The Necromancer: The Reluctant Apprentice

by Rani Clark

  “Goodnight, honey.”

  Ty didn’t pick up his backpack as he slumped to his room. He fell onto the bed and, much to his surprise, fell right asleep without any thoughts of what was going to happen in his head.

  * * *

  Lilly Ann brewed tea. Elias would be there in a few minutes. Even if he was a monster tea would help her think. She glanced at Ty who was pacing. Her heart hiccupped when she saw him, when she thought about what was going on. With Jaska being gone she felt it was now her responsibility to protect Ty. Jaska cared for him unlike anything she had seen before. Part of her had been certain something romantic was going on, but with this new information she knew there wasn’t. When the doorbell rang, she told Ty and Margo to go to their rooms and not to come out until she came to get them. It was the only thing she could think of to do to keep them away from this conversation she didn’t want to have.

  Elias Kircher stood at the door in his long coat, looking very nice and friendly. How he always looked. “Ms. Byrne,” he said with a smile. “It’s a pleasure.”

  “I wish I could say the same. Come in.”

  Elias stepped in, taking off his coat as he did so. “I was surprised to hear you wanted to speak to me. Least of all from Ty.”

  “Yes, well. Have a seat. Would you like some tea?”

  “Yes, please.”

  She finished making their tea before having a seat across from him. He crossed his legs with a smile. “Elias, you’re-”

  “I know what I am, Ms. Byrne. I am very aware of it, actually. Start with something else. You want to know about Ty and me.”

  She glared, “Yes, I do. He told me you slept together. You’re an adult, he’s a child. Any normal person is going to call that rape. The law will call that rape.”

  “I know. However, it wasn’t. He wanted to.”

  “I highly doubt that. What did you say to him to get him to do that?”

  Elias sipped his tea, “Nothing.” He looked down the hall, “I’m going to be one hundred percent honest with you since that seems to be what you want. When Ty came over that day your father assaulted me I thought about doing something to him. Slipping him a drug in the drink I gave him would have been easy. Despite the fact that I would have been attacked by Mr. Ragnar, I thought perhaps I could get him to keep quiet. I even picked up the bottle.”

  Lilly Ann watched him pause and sip his tea, looking thoughtful. She heard the sincerity in his words, but that was what his kind did. They made others feel safe and secure when all they wanted was to hurt them in the harshest of ways. “You expect me to believe you?”

  “There is nothing I can do to show you how serious I am.” He set his tea on the coffee table, “Ty is a wonderful young man. It’s a shame his father is such an ass. When I was with him last night I couldn’t help but think it. I told him I loved him. Which I do.”

  “You can’t love him.”

  “Hm. Do you know how many hours I spend on the phone listening to him talk about his day? And being genuinely interested. I care what he does. Trust me, the children I’ve preyed upon in the past didn’t get nearly as much attention. All I had to do was get them to trust me enough to want to see my clocks and take a drink or a treat from me. Then tell them they would get into trouble if they told anyone what I did to them. Simple. Easy. Not nearly as complicated as a long-distance relationship with someone. I never told him not to tell you, that was his decision.”

  Lilly Ann was beginning to find it hard to poke holes in his story. Other than the fact that he was a child predator she would have thought he was talking about a normal relationship. “The fact that he’s seventeen makes all of that void.”

  “In normal circumstances. He’ll be eighteen in July, he can do what he wants then.” He picked up his tea and sipped, “I prefer fourteen and fifteen-year-old’s. Once they hit sixteen my attraction stops. Why on earth would I be interested in someone who will be a legal adult? I don’t like adults.”

  “It isn’t my job to know how people like you think.”

  Elias sipped his tea, “I’ve said my piece. I don’t know what more you want.”

  “I want you to leave Ty alone.”

  “I don’t want to. I’m sure he told you I'm a werewolf.”

  “He did. I don’t understand what that has to do with-”

  “Trust me, I won’t be prosecuted if you call the police.” Elias stood, “Unless there’s anything else?” He reached into his coat and took out three letters. “Jaska’s letters.”

  She took them, “Thank you. If you continue this thing with Ty I’ll do more than call the police.”

  Elias took out his phone and texted quickly before slipping it back into his pocket. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for the tea, Ms. Byrne.”

  “Do you think I’m joking?”

  “Oh no, I know you are quite serious. I’m sure you would kill me if you could.”

  Ty came in just then, “Are you already-?”

  Lilly Ann watched as he took Ty up in a hug, dipped him, and kissed him deeply. She clenched her fists. Elias brought Ty back up. “See you later.”

  Ty stared after him. He shook his head, “How was your talk with him?”

  “He’s lucky I didn’t hit him.” She looked at him, “How can you think this is ok?”

  “What did he say to you?”

  “He said how he thought about drugging you and taking advantage of you the first time you went over to the shop alone.”

  “He wanted to drug me?”

