so.” I spoke calmly, but inside I quaked at the dark energy oozing from him. He’d been playing with me before—but now he was serious and angry.

“No, you don’t. And you’re wrong about my dumping you in the ocean. I would never hurt you. I’d planned to let you fall in love with me all over again, then explain to you how love is only a trap. Once you understood that love isn’t real and learned to guard your heart, I would have let you go. I went through all of this to help you. I still care about you, Sharayah.”

“Nothing says ‘I love you’ better than duct tape,” I said with a sarcastic lift of my bound hands.

“I had to make sure you listened.”

“You’ve confessed to sending me death threats and plotting revenge for what happened to Gabe … I mean, to you.”

“Right,” he admitted, his cap bobbing with his nod. “I’d never failed before that night, and at first I was angry. But that’s only part of the reason I tracked you down. I had to finish what I started—to save you.”

“Save me?” I almost choked. “From what?”

“From a life destroyed by false love. You fell in love with me too easily, quicker than most girls did. You were so eager for romance and so trusting that I knew someone would destroy you if I didn’t teach you to be strong.”

“By breaking my heart?” I asked incredulously.

“By showing you the true deception of love. That’s all I wanted to do—convince you that true love doesn’t exist.”

“I don’t believe that,” I argued, thinking of Eli.

“You’re still too trusting and naive. That’s why I tried to prevent you from making the mistakes that I did.”

“What mistakes?”

“When I was alive, I was betrothed to a sweet young lady. As was common with gentry in those days, I also had a mistress. I respected my betrothed but only had passion for my mistress. I would rather have lived in poverty than in wealth without her, so I planned to run away and marry her. Instead, she murdered my betrothed so that we wouldn’t have to run. And since I still loved her and wanted to protect her, I confessed to her crime. She came to see me while I was in prison and laughed that I’d been a fool. She said that she had many men and only loved my family’s money, never me. Everything that mattered died before I met the gallows. When I became a Dark Lifer, it wasn’t out of fear—it was to save naive romantics from the destruction of love.”

He seemed to be waiting, watching me for a reaction. But I wasn’t sure what to say. His twisted logic chilled me, yet inspired some sympathy, too. I mean, going to the gallows for someone you loved was tragic.

“I’m sorry that you died and everything,” I said after what seemed like a long stretch of silence. “The DDT will be here any minute.”

“You shouldn’t have contacted them.”

“You shouldn’t have taped me up.”

“I did it for your own good. In one hundred and twenty years, you are my only failure. I regret not helping you, Sharayah,” he said sadly.

Then a shift took place in his expression, as if he was realizing something he’d forgotten until now. “But you aren’t Sharayah. Are you?”

I hesitated, then shook my head.

“Who are you?”

Lying seemed a waste of time, so I went with the truth. “Amber.”

“A Temp Lifer?” he guessed.

“Yes. Sent to repair the damage you did to Sharayah by letting her think she’d killed you. What really happened that night?”

“I was getting ready to give my speech about deceitful love. After that I always walked away, knowing they’d be wiser now. Only Sharayah ruined it and I fell. I missed the rocks but suffered bad cuts. Do you know what happens to Dark Lifers if they bleed?”

“They can’t stay in the body very long.”

“Right, and have to immediately find a new one,” he explained. “I hitched a ride and switched with the guy who picked me up. Unfortunately, the car was a hot one and I got arrested. I spent three stinking, disgusting, humiliating weeks in jail.”

“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?”

“Not sympathy, but respect for my attempts to reach you. I never gave up trying to find you, even though it took weeks. Finally I found you in San Jose and slipped into the body of a young man residing in a nearby dorm.”

Something clicked. “Was his name Caleb, and did he go out with a girl named Katelyn?”

“Very good,” he said, impressed.

“What about the real Gabe?” I asked. “Is he really paralyzed?”

“I’m the only real Gabe—my name is Gabriel Deverau—but I suppose you mean the body I used when I dated Sharayah. What was his real name?” He touched his chin thoughtfully. “Well, no matter. He only has a few memories of my time in his body. Aside from some cuts and confusion, he walked away to resume his safe, boring life. And now I must resume my lives, too.”

I cringed at his use of “lives” plural. He was a menace and would keep breaking hearts unless he was stopped. Still, I was relieved that he didn’t have any plans to drown me.

