Dance With Death

by Becca Vincenza

  First, they were shaky, but after reinforcing each bone with more Control Lines, the bodies stood at attention, awaiting my command. My magic painted them in an eerie glow. Focusing my attention on my Lines, I tried to recreate the clairvoyant Lines I created when I was captured by the vampire coven. But no matter what I did, I couldn’t get it back. Ignoring my failure for now, I practiced different offensive and defensive maneuvers my parents had taught me when I trained with them, mimicking the movements in my head to pass the thoughts to the bones.

  Still, my power demanded more. More of what, I didn’t know. Ignoring the compulsion, I practiced doing separate commands to each individual body. Coming up with three commands and trying to send them separately only resulted in the bodies standing still. No command made sense to my reanimated helpers; the messages I sent were all jumbled in their empty heads.

  Trying again, I issued one command to the first body, another to the second body, and yet another to the third. They still stood motionless, seemingly confused. Annoyed, I pulled back my Control Lines.

  How can I separate their commands?

  Having a fleet of undead helpers was fine and dandy, but if all they could do were the same motions at the same time, I was gonna be shit out of luck.

  Like a separate being in my body, my powers suddenly flared to life with heightened resolve. Rolling my neck to loosen the clenched muscles, I exhaled and released the hold on my powers. Expanding outwards like a fog, my Control Lines sought out every available body nearby.

  Being in a graveyard, one could see where this might be a problem. Reining my powers back in before I managed to touch every dead person within a two-mile radius, I focused on the three who stood stiffly in front of me.

  How do I separate my will to spread across three separate bodies?

  Trying it once again only managed to paralyze them into doing nothing. Trying a different tactic, I started to move them with smaller movements. I wanted to see if I could manipulate them into changing their forms just a little differently each time while dropping the intensity of my magic.

  I worked on these small tweaks until sweat beaded down my forehead. Even with the chill of the breeze that swept through the cemetery, using my magic in such a way and more extensively than I had in a while was physically taxing. Working from memory of countless hours spent in front of the TV, I had my ghouls moving in a dancing formation of the song I’d listened to earlier. It was easier to manipulate them when they were supposed to move like zombies in the first place.

  The night was getting later, and I knew my practice time would be up soon. As I was working one last dance step out of them, pain seared up my back. With no warning or time to prepare myself for the worst, I couldn’t hold back a scream of pain.

  Dropping to my knees, my back arched as if my muscles and nerves were trying to escape my body. It felt as if I was reliving the pain of being branded all over again. The pain gradually ebbed, and eventually, all I was left with was a hollow ache and a throbbing spasm at the branding spot. Panting in exhaustion, I dropped my hands to the soil and tried to ground myself. When I did, the bodies I had been controlling tumbled to the earth in a pile of bones.

  “That was an impressive display of your powers just now.”

  Fucking hell.

  “What are you doing here?” I snapped, not bothering to look in his direction.

  “I’ve been keeping an eye on you,” he answered, his voice oily on my skin.

  “Why haven’t you taken me back to your Master and forced us to get married yet, Balthazar?”

  He moved silently over to where I stood. Even if he came through the gate, the hinges never once made a noise. The thought made me tense.

  How long has he been following me? I touched my side where I had the collapsible staff after Nix let me borrow it.

  “No need to grab for your weapon. I already told you I’ve been keeping a very close eye on you. There have been multiple opportunities for me to attack you and steal you away, if that was my intention.” Balthazar’s red eyes roamed over me hungrily as he looked for an injury.

  “Tripped,” I offered, not liking his attention or the force of his gaze.

  Balthazar gallantly held out his hand to help me stand, and I reluctantly accepted his offer. Even though Balthazar was my betrothed, I thought my whole running away from him phase made it obvious I wasn’t interested. Of course, ours wasn’t a love match that went wrong; it was an arranged marriage through a contract my parents made with his Master. But by the terms of the contract, if I belonged to Balthazar, I would also belong to everyone in his coven.

  After Indigo was unable to convince his superiors that Abel’s disappearance needed to be their top priority, I was forced to seek out other avenues. Abel had already sacrificed so much; I wouldn’t allow him to keep being tortured and used because of me. That was why I promised I’d return home with Balthazar if he helped find Abel. Big mistake.

  “Rowan.”

  “Look—either you’re here for a fight, or you can leave, but either way I need to clean up.” My back was stiff as the muscles slowly released from their tense positions. Any moment, it felt like my back would spasm again. Snorting at my own lie, I knew it wasn’t a spasm and hoped it wouldn’t happen again soon.

  “You’re exploring your powers more,” Balthazar commented, his interest piqued.

  “Yup.”

  Ignoring him, I felt my powers rekindle and wake. But with him here, I had to hold back. I didn’t trust my magic completely, and I had used Control Lines on him and another vampire before. As much as I wanted to explore what I could do with that, I needed to get out of here as quickly as possible.

  “Aren’t you the least bit curious as to why I’m here?” he baited.

  “Nope.”

  “Rowan, you will discuss this with me.”

  Balthazar stood in front of me, moving faster than I could blink. Those red eyes glared down, demanding my surrender, but I stubbornly refused. Once you’d looked into the eye of an Alpha in a rage, there wasn’t a whole lot that could make you back down.

