The Necromancer's Seduction

by Mimi Sebastian

  I sank to the cold sidewalk, my back rasping against the sandpaper-like surface of the brick wall. I’d barely escaped becoming zombie hamburger. My pulse fluttered erratically, and my knee felt like someone had injected crunched glass under the kneecap.

  People walked past me and, fortunately, did not pay my slumped figure much mind. I eyed the cacophony of color shining from the lit storefronts. I loved the nocturnal pulse of the city streets, but occasionally something happens, like tonight, to remind me of the nasty morsels tucked away in the dark alleys and abandoned buildings. The lights blurred in my vision. I rubbed my arm where the zombie had grabbed me, remembering the slimy feel of its hand.

  Only a few minutes passed before Ewan’s black Land Rover pulled up to the curb. He hopped out, followed by Jax, who crouched on the sidewalk and seemed to concentrate on the ground.

  I eased up, bracing my quivering limbs with a hand against the wall. Ewan clasped my arms to help steady me on my feet. I avoided his eyes, but felt them survey my body.

  “What is Jax doing?” I asked.

  “Searching for the zombie.”

  Searching for the zombie? He was just squatting on the sidewalk, with a hand splayed on the concrete. Suddenly, he disappeared, and my vision shifted and everything around me stilled. The pedestrians stopped in mid-stride, and the lights no longer flickered. Even the cars seemed to slow down then speed up when they passed us, like we were smack in the middle of a school zone.

  I opened my mouth to ask Ewan what was going on, but couldn’t muster my voice. He understood, however, and said, “Jax condensed matter to canvass the area faster.”

  Then what seemed only seconds later, Jax reappeared, and everything jerked back to normal speed. A spate of dizziness hit my head, but Ewan’s hands kept me stable.

  “No sign of the zombie or any victims,” Jax said.

  I screwed up my eyes. The delayed shock of the attack caught up to me, and my body trembled.

  “We have to find it,” I managed to say through my tight throat.

  “We will, but we can’t do anything else here. Jax will stay behind and make sure nothing else happens then go to your house in case the zombie shows up. Ruby, look at me,” Ewan said, his voice soft, but commanding.

  I didn’t. I didn’t want to see his concern, didn’t want my vulnerability to explode all over him. I willed my body to absorb the hard brick of the wall behind me because I definitely didn’t want him to see me cry.

  He eased me forward, and I winced when I straightened my knee to walk-skip over to the SUV. The locks clicked once I was settled in the seat and he’d climbed into the car. He kept his gaze glued to the road with occasional glances in the rearview mirror. The only indication I had that he was on alert was his tight grip on the steering wheel. Otherwise, he exuded his usual calm, cool demeanor.

  “You’re limping. Are you hurt?”

  “I slammed my knee on the stairs, but I’m happy to say my brains are intact. Where are we going?”

  “To the demon house. Kara is on her way there.”

  “Is Malthus going to be there?”

  “No.”

  “Good.” I didn’t feel like dealing with him at the moment.

  After driving a few more blocks, we reached the lair, and he pulled into the garage. Ewan hopped out of his side and opened my door, holding out his hand to help me, but I brushed it aside, still avoiding his gaze. He cursed and bounded up the stairs leading from the garage to the house with me limping behind him. When we entered the study, he turned abruptly, causing me to bump into his chest.

  He clasped my arms gently. “Why won’t you look at me?”

  Whether it was the deep tone of his voice or the adrenaline still pumping through me, my body chose that moment to start shaking again. He pulled me against his chest, and I breathed into the soft cotton of his shirt.

  “That was way too close a call.” My voice sounded a few notches high.

  “Look at me.” He raised my chin with his finger. His amber eyes glowed, and all my fear, shock, and the touch of decay dissipated. “You’re safe.”

  Hurried footsteps in the hall approached. I sat on the couch while Ewan moved to the bar.

  “Jesus.” Kara saw me and rushed over. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, just shook up as you can tell.”

