Pure: A Paranormal Romance

by D. L. McKinsey

  “What now?” Marie asked.

  That was a great question. What the heck were we going to do?

  “Now, we prepare for a fight. I’ll call Cassius and ask him to come tomorrow. That way, we have at least a day to train and come up with strategies before Ferox comes.” Jace took charge, clearly having planned this through already. “Simon, can I talk to you in the kitchen for a minute?”

  Simon nodded and the two of them walked off into the other room.

  “Well, I’m going to have a shower. This meeting wore me out.” Marie chuckled.

  I chuckled too. She walked over and hug me and her brother before dashing up the stairs.

  Now, it was just me and the man slash wolf that I loved. We stared at each other in silence, so much emotion passing between us; love and devotion being the strongest.

  “I’m scared, Seb.” I whispered softly. He gently caressed my cheek as if I was the most delicate thing in the world to him.

  “I know, but it isn’t you that should be scared. It’s them.” He asserted.

  The way Seb believed in me was the way I needed to believe in myself.

  “Hey, how about we go for a run?” He hinted. His eyes had a wicked glint in them that instantly excited me. The smile that spread across my face almost hurt. This might be the last time for a little fun before everything went to hell. So why not.

  “Race you to the next town.” I teased.

  ***

  Lily

  The moment Bobby walked out the door, my heart dropped. I couldn’t just let him walk away from me. I refused to believe all our secret kissing sessions meant nothing to him.

  “Hey wait!” I shouted, jogging down the dirt driveway after Bobby.

  He stopped and turned to face me.

  “That’s it? You’re just leaving?” I asked angrily.

  “Yes, I am. I’m not dying for this shit. If you are smart, you’d leave too.” He replied casually.

  I placed my hand on my hip.

  “What about me? Us?” I stepped closer.

  “Get real. There is no us. I mean, come on, the making out was okay, but I only did it because my options were limited, and I knew you wanted me.” He arrogantly gloated.

  I slapped him hard across the face. The blow had my own hand stinging.

  “Fuck!” Bobby cursed.

  “You lying coward.” I spat.

  “Whatever. Save yourself and get away from this place or else you’re going to die involving youself in someone else’s fight.” He countered as he rubbed his jaw.

  “Oh, so you do care. Make up your mind Bobby.” I dared.

  He watched as I closed the space between us and pressed my lips to his. In a second, he gave in to the kiss; gave in to the desires he kept trying to fight. I enjoyed the moment, but sooner than expected, Bobby pulled away.

  “Damn it! Why can’t you just be like other fat girls and hide in the corner somewhere?! You’re so…so…so…”

  “So what?” I cut him off. “Oh, I see. You’re mad that you don’t intimidate me. You’re mad that I don’t hide myself from the world and I embrace who I am. Or are you mad that you like me? You’re a bully who taunts the fat girls because you secretly like them.” I teased. “Grow up! Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. So open your damn eyes and stop fighting what you want.”

  “Shut up!” Bobby demanded.

  “Why? Because I’m telling the truth? You can lie to me and everyone else, but you can’t lie to yourself, Robert. Work on your fucking issues, but don’t get mad at me because I’m able to accept who I am and what I want and you can’t.” I reprimanded.

  “I’m leaving.” He turned, walking towards the ugly van.

  I wasn’t having that. I quickly searched the ground for something sharp. Settling on a jagged piece of rock, I dashed ahead of him and slashed the front left tire as hard as I could.

  “If you want to run away like a coward, I think it’s best you use your legs.” I smirked.

  Bobby’s face reddened with anger, and I knew I pushed him too far.

  “No matter what you say or do, I’ll never be with you. Just thinking about kissing you disgusts me. You’ll always be beneath me because someone like you will never be good enough for someone like me.” Bobby snarled.

  He pulled out his phone and made a call. “Hey, dad. Yeah, I know I’ve missed school. Yeah, I know. Look, can you just send someone to pick me up…”

  I couldn’t even hear anything else he said. My ears were ringing. My insides were shaking, and my world started spinning. I was used to guys being jerks to me, but this was different because this one I actually liked, and I was certain he liked me too. The hot tears built in my eyes, but I refused to let them spill.

