Page 73 of Until the Stars Fall

The pale rainbow soul was definitely Beck, persisting as an oasis of beauty in that dark, gray space. A net of shifting rainbows connected from him to a point at the center of the spellspace. His body.

The estranged part of Beck’s spirit resembled him, but it was transparent and palely prismatic, not much different than my own form in this place. Spirit Beck was transfixed, watching a space off somewhere to my right.

Beck, I said, following his gaze. Golden, humming sunshine poured out of an aperture that not only cut through the veils, it transformed them. How was that not the first thing I’d noticed here? It was like standing next to a star that didn’t burn you but rather infused your entire being with light and unconditional love.

It was the opposite of a void. It was an Abundance, a bounty of joy and contentment, tranquility and acceptance, and my soul yearned for it. Even the fringes of that light touching me were enough to make me want to dive headlong into its embrace. How had Beck resisted it this long?

Beck’s voice, like a pattering of low-pitched wind chimes, broke through my reverie.

Grandpa? Máthair Chríona Niamh—you’re here?

I turned from the Abundance to Beck, but I couldn’t see what he saw, and my fascination with it distanced.

I rushed to his filtering rainbow spirit and took his hands, surprised to find them solid in mine. Beck, it’s not time for you to go there!

Still he stared into the Abundance, his eyes alight with raptured fascination. I’m getting weak. I can’t fight it. I have to go.

No! You have to come back to me! I tried to turn his face toward me, but he wouldn’t budge. I need you, I told him.

He spoke, still not looking at me. Your parents are here. They want us to come.

Reluctantly, I peered into the light, expecting to see my parents standing in judgment, but I saw nothing in the Abundance except the humming sunshine.

Beck’s face clouded over. But not now, he said.

Then listen to them! You have a life among the living, people who love you. And look, I placed my hand against his belly. Look what we have together.

He tipped his head down. The golden cord connecting his belly to mine was strong and thick, golden and ringed with rainbows. Mist swirled in his eyes when he looked at me. You’re all I ever wanted, but I’ve already lost you.

No, I said emphatically, placing my hands on either side of his face. You didn’t lose me. I’m so sorry I pushed you away. I chose fear instead of love, but I’ll never do that again. I love you, Beck. I love you with all my heart. Please come back to me.

A beautiful smile transformed his spirit face, and he put his hands gently on my wrists. His irises cleared. Really?

Really, I told him. I love you. And I’ll never let you go.

His spirit shimmered brighter. I have loved you all my life, Gemma, even before I met you. And I will love you always.

The dark entities’ venomous words rose and congealed. I pulled Beck toward the center of the circle, but he winced at the terrible noise they made.

They can’t hurt you, I told him. Don’t listen to their lies.

He nodded, and we slowly stepped around the demons as they spat their vitriol at us.

She killed her parents!

Push her into the void!

Beck ignored them, but his beautiful face clouded with worry. I don’t know how to go back. I’ve been trying to find my way back to you, but I can’t.

I ran my fingers across my forehead. The oil persisted in my spirit form like Zola said it would. I made the shape of a star with it on his spirit forehead, and the flames of Summer, Hannah, and Eyre moved toward his body at the center of the spellspace.

Say these words to go back, and go back the way you used to, when you astral projected.

I repeated the words once, and Beck’s wavering spirit voice chanted with me.

Omdnna duouo, omdnna duouo...

As the shadows diffused at the turning of the spell, the network of golden cords connecting Beck to his body, pale and tenuous at first, grew stronger, thicker, and more radiant. Spirit Beck winked at me and released my hands. He turned around and executed a melodramatic trust fall into his body.

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