by Sam Crescent
“You mean switching sides?”
Poppy nodded. “The necromancer would strike the killing blow, rendering the losing opponent dead, and the payment would be final. The person who won would return to their original body and continue with their life.”
“How come I’ve never heard of this?”
“It no longer exists. Necromancers populated this world as much as humans did at one time. Then a great plague and death swamped our kind until only one necromancer remained.”
Her deepest secret and one she’d been told to never reveal.
“You’re the only one?”
She nodded. “Yes. The power of the necromancer is strong but doing that, reverting death and changing places, doesn’t balance life anymore. When lives change, so do our rules. What James has done was done a long time ago. He’ll be responsible for a lot of death and the original alpha is merely the tip of the iceberg.”
“You mean to tell me, if we find the true alpha you could call James back to battle in a true and fair fight and if he won, the real alpha could take his place?”
Poppy nodded. “But I’d have to call on all of the people James has killed and… It’s very complicated,” she cautioned.
He looked so happy with the news. She couldn’t bring herself to mention the other little hitch in the bargain.
“Here she is.” Poppy waited while a small grey woman walked to their table.
“You know this is dangerous, Poppy?”
“I’m sorry, Gertrude, but I need your help.”
“Who is this handsome man? Not a man, but a vampire. Poppy, my dear, do you know how ironic it is to have a necromancer and a vampire running around together?” Gertrude laughed.
“I’m sure my secret is safe with you.”
“As always, pet. No one wants to deal with a mad woman like me. You should visit more often but I sense fewer visits are in the cards.” The other woman stared pointedly at Poppy. Smiling she pulled her hand away from Adam and offered up her wrist.
“So, it’s not just chit-chat you came to see me for?”
“Gertrude is a true medium. When she was living, she was one of the best and most trusted.”
“Medium?”
“I talk to the dead.”
“You talk to the dead,” Adam said to Poppy.
“She talks to the living dead, darling. There is a difference,” Gertrude clarified.
“Gertrude can locate and find dead souls. The more powerful the species, the harder they are to locate. Also, he might refuse to talk to us unless we find his body and bring his soul and body together as one.”
Poppy didn’t want to mention how difficult locating an alpha was. His body would likely be buried as far away from his death place as possible.
“What Poppy isn’t telling you is I’ve got to give you a little direction of where to look first.”
“First?”
It was going to be a long search.
Chapter Eight
Adam preferred holding her hand rather than seeing it draped in the hands of a woman he didn’t trust.
“You’ve seen the Valentine then?” the medium asked. Adam tensed while Poppy nodded. “He’s quiet and bitter, that one. There is too much sorry crap going on in that head of his. He’s going to give all our problems a run for our money.”
“This is his son, Gertrude.” Poppy warned the older woman.
“I know, dear—just because he isn’t dead doesn’t mean I don’t know who he is. Adam Valentine, the quiet one. You’ve got a look of your father. Don’t know why they gave the oldest his name. Robert is nothing like his father. You are, though.”
“Thank you,” he said.
“Don’t say thank you, honey, until you can guarantee it’s a compliment.”
“I don’t understand.”
“A lot of people wandering around here are here because of the last battle the vampires and wolves had. Not a lot of love lost between these people and your father. You’d be best to tread carefully while you travel back and forth.”
“My dad was a great man,” Adam said A few of the other heads turned their way. “Are they…?”
“Dead souls, Adam,” Poppy said.
“I suggest you pack up the attitude, boy. Your dad was as selfish as they come back in the day. What I meant to say is you’ve got loyalty. Your father may not have always been right, but he was loyal to a cause. Don’t make your blindness fool you.”
Adam nodded and held his tongue. These people knew more about his father than he did.
“Right. Poppy, you know the drill.”
Adam watched Poppy nod and turn her head away. Gertrude pulled out a knife and pressed the tip of the blade against her flesh.
He shot out of his seat and held the older woman’s hand steady. “Do you want to tell me what you’re doing?”
“He’s got feelings for you, this one has.”
“Tell me or I’ll break you.” He applied pressure to the woman’s hand but Poppy yanked him back and forced him to sit down.
“I’ve got to pay the toll for the information we want. Blood is the best form of payment. Vampire blood among this realm is considered cheap. Do it, Gertrude.”
Under the table she caught his hand and held on tight as the blade sliced along her wrist. The medium gathered the blood in a small vial.
“That’s enough.”
Poppy pulled her arm away and Gertrude took a sip from the vial, closed her eyes and gathered both of their hands together.
“Focus on what you want.”
Poppy flashed in his mind. Gertrude chuckled and told him to try again.
There were the sounds similar to talking people rushing through his mind. Adam glanced between them. Poppy, Gertrude and he were travelling at the speed of light amongst the souls of the dead.
“Found her,” Gertrude said, letting go of their hands.
“I don’t get it. What have we found?” Adam asked.
“Finding an alpha isn’t easy. Poppy told you that. I’ve found you the first clue.”