  Chin up. That was what my mother used to tell me. Never let them keep you down because you were always meant to fly.

  I would, as I always did, follow the words of my late mother. So with my chin held high, I brushed past him like he meant less to me than the dirt beneath my shoe.

  But on second thought, he was getting off a little too easy. Slowly, I turned around with a grin on my face and sent a strong kick to his family jewels. Bobby howled in pain, dropping to his knees, cupping his manhood, phone call momentarily forgotten.

  I hunched down to whisper one last thing in his ear. “Who’s beneath who now, bitch.”

  I laughed hysterically before skipping off toward Cora’s house.

  ***

  Jace

  “So what did you want to talk about?” Simon asked, taking a seat at the kitchen table. I needed some information, and I knew Simon read the supernatural history book night and day. So if anybody could answer my questions about necromancers without being suspicious, it would be Simon.

  “I know you read the book, and I’m wondering if there is anything about necromancers in it,” I said, trying to sound casual.

  “Actually, there is.” Simon replied, flipping through the pages. “I’ve read this book several times, and it’s crazy because it’s always changing like every time something new happened in the supernatural world, the book adds it here. Ana is even in it now. Oh, here it is, but there isn’t much about necromancers, though.” Simon grumbled.

  “That’s okay. Just tell me everything there is.” I replied, a bit anxious.

  “Well, all the necromancers are dead, or rather, imprisoned by Celeste and her then husband Erebus because he saw them as too great a threat to all the other supernaturals after one necromancer defied him and brought back someone he’d killed to life. Celeste ruled over the supernaturals but had no control over the necromancers because they didn’t see her as their leader. They actually worshipped the lord of The Hallow, someone by the name of Zaewyn.” Simon explained.

  I grew impatient because this wasn’t the type of information I was searching for.

  “Does it say if any could have survived or how to identify one?” Jace pushed.

  Simon eyed me curiously.

  “Uh, necromancers hide in the guise of children to allow them to move through the world undetected. Most can only speak to the dead, but the powerful ones can travel to The Hallow and bring the dead back. They don’t have souls, so they trade for them. Meaning, they will bring your loved one back, but it’ll cost you your soul or someone else’s. Why are you interested in this anyway?” Simon asked, growing skeptical.

  I straightened and tried to appear nonchalant.

  “I’m just very curious. So what else is there?” I pushed.

  Simon studied me for a moment before turning back to the book.

  “Not much. You have to speak to them in the ancient languages to get them to reveal themselves unless you have the second sight like Celeste and Hildegarde. They are dangerous though because even the weakest necromancer can take your soul. That’s all there is in the book. I think there is a page about this Zaewyn person if you want to know.” Simon offered.

  “No, that’s okay. Thanks, buddy.” I replied, patting Simon’s back before I
left the kitchen.

  The information I’d obtained wasn’t much and it pretty much matched what Cassius had said. Now, I had to find out the truth for myself. After all, I only had a few hours to call Cassius back and confirm our deal. If Zara wasn’t the necromancer, the deal was off. Cassius will not help fight against Ferox. If that happened, I’d have to face Ana and tell her Cassiu had lied. The deal wasn’t set. I couldn’t believe how quickly she guessed Cassius wanted more than spells. I thought it was a good cover because I couldn’t actually tell them what the vampire Prince really wanted or what Cassius offered to me return: to kill Seb. Something I still hadn’t decided on.

  I shook the thoughts from my mind and focused on the task at hand. It was time to test Zara.

  I descended the basement stairs and was greeted by low murmuring voices. At the bottom, I saw my grandmother, Cora, and Zara levitating, stretched out as if lying in bed, sleeping. The chanting was soft, and dozens of small black candles floated above and below them. From the words I could make out, they were drawing strength to those near and pushing away negativity.

  “Sorry to interrupt but I can’t find any blue candles. I wanted to light a few for tranquility in the house. Everyone is a bit edgy up there.” I claimed, shoving my hands in my front pockets.

