Page 17 of Stolen By the Necromancer

“I see.”

“How many women have you murdered?”

“Just getting right into it. Alright. I don’t remember.”

While the answer shouldn’t have been a shock, it still threw me for a loop when he answered.“You don’t remember?”

“I’m centuries old. I take no pleasure or joy out of what needs to be done, but when it comes down to my own survival or that of a random witch then I’llchoose myself every time.”

“What makes you feel you have the right over anyone else to life? Why should others not lead the life they were destined to for you? It’s selfish. You’velived your life dozens of times over. Maybe even hundreds. You’vehad your chance Nero.”

“People die every day Genevieve. The world is cruel.”

“But do you have to be part of the cruelty?” I jiggled the handcuff.“I know there is still good in you. There has to be. Godwin told me stories of when you were young. Before you became what you are today. That little boy must still be in there somewhere.”

Anger flashed in his eyes as he leaned into me, his lips so close to mine that if I were to lean forward they’d touch.“Listen to me and listen very carefully, you’re looking for humanity where humanitydoesn’t exist. The faster you accept that reality the better off you’llbe.”

Leaping to his feet, he stormed across the room and out the door, slamming it behind him.

Nero

“What have you done, Brother?” Sitting in the mausoleum with my back against the cold stone wall, I looked over at Godwin who was mimicking my position on the floor against the opposite wall.“I asked you to ensure she had what she needed, not to have a heart-to-heart with her.”

He cracked a smile.“She wanted to talk. Your conversations get boring.”

“You know I could have summoned anyone. Maybe next time I’llsummon someone a little less chatty.”

“If you did that, then who would you gripe to?”

“I do not bitch and moan.”

“I’vebeen listening to you for centuries. Want some advice?”

“No.”

“You will get it regardless. You’vebeen on a quest for centuries gaining more and more power, staying one step ahead of the reapers. You’vefathered children you never raised, yet their remains are entombed here with the rest of us. I’veseen you triumph. I’veseen you overcome powerful sorcerers and witches to gain more and more power. But do you know what I haven’t seen? I haven’t seen you open your heart and love, not since—”

“Stop.” I winced, putting my hand up.“Stop, or I’llsend you back.”

I didn’t want to hear of her. The first and only women I’d ever loved. The reason why I’d gone on a rampage in a search for immortality. The reason why I’d nurtured the dark powers that had laid dormant within, hoping to regain what I’d once lost.

“Youdidn’t tell her about…”

I caught my brother’s gaze and anger surged up within me.“Thatwasn’t your story to tell, Brother.”

“It’s time to live life as it was meant to be, Brother,” Godwin stated.“That witch upstairs, she’s not a power source, she’s your redemption. Your new start. You just need to be open to it.”

Anger surged a second time.“I’m done with this conversation.” With a snap of my fingers, my brother disappeared leaving me alone to wallow in memories I’d long ago buried.

Genevieve

The sun came and went and I’d long ago finished my fruit and bottles of water. Nerodidn’t show up again and neither did his brother. Night had fallen and my bladder was about to explode by the time Nero finally came back.

He didn’t look as confident or poised as he normally did. His hair and clothing were disheveled, although even disheveled he looked handsome.

“I thought you were going to leave me here to die,” I tried to joke, forcing a smile to my dry, clapped lips.

“Even Iwouldn’t be so cruel. I’m going to undo your handcuff. If you try to escape I will catch you and then I’llchain you to the wall of my family’s crypt. Are we clear?”

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