Page 91 of Deadly Deception
The voice that answered was deep and scratchy, as if its owner had smoked away their lung capacity, leaving their speech raspy with just a hint of feral desire. “Necromancer Boone.” It was more statement than question.
An odd sensation swept down my back. My nerves flared and danced uncomfortably as they fired across my body and through my toes. “That’s me.” I kept my tone light as my fingers fidgeted along the edge of the phone. “What can I do for you?”
“Hmm, what an interesting question.” Their quiet laughter echoed with that same raspy scratch. “Oddly enough, I believe the question should be, what can I do for you?”
I shifted, rubbing my back along the tree’s bark. The sting of the harsh bark over road the uncomfortable sensation of this guy’s voice. Becoming irritated, I asked, “Who is this?”
“Apologies. I’m afraid my manners are not what they once were. My name is Tenzen Huxley. I am the Director of the Magical Usage Council.”
I swallowed hard and stood a little straighter. Why in the hell was this guy calling me? The Magical Usage Council hadn’t given two shits regarding necromancers in the last…oh, I don’t know,nevernumber of years. They hadn’t seen fit to send someone to help when Dr. McCallister was offing varying species and stealing their innate abilities, shredding their souls in the process. They’d seemed to care even less when Tabitha was kidnapped along with Navarre. Honestly, I’d kind of written them off in the whole “who ya gonna call” category.
Tapping my fingers along the bark, I drew out an “okaaay?” which sounded far more like a question than an answer.
Tenzen’s smokey laughter echoed down the line again. “I understand your hesitancy. The council’s record regarding your species is woefully poor.”
It wasn’t justpoor; it was nonexistent.
“Certain facts have come to light recently illuminating the fact that the council’s ignorance is not acceptable. It has also come to my attention that as a community, we are unaware of the number of necromancers in existence or what their capabilities or misfortunes might be. I would like to remedy that situation and would appreciate your assistance.”
“Me?” My eyes narrowed, and I wished dearly that Franklin were here with me. I wouldn’t hesitate to place this call on speaker. “Why me?”
“I would think my reasons would be obvious. Regardless, it is late and perhaps there is a better time to speak further. You now have my number. Please call at your earliest convenience. I will be waiting to hear from you. Have a good evening, Necromancer Boone, and a pleasant Halloween.”
The call ended and I stood there, staring as the screen faded to black. My thumb moved to wake my phone back up and contact Franklin. But I hesitated. Not that I wouldn’t tell him about this the minute I saw him. It was just… I honestly didn’t know what it was. I felt unsettled and wasn’t certain why. Hadn’t I just been telling Franklin that I wanted to find other necromancers? That I wanted to help where I could? Having the support and resources of the Magical Usage Council would go a long way to making that desire a reality. So why did I feel so hesitant?
A louder burst of laughter jerked my head up and pulled my attention back toward Henry Clemon’s gravesite. His warm and happy soul tugged at my necromancer abilities and chased away my unease. Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I headed back toward their happy presence. I’d stay out of their way as much as possible, little more than a fly on the proverbial wall.
When the time came, I’d release Henry’s soul and put him back to rest, hopefully more content than when he’d passedthrough the veil the first time. I’d give them as much time as they wanted. Given the ages of the three living souls surrounding Henry’s casket, they’d soon join him in the ever after. I could only hope that meant they’d be together, laughing and joking, enjoying each other’s company until the end of time. Maybe beyond that if Aurelia’s concept of time was to be believed.
I’d worry about Tenzen Huxley later. And worry I would. I had a sneaky suspicion one did not simply ignore or turn down offers from the Director of the Magical Usage Council. As alowlyhuman, I didn’t think Franklin would have a lot of advice when it came to Tenzen Huxley. Then again, Franklin had good instincts. Regardless, I knew speaking with him would make me feel better.
That was the beauty of being able to go home to a place filled with love. No matter what ailed the spirit, unconditional love was the cure, and with Franklin O’Hare in my home, my spirit would be healed in no time.
Epilogue
Tenzen Huxley
“You seem confident.”
I stared at my shadow, small glimpses of the creature weaving back and forth in the firelight. My shadow never needed much, just the hint of a low glow to bring about its presence.
“I see no reason not to be,” I answered while relaxing into my chair. The fire’s heat felt good against my bare skin. My clawed toes dug deep into the soft rug on the floor. The texture was heavenly.
“He will be suspicious,” my shadow responded.
“Of course. I expect nothing less.”
“And yet, you are not concerned.”
I waved my shadow off. It wasn’t that I ignored their concerns. My shadow had reason to be skeptical and had saved me too many times for me to ignore their warnings. “I am offering Necromancer Boone an opportunity he will be unable to ignore.” Tipping my head back, I stared at the unusual patterns on the ceiling. The darkened areas weren’tmyshadow, but they were beautiful, nonetheless.
“Do you truly believe there are other necromancers in the world that possess Erasmus Boone’s abilities?”
“It would be to everyone’s benefit if so. And if not, that makes Erasmus Boone an even more important commodity. A one of a kind.” I thought back to our brief conversation and felt a wave of relief suffuse my body. “He truly does sound sane.”
“A rarity for a necromancer,” my shadow stated accurately.
“Very rare.” Possiblytoorare. And if that were the case, then allowing Erasmus Boone to move about freely, placing himself in danger, was completely unacceptable. Shifting, I leaned over the edge of my chair and pulled open a drawer, pulling out a rock with a single red line traced across its center. The second object I removed was an empty ink pot. Both objects felt heavy in my hand. I could feel the hum of their leashed energy, the beings attached to them beyond powerful.
