Revealed: Necromancer's Blight: Book 2

by D. L. Harrison

  I saw her eyes widen, and I felt it too, as long as she was within a half mile, I couldn’t be tainted. It also meant I’d been safe the whole time I’d been bonded with Christina, which would have been good to know.

  “Here is my proof.”

  I closed my eyes, and brought up the list of names, and the dates of death I’d written down in my notepad last night. There were over fifty of them in my mind’s eye, it took me an hour or two to memorize them earlier today.

  Unlike when I summoned Sara, this was an invitation. Magic was all about intent, and I’d considered this before. I thought of inviting them all of them, and then released my magic. It left with a roar of power, and the connection between Serena and I was almost visible with the exchange of energy.

  Then I waited.

  One showed up, then two, six, seventeen, then thirty-two, finally forty-one. It took a few minutes for them all to arrive, and Jo looked impatient, but rather awed at my expenditure of magic. Of course, she couldn’t see any of them.

  Serena reached out and grabbed my hand, “What did you just do, and… I’m pretty sure that worked Jo, there’s no way he wouldn’t have been tainted without the bond. It’s true, all true. The Blood are temporary, we’re supposed to merge with the necromancers, save them, not kill them.”

  She smiled as something seemed to occur to her, and then she got up and sat in my lap, and kissed me. It was just a soft brush, a butterfly kiss at first, her lips were so soft and warm against mine. Then we kissed a little deeper and she moaned softly into my mouth. Her lips were silken and moved slowly with mine, and her body felt perfect in my arms as we kissed for the first time. My heart raced, and her hands ran along my chest, as mine tangled in her hair as the kiss deepened in passion and strength.

  Then I heard a cleared throat. Ten of them actually, although Serena only heard one.

  Jo accused, “You’re not supposed to be doing that Serena.”

  Serena shrugged, “Those orders mean nothing now. Either my father agrees with the truth, and it’s a moot point… or I go my own way. I won’t kill another necromancer that isn’t insane.”

  I closed my eyes for a moment, I’d hoped she’d make that choice. I knew she had the passion and conviction to make a decision like that, but I didn’t know if she’d truly believe the truth. It was freeing, but also bitter.

  Who knew what the future held, it might not even work out, but at least it would be our choice, and our hearts and minds working together to discover what we had.

  I turned and looked up, there was a ghost scowling at me. She was quite attractive, and had long midnight flowing hair that looked very familiar, but her eyes were green. I guessed that Serena and Christina had gotten their father’s eyes.

  “Umm, I don’t suppose your name is Leda?”

  She nodded, and narrowed her eyes. Serena stiffened against me.

  Well, that was a great first impression to make with a girl’s mother.

  “Sorry about that everyone. So, you accepted my invitation, does that mean Sara spoke to all of you about the truth?”

  The ghosts nodded, some looked wary, others looked pissed off.

  “I asked you all here because you dedicated your lives and died for a lie. For the lies of the Fae.”

  Serena blushed, glared at me, and slid off my lap and back into her chair. Like it was my fault? I didn’t know she was going to kiss me like that after all.

  “Sorry, you took me off guard… and I kind of got lost in it.”

  Serena blushed harder, but she didn’t look quite as annoyed with me, and possibly a little bit pleased at her obvious effect on me. After all, I couldn’t lie to her, and that hadn’t been a turn of phrase, I had been a little lost in it.

  I turned back to the ghosts, and gave my little speech. So much was riding on it.

  “I have a bit of a problem, the third line of the prophecy states that one will be betrayed, the truth denied, and the shadow of war will come. I need allies for when all hell breaks loose, and that betrayal inevitably comes. I need help for the part where we defend the last chance for peace. Without it, things won’t get fixed, even if the prophecy is right. Without allies, Serena and I won’t be safe, and neither will others of our kind, of the Blood, your descendants.

  “I won’t control you if you volunteer to help me, to help the Blood and the other races come to the truth, and finally come to the end of the war. But I will make requests, and I will give you power on this plane of existence so you can fight for the truth this time. To fight to save lives, and to truly end the blight while we raise up a new race of necromancers, a new race that will have strength, immunity to the blight, as well as judgement and this damned hero complex we all have which will keep them from evil. So, will you help me?”

  Every single one of them raised their hands and cheered. Of course they did, they had the same hero-complex I did, and they wanted vengeance on the fae and to free their descendants from all the horrible lies and abuse. It wouldn’t be easy, and they wouldn’t be killers either, but they’d protect, they’d spy, and they’d keep us safe.

  Still, hero complex or not, it was relief to know my plan was sound.

  I really hoped Carl turned out to be one of us, along with Matt, Timothy, and Christina.

  I leaned forward, “This might be a little bit of a shock Serena, but I hope it’s a good one too.”

  I took her hand, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. And then channeled even more power than I had before, as one by one all forty-one ghosts that had accepted my invitation became wights. I knew what I was doing this time, they wouldn’t go insane, and I’d maintain their power myself. They would have no need to feed from humans. Besides, some of them wouldn’t be staying wights for long.

  Leda said, “Hi little one.”

