CHAPTER 21

The Cat’s Out of the Bag

Unseen in the darkness, Toralei skipped across the Hauntson River Bridge, twirling the purse Nefera had given her. She yowled an off-key tune about making a splash and getting some cash. She stopped in the middle of the bridge and pulled the glowing comet crystal out of her purse. She was just about to hurl it into the churning waters below when she stopped.

“What am I doing? I have the most beautiful voice right here in the paw of my hand, and I’m gonna just throw it in the river?” She turned the crystal over in her hand. “If this thing can take somebody’s musical voice, who’s to say it can’t give it to somebody else?” She shook the rock. “C’mon, rock. Give me Catty’s voice! Toralei wants to sing!”

She shook the crystal like a ketchup bottle. She bit it. She put it on the ground and stomped on it. “You listen here!” she told the crystal. “I promise that I will find some way to take Catty Noir’s voice…”

With the magic word “promise,” the crystal pulsed and glowed brighter.

Toralei continued talking, “…FOR MYSELF!” The words that came out of her were a high-pitched vocal flourish. She sounded like a feline vocal diva. It had worked!

Purring to herself, perfectly in tune, she pocketed the crystal and headed back. It was time to show everyone just what she could do.

Not too far away on a street corner, Deuce was pouring out his troubles to a Boo York ghost. “So, it’s like I’m stuck between a rock and uh, um… uh… uh another rock!”

“Uh-huh,” yawned the ghost, barely listening.

“I either break up with my ghoulfriend, and she gets all the rich stuff she deserves,” continued Deuce, “or stay together and wreck her whole life!”

“Uh-huh.”

Deuce was upset. “But I love this ghoul, and she loves me.”

The ghost handed Deuce a haunt dog. “Uh-huh. I always say, you’re in Boo York, you just go for it. Relish it.” He squirted some on Deuce’s haunt dog.

“You’re right!” agreed Deuce instantly. “Thanks for the talk. You’ve really given me a lot to think about tonight. Thank you.”

“Sure, kid.” The ghost nodded. “Now you gonna pay for that haunt dog or what?”

“I’ve got to talk to Cleo!” said Deuce, racing off.