The Soul (The Spirit Trilogy #3)

Chapter 1

"I look like Godzilla's wife," I said to myself, peering into the full-length mirror behind my bedroom door. I picked at the royal blue graduation gown that was big enough for me and my Siamese twin. I pulled the material out at my sides as far as it would allow to prove my point to the mirror. My reflection agreed with me. Unfortunately, the Villisca school board did not.

Fashion fail of the century.

Seriously, these robes needed to be redesigned a hundred years ago. I mean, I understood the whole school spirit thing, but why couldn't I wear one of the fifteen Villisca Blue Jays t-shirts I'd inherited over the course of my single year here? That would demonstrate more school pride than this atrocity.

Besides, graduating today was not my idea. I had no intention of walking across a stage to receive my diploma. Rumor had it, if you didn't show up they'd mail it to you, so I didn't see why the fanfare was necessary. Last month's hell was still fresh in my mind, and this whole celebration didn't seem fitting to me.

Especially when I'd be leaving tomorrow.

I slipped my feet into white flip-flops, giving a passing glance at the new two-inch footwear Mom had requested. At least I'd be comfortable.

I took a final look at my tent-reflection, grimaced, and swung the door open. Lucas, with his fist raised to knock, stood on the other side. His green stare ran the length of my body and back up before he lowered his hand.

"Now that is sexy." He nodded his approval, a small smirk the tell-tale sign of his teasing.

I glared at him. "Oh shut up."

"No, I'm serious. Smokin'."

I went to slug him, but he disappeared and I hit the air instead. From behind me, strong, cool arms circled my waist and pulled me against a solid body. He dipped to my neck, and his lips brushed over my skin.

"I love you, Carrie," he said. Then in my head he added, "You don't have to come with me tomorrow, you know. You can go home with your mom."

Since we'd returned from Jessica's funeral, Lucas had often tried to convince me to go back to Texas. He wanted to protect me, which was sweet, but I'd proved time and time again that I could take care of myself...with a little help.

Plus, Lucas's soul-search wouldn't only affect him. Half of his soul now resided in me. He needed me.

"Not a chance. I'm going with you," I said, like I did every time. "I meant it when I said we'd do this together."

I spun around in his arms, facing him. I lifted up on my tip-toes and kissed him. "I love you, and I'm not giving up on this. We'll find your soul and we'll find a way to be together."

"Carrie..." he murmured against my mouth.

At the sound, something inside me lurched. Like I'd just been tackled by Mike and all of his teammates at the same time.

A needle jabbed into my heart, and if Lucas hadn't been holding me up, I'd have slumped on the floor. In pain, I clutched my chest.

Miles away, a voice called out to me, but I couldn't tell whom it belonged to. It sounded muffled, as if I had cotton jabbed into my ears.

Not again.

Incenamus, the supernatural bond we shared, had only grown since I died and Lucas brought me back to life. He used a spell to rip his own soul apart and replaced my dead one with half of his. The pull to the rest of his soul now tugged at me too, like I could feel its instability growing the longer his spirit remained separated from it. Being corporeal most of the time, Lucas had lost most of that connection. Judging by the wailing in my head and the emptiness behind my ribs the last few weeks, I, on the other hand, seemed to have gained it.