  Serena looked at me, and started to cry, but she was also smiling.

  So… good tears? I was pretty sure.

  “Hi mom. Did you umm.”

  Leda glared at me, again with the fault, she’d kissed me!

  The she started to laugh, “I approve of this one, but don’t do that in front of me again.”

  Serena blushed.

  “So, what now?” Serena asked.

  “We’ll go tell your father, and see what happens. How about you Jo?”

  Jo frowned, “Why so many.”

  I shrugged, “You heard what I said, I’m expecting betrayal, probably from those that reject the truth, the denial part. They will protect those on our side, but they won’t be murderers.”

  Jo nodded thoughtfully and bit her lip.

  “I’m going to go, I can’t thank you for this, even if it was the reason you were brought into this world.”

  I narrowed my eyes as I watched her leave. The witches would be trouble.

  Now that she was gone, I turned back to the wights.

  “I need a few volunteers. Most of you if you agree, will be spies, and lookouts. Perhaps to misdirect, or attack long enough to allow those of us who want the truth to win to escape. Those kinds of things. I’ll never ask you to kill, but I won’t forbid it either, you are all Blood, and all of you, now that you know the truth, won’t kill any that don’t deserve it, because of who you are.

  “The few volunteers, I’m going to give bodies to. Not the mindless slavering blood drinkers your familiar with, I’ll maintain your bodies with my magic, and a single drop of my blood. You’ll have complete free will. Only a few because my magic can only maintain so many without straining it, and I think we’ll need spies and lookouts far more than we’ll need physical bodies around.

  “I’m also fairly sure the bodies will be free of taint, since the magic that will animate your bodies will be filtered of the taint by Serena and myself. I need advisors, and protectors with real bodies, people who can take reports from the rest of you, and keep me informed. I know very little about this world, I’ve rooted out the past, but I know almost nothing of the present. Carl and the council has kept me in the dark.”
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  I paused a moment, “Are there any volunteers, or perhaps you all should decide. Who do you feel comfortable reporting too, that you know would make good advisors and protectors for Serena, her family, and myself. Although, any of you at any time can contact me through our connections, in an emergency.”

  I pulled Serena off her chair and into my lap. She gasped and then laughed when I settled her down in my lap. I just wrapped my arms around her, it was nice, and I wanted her to know how I felt. She’d been the aggressor earlier after all, I didn’t want her to doubt my intentions. Still, I didn’t kiss her, her mom was watching us as she chatted with a few people.

  Serena sighed, and melted against me.

  “Thank you, for asking me here for this, for telling me first.”

  I caressed her face, “Thank you for being you. We’re trying to save the paranormal world, and all I want to do is take you on a date.”

  She snickered, and kissed me chastely.

  “Kisses too,” I said, “More of those.”

  Then we sat in silence, and enjoyed each other’s company while the Blood wights figured out some kind of hierarchy between them. I figured that was best, they’d know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, I didn’t know any of them. I knew like me they were suckers with a hero complex, even after death, but other than that, not a thing.

  A little while later, Leda walked over with two men. One looked about sixty, the other was in his mid-thirties when he’d died. Serena went back to her chair, but didn’t look at all embarrassed this time.

  Leda gestured, “This is Jared, my great great grandfather,” she waved her hand at the younger looking one, “This is my twenty times great grandfather, Isaac. These two have the best experience to run spies and overturn secrets. I’m the best person for telling you about the here and now, lord knows me and Carl argued about the damned council and their secrets enough times.

  “The three of us will make up your council if you’ll have us, and we’ll defend our family here in Chicago, as well as you, fiercely. I’m also hoping my presence will persuade Carl to side with us, instead of the council.”

  She looked down at Serena, “It may not go that way, we may have to cut and run. What do you suggest we do first? Do you have a plan?”

  I shrugged, “Sort of, I was going to raise the three of you, and thought you could stay on the sixth sub-level, just long enough for Serena and me to debrief Carl, Christina, and Matt. Once the time feels right, or if things go south, you can join us. Either to back us up or cover our escape. I’m fairly sure I can feed you all what I’m hearing over the connection so you can monitor things. Unless you have a better idea, might as well start our roles now.”

  They all exchanged glances, and Jared said, “It’s as good a plan as any, and what we have to do before getting to the real planning. We shouldn’t dawdle, just in case the witches get a bee in their bonnet about this. We don’t want them butting in until you get us those bodies, and before Carl can hear the truth from your own mouth.”

  He had a point, we needed to move fast.

  Serena asked, “What about the witch wards, how will they get in?”

  I explained, “The wards can’t get through my shield, I’ll wrap it around them as we go in.”

  I stood up, and pulled Serena to her feet. It was time for phase two. The betrayal part still gave me pause, could I really consider the fae or witches turning on me as betrayal? Probably not, betrayal came from allies and friends, which worried me. I hoped I was wrong, but with my ghost allies, and most especially Serena on my side, I’d deal with whatever came.

  We’d all find out soon enough…

  Afterword:

  I hope you enjoyed this story, if you did please leave a review. Reviews are the lifeblood of independent authors, and I would greatly appreciate any constructive feedback or opinions.