  I’d wrapped my arms around myself, which helped to contain the adrenaline overload. Ewan knelt in front of me, handed me a filled glass, then rolled up my pant leg and placed a bag of ice against my now multi-colored knee. I pressed on the bag and took a healthy swig of the whiskey. Ewan stood to pour himself a much larger glass. Kara sat next to me, her hand on my leg. Her cell rang. After a few okays, she hung up.

  “Jax said your house is clear,” she said.

  I bit on the edge of the glass. “Looks like we’re definitely dealing with another necromancer. And he knows about me. Think he knows about Adam?”

  Kara rubbed her hands up and down her jeans.

  Ewan furrowed his brow. “Question is, how many more zombies do we have running around the city?”

  I shifted the ice bag on my knee. “Whatever the number, I’m about to increase it by one revenant.”

  * * * *

  Adam’s body lay before me on the porch. Again. I closed my eyes. Kara had redrawn the diagram on my hand and left. I wanted to be alone this time. I clutched my necklace. I was tired of people around me dying.

  I breathed, reaching deep into my diaphragm, using the breaths to extract my fear and clear my mind. The door materialized. I approached, my steps tentative, and forced out any wayward thoughts. I placed my palm against the rough wood, feeling it vibrate, a sensation that seeped into my bones and turned into a hum, as if bees had invaded my body, hypnotizing me.

  I turned the knob and pushed.

  Lights flashed against my eyelids, and a jolt of arcane power electrified my body. My power had plugged me into a light socket, the socket that powered the universe. I heard myself moan. I had almost forgotten how exhilarating the power felt, caressing my body in waves of ecstasy.

  I’d done it. I wanted to weep, but instead bit my mouth hard in an effort to stay focused, tasting blood.

  With trembling hands, I took my knife and held out my palm with the diagram. I clenched my fist to stop the shaking, then made a small slice in my flesh across from the first cut covered with a Band-Aid. The currents of power flowing through me blocked out the throbbing pain from the fresh cut. Fascinated, I stared at my palm and watched as the blood filled in the outline of the diagram, covering the black ink of the Sharpie. Cool.

  I extended my hand over Adam’s body and squeezed until drops fell on his face. I closed my eyes and saw streams of arcane energy flow from my body into his, entering his eyes, nose, and mouth until his entire body glowed. A sharp shock up my spine made me jerk upright. The pain was . . . exquisite. I pulled my hand back, feeling the blood drip down my arms.

  Adam shot up, his face contorted in confusion and shock, a person waking from a nightmare. Beads of sweat trickled down my back.

  “Why?” he rasped. He seized my blood-soaked wrist. “What’s happening to me? Who?” His eyes pierced mine, the blue irises burning. The pain in my body intensified. I tried to pull my wrist out of his iron grasp. My throat squeezed, and I alternately coughed and gasped for air.

  “Kara,” I called out, my voice weak. No way she heard that. My vision shook. He was pulling me under the currents of energy. If I didn’t regain control, I’d be a dead necromancer. Cora’s words from the journal invaded my mind . . . maybe Danielle lacked the strength.

  Rasping my teeth, I dug deeper and ripped more power out and into Adam. The effort threw me back on my ass. Blackness overtook me.

  I drifted in and out of consciousness, barely registering when Ewan picked me up. I was shivering uncontrollably and whimpered my complaint when he removed his arms to place me on a couch. I heard a sigh and was faintly aware of him sitting next to me, but I was very much aware
when he enveloped me in his arms again. They felt good—Christ—he felt good.

  Jax popped his head in. “Uh, I see you’re making yourself comfortable.”

  “Shut up, Jax, and get some tea,” Ewan grated.

  “Sheesh, try not to get them in a bind,” Jax said, leaving on his errand.

  The raise had torn my emotional compartments apart, and I had nothing to bind me together, nothing except Ewan’s arms. I snuggled closer to his chest and sought oblivion, that comatose state of mind and soul, all emotion powered off.

  I woke alone on the couch in the demon study, my hand bandaged, my body cold, but definitely not the bone marrow freeze of before. That was nuts. In all my raisings, I’d never reacted so violently. I closed my eyes and focused on my body. The breath caught in my throat when I detected a slight pressure in my chest. An image of Adam’s body flashed in my mind, his eyes opening—I flung my lids open. Steam wafted from a cup of tea on the table. I gulped down the black liquid and let the warmth seep through my body, thawing me out.

