When the Grave Calls

by B. L. Brunnemer

  “I found instructions on how to look through a zombie’s eyes. How to speak through one.”

  She turned to me, curiosity sparkling in her chocolate eyes. “Really? Perhaps it’s time I take a look at these books.”

  I nodded. “It seemed pretty easy, just … putting more of me in there. My consciousness, really.”

  Her brow furrowed as she sat. While she thought it over, I continued cleaning the grave. By the time I was done clearing it, I did feel better about what I was about to do to this person’s body.

  No. Not a person. They were gone. It’s just their shell.

  “Let’s give it a try. You never know, it might be true.” Uma sat in the grass beside me. “Let’s begin.”

  True or not, it was a creepy idea.

  I settled into a comfortable position and looked at the grass in front of me. I took several deep breaths, letting them out slowly as I focused on slowing my heart rate and clearing my mind before I dropped my barriers.

  My energy spilled from me as if leaving a container that was too small, soaking into the dead grass around me. I focused on the ground in front of me. Normally, I’d hold back a little. Hesitate. But not this time. I followed the tendril of energy going down into the earth, feeling the brush of white roots under the grass. The worms in the dirt. Then the hard surface of the coffin. That was another reason to always go to this part of the cemetery. No cement vaults. My energy found an opening in the wood. I crept through the crevice, hitting the surface of the body. Hard, dry, cracked.

  Bones grated together as it started to move.

  “More will, Lexie,” Uma reminded me.

  “Rise,” I ordered. The sensation of wood ghosted under my fingertips as the casket gave way under my searching hands, cold dirt slipping through my fingers as I climbed.

  A skeletal hand burst through the grass and clawed at the air. The zombie slowly pulled free of its grave. First the head, then the shoulders, then the ribs. Eventually, a full skeleton on all fours in the grass.

  “Now, try to see through it,” Uma instructed.

  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, a tendril of consciousness moving through the grass. The grass became my skin. The bugs crawling through it made me shiver as that coil of energy finally reached the bony hand. My energy saturated the bones. They absorbed me like a sponge, hungry and empty.

  My bones ached as if the skeleton’s body were mine. The more energy that seeped from me to the zombie, the further away my body seemed. The more this rotten carcass became my own. I closed my eyes, breathing heavily. There. I saw the grass beneath me. I lifted my head. Uma and my own body came into sight. In front of me.

  My lungs seemed to be made of rock. Breathing became harder.

  “Uma …” I gasped as I watched my body fall forward to the grass, but it was the skeleton that spoke.

  “Pull back!” Uma ordered, her hands going to the shoulders of my body, shaking me hard.

  Pull back? Pull back to where? My lungs seized. Icy fear cascaded through me.

  Uma pulled her arm back and brought her hand down on my back with a dull thud. The sting forced me to inhale. I was suddenly in my own body, trying to remember how to breathe.

  Gasping, I stayed on the ground as the world spun around me.

  Uma rubbed my back roughly. “That’s it, breathe.”

  When the dizziness faded, I sat up slowly, my body still aching. “What the hell?”

  “You put too much of your consciousness into the zombie,” Uma stated. “It’s a risk when you share any kind of connection. I didn’t think you’d have that problem.”

  “I didn’t hesitate this time,” I muttered.

  “You need to be careful with any kind of connection where consciousness is moved.” She shook her head.

  I nodded. “Agreed.”

  “I don’t think you should try that again,” she said. “Not without someone who knows more about it.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  It was several more minutes before Uma gestured towards the body that now stood in the grass waiting for instructions. “Put it to rest and we can go.”

  I turned back to the bones and sighed.

  Putting a body to rest was exactly the same as raising it, only in reverse. Instead of the body digging its way out of the grave, it slowly sank into the soil and out of sight, the earth taking back what was hers.

  As my energy left the zombie it came back to me in a rush. I gritted my teeth and dug my fingers into the grass as warmth rushed through me in an euphoric wave. Everything was good. Happy. Blissful. The euphoric rush took my fears, my stress, any and every anxiety or doubt I had and washed them away in the wave of energy. It seemed to go on and on, until finally, like the last light of day, it faded away and I was left gasping in the grass.

  By the time I slipped into the front seat of Uma’s car a wave of exhaustion had hit me, leaving me almost dizzy. I pulled on my seatbelt then began to rub my temple.

