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Growing up in the Undercity, Vi’s thought that she’s heard it all. Every scam, every scheme, there’s nothing that hasn’t crossed her path at some point. However, this is new and unexpected.
“You want me to marry your dead daughter?” Vi scoffs. “In exchange for how much money?”
“All of it, eventually,” the older woman answers. Her name is Cassandra Kiramman. Vi recognizes her as one of the councilors. “Essentially, you’ll become my new heir.”
“Uh-huh,” Vi mutters sarcastically. “And I do that by marrying a ghost. C’mon, we both know there’s no such thing. I know the rich are eccentric but this is fucking nuts.”
“You may not believe it but it’s been a part of Navorian faith going back eons,” Cassandra’s husband, Tobias says. “Caitlyn isn’t happy. The only way to ensure her rest in the afterlife is to appease her and she wants a wife.”
“Why me, exactly? No one else stupid enough to take the bait?”
“Caitlyn asked for you specifically,” Cassandra replies. “Trust me, if I had my pick, you wouldn’t even be considered.”
That still doesn’t answer Vi’s question. She didn’t even know Caitlyn, so why would she choose her of all people? None of this makes any sense.
However, it’s a good deal. Riches beyond Vi’s wildest dreams in exchange for her pretending to be married to some dead girl. She’d never have to worry again, not about feeding herself or helping out her family. If she goes through with it, she wouldn’t have to work another day in her life.
It’s stupid, but Vi agrees to it. The money is worth it, no matter how she tries to cut it. It’s not an offer she can afford to turn down.
Of course, there’s always a catch here and there. Marrying Caitlyn essentially makes her a Kiramman so she’s stuck living on their property. They put her up in Caitlyn’s room and while Vi is adamant that she doesn’t believe in ghosts, it’s still creepy. This is where that girl used to sleep, where she grew up, so many of her memories are tied here.
Her first night there, Vi is undoubtedly paranoid. Sure, the idea of ghosts is scary but she’s a little more concerned about Caitlyn’s parents. They never did say where they got all that money and for all Vi knows, they got it by scamming idiots like her so they can harvest her organs and sell them off.
So, she deadbolts the door and sticks a chair under the knob for good measure. It won’t keep anyone out but it will slow them down long enough for her to make an escape through the window.
It’s hard to sleep, even though the mattress is as soft as a cloud. Her mind is racing with thoughts. Maybe it’s not too late to back out. She’d rather bust her ass down at the brothel than do this.
The mattress creaks suddenly, as if someone has crawled into bed with her. Vi’s eyes shoot open and she turns around, praying that she’ll see one of the Kiramman’s dobermans. Instead, she sees a woman lying next to her.
She’s beautiful, bathed in an angelic glow. Her blue eyes sparkle like they’re filled with stars and her dark hair is so long that it would take ages to braid.
“Caitlyn,” Vi breathes. It’s her. She’s seen her picture displayed on the small shrine her parents set up for her.
“You came,” she says softly. Her fingers brush against Vi’s cheek. “I was hoping you would.”
Alright. Well, Vi has either lost her mind or this is some really fucked up prank.
“Don’t look scared. I know this is all very strange for you,” Caitlyn continues. Her voice has the slightest twinkle to it, it’s so musical. “I promise, I’m not here to hurt you.”
“You’re not real.”
“Yes and no. My physical body is gone but my spirit is here.”
Did the Kirammans drug her during dinner? What the hell is this? She’s had erotic dreams before but never anything that feels as real as this.
“What do you want from me?” Vi asks.
Caitlyn doesn’t answer. Instead, she simply leans in to kiss Vi on the lips. She’s corporal, Vi can feel her like she’s real and solid, but she’s ice cold like a corpse.
She throws herself over Vi without any warning, straddling her hips. “Make love to me.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be dead?” Vi asks.
“I am but our souls are bound together. I can touch you and you can touch me.” Caitlyn kisses her again. “Let’s consummate our marriage.”
God, Vi can feel how hard Caitlyn is through their thin clothes. This whole thing is already crazy enough as it is and Vi isn’t about to turn down this beautiful woman in front of her.
Caitlyn’s hands are greedy as she works to remove Vi’s clothes. She strips her down to nothing and then marvels at all of Vi’s muscles and her intricate tattoo work. Her mouth nips at Vi’s skin, kissing her wherever she can reach. How is it that a dream can feel so real? Maybe she really is a spirit haunting the place.
All Caitlyn is wearing is a sheer dress. She gathers up the fabric to her waist and carefully presses herself into Vi. Her body is so cold that it makes Vi shiver with each thrust.
A desperation takes over Caitlyn as she rolls her hips back and forth. Each little movement makes the bed creak underneath them as Vi tries to anchor herself into place. Vi pants, her back arching off the bed as Caitlyn makes all her nerve endings explode like fireworks.
When Caitlyn comes, she moans Vi’s name softly. Her blue eyes flutter closed and she pulls out, choosing to curl up next to Vi on the mattress.
“Hold me?” Caitlyn pleads.
At first, Vi is hesitant. However, the look of deep sadness in Caitlyn’s eyes has her crumbling so she wraps her arms around the other woman and hugs her tight.
Nights continue like that. Vi goes to bed knowing that Caitlyn will visit her in her sleep. Whether it’s a dream or an actual ghost, Vi has yet to figure it out. It’s certainly not something she’s about to go to the Kirammans to discuss. She doesn’t want them to think she’s lost her mind.
Things take a turn when Vi starts to get sick, really sick. She can’t keep food down and exhaustion wears over her like a constant cloud. Despite all her protests, the Kirammans force her to see a doctor and the blood test results come back saying that she’s pregnant.
It’s impossible. Vi hasn’t been sleeping around. It’s one of the conditions of her contract, she’s not allowed to be unfaithful to Caitlyn. The only person, or spirit, she’s slept with is Caitlyn.
“What do you mean it’s Caitlyn’s child?” Cassandra snaps when Vi tells her the news. “Do I look like a fool to you?”
“ You’re the one that set me up with your daughter so it’s your fault she’s haunting me,” Vi quips. “Maybe you’re the one that should be telling me how a ghost knocked me up.”
“I’ve heard of such cases when I was a young boy,” Tobias says. “I suppose there was some truth to them.”
“Don’t listen to her lies,” Cassandra scolds him. “She has been having an affair. Clearly this voids our agreement.”
“Fine. Kick me out then. Let’s see how happy your daughter is once you do,” Vi argues.
“Enough fighting, the both of you,” Tobias says. “Perhaps we should be grateful, Darling. This could be our grandchild that we’re talking about.”
Cassandra’s lips twist into a frown. “Alright, then. We will see. As soon as the child is born, we’ll have it tested to see if it’s truly Caitlyn’s.”
“That works for me.” Vi shrugs.
There’s not much else that she can do at this point. It has to be Caitlyn’s and deep down, she knows that it is. However, it’s just too insane to even want to consider.
She should have never taken this deal.