“What is it?”
“The alpha’s mate.” Gertrude stood and addressed Poppy. “I don’t always know what shit you plan on getting yourself into and I know this is bad. A word to the wise—something is coming. Something bigger and far more frightening than anything we’ve ever faced. Be prepared, Poppy, as I feel in my stars this will be the last time we make contact.”
The woman disappeared, leaving Adam worried and Poppy pale.
“What just happened?”
Poppy started for the door.
“A warning.”
“How could she know something worse is coming?”
“Gertrude is a medium and she resides on another realm. They may not see, feel or be part of the human world, but they’re as connected to the afterlife as people in heaven, hell and limbo.”
It was like she spoke in riddles.
“So what do we do now?” he asked. They made it out onto the grey street. He’d never get use to the blankness of this world.
“We need to go and locate the mate. She’ll be able to lead us to either another clue or his body.”
“Why can’t you just find him in this realm?”
“He’s an alpha and his secret has been guarded. Come on,” Poppy said.
“Wait. I want to ask a question.”
“Every time we stop to talk we’re wasting time. I believe Gertrude and I sense the danger myself. This is more than the Beyer West wolves.”
“You’re going to believe an older woman who stole your blood?” he asked.
“You take people’s blood all the time.”
“Where are we going?”
“America.”
Poppy grabbed him and closed her eyes. Adam yelled, “I’m not ready.”
* * * *
Rose ran through the back door where Cook was waiting for her.
“I told you to be back by ten sharp,” she scolded.
Her teeth chattering, Rose smiled at t
he older woman. She accepted the warmth of the woman she’d come to love more like a parent than a cook.
“I was having so much fun,” she said. Each word was drawn out.
“Why are you freezing like this?”
“We went to a lake…” Rose couldn’t say any more—her shivers were out of control.
Cook ran off and brought a glass filled with dark red liquid. “Drink this,” Cook ordered.
“I can’t.” Rose pushed the goblet away already feeling the convulsions in her stomach.
“For heaven’s sakes, child, have I ever steered you wrong before?”
Rose shook her head.
“Then drink the blasted stuff.”
Not wanting to upset her friend any longer Rose drank down the dark fluid. She tried not to gag as the first taste of blood hit her taste buds. Rose moaned as a meaty flavour hit the back of her throat. It was unlike anything she’d ever tasted.
“How does it taste?” Cook asked.
“I’m sorry. This probably grosses you out.”
“Nothing with you, my dear, grosses me out. I enjoy something rare on occasion.”
Rose raised her eyebrows as she sipped her glass, careful not to gulp it down.
“I like ostrich on occasion. I know it’s not a great meat but I like it and it’s healthy for you.”
Rose chuckled. “I’ll have to take your word on that one.”
Her fingers no longer felt numb, the shivers ceased and for the first time in—well, since ever—Rose’s body hummed for activity.
“How are you feeling now?”
“Really good.”
“You sound shocked, dear.”
“I don’t know what you mixed together, but it worked a treat. Thank you so much.” Rose hugged Cook and moved out of the kitchen when the woman hurried her along. She danced and hummed to her room. Lewis was fixed on her mind. She wondered if he was thinking about her too.
Cook watched her charge walk away. She glanced down at the bag of blood in her hand. The bag shook in her grip.
When no one was looking she took the empty packet out and burnt it in an old metal dustbin. A hunch, a clue—something she couldn’t describe had made her go to the secluded club and obtain the forbidden blood. Maybe a message from God, she wasn’t sure.
There were secrets surrounding the youngest Valentine.
Dark secrets.
She watched the writing on the packet go up in flames.
The clearly typed words could not be mistaken— ‘Werewolf Blood’.
Chapter Nine
The impact from his voice and his refusal to move had Poppy spinning out of control. She’d only ever moved through this world when it was absolutely necessary. She didn’t want to alert her other half to what she was doing as it would mess up her plans.
Adam fought against her and, unprepared for his fight, Poppy couldn’t maintain her control over her realm. They spiralled through a vortex and shot straight out into a darkened alley.
“Tell me what’s wrong?” she asked. Adam collapsed in her arms and she stared around, trying to find anyone who could help. Coming out of the place in between never had this effect on people, but very rarely did the strangers walking round with nothing to do attack a person either.
“I-I-I n-n-need…” His voice drew out.
“Please, Adam. Tell me.”
“I need…blood,” he said.
Poppy froze. She couldn’t help him. He lay gasping in her arms and Poppy panicked. Not caring what her actions could do, she opened up her power to the other side, searching for someone—anyone—who would be able to help.
She logged onto a person who was on the verge of dying. There was an elderly woman who was dying and had no family to miss her.
Poppy did something she hadn’t done since the first time she’d taken on her full pure-blooded necromancy role. She lured a human to their death. The woman would be dead within a few weeks from the cold and the disease eating away at her. Saving Adam was more important than saving this woman. The scenery washed in red, except the woman walking towards them. Her essence was bathed in a white glow.