  “Yes and he said he didn’t because he wants something with you.” Lilly Ann sighed, “You’ll be eighteen in a few months. I can’t control what you do about this. I do wish you would listen to me.”

  Ty nodded, “I know.”

  She hugged him tightly, “I don’t want to see you hurt.” She wiped her eyes, “Did your parents have the talk with you?”

  Red seeped into his cheeks, “Yes, but . . . probably a different talk than I needed,” he stated quietly.

  “Oh honey, trust me it’s pretty much the same thing only now you don’t have to worry about getting someone pregnant.” She finally got a laugh out of him, “The stance is the same. I hope you used protection.”

  “Yes, we did. Elias made sure of it.” Ty cleared his throat, “I don’t really want to talk about this.”

  “I know. I don’t like making you uncomfortable, but I needed to know.”

  Ty nodded, “For what it’s worth I’m sorry that I’m disappointing you.”

  “You aren’t.” She put her arm around him, “Come on, I think some burgers are in order. Margo!”

  All she could do was hope her talk had helped. She didn’t want him to feel bad about dating someone, but this wasn’t something that should continue. If she found a way to get in touch with Mr. Ragnar, she might be able to get the necromancer to threaten Elias for her. He might actually listen then.

  * * *

  Ty leaned back on the bed, trying not think about Elias being gone. The man was putting on the suit he had thrown on the floor the moment Ty had walked in the door. The teen hadn’t had the chance to tell him of his worries before his clothes had come off. He sat up and watched Elias fasten his tie and smooth out his hair.

  “Lilly Ann told me you told her you thought about drugging me.”

  “I did.” Elias smiled at him, “I obviously didn’t. I honestly thought about it. I looked at you and thought about touching you and kissing you and then I realized I wanted you conscious and compliant.”

  “Is-is that the only reason?”

  Elias stepped forward and pulled him to stand. “I wanted you to want me.”

  Ty smiled at the words, his stomach fluttering, “Wow. You’re making me want to do anything.”

  “I think I like that proposition, but I’m pretty hungry. Shall we?”

  Ty walked with him out the door. They decided to eat at an Italian place tonight. Elias talked and joked. Ty asked him questions about himself, Elias did his best to answe
r them. It was what he assumed would be a normal date for everyone. As they waited for dessert he decided to ask a question that might bring down the mood.

  “You care what I do right? You aren’t just asking me questions to get me into bed.”

  Elias laughed, “No. Trust me, you would know if I was doing it just for that. Ask me anything about you and I will answer truthfully.”

  “Ok. What’s my favorite food?”

  “Thai food. Next.”

  “Color?”

  “Blue.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yes.” Elias laughed, “I want to get to know you before I take my pants off. With anyone else,” he shrugged, “like I give a damn.”

  Ty chuckled, “Ok. Want to go for a walk after? It’s starting to snow. I love the snow, I like walking around in it.”

  “Have you ever made out in the snow?”

  “You know I haven’t.”

  “It’s fun.” Elias reached over and took his hand, “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Walking through the snow after a desert of chocolate lava cake made Ty content with the world. Elias’s body heat seeped into Ty, making him walk closer to the man next to him. The clouds in the sky glowed as the snow fell lightly at first and then began to fall in larger flakes. Ty shivered as the wind cut through his coat. Elias steered them into the park, walking along the paths. They weren’t the only ones there. Joggers and a few people coming home from a late night at work were always there no matter how bad the weather. The man smiled and faced him, stopping them from walking.

  “I don’t want to leave tomorrow,” Elias chuckled. “I can’t believe that I’m falling for someone. Well, already fallen.”

  “I don’t want you to leave.” He wrapped his arms around Elias, “Can’t you stay for a little while? I mean, your shop is alright, isn’t it?”

  Elias rubbed his back, “It’ll be harder to go back the longer I stay.”

  “I guess.” Ty looked up at him, “Let’s go back to the hotel. I’m cold and if this is your last night here it should be something special.”

  “I have a few ideas.” Elias breathed in the cold air, “We, however, used all of the condoms I had so we’ll have to make a stop.” He took his hand and they continued their walk through the park. “Are you staying with me tonight?”

  “Yes. Now that she knows, I’m not going to hide.”

  “Good to know.” He watched as a man walked passed them. He looked to be coming home from work.

  Ty stayed in the car that Elias had rented while the man ran into the drug store to pick up what they needed. Both of them thought it best if he didn’t give anyone a reason to question them. Elias came back with a small bag. He slid into the car and shut the door, setting the bag down in the middle. Ty glanced at it.

  “I thought you were just getting-?”

  “I picked up a few other things.”