  The car was quiet as we pulled out of the cemetery. But not for long.

  “It can be addictive,” Uma said. “Raising the dead.”

  I chewed on the corner of my bottom lip and nodded as I looked out the window. This wasn’t the first time she’d brought it up, and it probably wouldn’t be the last.

  “Do you understand how?”

  “It feels …” I swallowed hard. I hated to admit it out loud, but I had to. “It feels good.”

  Uma turned onto another street. “And that is why it’s dangerous.”

  I looked down at my hands, folded into my lap. “Why does it feel that way? That rush?”

  Uma took a slow, deep breath. “Maybe because you’re working with life energy and your body reacts to it. I’m not sure. Louis was always tight lipped about it and how it made him feel.”

  “Why?”

  She shrugged gracefully. “He was ashamed of the way he reacted to it. He despised it.”

  “I don’t blame him,” I muttered.

  “Just be aware of your motives before raising the dead,” she said. “Make sure you’re not doing it for the rush.”

  “Got it.” I couldn’t imagine ever wanting to raise the dead for the rush. Yeah, for a few seconds everything felt fine, but it was a lie. It was a drug. A drug I didn’t want. I looked out the window as the trees passed by in a blur.

  Jessica

  I was working on my chemistry when someone pounded on my front door. My heart leapt into my throat. I knew that knock. It was Jason, and he was pissed. I met Tara’s gaze and swallowed hard. Lucy was upstairs in the bathroom.

  Setting my books aside, I got to my feet and started for the door. Whatever he wanted, he could kiss my ass. I wasn’t his girlfriend anymore and I never would be again. No matter what he wanted, I owed him nothing. Goosebumps rose on the back of my neck as my trembling hand turned the doorknob. Heart pounding, I opened the door only a little before lifting my head.

  Scowling, Jason towered over me. “You can’t just break up with me.”

  I swallowed hard. “I already did.”

  He stepped closer.

  Fear beat at me as I braced my foot against the door so he couldn’t push it open. “What do you want?”

  His eyes narrowed at me. “I want you back.”

  Stunned, I gaped up at him. He couldn’t be serious. “No. Not now, not ever again.”

  He gritted his teeth. “You love me.”

  Come on, Jess, you can do this. I lifted my chin and met his gaze. “And all that got me was pain and bruises.”

  He eyed me. “That’s not fair. You know how you are—”

  “And blame.” I pulled the door open and stood fully in front of him, no longer cowering behind anything. “You always blamed me for everything that went wrong in your life.” I shook my head. “I’m not taking it anymore.”

  His nostrils flared as he slowly cracked his neck. Teeth bared he moved closer, looming over me. Something caught his attention behind me but there was no way I was tu
rning to see what it was. In a low whispered growl he threatened, “If you don’t come back, I’ll make sure everyone at school sees our sex tape, Jess.”

  My heart dropped. Oh fuck. Oh God. Everyone? I swallowed hard as my palms began to sweat.

  “Now, you’re going to get back together with me and put an end to the rumors going around.” He met my gaze. “Understand?”

  I looked down at the floor of the porch and took several deep breaths. How could he hold that over my head? What kind of piece of shit would do that? Squaring my shoulders, I looked him right in the eye. I remembered that video. We had been doing anal for the first time. It had hurt, and I had told him that. An idea sparked to life.

  “Go ahead. Show the entire school that you liked hurting me in bed.”

  His eyebrows drew down. “What?”

  I smirked. “I remember that time, Jason. I told you that it hurt, and you just told me to shut up.”

  I could almost hear the grinding of his teeth as his jaw flexed and a vein began to pulse on his forehead.

  I shook my head. What a pathetic piece of shit. I was better than this. Better than he ever made me feel. I wasn’t trash, and I was done with him. “Give me your phone.”

  The scowl was back. “Fuck you.”

  “Give me the memory card or I’ll tell your football coach to test you for steroids,” I stated simply.

  His face went slack as he looked me over more carefully. “You wouldn’t.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Try me.”

  We stared at each other for several heartbeats before he finally reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. He jerked the card out of it and tossed it to me.

