The Necromancer: The Reluctant Apprentice

by Rani Clark

  Freddie laughed, “No. The Vladimir I know, the one I love, is an incredible man. He’s stoic at times, but incredibly sweet and thoughtful. I’m glad I got the adult version.”

  He looked at the bright woman who was dating his murderer of a teacher. “Freddie, why did Mr. Ragnar kill his wife?”

  Freddie looked back at him as she fluffed a pillow, “Who told you that?”

  “Monarch.”

  “There’s a lot that Vladimir did that I don’t approve of, but I know he did it. Just leave him be about it. It isn’t your business and if he wants to tell you, he’ll tell you.”

  “Sorry.” He shook out the comforter and put it back on the bed. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Freddie took an extra pillow from the closet, “You didn’t. Don’t worry about what he did in the past.”

  “Ok.” He found it disturbing that Freddie knew Mr. Ragnar had killed his wife and children.

  “Are you excited to see Jackson again?”

  “I don’t know. He-he might not want to see me, I did reject him.”

  “Everyone rejects him, no one likes him. I haven’t talked to him enough to know the reason.”

  He heard a loud knock on the front door. “Go say hi,” she said. “Trust me.”

  Jaska sighed and went down the stairs, not sure why Freddie thought he should say hi to Jackson. Kelis was taking a large box from the young man who was soaked from the snow. Jackson took off his hat.

  “Tell Mrs. Vivian that I couldn’t get any parsnips,” he said in his Boston drawl. “Sorry.”

  “Well.” Kelis moved his jaw, “Thank you.”

  “No problem, but I did find the-” he stopped. “Jaska?”

  Jaska cleared his throat, “Hello, Jackson.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Ariana was Mr. Ragnar’s teacher,” he said quietly. “We’re staying the night.”

  Ariana stepped into the room, wiping her hands on her apron, “Jackson, you’re soaked. Do you want to stay for dinner?”

  “I would love to.” Jackson took off his coat and hung it by the door, slipping the hat from his head as he did so. He ruffled his hair. “Do you need any help cooking?”

  “No, but I would love if you would help Jaska set the table.” Ariana handed Jackson a stack of bowls and small plates. She handed Jaska glasses and silverware.

  Jackson glanced at him as they walked into the dining room. “Wow, don’t look so unhappy,” he remarked.

  “Sorry. I’m just tired.” He waited for Jackson to set the placemats down before he began to place the glasses.

  Jackson stepped around him, setting the bowls down as he leaned in close. “Are you alright? You look a little sick.”

  “I’m fine, but I would be better if you would get your hip away from my lower back.”

  “That isn’t my hip.”

  Jaska shook his head, “Please stop.”

  Jackson stepped back, “I was kidding, relax. You told me no, I’m not going to force you. God, I’m not a jackass. Well. I’m not a big one.”

  Jaska frowned, “I-I’m sorry, Jackson. I’m under a lot of stress and . . . to be honest, I’m bad at taking a joke.”

  “Yeah, I got that.” He motioned to Lantern, “What is that, exactly?”

  “Oh, this is Lantern. He’s a Mothman. I take care of him.”

  “He’s adorable.” Jackson bent down to shake Lantern’s hand, but the creature leapt forward and hugged him. “Oh. Ok. Nice to meet you too.”

  Jaska stared, “He-he never does that. He doesn’t like strangers.” This was the first time he had seen Lantern so excited to see another person. “I guess he must really like you.”

  “You don’t look happy about that,” he joked, standing up.

  “No, it isn’t that.”

  Mr. Ragnar stepped into the dining room with a plate of freshly cut bread. “Dinner guys,” he said. “I fixed Lantern a plate of vegetables and fruit. He’s going to have to drink out of a regular cup so keep an eye on him.”

  Ariana came out with the pot of stew and served it into bowls. Freddie sat at one end of the table with Mr. Ragnar on her right, Ariana was at the head of the table.

  “Where’s Kelis?” Jaska asked.

  “It’s eating habits aren’t very dinner party friendly. I’m used to it, but it offered to eat in its room tonight.” Ariana smiled, “Everyone dig in. I hope you like it, I normally just have to cook for one.”

  “Thank you for allowing me to stay for dinner,” Jackson said. “This is delicious.”

  “No problem, the more the merrier. The storm is getting worse though, I’m thinking you should stay the night.”

  “I won’t argue with that. I really don’t want to brave that snow,” he replied with a chuckle.

  Jaska tuned out for most of dinner. Surprisingly enough, Lantern was fine with his glass though he drank slower than usual. Not wanting to be rude, he finished his bowl of stew even though it made him sick to do so. He took everyone’s bowls when they were finished, offering to do the dishes to keep from having to talk to anyone. Lantern sat with Jackson on the couch in the living room with everyone else as he scrubbed the plates and the bowls. He was tired from not sleeping and close to passing out on his feet.

  Monarch appeared beside him, “You look incredibly ill.”

  “I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

  “You shouldn’t have eaten all that.”

  “I didn’t want to be rude.” He finished with the last bowl, “Have you found anything?”

