by Rani Clark
“You alright?”
“No. I’m still tired. What time is it?”
“Ten. Vladimir wants you up and ready to go. Need any help getting upstairs?”
“No, I’ll be ok.” He stood with a yawn, “A steaming hot shower is going to help. Maybe.”
Lantern was worried about him. The creature stuck by his side, holding onto him. While he took a shower, Lantern sat waiting for him. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to stay with Leif until we get back.”
Lantern cooed, not looking happy at all. Jaska hopped out of the shower and dressed quickly to keep from getting too cold.
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
He looked at Monarch, who stood by the door, “I don’t either, but what can I do?”
“I don’t know. Jaska, I can’t go there with you.”
Jaska’s mouth dropped open, “What?”
“I can’t get into the Underground. It’s a dangerous place not for necromancers. Shear Kameleon is a monster, he doesn’t even have a Spirit Guide anymore. He took their power and they ceased to exist.”
“Does Mr. Ragnar know?”
“He does. He’ll do what he can to protect you. Please be careful. I don't want to have to be a Spirit Guide to another apprentice. I happen to enjoy your company."
"I'll try to be careful. Thanks for everything, Monarch."
His Spirit Guide tipped his hat and disappeared. Jaska hoped it wasn't the last time he saw him. He heard a shout as he left the room. Leif didn’t sound happy. In fact, he sounded like he was crying. Jaska noticed his bag was beside the door as he tied his shoes. He didn’t want to do this. He knew this would be tragic, painful, and end in heartbreak. Jaska took his bag and left the room.
Leif burst from his room, tears in his eyes and panic on his face. He stared at Jaska, “Don’t let him do this. Please,” he begged. “I can’t-”
“He told me not to listen to you. We’re going and . . . we’re going.”
Mr. Ragnar stepped from the room, “Leif, I need to show you where my important papers are in case of my death.”
“I don’t want to hear it. Stay here! Jaska can go with Mr. Kameleon.”
“I’m not going to make him go alone.” Mr. Ragnar reached out and gripped his shoulder, “Come on. Jaska, wait downstairs.”
Jaska nodded and went downstairs. Leif was panicking. Jaska didn’t blame him, what would he do if Mr. Ragnar was killed? He didn’t think making Mr. Ragnar do this was right, but he doubted that he could ever convince his master to do anything. He sat on the couch to wait for them to come down; Leif would be getting angrier and angrier. There was a knock on the door to break him from his thoughts so he stood to get it. Shear Kameleon was standing there with a smile on his face.
“Hello, Jaska,” he said in a voice so void of emotion that Jaska wanted to throw up.
“Hello. Come in.” He stepped aside and watched him step in before closing the door.
“Where is your master?” he asked, looking around.
“He’s talking to Leif. Not that it’s going well, I don’t think.”
“No, it wouldn’t. Has Vladimir told you about where we’re going?”
“A little. He said it was a labyrinth filled with monsters.”
“More or less. It’s a bit more complicated, but not by much.” He looked at him then, his eyes moving over him with a cold gaze. “I hope you’re up to it.”
“I’ll be fine. You don’t like Mr. Ragnar very much, do you?”
“What makes you say that?”
“When I met you, when he introduced you, I got the feeling that the two of you weren’t good friends. I’ve been with him long enough to recognize the hatred in his eyes.”
Shear laughed, “A boy after my own heart. No, we don’t get along. I don’t like that he’s with my sister the way he is, I don’t like his power, and I’m not a fan of his attitude. I’ve never liked him. When we were younger we often came to blows. Very violent ones in fact.”
“You knew him when he was a kid?”
Mr. Ragnar cleared his throat as he came down the steps, “We met when I was fifteen, Shear was sixteen.”
Jaska blushed a deep red, “Is Leif ok?” he asked quietly.
“No. He isn't taking my leaving in stride.” He sighed, “He is going to watch Lantern for you.”
“Can I talk to him? Or is he mad at me?”
“He’s in his room, go ahead while I speak to our guide.”
Jaska nodded and set down his bag. He heard Leif’s sobbing as he knocked on the door, pushing it open quietly. He didn’t want to leave his new friend like this. “Leif?”
“What?”
“I-I’m really sorry about this. I didn’t ask him to go. This was his idea.”
“I know.” Leif wiped his eyes, “It’s like I’m losing my parents all over again. He rescued me. He’s . . . he’s my dad.”
Jaska leaned against the closed door, “I’ll do everything I can to make sure he comes back. I don’t know how I can help, but I will.”
Leif began to cry again, “He showed me where his stuff was. I get everything if he dies. I don’t want everything. I want him.”
Jaska shook his head, “Maybe I can convince him not to go. I can go with Mr. Kameleon by myself. He’s creepy and weird, but Mr. Ragnar shouldn’t have to-”
“You being in this position is his fault. He brought you here and pushed you into necromancy.” Leif sniffled and wiped his eyes, “Be careful. Vladimir told me that if Mr. Kameleon comes back and you guys don’t, that I need to contact someone. Freddie, actually.”