  “You did not trip. What happened?”

  “Back spasm. Happens with old age, or when someone has been creeping on you,” I said, waving away his worry.

  “You’re lying.”

  “No shit.”

  He sighed. “Why must you make things so difficult?”

  “Really? That’s rich, coming from you.”

  “Do you honestly think I chose this life for myself? To be tethered to a bride who would rather run off with a mutt than remain with me? A bride who would rather spit in my face than lean into my loving embrace?”

  “You have a loving embrace?” I asked.

  “Rowan, I wanted more from this arrangement than an alliance and partnership with you.”

  “What exactly do you want?” I asked, alarm bells going off in my head.

  “Your love.”

  Chapter 6

  “What?” My head ticked back in surprise.

  “You heard me.”

  “Yes, but I’m not convinced you haven’t been replaced by a pod-person.”

  “What nonsense are you speaking of?”

  “Hmm, that’s exactly what a pod-person would say.”

  “You’re being ridiculous, Rowan. Consider what I’m offering.”

  “And what is it that you’re offering, Balthazar? That I suddenly fall in love with you and thank you for the fact that you and your coven want to take away any freedom I have? Yeah, not interested.” Turning away, I went to step around him to take care of the bodies I had been practicing with.

  Balthazar touched my arm and gently grabbed my hand. It was the gentleness of his touch that stopped me. I waited for him to say what he needed to say.

  “I don’t want to take away your spirit. You are unpredictable and very powerful.” His gaze went to the bodies that laid in piles.

  “Just the way to a girl’s heart.”

  “You misunderstand me.”
>
  “Do I?” I pulled my hand back. “It’s great and all that you don’t want to take away my spirit, but you do want to break it. You lust after the power I can give your coven, but you don’t look at my character or my desires and give two shits. If I was just a normal girl, would you still want me?”

  “Why worry about the hypothetical while you are here in the flesh as you are?” he posed logically.

  “That’s exactly why.”

  I stepped around him, and this time he let me go. As I casted my powers, I commanded each body one by one back into their graves.

  “If you would only let me explain—” he began, moving to follow me.

  “You already tried.”

  “I was born a vampire. This is the only life I have ever known. My parents belonged to an abusive vampire who only wanted to take. He used us all as tools. But Morris gave me a way out. He saved me. And more, he offered me something I never thought I would get: a bride. A woman I could love, cherish, and take care of.”

  “See, that’s where you have a problem. I don’t need you to do any of those things. Leave me be,” I retorted, growing more agitated by the second.

  “What would stop me right now, Rowan, from taking you back to Morris and forcing you into this marriage?” Balthazar asked, moving closer into my space and forcing me backwards. My heart pounded, and anger was quick on my fear’s heels.

  “Scared I’ll kick you in the balls?” I lashed out.

  “Must you be so vulgar?” Balthazar asked as he caged me against a nearby mausoleum.

  I flinched, not because of what was tucked behind me, but rather the vampire in front of me. “Must you?” I deflected.

  Balthazar’s pretty brows pinched together as his lips pressed together in exasperation. “I cannot say the right things to you, it seems.”

  I gave him a sad smile and patted his cheek. “Maybe you should stop trying to, and maybe say how you really feel. Or better yet, show me. Or, even better yet, leave me and my family the fuck alone,” I offered with a hopeful, but very forced, smile.

  “And what of their safety?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My reports keep Morris at bay, but if they were to stop coming...” He let the threat hang over my neck like a guillotine ready to fall.

  It never occurred to me that they would go after our family, but in the same vein, Balthazar was using what he could as leverage. Thus far, he’d managed to keep his Master from descending on us, but not even the laws of the treaty between necromancers and vampires could protect us. We had a binding contract.

  “What do you want?”

  “A chance.”

  “That ship kinda sailed, don’t you think?”

  “I believe you and your brother will do absolutely anything for each other. I also believe you care just as deeply for the rest of your family. Accompany me on a date.”

  “A single date?”

  “As many as it takes to win your heart.”

  I debated the merits of his offer. It won’t kill me to go on a couple dates with him. It will buy Abel time, and he won’t have to worry about the vampires coming after him. It will be hard to get around Nix and Indigo, but if I tell them I’m out training...

  “Fine.”

  “Perfect! Shall we?” Balthazar replied smoothly, holding out his arm for me to take.

  Glancing down at my clothes, I peeked back up at him with raised eyebrows. Currently, I was covered in dirt, sweat, and a little bit of shame. Okay, a lot of shame. But we did what we had to do to protect those we loved. And going out with Balthazar couldn’t possibly be as bad as what Abel had done for me.

  “Maybe a different night. And anyway, sun’s almost up, right? Means it’s time for you to return to the coffin from whence you came.”

  “Your humor is very peculiar.”

  “So I’ve been told.”

  “You agree to this, then?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Excellent.” Balthazar moved before I knew what was happening, once again. Stupid vampire speed. He grabbed my phone from my back pocket and unsuccessfully tried to unlock the home screen.

  “You need the password.” I held out my hand for my phone, ticking my fingers forward.