  About the Author: If you have any comments or suggestions you can send me an email at dlharrisonauthor@gmail.com If you like my work, or even if you don’t, please consider leaving a review of this book. I can also be found at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7456808.D_L_Harrison

  Other books by D. L. Harrison:

  http://www.amazon.com/author/dlharrison

  The Formerly Dark Mage, by D. L. Harrison – This stand-alone fantasy book follows the life of Silvia and takes place in a world unique and separate to our own.

  Silvia is a dark mage. Unfortunately, she finds herself about to be sacrificed. Someone must have told her evil master about her plans to kill him and take over. After that, things just seem to go downhill. She has no choice but to escape the kingdom of Zual, something that to her knowledge has never been done before. She will need to deal with many issues she never had to face before.

  Among those issues, the white mages, and her conscience.

  The Rise of a Dark Mage - This stand-alone fantasy book follows the life of Cassandra, it takes place in the same world as The Formerly Dark Mage, but happens three hundred years later, long after Silvia is gone and some shocking changes have taken place in the world.

  Cassandra is a dark mage in the kingdom of Zual, she’s also a mage prodigy.

  She hates both her kingdom, and her master. She wants him dead, not to take his place, but so she can leave and explore the world. Her ambition will drive her to rediscover the secrets of the strongest of magics.

  She is determined to succeed, or she’ll die trying.

  Celia Winters Novel Series

  Witch’s Moon: A Celia Winters Novel Book 1

  Celia Winters was raised by her single mother, and her earliest memories are of the store her mother owns and the nearby coven, who have always been her family’s close allies and friends.

  She grew up believing her magic was weak, but she was satisfied with her life, and happy. She was a midwife, healer, and supplier of surrounding covens.

  Then her mother died, and she’s about to discover she isn’t who, or what, she believes herself to be, not completely. She will learn that her entire life up until now was a lie. She’ll need to figure out her place, who she is when she no longer recognizes herself, and try to hold on to her closest friends as she gathers enemies for the simple crime of her existence.

  She’s stronger than she believes, but will it be enough?

  Power of Air Series:

  Just a Psychic: The Power of Air Book One starts off this series.

  Ben has grown up with missing memories of his early childhood.

  He has known he was a psychic since his earliest memories, seeing the future and gaining knowledge with his gifts.

  Is it possible he isn't just a psychic?

  Ben's world is about to be turned upside down as he turns twenty-one, all is not as it seems.

  Alicia Jones novels is a series that follows a bright young inventor and scientist named Alicia Jones. It is a space opera and light science fiction.

  The first book is titled First Contact:

  Alicia Jones is a genius, and a little odd. At just twenty-three years of age, she is close to finishing her doctoral dissertation. But when she tests her latest theory in the lab to generate a strong EM field, it has very unanticipated results. Results that lead to faster than light travel, and first contact with another race.

  Her life just gets more complicated after that, when she finds out who she really is, and that the universe may not be as nice a place as she’d been told. Her determination to help keep Earth safe takes her to places more dangerous and strange than she’d ever envisioned.

  Spirit Sorceress series, by D. L. Harrison is a new urban fantasy series. Miku is a spirit sorceress who spent the last one hundred years growing up and learning about her power in the forests near Seattle Washington. She’s about to make her debut in the big city, but not in a way she ever expected.

  The first book is titled Spirit Sorceress:

  Miku is a spirit sorceress who spent her unusually long childhood in the forest away from the city with her mother and father. After tragedy st
rikes, she finds herself alone and on her own. She knows that one day she’ll need to move to Seattle, and fully accept her birthright, and if necessary finish her training on her own.

  But before she’s ready, and still in grieving, a rogue vampire and his band come along and change everything. She’ll need to learn her new place in the world, and find some allies quick if she’s to survive.

  Katrina Baker Novels, by D. L. Harrison is a new series about a super named Katrina Baker. Problem is, she gets caught up in her mother’s plan, who is a mad scientist and supervillain, and gets herself transported to another world in the multi-verse. A world where mages, witches, clerics, and the gods are real. Not to mention the monsters…

  The first book is titled Banished:

  Katrina baker is a super. She has mental abilities such as telekinesis, telepathy, and others. Her parents are supervillains, and she isn’t all that sure she’s cut out for that line of work. Her empathy with others through her power makes it hard to be uncaring, much less mean or evil to people. Problem is, the last thing she wants to do is disappoint mom and dad.

  Katrina gets caught up in her mother’s supervillain plot to get rid the world of the indestructible hero Omega, and that’s when it all goes really wrong, and she finds herself on another world.

  Banished.

  Will she be able to find her way back home, or even understand this new world of gods and magic, or will she die trying?

  Book Description

  Tom Daniels is a necromancer. He’s also a half-breed, and he’d just found out a lot of unpleasant truths from his insane captor. Yet, he didn’t know nearly enough to pick a true course, not about the current world of paranormal beings, nor of the past and the truth of the blight.

  Things are about to get even harder, as life hits him hard from directions he’d never expected. Things hadn’t gone nearly the way he’d thought they would after he’d been rescued from Macy’s clutches.