Page 46 of Necromancers Don't Raise

Mercury’s frown at Sebastian was more than slightly foreboding.

“That’s right. I’m going to be standing here until the dress is sewn on me. I don’t have much time, but I’m not that hungry.”

My stomach growled loudly.

Winston chuckled, but there was a thread of strain running through it. “Why don’t you feed her, Mercury?”

Mercury looked at Winston, and his frown dissolved into a slight smile. “Yes, why don’t I?” He immediately unpacked the carton and held a kebab to my mouth. I felt weird eating in the middle of a fitting, particularly with him standing so close to me when I was wearing so little, but I was one of his precious dead, only I was alive, and he was trying to remember to feed me. He stood close to me, barely letting Sebastian work, his back to Winston, who I was still questioning.

I swallowed a bite of rice and then asked, “Winston, did any of the cast or crew of theWarlock Detectivedie in the fire?”

“No,” he said, but I couldn’t see him past Mercury, who met my eyes with his own glimmering gaze.

“That’s good to hear,” I said.

Mercury put the kebab back to my mouth. I bit, tasting his thumb on accident. His skin was very, very sweet. He smiled slowly while I pulled away, embarrassed and wanting more.

“Sorry.”

He shook his head slightly while his smile grew. “Don’t be, Miss Nova.”

Winston said, “That’s right. Mercury is used to being bitten, and you are a great improvement over his rats. As I was saying, we were having a meeting when the fire started. Afterwards, I thought Marie didn’t make it. She does makeup, and she wasn’t at the meeting, but she turned up a few hours later. She’d been fighting with her boyfriend.”

I frowned, trying to put the pieces where they fit, but was so distracted by Mercury. “Her boyfriend came to the conference?”

“I don’t know. He used to work on the show as a supporting actor, but his jealousy consumed him. He tried out for Vilus’s role, and always resented Tim, a non-magical narcissist for getting the role he felt suited him.”

“He’s a magic user?” Mercury asked, turning slightly.

“How do I put this? He has some small talent, but it only gets in the way of his acting ability. I wouldn’t ever hire you for the role of Vilus because I need an actor, not a Dark Sorcerer.”

Mercury turned completely to face Winston. “He’s a dark magic user? Is he registered with the Grand Sorcerer?”

Winston stood, and I saw a flash of his wary eyes before Mercury shifted, blocking him again. Was he doing it intentionally?

Winston said, “I don’t know. His magic is weak.”

“You should give his name to the Grand Sorcerer.”

“Eli Forwood. I’ll give his name to you and you can do what you like with it, if you’re feeling a sense of brotherhood and obligation. I’d better be on my way before you curse me with something nasty.”

“Why would I do that?” Mercury asked, voice languid. “Miss Nova wanted to interview you.”

“And Miss Nova gets what she wants? How delightfully open-minded of you. Perhaps you should tell her, since you’re so determined to protect her from my view, that she should probably conduct her interviews with less skin showing. Some men would be too distracted to answer when faced with such pretty?—"

Bones picked him up and carried him to the door, opened it, and tossed him out.

“Wait, I—” I turned slightly, Sebastian went to stab me with a pin, and then ended up dangling by his throat from Mercury’s hand instead.

“If you draw blood from Miss Nova again, you will lose a finger for each drop you take. Do you understand?” Mercury growled, nose to nose with the gnome.

“I understand,” Sebastian gurgled, and Mercury dropped him and then held out another kebab to me.

“Miss Nova, I do hope you heard something useful from the warlock.”

I didn’t take the bite. I was still in shock at Winston getting thrown out and Sebastian strangled. The gnome didn’t look the worse for it, just slightly irritated as he worked, being careful not to nick me with his pins.

“Mercury, you just threw Detective Warlock out. Literally.”

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