“Yeah, that guy is her brother.”
Leif stood, “I’ll walk you guys out.” He folded his arms across his chest, “Don’t worry about Lantern. I’ll look after him.”
“Thank you, Leif. For the record, I am sorry about intruding on you. I know that it isn’t ideal for you and I’m screwing up what you have with Mr. Ragnar.”
“None of it is your fault so.”
Mr. Ragnar was talking to Shear in a hushed voice. He looked back as the two came down the steps. “We need to get going. We’re meeting someone at the train station.”
“Ok.”
Mr. Ragnar zipped up his coat, slipping on his gloves, “Don’t worry, Leif. We’ll be alright.”
Leif threw his arms around Mr. Ragnar in a display that Jaska had never seen; he didn’t think he ever saw the two hug. “Be careful. If you die . . . I can’t go into the land of the dead anymore to find you.”
“I’m not going to die, Leif.” He held him for a moment before he let go. He put his hand against his cheek, “I love you. I’ll be back.”
Lantern looked up at Jaska, his ears pinned back and tears in his giant eyes. Jaska hugged him tightly, "Be good for Leif. I promise I'll be back."
The creature cooed and rubbed his face against Jaska's cheek before he let go. Jaska felt his sotmach clench as he realized he was breaking Lantern's heart. The little Mothman had no concept of when he would be back. All he seemed to know was that Jaska was leaving and he didn't get to go with him.
Jaska waved slightly and walked out with the two men. He might never see his family again, never see Ty or help him with his life. This was happening too fast. “Mr. Ragnar?” he asked as they walked towards the cab.
“Yes?”
“If I die, will I go to that place we meditate to?”
Mr. Ragnar glanced at him, “As a necromancer, yes. Why?”
“I was just wondering.” He got into the cab beside his master and their tour guide. This was going to be a nightmare.
“Who are we meeting there, anyway?” Jaska asked to disrupt his thoughts.
Shear smiled, “A bodyguard of sorts.”
“A bodyguard?”
“Yes, she’s an incredible warrior. She can use a type of magic that isn’t extremely helpful unless you’re fighting so it’s perfect for our needs.”
Mr. Ragnar glanced at him, “Do we get a name?”
> “When you meet her. She’s an interesting woman.”
Jaska didn’t look forward to meeting anyone. He was tired of meeting people. Being comfortable with Mr. Ragnar had taken time and he didn’t like all of these new people. Shear was awful. He could only assume this woman would be awful to if Shear knew her enough to ask her to protect them.
The train station was bustling with activity at this time of year. Jaska followed with his head down, already freezing and not wanting to be here. Shear walked swiftly towards the middle of the station where a black train was waiting. As they walked he noticed a woman waiting beside the train. She was dressed in all black leather and had a large gun strapped to her thigh. Her short hair stuck up everywhere and her glasses were thick and round.
“There he is!” She ran forward and threw her arms around Shear much to Jaska’s amazement. “My baby brother!”
“Stop hugging me,” Shear growled.
Jaska leaned into Mr. Ragnar, “Did you know he had two sisters?”
“Yes, but I didn’t think he would ask her,” Mr. Ragnar said to him. “Kylie is-”
“Vladimir Ragnar,” the woman named Kylie greeted him with a frown.
“Hello, Kylie.”
She glared at him before speaking again, “I don’t know why you’re allowed to have an apprentice. You shouldn’t be.”
“You know, I haven’t done anything to my apprentices. Leif is perfectly fine so I don’t know why you insist on badgering me.” He shook his head, “This is my new apprentice Jaska Byrne.”
Kylie smiled and held out her hand, “Nice to meet you, I’m Kylie Hallows.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
“Let’s head out then.” Kylie turned, “The train’s going to leave in a few minutes.” She handed each of them their tickets.
Shear stepped onto the train and headed down a hallway. They located an empty car and moved inside, putting their bags up on the racks above the seats. Jaska sat close to Mr. Ragnar, away from Shear. Kylie sat next to her brother across from them. The train began to move slowly out of the station, blowing its whistle loudly. Jaska looked out the window as he listened to his traveling companions talk.
Kylie leaned back in her seat, “So we’re looking for Death’s Book. That isn’t a great thing to be looking for. We might not find it. We might get eaten by monsters and not even come close to that book. Is this such a wise idea?”
“We have no choice. Jaska is in danger and I’m not going to sit by and do nothing when there is something I can do. Or at least, try to do,” Mr. Ragnar interrupted. “Besides, he’s got the mark.”
Shear chuckled, “I suggested simply killing him, but he didn’t like that idea.”
Jaska looked at them. No one had asked him what he had felt about this or what he wanted to do. Rather than point it out he went back to staring out the window. Mr. Ragnar was the only one really looking out for him.