  “Good idea. There should be some in the attic. You know that.” Cora responded, not even opening her eyes.

  “Uh, I looked up there.” I lied. “Couldn’t find any. Maybe Zara could show me where they are?”

  “That’s strange. There should be plenty on the shelves up there. No matter. Zara, be a dear and show Jace where they are. After you’re done, both of you come back for meditation.” Cora said.

  Zara slowly drifted down to her feet. She gave me a smile before dashing up the basement stairs ahead of him.

  Every action was so childlike that I doubted if she could actually be a necromancer. I unhurriedly followed her upstairs, listening to her hum to herself and skip steps. Doubt set in quickly. Zara seemed too innocent to be a soulless creature, not to mention she was under Cora’s protection. My mind couldn’t come up with any reasons why a light witch would protect a necromancer. Something didn’t add up, but if Zara was the necromancer, I had another problem to deal with. Cassius. Could I really turn her over to vampire? And what would happen if I did?

  “They are over there in the far shelf,” Zara said, interrupting my thoughts. I’d been so lost in them, I didn’t even realize we had already made it to the attic.

  “Uh, great, do you mind grabbing a handful for me?” I asked, giving her an encouraging smile. Zara eyed me strangely but shrugged and followed my request.

  It was now or never. I quickly searched the small room for something sharp. On the ground, I spotted a tack. I knelt down, picked it up, and before I lost courage to follow through with the plan, I pricked myself in the finger.

  “What are you doing?” Zara questioned me warily as she held the candles.

  I didn’t hesitate. I stood and swiftly smeared my bloody finger across her forehead. Zara attempted to jump away, dropping the candles in the process, but I held her in place.

  “Et ordeno que revelar altaveu mort.” I recited.

  Zara stopped struggling and only stared at me. I eyed her, waiting for something to happen, but nothing did.

  “Et ordeno que revelar altaveu mort.” I tried again, this time more forcefully. Still nothing.

  Zara only stared at me blankly. Maybe she wasn’t the necromancer after all.

  Then I remembered Cassius saying it was because he was a witch that this should work. Maybe the magic suppressant was getting in the way. I closed my eyes while still keeping my grip on Zara and focused. I dug deep and latched on to the natural magic inside. It was still weak, but it was growing back by the second.

  “Et ordeno que revelar altaveu mort. SHOW YOURSELF!” I demanded, using all the power I could muster.

  Zara began shaking. Her whole body trembled. She closed her eyes, and when they opened, she was no longer the same girl. Her features hardened, and her gray eyes glowed frighteningly.

  “You stupid witch.” She whispered.

  I let her go, taking a step back. Zara sucked in a breath then blew it out forcefully. The black air howled as it brushed over my face. It smelled of dead flowers and was unnaturally hot. I shook it off but nothing else happened. No pain at all. I stared at Zara as she smiled sinisterly at me. I couldn’t believe she was actually the necromancer.

  Slowly, she pointed a finger to the ground and I followed her movements. There, lying on the floor unmoving was my body. I choked on a gasp.

  “Wh-what did you?” I panicked, slightly confused. My body on the ground began to lose color. My cheeks paled, and my chest refused to rise, but I was still standing and feeling just like myself. I didn’t understand what she had just done. Did she clone me or something? Could necromancers even do that?

  “I called your soul out of your body.” She circled me. “And to answer your next question, yes, you are very much dead. Not all deaths are painful. Now, give me one reason why I shouldn’t banish your miserable soul to The Hallow.”

  Chapter 53

  First Blood

  Jace

  “Now, give me one reason why I shouldn’t banish your miserable soul to The Hallow.” Zara sneered.

  I felt fear running cold through my veins. Out of all the possibilities I’d run through my mind beforehand, this was something I never expected to happen. Zara was the necromancer, and worse, she killed me. I stared down at my lifeless body in complete shock. This was terrible; beyond that, actually. What was he to do now? I failed to help Ana, and now, I couldn’t even help myself.

  “Well, if you have nothing to say, then it’s time to go.” Zara spoke again, breaking my trance.

