Page 68 of Deadly Lineage
Elaine’s mouth dropped open and her heated color faded as she paled. Joel appeared surprised but triumphant.
“That would be me,” Joel supplied happily, clearly getting over my deplorable appearance.
Tugging his suit jacket lapels, he took a step closer. Those steps halted when his sister screamed, “You hired a fuckingnecromancer? You seriously brought thatthing”—she pointed an accusing finger my direction—“here? What is wrong with you?”
Yeah, Elaine Tompkins wasn’t making my Christmas list anytime soon.
“God, rude much, Elaine? Erasmus Boone is a necromancer and yes, I hired him. If you’re going to be such an ever-loving bitch about this, then we’ll bring mom back and ask her what she wants.” Joel crossed his arms over his chest, looking triumphant. He had an air of confidence. It wasn’t false. Joel knew exactly what his mother wanted and was determined to see it through.
Elaine took a step back, body trembling. A man of similar age caught her—I guessed it was her husband. Eyes wide, Elaine glanced from me to Joel and back again. “Mother wouldn’t want that.” Again with the pointy finger. I had the urge to grab the offending digit and rip the fake nail off. At least that would make the finger less dangerous.
“For once we agree. But I’ll do what needs doing and I’ll pay whatever it costs. This is one time where you arenotgetting your way.” Joel just needed a foot stomp and his point would be completely made.
“Craig, do something,” Elaine ordered. From my earlier research, I understood Craig was her husband.
When the man holding onto Elaine’s shoulders answered, it confirmed he was indeed the fool who’d married her. “There’s nothing illegal about hiring a necromancer, darling. Your mother made Joel her executor and granted him power of attorney regarding her health. As distasteful as it is, hiring a necromancer is within his legal rights.”
Joel had mentioned Craig Tompkins was a lawyer. Anyone could probably figure it out just by observing his dour expression and calculating eyes.
“Distasteful,” I mocked, mimicking Craig’s tone. “I suppose I’ve been called worse. Still, as pleasant as your company is, I believe Zach would like the noise level brought down a notch or twelve and to do that, we need to settle this little argument.” Turning my back on Elaine and her equally Christmas card-unworthy husband, I looked at Joel and asked, “Are we still doing this?”
Joel looked past me, his expression stern. “That’s up to Elaine. I’m happy to leave Mom’s soul exactly where it is if Elaine will agree to have Mom buried wearing her wedding ring.”
It was a viable out. If Elaine did find the thought of bringing her mother’s soul back so damn distasteful, then it could all be avoided. Joel was giving her that option. Now we just had to see what meant more to Elaine—the pretty bauble, or her mother’s supposed dignity. I wasn’t surprised by the answer.
Nose to the sky and arms firmly crossed, Elaine said, “Do whatever you want. Either way I win. Mother will be horrified when she realizes what you’ve done.”
I hated to agree with the wicked bitch of the west, but she had a point. “Obviously, I didn’t know Rosemary well enough to know her feelings. You did. The decision is yours,” I told Joel. All species had different religious views on the afterlife and even more variances within the individuals of those species. I had no idea what Rosemary Weathers’s religious beliefs had been and if she’d be as horrified as Elaine let on.
Joel’s jaw ticked, locked tight and muscles taut. He was admittedly a handsome man. Not as attractive as Franklin, but still good looking. Joel’s hardened features accentuated his sharp jawline.
“You’re right again, Elaine. Mom might hate this, but I think she’ll hate what you’re trying to do even more.” Without glancing my way, Joel ordered a crisp, “Do it.”
I inhaled, letting it out in a deep sigh. I wasn’t sure which one of the siblings had called the other’s bluff. Either way, Joel thought he was getting the last word, but he was wrong. In the end, that would be Rosemary.
Closing my eyes, I centered myself and reached for the tether anchoring Rosemary’s soul to her body. Freshly deceased, it was easy enough to grab hold of.
“Rosemary Dawson Weathers, time to come back home.” Her soul zipped back quicker than most. That usually meant a very willing customer.
Gasped breaths and shocked utterances of, “God, no,” whispered through the room as Rosemary sat up in her casket. The elderly woman blinked, her glasses askew. With a wrinkled finger, Rosemary righted her eyewear and turned her attention to the room. Like most freshly-brought-back souls, she was momentarily confused.
“Rosemary,” I called, adding weight to my voice and drawing her attention. “I’m afraid there is a disagreement between your children.”
Rosemary scoffed. “That is nothing new.”
“Mom.” Joel’s softly whispered voice was filled with awe. Love was a close second. It was obvious which one of the siblings would miss their mother the most.
“This is Joel’s fault.” Elaine stomped forward, her earlier trepidation evidently gone. “I didn’t want to do this. I knew you wouldn’t want a necromancer to dirty your soul.” Elaine was very sure of herself and sounded oddly triumphant.
Rosemary looked from her daughter to me and said, “Necromancer.” The word lacked the sting her daughter spoke with.
I nodded. “Erasmus Boone, ma’am. I hope your journey back wasn’t uncomfortable.” I’d never gotten that feeling from another soul. They described it as confusing, but not painful.For me, feeling Rosemary’s soul was soothing, especially after touching the shredded souls of the latest murder victims.
“Uncomfortable?” Rosemary questioned before shaking her head. “No. I would not call it that.” Attention back on her children, Rosemary’s lips pinched and she said, “Disappointing, but not uncomfortable.”
“Mom, I’m sorry.” Joel sounded bereft. “Maybe I shouldn’t have. Maybe I should have just let Elaine have her way.”
“Oh? And what does Elaine want?” Rosemary’s words were sharp. Souls were brought back just like the day they’d died. Obviously, Rosemary’s age hadn’t diminished her competency.