“Why would I want to kill him? Stop suggesting that.”
Kylie put her feet up on the empty seat, “Alright. If I see there’s a point where it’s hopeless, I’m gone.”
“Freddie won’t like you leaving her lover out like that,” Shear remarked.
Kylie rolled her eyes and glared at Mr. Ragnar, “God knows why our sister likes you.”
“Loves me and I don’t know why you care so much what your sister does or doesn’t do. She’s an adult and the only one of you who is technically the necromancer of your father’s estate. Shear is a lunatic and you practice warrior magic. I don’t want to hear you lecture me on what I do or who I do it with.”
Jaska stood from his seat, “Where’s the bathroom?”
Mr. Ragnar stood, “I’ll show you.”
Jaska followed him out, shivering, “They hate you.”
“And I hate them.” He glanced at Jaska, “You’re not too talkative. Not like you talk a lot, but it seems less.”
“I don’t like them. They hate me for this. Why don’t you just kill me? I mean, it wouldn’t hurt you would it?”
“It would hurt me a lot. Why would I want to kill you? I like you and I don’t enjoy killing children. Here’s the bathroom. Do you want me to wait for you?”
“No, I can make it back.” He went into the bathroom to use it, wishing things were turning out differently. If Mr. Ragnar was killed, Leif would hate him. Leif would blame him.
The car was silent when he came back. He sat down in the same spot again. Mr. Ragnar had a book in his hands that he was concentrating on. Part of him wanted to ask what it was though he knew it didn’t matter. He took out his journal and a pencil and began to practice his circles and symbols.
“Good job,” Mr. Ragnar said. “Though I don’t know if you really need to keep practicing.”
“Thank you, sir, but it keeps my mind occupied.” He continued to draw the circles. Kylie was staring at him with a frown.
The train picked up speed as the weather began to worsen. He looked out the window into the darkening landscape as the snow fell in flurries. They had been on the train the entire day and everyone was tired. Mr. Ragnar had fallen asleep beside him, the man was snoring lightly. Shear was asleep though he looked dead. Kylie was the only one still up. She was cleaning one of her guns.
“You should get some sleep,” Kylie told him. “It’s going to be a hell of a trip.”
“I’m not tired.”
She leaned forward, “You haven’t talked much. Mind if I ask you a few questions?”
Jaska shrugged, “Go ahead.”
“Why are you with Vladimir? Leif was an accident, I know, but what about you?”
Jaska wondered how much he should tell her. He doubted Mr. Ragnar would care all that much. “I saw him kill someone and he was worried that I would get hurt or someone would come and kill him. He forced me to be his apprentice and took me away from my family.” He shrugged, “But it isn’t as awful as it could have been. He barely raises his voice and Leif is nice.”
“He’s an awful man. One that I hate my sister for loving.”
She had known him longer than he had, but he didn’t think Mr. Ragnar was awful. He could be worse. “Freddie loves him, he loves her too. I was at the party she had and . . . they both seemed really happy to me.”
“My sister is a lot of things. She isn’t smart about men.” Kylie slipped the gun back into her jacket and took another gun from her pants. “What can you do so far?”
“Nothing.” He wasn’t sure why he lied. It had come out of his mouth before he could stop himself, but he didn’t correct the information. She didn’t need to know what he was capable of. He motioned to the weapons, “How come you didn’t want to become a necromancer?”
Kylie shrugged, “Well, our father always wanted all of us to be sibling sorcerers and all that. I hated the thought so I rebelled. Shear learned, but he’s . . . he’s himself. Camille was the only one fit to take our father’s estate.”
“Necromancy doesn’t seem that bad.”
“It isn’t. Call it being a teenager.” Kylie noticed him looking at the gun, “I’m really good with these.”
“I hope so. I don’t want to hurt Leif. If Mr. Ragnar dies he’ll be devastated. He loves Mr. Ragnar like a father. If he gets hurt I know that Leif will hate me. I’ll hate me too.”
“Why do you care? He took you away from everything you love.”
“I know.” Jaska put away his book and pen and slid them into his bag. He leaned back and closed his eyes to try to get some sleep.
He woke up to someone shaking him. “Huh?” he snorted.
“We’re nearly there.”
He sat up and yawned, “Ok.”
They were alone in the car. Mr. Ragnar was sitting across from him, concern lined his face. “Jaska, this is awful of me to ask you to do this. If you want to go back to our house while I do this that’s fine. I’m not going to-”
“Don’t I have to be there?”
“I can do this without you.”
“You’re really b
ad at lying, you know that? You do this weird thing with your left eyebrow.” Jaska stood, “I’ll be fine. I promised Leif I would keep an eye on you.”
Mr. Ragnar sighed before a smile crept across his face, “I do a weird thing with my eyebrow?”
“Yeah. I’m with you all of the time, it’s hard not to notice stuff. So?”
