Read Online Sirenz Back in Fashion by Charlotte Bennardo - Free Book Online Page A

fleece. “Here’s what I think of your nephew von pelt !” I lifted the thing above my head, not bothering to take it out of its garment bag, and hurled it toward the center of the room.
    One second it was hurtling through space, the next it was … gone!
    I felt … strange. Light. Not a lightening of the heart, but a physical kind of light that made me dizzy. My vision blurred and the room started to get dark. I stumbled toward the dresser, hoping to hold onto it, but I never made it. A surge, like a quick drop in an elevator, overtook me. I blinked, and the dorm room, like the fleece, was gone.
    Where was I?
    The first thing I became aware of was the presence of two people. I strained to hear their muffled voices. One of them, definitely a girl, was crying. Hard. I couldn’t make out what she was saying. Suddenly, the dimness was swept away and I saw them.
    Hades … and Shar!

Shar
    You’ve Been Hired!
    As I walked down hallways lit with torches, I discovered that Hades’ palace was surprisingly light. Almost warm. The black marble was only on the outside; the inside was a pure, dazzling white. Who knew?
    â€œAnd here you are,” said Ben congenially, leading me through double doors into an immense room. “Your rooms are to the left of the throne. Like I said, wander and explore to your heart’s content. I highly recommend the Elysian Fields. You can either take a door right from the palace, or use the pedestrian walkway leading from the dock.”
    â€œThe fields are kind of like heaven, right?” I asked.
    He nodded with a beaming smile. “Yes! I’m often found there. That’s where the most fascinating people are.”
    â€œLike who?” This was getting interesting.
    He clapped his hands. “Let’s see. So many I can’t name them all. Marilyn Monroe is appearing on the stage, Caruso is, of course, at the opera house, Van Gogh won’t talk to anyone, so forget him.” A soft chiming sound escaped from his pocket. He withdrew a pocket watch that sparked a painful reminder of Meg.
    â€œDear me! Would you look at the time? I’m supposed to be teaching Miss Cleopatra chess. I’ve got to run!” He tucked the watch into its pocket. I grabbed his arm before he could run off.
    â€œThe Cleopatra?” I choked. Talk about an original fashion icon.
    â€œYes, yes, I mustn’t tarry. She gets ever so temperamental when I’m late. I shall see you later, my dear.”
    â€œWait! One last question!” I pressed. “If you’re dead, how come you’re not … you know, a pile of bones or a shade?”
    Ben paused and took off his glasses. Withdrawing a snowy hankie, he cleaned them while he spoke. “I guess it can’t hurt to tell you how things work down here, as long as I don’t go into any personal details. Tartarus is the land of the dead. If a soul does not possess the requisite coin to cross the river, it is doomed to remain on the far side, away from the Elysian Fields. Its mortal coil slowly rots until it becomes a shade. Hence the bones.”
    He straightened his waistcoat with its shiny brass buttons. “Once a soul crosses, it is rewarded by retaining its vessel. You might say I’ve been preserved, like strawberry jam.” His eyes twinkled. “Still as sweet—at least for a time. Those still living, like you, can only cross with a branch from the Tree of Life, which protects your body. An added bonus is that time has no meaning here, so you won’t age.”
    Time might not pass here, but my life on the mortal plane was still ticking away—without me!
    â€œAnd now I must go.” Ben gallantly raised my hand in his. His skin held no warmth nor pulsing blue veins. It was a bit on the creepy side, but I smiled as he left a chaste, dry kiss on the back of my hand. The doors closed behind him and I was alone.
    The room was humongous. Large fireplaces threw off