  Ewan strode into the room. He wore jeans and a black sweater, the sleeves pulled up to reveal his arms. Oh shit. I remembered him holding me and me cuddling up to him like some purring kitten. He poured a drink then sat on the chair in front of me.

  I looked toward the fire and cleared my throat. “Where’s Adam? Was I successful?”

  “Yes, quite. After you passed out, we took Adam to another room, let him work things out. Jax is with him.”

  He searched my face, but I kept it turned to the fire.

  “I wanted to tell you thanks for, ah, helping me when I passed out.” My face heated in scattered pinpricks at remembering the strength of his arms, the feel of his skin as he held me. “My reaction was more extreme than I remember.” More pinpricks. “From the raise.” I needed to shut up now.

  He pretended not to notice the foot in my mouth. “You were in shock. You don’t have to thank me. I rather enjoyed holding you. Seemed to me you rather liked it too.”

  I almost spit out the tea in my mouth. His expression was intent, serious. I put my mug down, clasped my hands and stared at the flames licking the walls of the fireplace, telling myself the warmth spreading between my legs was caused by the hot fire.

  He put his drink down and leaned forward, resting his arms on his thighs while his hands dangled between his legs. His closeness made the warmth drift to my center and pulse softly. “I want to know what you felt about me holding you, about our kiss.” He leaned closer and brushed his hand against my cheek.

  “Look Ewan, I’m attracted to you . . .”

  “But—” He tilted his head to the side, eyes glowing.

  “There’s a lot going on right now. I’m having a hard enough time focusing on the necromancy and my teaching. I think I’m overwhelmed.”

  His expression was inscrutable. “You don’t trust me because I’m a demon.” He shifted back in his chair. “I haven’t quite figured out why, but I think the problem is you don’t trust yourself.”

  I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him he didn’t know what he was talking about, but the right words failed to materialize. Jax entered the room followed by a man, shorter than Jax, but average in size, with surfer-tossed, dirty blond hair. Adam.

  Ewan kept his gaze fixed to mine and raised his eyebrow, which I took to mean this conversation wasn’t over.

  “How’re you feeling?” Jax asked as he plopped on the couch next to me. He waved his hand at Adam. “Meet your revenant.”

  Adam didn’t move from his position just inside the doorway. He looked around the room before slanting his blue eyes at me. The pressure in my chest intensified, and I realized it must be the bond. He looked normal enough. I expelled the breath I’d held when he walked in the room. Maybe it’s worse that he looks normal, like the serial killers that resemble the guy next door or the respectable businessman. Turn your back, and you’re dead.

  I had no one to ask for advice on how to control a revenant. I was alone with my monster. The cold seeped back into my limbs. He was scared too. And pissed.

  “You don’t have to look like you’re about to get hacked up by Michael Myers. Although the thought has crossed my mind,” Adam said.

  “Sorry, I don’t quite know what to say,” was my lame reply.

  “How about why for starters?”

  “Maybe I can provide an answer,” Malthus said as he strode into the room.

  The more I stared at Adam, the more I noticed something off about him . . . well, more than the fact that he was a reanimated corpse.

  Adam noticed my stare. “What? Is my flesh falling off or something?”

  “No, it’s just . . .” That’s it. “You’re not breathing.”

  Adam’s hands flew to his chest, then down to his stomach where he kept them for a few seconds. “Damn, you’re right. Creepy.”

  I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped my lips. “Sorry, but you have to get the irony, no?” A revenant, the very embodiment of all creepiness, disturbed by his lack of body functions?

  Adam just crossed his arms across his chest and focused his glare on Malthus. “You were saying?”

  “Adam, please sit down,” Malthus said.

  Adam took one of the large swivel chairs next to Malthus’s desk. He rested his ankle on his knee and sat back, recrossing his arms in front of his chest.

  “I must first apologize for disturbing your rest. I convinced Ruby to raise you,” Malthus said.

  I pulled the blanket close to my chest in a tight swaddle, suddenly overwhelmed by the events of the last twenty-four hours.