  “I’m sorry to say no. I’m trying though, I just wanted to see how you were doing.” Monarch put his hand on his shoulder, “Call me if you need anything.”

  Jaska nodded, “Ok.” He wiped his hands on the towel and walked slowly to the living room, “Mr. Ragnar?” He hated to disturb the talking and laughing.

  “Yes?”

  “I-I’m going to bed. Do you mind watching Lantern for me?”

  “That’s fine. Are you feeling alright?”

  “No.” He felt heat rising in his cheeks and his stomach lurched. He turned and ran up the steps, bursting into the bathroom before violently heaving his dinner into the toilet. Acid stung his nose and his eyes watered as he vomited.

  He groaned at the pains in his stomach, his chest hurt. He heard the door open. “It wasn’t the cooking,” he gasped before throwing up again.

  “I know.” Mr. Ragnar put his hand on his back, “Next time, just eat as much as you’re comfortable with. No one will be upset.”

  Jaska took a deep breath, his stomach settling down now that it was empty. He leaned back away from the toilet. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” He helped him stand before taking a bottle of mouth wash from the cupboard. He poured a small amount into the cap, “Rinse your mouth.”

  Jaska did as he was told. “Thanks.”

  “It’s one of the things I’m here for. Go to bed, I’ll take care of Lantern.”

  He nodded and skulked to the bedroom. He figured Freddie and Mr. Ragnar would want the larger day bed so he sat on the bottom of the bunk bed before taking off his shoes and pants. With a groan, he curled up underneath the covers and closed his eyes. He woke up to Lantern prodding him.

  “Buddy, I’m tired,” he said quietly. Freddie and Mr. Ragnar were fast asleep in each other’s arms on the day bed.

  Lantern pointed to the top bunk with his claws, making a cooing noise. Jaska could hear snoring so he assumed Jackson was up there asleep. “I hear him. Go to sleep.” But Lantern tugged on his shirt and pointed again. “I’m not going to go up there if that’s what you want. Is that what you want?” Lantern nodded. “No. Go to sleep.”

  Lantern growled lightly but crawled underneath the covers. Jaska fell back asleep quickly only to be woken up by Mr. Ragnar in the morning.

  “We’re going to have some breakfast and then go home.” He helped him sit up, “How are you feeling?”

  “Sick. I think dry toast will ma
ke me feel a little better.”

  “I also made you some tea. Lantern’s been taken care of by Jackson of all people. That little creature really likes him.”

  “Yeah.” He stood up and put his pants on, “I’m sorry to be so miserable around your teacher, sir.”

  “It’s fine. Although she’s given me quite a talking to about your well-being.” Mr. Ragnar chuckled, “Come on.”

  Lantern was sitting on Jackson’s lap. He stood up when Jaska sat down, “I have to get going, my cab’s here. It was nice to see you again, Jaska.”

  “It was nice seeing you too,” he said, watching the young man go. Lantern looked at Jaska and motioned with his claws to go after him. “We’re not going after him, sit down.”

  Ariana chuckled, “Lantern really likes him. I think he wants you to like him too.”

  Jaska looked at Lantern who was sipping a glass of milk. He didn’t understand why the creature wanted him to like Jackson. “Yeah he woke me up to tell me that,” he muttered. “Thank you again for having us here.”

  “It isn’t a problem, I like the company.” Ariana smiled, “And if I may say so, I think you have Jackson quite captivated.”

  Jaska blushed, “Excuse me?”

  “He only had eyes for you. Young love is so sweet, I don’t think I remember being so moon-eyed.”

  “Moon-eyed?”

  “All it means is that he could have stared at you all day with eyes as big as the moon. That boy is in love with you.”

  Jaska nodded, “I know,” was all he said.

  When the cab showed up Mr. Ragnar hugged Ariana tightly, obviously sad to be going. Jaska shook her hand and was the first in the cab. He just wanted to leave. Freddie sat next to him, leaving Mr. Ragnar to talk to Ariana alone.

  “Are you ok, sweetie?” Freddie asked.

  “Just feeling a little sick.”

  “Was it nice seeing Jackson again? You two seem to hit it off. I’ve never seen him look at anyone like that.”

  “Yeah.”

  Mr. Ragnar climbed into the cab and gave the driver the go-ahead. “Excellent first meeting, I think.”

  Jaska nodded, but all he could think about was what Ariana had said. He didn’t want someone to be in love with him, he barely wanted friends. Jackson was obvious about it apparently, he hadn’t noticed anything at dinner.

  “Something wrong?”

  Tears began to leak from his eyes, he couldn’t control them. He shook his head, “He can’t love me because I can’t love him.”

  “Sweetie, you don’t need to cry,” Freddie told him. “It’s alright not to love Jackson, no one is asking you to.”

  Mr. Ragnar reached out and took his hand, squeezing it lightly. Jaska yanked his hand back, “Don’t touch me,” he snapped, leaning his head against the cold window. He was silent for the rest of the drive.