  Ty looked out the window as they drove back to the hotel. The snow was coming down harder and in flurries. Elias parked in the designated spot beside the hotel and got out. Ty reached for the handle, but was surprised when his companion opened the door for him. No one had ever opened a door for him. Elias smiled his arrogant smile and took his hand. When they got up to the room he didn’t take off his clothing right away. The last two times that this had happened, Ty had barely had time to breathe before he had been tackled. He smiled when Elias took his coat and hung it on the coatrack by the door. He did the same for his own coat. Ty sat down on the bed and waited to be told what they were going to be doing.

  Elias reached into the bag and took out ice cream and two spoons. He placed it in the small freezer by the table. He sat next to Ty and kissed him gently, “If you wish to sleep with me tonight I won’t say no, but I think I would like it if we could simply hold each other.”

  Ty’s eyes grew wide, “You-you want to do that?”

  “Yes. We can watch a movie.”

  He nodded vigorously, “That would be great.”

  Elias smiled and stood again. Ty watched him undress before getting into his own pajamas. The two laid on the bed, Elias turned on a movie before taking Ty in his arms. Ty snuggled up to him and smiled. He listened to Elias’s heartbeat as he breathed in and out. His eyes began to close in the darkness of the room.

  * * *

  Ty put his hands in his pockets as he walked home from the hotel. Elias’s goodbye had been depressing; he wasn’t looking forward to being alone again. It wasn’t about the physical aspect of whatever kind of relationship this was. He liked having a companion. He liked having someone to talk to like he talked to Elias. Going back to the apartment meant facing Lilly Ann. He couldn’t take the disappointed looks she gave him and he knew Margo was disgusted by what he was doing.

  Lilly Ann was making hot chocolate as they decorated their Christmas tree. Ty locked the door behind him, trying to be quiet but Margo noticed him.

  “Hey, finally. We thought you got lost,” she remarked.

  Ty nodded, “The tree looks great.” He thought it was a bit early, it wasn’t even Thanksgiving yet.

  Lilly Ann came in from the kitchen and gave him a tight hug, “Oh honey, I missed you.”

  “I missed you too. I hope I didn’t worry you when I didn’t come home.”

  “No. I knew where you were so.” She forced a smile, “How was your night?”

  “Fun. We went to dinner and took a walk in the park. It was nice watching a movie with him. All he wanted was to cuddle.” Ty smiled at the memory, “He even knew my favorite color.”

  Lilly Ann nodded, “I’m sure he does.”

  “Don’t say it like that. Don’t make it sound like something sinister.” Ty took the hot chocolate he was handed. “Is Jaska going to come back for Christmas?”

  Lilly Ann sighed, “I don’t know. I hope so. I miss him more and more every day.” She wiped her eyes, “I’m sure he’s fine. His letters make him sound fine.”

  Ty knew the truth. Jaska’s letters to him weren’t like they were to Lilly Ann or Margo. Jaska was depressed and cried all of the time. Maybe it had gotten better over the past few weeks, then again maybe it hadn’t. He liked to think that it had. As he sipped his hot chocolate there was a click and a letter slid to the floor through the slot. Lilly Ann stepped forward and picked it up. The envelope was a pale yellow color and addressed to her. She opened it and took out the letter.

  “Oh my god,” she gasped.

  “What's wrong?” Margo asked.

  “Nothing's wrong. It-it’s Jaska. We get to see him.” She smiled, tears glinting in her eyes. “We have to go back to Germany, but we get to see him.”

  Ty smiled, “When do we have to be there?”

  “Thanksgiving. We can make the trip there for the holiday. I-I have to call my parents.”

  Margo sniffled, “I miss him so much.”

  Ty hugged her, “I can’t wait to see him. Thanksgiving in Germany should be fun. Do they even have that there?”

  “Dunno, but it doesn’t matter. Mr. Ragnar will be there too.” Margo sighed, “I hate that man.”

  “Me too.” His heart suddenly pounded. What if Jaska found out about what he was doing with Elias?

  Lilly Ann came back into the room, “Alright, off to Germany we go. Of course, you’ll have to ask your parents, Ty. I can’t take you out of the country without their knowledge.”

  “They don’t care. My dad told me he never wanted to see me again, I doubt they’ll care where I go, but if you want I’ll ask them.”

  “Do you want me to go with you?”

  “Yes. I don’t want to walk in the snow.” He doubted he would be fine. If his mother wasn’t home he didn’t think he could speak to his father.

  “We’ll pick up dinner on the way home, Margo. Feeling like Greek?”

  “Always.”

  “Great. We’ll be back.”

  Ty picked up his coat again and headed out the door, “They’ll want to know why.”

  “
Tell them we’re going for Thanksgiving. I understand if they want-”

  “My parents don’t celebrate that. They never have. I sometimes go over to a friend’s house.”

  “Oh honey.”

  “I’m fine. Lots of people don’t celebrate it. Don’t make a big deal about it, please.”

  “Alright, alright.”

  His father was the only one home judging by the car. He flinched, “I don’t think I can do this.”