  “She succeeded quite brilliantly,” he continued, pride evident in his tone, and Jax patted my leg.

  Adam furrowed his brows. He didn’t seem impressed, and Malthus said, “Adam, someone is killing supernaturals. You are not the only victim, but you are the most recent. We hope the memories of your death will help us discover the person or persons behind the murders.”

  I sensed Adam’s confusion and anger through our bond, hitting me like a combination of indigestion and heartburn. The bond would take some getting used to.

  Adam didn’t speak, apparently not willing to cooperate. I realized I could compel him to answer our questions, but forcing him would only make him fight back. I’d raised him from the dead against his will. He needed to feel like he had some control. I could identify with that.

  Silence oppressed the air. The urge to cry overcame me, and I eyed Adam, noticing pain flashing across his features. Was he thinking about Jenna? He had found peace in death, and we’d ripped it away from him. I closed my eyes, concentrating on the sadness in our bond, and attempted to soothe the pain, like smothering a scratch with ointment. I opened my eyes to find Adam staring at me, his eyes wide. His jaw softened. “Cael, his name was Cael.”

  “Cael is the person who killed you?” Ewan asked.

  “I don’t know who killed me, but I remember that name. He was there when the lights went out, so to speak. He’s a necromancer.”

  The three demons exchanged looks. “I don’t know of a necromancer named Cael in this part of the country,” Malthus said, his expression thoughtful. “Are you sure his name was Cael? Do you remember anything else?” he asked Adam.

  Adam’s face reddened, and his anger seeped through me once again. Too soon, it’s too soon to drill him about his death when he is still coping with life.

  “Malthus,” I said. “Why don’t we call it a night?” I yawned.

  “You’re right,” he responded. “It’s been quite eventful. Ewan, can you see to everyone?” Malthus glanced my way, gave me a small nod, and left the room.

  The thought of where to house Adam occurred to me at Malthus’s words. I knew we needed to stay close, but didn’t think an instant roommate was the solution. Seems he was thinking along the same lines.

  “So am I relegated to haunting the cemetery?”

  “Probably not a good idea for you to return to your apartment,” Jax said. “Plenty of room here
.”

  “Adam, is that okay?” I asked.

  “Sure, back from the dead to live with the demons. Sure, everything is just dandy.” He flicked his gaze upward to stare at the ceiling.

  “I can talk to Kara tomorrow, get some ideas . . .”

  He whipped his head toward me, eyes blazing. “No. I’m not staying with any witches. I’ll help you find this goddamned killer, but don’t involve the coven. I’ll stay at the demon cave.”

  The vehemence in his tone made me squeeze my blanket tight. I wasn’t going to suggest he stay at the coven or with Kara. I knew that was a bad idea. I sighed. Raising Adam had been the easy part. He’d agreed to help us, and we were communicating, sort of. We weren’t best buddies, but we’d settled upon a rocky ledge. It’d hold—until his cravings kicked in.

  Chapter Eleven

  I found myself back at the demon lair the next morning, which surprised me, given the exertion of raising Adam. I expected to pass out in bed and wake up three days later, but I was wired, hopping. My power had simulated a caffeine injection straight to the vein.

  Gus answered the door and left me standing in the foyer, muttering that he’d fetch Ewan. I’d come to see Adam, but explaining that to Gus was futile, so I waited, stretching my sore knee and grunting at the pokes of pain.

  Ewan strolled into the foyer wearing black suit pants and a blue silk shirt, the top buttons undone, tie loosened and hanging down his chest. I inhaled to calm my fluttering nerves, remembering our interrupted conversation from last night.

  “You demons clean up nicely,” I said.

  “I’m going to see the New York demons about the breach.”

  I avoided his eyes, not wanting him to see my disappointment. “How long will you spend in New York?”

  “A few hours.”

  My head snapped up. “I don’t understand.”

  “The portal. We can travel around the human realm using the portal.”

  Excitement sizzled my fingertips. My list of to dos today included calling one of the few remaining prominent necromancers to ask him about Cael. He lived in New York. I’m a firm believer in face-to-face contact.