“You called,” the woman said under the thrall of Poppy’s call.
“Come here.” Poppy cut her emotions out of it and worked on the mechanics. Once the woman was down on their level, she sliced the woman’s wrist with the blade she carried and presented it to Adam.
Within seconds, he was gulping her life force. Poppy watched the glow around the woman disappear until the older woman slumped to the ground.
Tears filled her eyes over what she’d done. At least Adam could open his eyes and a small radiant heat came off him.
“My dear, no need to cry.” Poppy turned her head to the sound of the voice. The older woman flashed before her eyes. The older woman was transported back into the prime of her youth.
“I’m sorry,” she said to the dead woman.
“I’m not. You did me a favour.”
The woman didn’t say anything else but walked away in the distance where the afterlife shone through. It was a small mercy to witness on this insane night.
Adam lay in her arms staring up at her. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Next time don’t fight me,” she said.
“I promise. Complete cooperation from me from now on.”
Poppy chuckled and helped him to his feet. He swayed a little and she caught him before he fell down.
“Be careful.”
“So we’re in America?” He glanced down the dark alley and scratched his head.
“Yes. You’ve never been here before?”
“Nope.”
Adam hurt all over and kept it to himself. He didn’t want to alarm her. The older woman had been a snack taking the edge off the pain. He glanced at Poppy and tried to keep his attention away from the pulse at her neck. Her blood called to him. “I’ve always wanted to go to America.”
“You’re here now.”
He grabbed her hand and closed his eyes. Her touch always shocked him. The pleasure running through his body was driving him crazy. The longer he was with her the more the pleasure turned into an aching desire. “Why did we have to come to America?” he asked.
“This is where the alpha’s mate has decided to rest. She’s waiting, I guess.”
“But he was the Beyer West alpha,” he said to distract himself from her touch. She seemed to be able to function fine while he turned into a blubbering idiot when he was around her.
“You’ll probably find she’s redesigned her resting place. So where she was murdered is the same, but she was happiest with him in America.”
Adam loved hearing her voice.
“So what you’re saying is her soul has retreated to a place she recalls as being happy, but her surroundings should still resemble the place she was murdered?”
“Yes.”
“Are we going to see her now?”
“I thought, seeing as it’s almost sunrise, we could book into a motel until sunset.”
Be alone with her in a private room? “That sounds like a very good plan.”
Poppy smiled at him. “I may be a necromancer and a woman, but I still have good plans now and again.”
“I’d like to see more of these plans.”
“Maybe you just might. Are you ready?”
Adam nodded and allowed her to take him through to their next location. He could become lazy through this method of travel. Usually he ran or went by car to get to and from a place. With Poppy, the process made him a little sick, but at least it got him quickly to where he wanted to be.
Minutes later they appeared outside of a motel. Adam paid for the room. It was a single room with a double bed.
Poppy entered first and he kept his eyes on her ass. He saw how nice and rounded it was even hidden by the cloak. He wanted to pull her dress up and see if she was as pale there as she was everywhere else.
His thoughts were darkening with every passing second.
The motel room made
him think of all kinds of erotic pleasures he could be having with her. They were alone with no chance of his family interfering. Not even his unfeeling younger brother.
“Only one bed?”
“It’s all they had.” He lied easily about the situation. In fact, he’d asked for a room with one double bed. He wanted to feel what it was like having a woman he cared about lay next to him.
“I guess. There’s plenty of room for us to not disturb the other.”
I want to be disturbed.
“I thought any room was better than no room at all.”
“I’m going to use the bathroom. Is it all right if I take my turn first?”
He licked his lips and nodded for her to continue. He heard the shower run. The sound and her essence tormented him where he sat on the bed.
His cock threatened to tear a hole out of his trousers.
Was she in the shower now? Wet and washing the soap off her body?
His mind worked on how he could get into the room to take a peek at her. He stood and walked to where the door was. He reached out and touched the knob and pulled back.
She trusts you. Don’t be a pervert, and go sit down.
Cursing his attitude, he went back to the bed and sat down. Only to get up a few seconds later when he heard her call out.
He walked slowly, even though he wanted to rush in there and help his young lady out. “Poppy?” He called out when he got to the door.
“Adam, I’m so sorry but could you come in?” she asked.
Fuck yeah.
“I’m coming in now.” Adam opened the door. The steam was escaping. Poppy stood gazing around the bath curtain. “What do you need?”
“I know this is going to sound stupid and like a come-on but it’s not, I promise. Could you wash my back? I don’t like being dirty and I feel horrid.”
How he wished she’d asked him to join her.
“You want me to wash your back?”
“If you don’t mind? I’ll do the same for you if you hurry—I don’t want the hot water to run out. And is…is it possible for you not to look?”
“I can’t do it with my eyes closed.” Adam heard her sigh. Without waiting for an invitation he pulled the curtain open. Her naked back was exposed for him to see.