Free Netherworld II: Blood Potion No. 9 by Tracy St.John

was doing. I was at Fizz’s side in an instant. I shoved my
way into her, taking over her body.
    This was way different from channeling
in Isabella’s body. The channel opens herself, allowing me to sink
effortlessly into her head. In her trance, she’s not really aware
of my presence.
    This was more like a rape, something I
wasn’t proud to do to Fizz. It’s also considered a huge no-no in
the para world, the epitome of bad behavior. This was an emergency
though, so I bullied my way in, seizing control from the stripper,
making her body mine. Inside her head, I felt her shrink away from
my alien intelligence in fear and confusion. She didn’t put up a
fight, and I was able to make her body awkwardly rise and hurry to
Bane’s side. She was lighter and much easier to move in than the
cuddly bulk of Isabella, but I still felt like I slogged along in
mud. Physical bodies are heavy. Not to mention her jeans were too
freakin’ tight. I felt like my legs had been
straitjacketed.
    At least there was no difference
between her reality and the spirit world. Not having to look at two
different scenes helped.

    Bane stood alone, his companions having
gone straight to the bar. He looked at me as I joined him with a
kind of resigned irritation. “Not now, Fizz.” He started to walk
away.
    I grabbed him by the back of his neck
and yanked him close to whisper close to his face. He was too tall
to talk into his pointed wolf ear, which was situated higher on his
head than a human’s.
    I kept my voice super low, hoping his
animal-sensitive hearing would pick up the barely breathed words.
“Shut up and listen to me. I’m not Fizz; I’m a ghost who has taken
over her body. You’re in big trouble right now,
Double-Oh-Seven.”
    Bane stared down at me, his golden eyes
going wide. His gaze darted around the room, and then he grabbed
Fizz’s upper arm to haul our shared body to a quiet cobwebbed
corner. I winced at the tight grip but made no complaint. I’d
already behaved in a very non-property way in grabbing the
werewolf. I didn’t dare look around to see if anyone had noticed
Fizz becoming assertive.
    Once he had me backed into the corner,
Bane growled low and threatening. “Fizz isn’t smart enough to come
up with shit like this. Who the hell are you?”
    Sure no one would pickup our whispered
conversation, I took advantage of it to warn him. “Watch the
language, buster. I’m a lady. Fizz is upset because you won’t give
her a ride on Magic Mountain, and now C.K. thinks you’re gay.
Apparently, that’s a big deal in Stupid Land here.”
    Bane scowled. “A very big
deal.”
    From his chair, C.K. roared, “Bane,
front and center!”
    The werewolf agent’s lips wrinkled back
for an instant, displaying very wicked looking teeth. “Stay put
right here. I want to talk to you after I settle this.”
    Well, so much for good manners. “You’re
welcome,” I reminded him.
    Not picking up the hint, Bane walked
away without thanking me. After a moment, I followed. I wasn’t
property after all. That was Fizz’s gig. Besides, I thought I might
be of help if I stuck close.
    My borrowed heart picked up speed as
Levi presented himself to the gang’s leader.
    “How’s it going, boss?” Bane asked
mildly as he drew close to C.K.
    Everyone had halted whatever they were
doing and crowded close to see what had their little piggy of a
boss grouchy. And grouchy he was with his forehead furrowed, eyes
narrowed, and fists clenched. Next to him, Bottle kneeled with a
smirk on her face.
    No, she’d used up all my sympathy where
I was concerned. If I was a cursing girl, I’d have a few choice
names I’d call her.
    “It’s not so good, Bane. I hear you’re
not happy with Fizz.” C.K.’s muddy eyes cut to the body I currently
occupied. I felt Fizz shrivel at his angry stare. I kept her
expression as blank as I could. I swear she tried to hide behind my
consciousness.
    Well, that’s what you get for whining
and getting others in