“The DD Team will never catch me,” he said as he started up the stairs.

“You’re just leaving?” I cried, thrashing my bound hands and legs. “What about me?”

“The DD Team can set you free.”

Then he was gone.

Oh, great.

I’d lied to Gabe so convincingly that he’d left without untaping me.

Still, I could turn my “lie” into the truth easily enough.

Bending sideways, I reached for my GEM again.

It took awhile to push it out of my pocket with just my fingertips, but after a lot of groaning and twisting, I was rewarded with a thump on the floor. The GEM flipped over twice, then fell open to a beautiful blank page.

Before I’d finished asking for the DD Team and explaining where I was, there was a startling flash and four members of the DD Team, wearing business suits, squished into the tiny cabin. Gabe must be high on their
Wanted, Dead and Alive
list for them to send in four team members.

They didn’t waste any time, either, uncoiling their silver ropes as they surrounded me. Their rapid-fire questions made me dizzy: What did the Dark Lifer look like? Did he give a name? Where did he go? I did my best to answer but I couldn’t tell them much. And I grew increasingly uncomfortable, squished like a badly wrapped gift against the bench cushions.

Finally I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Enough questions!” I interrupted. “Would someone please untape me?”

A short time later, wearing only one shoe and the clothes from Gabe, I hobbled back to Club Revolution.

About a mile away, I felt the vibrations in the air and the ground and saw the beautiful sight of bright lights blazing against the backdrop of the dark, misty night.

Then I turned a corner and saw the most wonderful sight in the entire world.

Eli—running toward me.

I ran, too, so full of emotion that I didn’t even think about what I looked like or who I was when I threw my arms around him.

“I’m so glad to see you!” I cried, burying my face in his jacket.

“Amber! I’ve been searching everywhere and was ready to call the police. Where have you been?”

I shook my head, too tired and cold to think about anything except how good it felt to be in his arms.

“You’re freezing. Here, take my coat,” he offered.

But I shook my head, remembering Gabe/Dyce giving me his jacket. “Just hold me,” I whispered. “Oh, Eli! I’m so glad to be back with you.”

“What happened?”

“It was Dyce … I mean Gabe. He-he lied and then tried to kidnap me.” I held out my hands, which were raw and red under the shining street lights.

“Bastard! Where is he? I’ll go there and—”

“And what?” I almost laughed at his ferocious tone; it was like he was a Chihuahua ready to take on a wolf, which was so sweet that I almost cried. “It’s okay now. He’s gone for good.”

“Are you all right? Should we call the police?”

“Already taken care of,” I said, not having the energy to go into all the details.

“But what happened? I don’t understand any of this.”

“I’ll explain later,” I promised. “Now I just want to be held.”

And kissed
, I thought.

He must have been thinking the same thing, because he pulled me closer and tipped my chin, his touch so gentle, making me feel safe and warm. Not the tingling thrill of Gabe’s touch, but so much more real and honest. I could trust Eli with my life and my heart.
You’re wrong about love, Gabe,
I thought.

Smiling for the first time in hours, I looked into Eli’s eyes and lifted my lips toward his—until we heard a gasp and jumped apart.

Turning around, I saw Sadie staring at us with the most disgusted look I’d ever seen on her face.

“Ohmygod, Rayah!” she exclaimed. “Kissing your own brother! That’s just sick!”

It took some fast talking, but Sadie eventually believed that we weren’t kissing (which was true, since she’d so rudely interrupted) and that Eli was just comforting me because I’d been kidnapped. Showing Sadie my bruised wrists and ankles added proof.

After that, things were kind of a blur. Sadie talked a lot, relieved I wasn’t going to call the police, then told me she’d run into Warren but he’d blown her off. She’d called him some appropriate names and told him where he could go. Then she met a new guy who was way better than Warren, anyway.

When I asked about Mauve, Sadie shrugged and said she was back with Alonzo. Apparently, for the first time in Mauve’s history, she was trying monogamy. I had my doubts but hoped it worked for her.

Eli wanted me to stay with him at his friends’ house but I didn’t want to have to make small talk with strangers. He promised to pick me up early (in about six hours) for the
Voice Choice
audition, then he dropped me off at the crappo condo.