  “You don’t trust me?”

  “With that sort of information? Absolutely not.” I did my pattern and handed it back to him. At this point, I had to play nice, and then I needed to get back to the apartment before Indigo or Nix did. Not only did I need to shower off the stank of the cemetery, it was vital I change clothes, so they wouldn’t detect the scent of a vampire. I would find something to do with the clothes.

  “Alright, I’m headed back now. And please stop following me everywhere. You aren’t that great at hiding.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I sensed you earlier this evening, and the other night when I found that body. Should have known it was you.”

  A look crossed over his features, but before I could even try to gauge its meaning, he went blank-faced again.

  “I will try to be more cautious, then. Do you need an escort back to your abode?”

  “Nope. Thanks for the offer, though. Also, don’t follow me.”

  Balthazar grabbed my hand again and pressed a light kiss to the back of my hand. I tried not to snatch it back, letting him have his moment. It was vital to keep him happy and keep my family safe.

  Hmm, it seems my imprisonment started early.

  ****

  After convincing Balthazar to let me walk myself home, I headed back to the apartment. The walk usually gave me time to decompress, but tonight a nervous energy strummed through my body, and my heightened energy levels wouldn’t diminish. I gripped the staff, collapsed to only a few inches long now, and tried to use it as a conduit for my powers. It didn’t work as effectively as my kodachi blades. But I’d had my blades for a very long time, which meant I was used to their power and they were used to mine.

  Instead, channeling into the staff resulted in intermittent flares of my powers I was unable to predict or control, with ghosts flashing in and out of my sight without warning. It was enough to give anyone a headache, but paired with the lingering pain in my back, this episode made me long to return to the apartment, shower, and then sleep for days.

  During another burst of power, the ghost of a naked man appeared in the street ahead of me. I knew that ass, though. Realizing it was the nameless John Doe I stumbled across outside the Mystic bar, I sped up a little. Trying to modulate my powers, I kept sight of him as he wandered down the road. Was he caught in a memory and trying to find his way back home?

  Abel had always been better with the ghost stuff and understanding their actions, whereas I just wanted to be friends with them when we were younger. The older I got, the more interested I became in the physical aspect of our powers.

  The ghost continued down the road, but instead of calling out and spooking him, I kept following at a respectable distance. I hoped he would be able to lead me to more clues as to who he was. Why I’d become so obsessed with him, I wasn’t sure. But a compulsion in me needed answers. Why him? What happened? Why did I stumble across his body?

  The ghost kept walking down the street, walking through unsuspecting people. Usually watching ghosts walk through Mystics made me laugh just a little because they would get the same shiver a human did, but they realized what it was. The look of slight disgust on their face made it worth it.

  Stifling a laugh at the next Mystic he walked through, the ghost slowed and started to look over his shoulder. I straightened, waiting for the ghost to turn, but he remained on course. Following him, he went past business after business. Never stopping to look at the storefronts, it was almost as if he knew his destination and was determined to get there as quickly as possible.

  It made sense why he was moving so quickly if he didn’t want to forget where he was going. Some newer ghosts had a hard time holding on to information. The further he walked, the dumber I realized my plan was. I w
anted to impress Nix and even Indigo if it meant I was about to get a little more information on him. But the further we traveled, I realized it was more than that. The compulsion had become overwhelming.

  Finally, he slowed and then stopped in front of a hole-in-the-wall pub. The bar looked less than desirable; the neon sign outside flickered with only three working letters, leaving the real name a mystery. Did he use to work here?

  The ghost looked back at me and smiled wickedly, jerking his head at the bar’s front window. I felt foolish, realizing he’d known I was behind him the whole time, but stepped closer to him and waited to see if he would say anything to me. He didn’t, instead indicating once again to the inside of the bar.

  Nervous energy spiked in my gut like the first hit of caffeine in the morning, strong and potent. The thought of looking in there held a mixture of wrongness, but also an eagerness I couldn’t deny. My curiosity was enough that I couldn’t ignore it. What mystery did he want to show me so badly that he had me follow him here?

  Turning, I looked through the window. Cornelius and Indigo stood together at the end of a ratty pool table watching another patron in the bar. The patron was clearly drunk and hanging over the bar top. He seemed to get louder and unrulier, but when the bartender gave him a stern look, he backed off.

  The ghosts that clung to Indigo and Cornelius surged, angrily glaring at the two men. If I could hear inside, I was sure their agitated voices would drown out all the noise.

  “Why are they always hanging around them?”

  “Ask them and find out.” The ghost beside me disappeared, and I was left with the scene unfolding before me. Indigo straightened and nodded at the bartender, and the bartender nodded and walked into the back. Cornelius and Indigo stepped forward, surrounding the drunkard.

  At first, I thought they were going to tell him he needed to leave. Not that he appeared to be bothering the handful of other looking-shady-as-hell people. Instead, Indigo slammed the guy against the bar top, enraging the ghosts around them further.

  Without meaning to, my power surged and brushed against the angry ghosts. They turned as one and stared at me, slowly moving forward and walking through the wall of the building. They stood in front of me still and silent as ever, until one stepped forward and touched me.