The woman herself stood to her feet and looked at me.
"You l- love me?" She said.
"I do. I really fucking love you." I replied, as Freya stepped back and I pulled her into my arms. "My soul came back, Erica. I'm human again."
"Wh- what about my soul, because you took some, right?" She asked, her top lip wobbling. I just wanted to reach down and take it between my teeth to soothe her.
But bloody Aaron was here again. "He didn't get any of your soul because you're his soul mate. Even without his, his body couldn't do anything to harm yours."
"That's the most romantic thing I ever heard." She whispered.
"You all need to get out of here." Aaron said, "because when Don recovers he's going to be one very angry demon.
"Will he come for revenge?" I asked.
"He's a demon." Aaron rolled his eyes at me.
"Shit."
But without delay, we got everyone out of there and back to the hotel.
We took Erica and Freya back to my suite and we all sat around while we gave the women a lot of sweet tea and answered their questions about our supernatural abilities.
"If you think you'll not be able to deal with it, just say the word and I can clear your mind." Noah explained.
"This is a mind fuck. I feel like one of those colour-blind people who gets those expensive glasses and can't stop looking around as everything they see is different to what they thought." Freya was still shaking her head after a few hours. "So you're a wolf, and you're like a goat, and you're a bat."
"I'm not a bat. I'm either a human, or I'm a vampire. Never a bat. That's a myth. I can move really quickly though."
"Not with Stacey you can't. Took you years." I snorted.
"You're the NOT again now." He said bitchily.
"Oh yeah." I pretended to look glum.
"What do you mean?" Erica asked.
"When we first auditioned…" I didn't need to carry on, this was our fan club leader. "Oh the name you had to change. The ParaNOTnormals."
"Yeah, I was the NOT when we first formed. Until I took my virgin self into Sheol and lost my soul. Now I'm the NOT again."
"You're the CAN, not the not," Erica smiled at me. "Think of what you can do now, that you couldn't before."
She was in my arms before she could say another word.
"Everyone out." I shouted. "We'll see you just before the concert."
They all left moaning and groaning, although I knew they were pleased really.
And then it was me and Erica moaning and groaning and it was everything I'd thought it would be and more.
One day I'd marry this girl, but for now, I figured she'd had enough shocks for one day.
Zak
"Helllloooo, London." I shouted to the crowd on our final night. I looked out over them all and thought about how happy I was and what a difference a week made.
I could tell my soul was back because I felt different inside and not only because I was in love. There was just no feeling of emptiness there anymore. Smiling at my bandmates, we gave the crowd the concert of their… current reality, but it was awesome. I was done with dreams!
As we came back on to do our final encore. I spoke to the crowd. "This is a new song, and it's dedicated to my girlfriend, Erica."
Not everyone in the crowd was pleased I was singing a song to my loved one, but most cheered and that was what counted. We knew we'd have to take the rough with the smooth.
I began. "This song is called Heavy Souls."
Been on the road a while
Driving fast cars
for no satisfaction.
But the journey changed.
A new road to travel
A one way ticket to love.
There's mileage on my clock.
I'm slowing right down.
The view is amazing.
The journey changed.
A new destination.
A one way ticket to love.
When I first met you
The boot was full
With heavy souls
They weighed me down
But I came around
Flung them right back out
And made room in my car
For you.
Come travel with me.
Wherever it leads.
You're my forever.
Take this journey with me
A new destination
And a one way ticket to love.
When I first met you
The boot was full
With heavy souls
They weighed me down
But I came around
Flung them right back out
And made room in my car
For you.
No more heavy souls.
Just future goals.
In our one way ticket for loooovvveee.
The crowd were on their feet and the spotlight shone on my girl standing in the wings. I beckoned her out and everyone cheered as I took her in my arms and kissed her.
"I love you, forever and ever, Erica." I told her.
"I love you right back, Zak Jones." She grinned.
And then I forgot about the audience as I picked my woman up and carried her off the stage.
"No, no, no, no, no." Rex stood in my way. "I know what you want to do, but we have the wrap up party for the tour. We have gifts to give the crew and everything."
I put Erica down. "Sorry, babe."
"That's okay. I quite like delayed gratification." She took off her pants and put them in my pocket, then toddled off without a word.
"I know it's hard, and I mean that in every connotation." Noah said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Newlywed remember? Oh, and also, never, EVER give me shit about how long it took me and Stace to get together when your own romance has gone from nought to a hundred in about three days."
"When you know, you know." I sighed happily.
The party was good fun, and it was great to give our huge appreciation to all the many staff who had helped us.
Erica and I stood with Stacey and Noah, and the next thing I knew, his sire Mya was by his side. These bloody vampires moved quick.
"Hi, again!" She beamed, clutching Noah to her bosom. "How are you, my son? I am super proud. You were amazing out there once more."
"Death not with you tonight?" I asked her. Erica turned to me, her brows furrowed.
"Her on-off boyfriend." I explained.
"I made him stay in charge of the wayward souls because he hates it. That's why he gave me the job. We're a little overrun right now because there was a fire at an illegal bare-knuckle boxing building. Some were willing to let the men fight to their death, but others are a little more of a grey area."
"And I'm guessing not bad to look at?" I grinned at Mya.
"Gonna take me a while to process this lot." She grinned back. "Anyway, how are you? Noah told me about the whole get your own soul back gig, and falling in love." She did a swoon face. "Sometimes me and my guy are like that. It's just when he starts the whole 'how his day went' conversation it's a little depressing. That and he tricked me. I hold a grudge a long time."