My bed and Kitty Calico were waiting for me.

When I awoke, I was surprised to see Mauve sleeping on the fold-out bed and the cat now cuddled up to her (traitor!). I shut off the alarm, so groggy I was tempted to forget about the audition and sleep all day. But I couldn’t let Sharayah down. In less than twelve hours I’d return to my own body, and she’d have to survive on her own—which would be much easier if she made the
Voice Choice
finals.

After a quick shower, I sorted through Sharayah’s clothes to find something that would attract attention and wow the judges. I found a bright red stretchy top and matched it with a cropped, bead-trimmed denim jacket, black jeans and black half-boots. My hair was a mess, so I twisted it into a messy bun that gave me kind of a rebel-rocker look. Keeping with this theme, I applied heavy amounts of kohl eye makeup, autumn-brown eye shadow and ruby-death-ray lipstick.

I thought leaving at six would be early enough, but by the time Eli got off the congested freeways and found a parking space, the line-up for the competition was like a mile long. No exaggeration!

“What do they think this is?” I complained to Eli as I took my sorry position at the end of the line. “American Idol?”

“Looks like it,” he agreed. “But we’ve made it this far. We can wait.”

I gave him a surprised look. “You don’t have to stay with me. It could be hours.”

“I don’t mind.” He grinned and slipped his arm casually around my shoulders. “I’m just being a supportive brother.”

“Oh, brother,” I sighed, but I was grinning, too.

I’d always enjoyed people-watching, and waiting in that line gave me plenty to watch. Most auditioners had come prepared with chairs, blankets, pillows and coolers. One girl was actually sleeping on a folding cot, her friends shifting it a few inches whenever the line moved—which wasn’t often.

One hour, then two, then three went by before I was close enough to see the front of the line. But it was still about a block—and a few hundred people—away. By hour four, though, I was feeling better because Eli had gone out for hamburgers, drinks and fries, returning with a blanket, too.

As we were finishing our food, a guy in a black cap (that had a microphone logo and
VC
on the front) came by with legal forms to complete. He started to hand one to Eli, but “my brother” shook his head and gestured to me. Since I didn’t know Sharayah’s address or other personal details, I handed the form and pen to Eli. The line started to move again, so he hastily filled out the form, then handed it to the
VC
official a few minutes later.

Then we stood for another hour with no line movement at all. It was so frustrating, being this close yet still not inside. Eli and I passed the time by planning what song I would sing. I wanted to go with something bluesy to show off Sharayah’s vocal range, but Eli thought I should do something off the latest Top Ten. We argued for about three feet’s worth of line movement before settling on something that was bluesy but also popular.

As we waited, doubts began to strike me. All around, singing hopefuls belted out their songs, some dancing, too. But what had I done to prepare? Nothing. I still wasn’t sure about my song choice, which was the most important thing. How could I possibly have any chance at winning?

As I was thinking I should just give up now and leave, the line started moving again. Much faster. For the first time since arriving I could actually see the entry door. Double doors, actually, with official security guards grilling each person before allowing them to go inside. Someone in a bear outfit had just stepped in, followed by triplet guys all dressed in black and then a girl who could double for Britney Spears. When I counted the people in front of me, there were only twenty-five.

“Excuse me,” someone said behind me.

I turned and saw a gray-haired woman, her face wrinkled and her frail body stooped over. She wore a pleated navy-blue skirt, a long-sleeved blue blouse and a yellow scarf. I’d never seen her before, so wondered why she’d come over to me.

“Yes?” I asked curiously, since there was an age restriction in the contest rules disqualifying anyone over thirty, and this withered old woman had to be at least thirty times three.

“I wondered if you could spare some water,” she asked weakly, pointing to the water bottles Eli had bought earlier. “So many hours waiting … and I’m feeling dizzy. I can pay you.”

Eli reached out and handed her a bottle. “You can have it, no charge,” he said.

“Thank you so much. I knew just by looking at you two youngsters that you were kind.”

“Are you here for the competition?” I asked.

“Only to support my talented grandson. But after a visit to the ladies room, I’ve lost him. He must have gone inside but the guards won’t let me in.”

“They won’t?” Eli said with a fierce frown. “Well, I’ll see about that. Come with me and I’ll talk to them for you.”