  “Wait! Zara, please, you can’t just kill me and get away with it. My grandmother and Cora will find out.” I argued.

  Zara simply rolled her eyes.

  “Your grandmother doesn’t scare me.” She replied nonchalantly.

  I didn’t know what to say to that. Hell, he was already dead, and any minute now, I would be spending eternity in The Hallow. The shock of the situation kept me from screaming and freaking out. Now, I wished I never followed through with Cassius’ request. It cost me my life. I was dead. Zara just killed me. I stared at my unmoving body on the floor again, still not believing what just happened. There had to be a way out of this.

  “Why, Zara? And how? How did you hide for this long and with Cora to help you?” I figured knowing the answer would complete the puzzle in my head at least. It would also buy me some time to think of something.

  Zara tilted her head, studying me for a moment. And then she laughed; a high-pitched laugh that brought a chill to my soul.

  “Stupid, stupid, stupid. You’re dead, and you want to know about my history? Are you kidding?! You must be which makes you very funny.” She giggled.

  I stared perplexed at the little girl who so easily took my life. The big eyes and innocent face made it hard for me to believe she was a necromancer who was over a thousand years old. She was probably the last of her kind.

  “Why kill me?” I croaked. Sure, I had a million other questions, but the main thing I didn’t understand was why she killed me. It seemed extreme considering I didn’t hurt her, and she didn’t know about my plan with Cassius.

  Zara eyed me curiously before casually shrugging her small shoulders.

  “You know who I am, and for that alone, I couldn’t let you live. Guess since you’re dead, I can get out of this body for a minute.” Zara announced.

  Before I could respond, the little girl dropped to her knees and began savagely coughing. The sound was dry and hard. Zara leaned forward, bracing herself with her hands, hacking. She paused, opening her mouth as wide as it would go. Suddenly, long hair and brown legs, crept from her mouth. I jumped back, startledt. At first, I thought it was an animal she was throwing up, but once the head popped out, and I saw the e
ight eyes, I knew it was actually a spider. It was the biggest spider I'd ever seen. It was even bigger than the tarantulas I'd seen on TV.

  Slowly, the arachnid dropped to the floor. I couldn’t help but stare at the massive creature but not because its legs were easily three feet long and its body was the size of dinner plate. It was because its belly was huge, transparent, and glowing with a swirl of white, gold, and black colors inside. Zara resumed coughing until a cloud of white thick smoke poured out of her mouth like waves to the floor. The smoke coming out was so thick and puffy, it reminded me of clouds on a summer day. It funneled itself up, spinning rapidly until it disappeared, leaving a woman standing in its place. She was tall and lean; a few inches over my six feet. Her hair was thin and wispy. The color, at first glance, appeared white but closer inspection proved it to be a light lilac color that stopped just past her chin. The hood of her heavy gray cloak hid most of her face from view. In her right hand was a long scythe-like weapon. The handle looked like it was made of bone and the top was a skull with two long pointed horns on top. There was no doubt in my mind this necromancer could do much more than just take my soul.

  “That’s better. It’s cramped in there.” She referred to Zara’s body while rolling her neck.

  Zara’s tiny frame lay still on ground. I rushed to the girl’s side, carefully avoiding the spider. “Oh, don’t worry about her. You have bigger problems.”

  I watched as she picked up the spider, cooing and kissing it like a loved pet.

  “Listen, I won’t tell anyone who you are. Just please put my soul back.” I pleaded.

  She ignored me and continued to coo her spider and rub its fat glowing belly, not even bothering to look up at me.

  “This is my baby, Charlotte the goliath. I love her because she's so valuable to me. These swirling colors inside her are my special collection of souls; souls that mean too much to me to send them to the Hallow and too little for me to let them live.” She paused and slowly pulled her hood back, revealing her beaming gray eyes. Her skin waved as what looked like tiny spiders crawled underneath it. The rest of her facial features were small and mousy. The slant of her eyes and light tone of her skin made her look like she was of Asian descent. She still had a childlike face and barely looked sixteen years old. “My point being, I only care about things of value to me, you, Jace, have none.”