  When they arrived home, he skulked into the house and went upstairs to take a shower. Lantern immediately went to play with his blocks in front of the fireplace. He turned up the shower to full blast, letting it heat up before stripping and stepping inside the stream. Being liked by someone hadn’t ever bothered him that much before, but with Jackson it was different. He had hurt Ty unintentionally and didn’t want to do that again although Jackson had taken the rejection well. He hadn’t acted like it even bothered him.

  “You ok?”

  Jaska flinched at the sound of his Spirit Guide. “Not really,” he replied as he rinsed shampoo from his hair. He turned off the shower, “Hand me a towel?”

  Monarch handed him a black towel, “How was your visit with Mrs. Vivian?”

  “She was nice.” He stepped from the shower and began to dry off, “It was weird seeing Mr. Ragnar like that. I don’t like seeing him as human.”

  “Fair enough. That can’t be all though.”

  “It’s about Jackson Bentley. He . . . I guess Ariana thinks he’s in love with me. I don’t want him to be in love with me because I can’t love him back. I feel awful about it and I don’t know why.”

  “You told him you weren’t interested.”

  “I know, but he still looks at me. I don’t want to hurt him.”

  “Why do you care? You don’t know him that well, there isn’t a reason you should care all that much.”

  “I care because Lantern likes him for some reason. I don’t know why it matters to me, but it does.” Jaska stepped into the bedroom and dressed in sweatpants and his gray hoodie. He scratched the mark on his chest, feeling it burn as he did so. “I’m going to go downstairs and practice, I guess.”

  Mr. Ragnar was at his desk looking through a book. Jaska looked at his master in silence before speaking, “Where’s Freddie?”

  “She went home.” He looked back at him, taking his reading glasses from his face, “Feel up to practicing today?”

  “Yes, that’s why I came down.” He stepped over to his desk and grabbed a marker and one of the books Mr. Ragnar had given him. He turned the pages, looking for something to draw on his hand when he came across a star mark. The star was sharp and surrounded by a circle. In the center of the star was a triangle and within the triangle another circle. “Sir, I heard your teacher tell you that fire magic is hard for necromancers.”

  Mr. Ragnar turned back to look at him, “Yes. Elemental anything is difficult for us. We can manage it if we practice. Why?”

  “Just wondering. I found a mark for-”

  “Don’t even think about it,” Mr. Ragnar snapped. He stood and took the book, “None of this, do you understand me? At least not until you get a handle on everything else.”

  “It was just a question.”

  “This coming from the boy who accidentally summoned a Demon Beast.” Mr. Ragnar shook his head, “I’m sorry to snap. I just don’t want you to get hurt and I don’t especially enjoy being hurt either.”

  “Sure. Can I have the book back?”

  He nodded, “Easy spells, please.”

  Jaska rolled his eyes and sat on the couch. He set the book down and decided to just practice the mist. He went through the exercises, making the mist heavier so he could try to form balls. He was able to make disks. Frowning, he lifted his hand and tossed the disk towards the wall. It hit the wall with a crack, denting the cement.

  “Don’t do that,” Mr. Ragnar said lightly, not turning around from whatever he was doing.

  “Sorry, sir.”

  “If you want to throw stuff you can throw it at me.” He stood, setting his glasses down on the desk, “Well?”

  “Ok.”

  Mr. Ragnar walked to stand in front of him. Jaska created a disk once again, molding it easier each time he did it. He tossed the disk at Mr. Ragnar who caught it and forced it to dissipate. “Good job. Again. A little more force this time.”

  Jaska felt Monarch appear behind him, his cold hands resting on his shoulders. “Ok.” If his teacher wanted force, he would give him force. Jaska held both of his hands up creating the heavy mist as he thought about the time Ty’s father had attacked him. He closed his eyes and pushed all of the power he could into a thick disk. Sweat began to pour down his forehead, his body shaking. He launched the pulsing disk at Mr. Ragnar.

  Mr. Ragnar looked surprised as he was knocked back into the wall, smacking his head into the cement before crumbling to the ground. Jaska let his hands drop. “Um, sir?” His master didn’t get up. “Sir?”

  Monarch stared, “Well. He did say to do it harder, didn’t he?”

  Jaska stepped over to Mr. Ragnar, turning him over onto his back. Blood dripped from a wound on the back of his head and there were bleeding gashes on his chest and palms; the disk had ripped his shirt. “I didn’t mean to do that.” He sighed, “Do you think you can help me put him on the couch?”

  “Of course.”

  With Monarch’s help he lifted his master onto the couch. “Watch him, I’m going to get Leif.”

  Leif was making tea in the kitchen, looking like he was having a pleasant enough morning. Jaska hated to
ruin it. “Um, Leif?”

  “Yeah? I heard a bang, how’s training going?”

  “I need the first aid kit. I kind of . . . hurt Mr. Ragnar.”

  Leif dropped the tea on the counter. He bent down and took a small white box from underneath the sink. Jaska followed him down to the basement. “I didn’t mean to,” he said as Leif took off Mr. Ragnar’s shirt.