  Relief flooded me as I caught it. I met his gaze. “Get lost. Don’t ever contact me again.” I stepped back and slammed the door in his face, then made sure to lock it.

  Stunned at what I’d done, I stood there shaking until I heard the squeal of tires as his car roared down the street. It took several slow, deep breaths, but eventually I turned around.

  Isaac was standing at the base of the stairs. He must have come in the back door. I hadn’t been alone with Jason after all. My lips trembled as he took a step towards me. I all but jumped into his arms as tears began to fall. “I didn’t know you were here.”

  “I know.” His hand rubbed my back. “You did good, Jess.”

  “I was scared,” I whispered.

  “I know. But now he’ll leave you alone,” Isaac said, “or he’ll deal with the rest of us.”

  I wiped my face and stepped back. “I missed you, you brat.”

  He grinned. “We missed you too.”

  Lexie

  Uma pulled into the crowded drive in front of Miles’ house. She had her own cabin further down the property away from the chaos. With how full the house could get at times, I envied her that little cabin.

  “Don’t forget, I want to see those books tomorrow,” she stated as she stopped.

  “I won’t,” I muttered as I got out of the car. Shuffling my way to the front door, it was all I could do to stay upright as I went inside.

  On pure instinct and muscle memory, I continued my shuffle through the foyer and towards my bedroom.

  “Ally?”

  Asher’s voice had me turning in the long hall.

  He finished wiping his hands on his apron. “Are you alright?”

  I nodded. “Just tired.”

  He eyed me. “Are you going to bed?”

  I nodded. “My lesson wasn’t easy tonight. I’m wiped.”

  His brow drew together. “Zeke and Ethan switched date nights.”

  It took several heartbeats as I sifted through the fog that was in my brain. Crap. I had a date tonight. Hell, most nights now. It shouldn’t have surprised me that Asher knew about the switch. Ever since he’d come back he’d been hearing things he didn’t want to. Though … “They switched?”

  Asher nodded.

  The only reason to switch was if something was wrong with one of them. “Shit. Where is he?”

  His eyes went above my head.

  I looked straight up.

  Zeke was behind me, leaning forward and looking down at me with a frown. “You look like shit.”

  “Sweet talker,” I muttered as I dropped my head again.

  He stepped around me. “Go take a bath and you’ll feel better.”

  I nodded and started down the hall with him.

  “She hasn’t eaten a snack yet,” Asher called.

  “After her bath,” Zeke promised for me.

  As we got closer to my bedroom door, his hand moved to my lower back. I leaned against him a little, needing the connection.

  His hand moved to my waist and took some of my weight. “What happened?”

  “I raised an old zombie,” I muttered as we stopped at my door. He opened it and half carried me inside as we headed straight for the bathroom.

  He set me down on the edge of the tub and dropped to a squat. Those blue eyes met mine, searching. “Are you okay to take a bath?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I just need to eat something and I’ll be full of energy again.” Luckily, the guys knew my post-raising needs well already.

  I watched as Zeke reached around me, getting the bath water ready, the scent of leather and engine grease filling my senses. “Here, get in and I’ll bring you some food.” All I could muster was a nod in response as the feeling of being home filled me completely. Before I could reach down and get my shoes, Zeke was already undoing them and pulling them off. His hands hesitated at my sweater hem. Without thinking about it, I reached up to pull it off.

  His hands stopped me. “Baby, I’m right here.”

  I met his eyes. “I didn’t even think about it.”

  He swallowed hard.

  “Does it bother you?” I asked softly.

  He shook his head slightly. “Does it bother you?”

  “No.”

  He let go of my hands. I pulled the dark green sweater up and off my head. To show him the black cami I was wearing underneath.

  He let out a breath of relief.

  I snickered.

  “That wasn’t funny,” he said.

  “It was a little funny,” I teased.

  He bit back a grin as he took my sweater and headed for the door. “Get in the tub, I’ll get you some leftovers.”

  “Thanks.” He closed the door behind him before I finished undressing. Hot water and bubbles covered me to my shoulders. I sank into the warmth and laid my head back.

  Everything just took a step back for a moment, as if to give me breathing room. School, work, the guys. The hot water eased my tense shoulders, relaxed my mind. Baths were magical, never let anyone tell you differently.

  I was half asleep when there was a knock on the door. “Hmm?”

  The door opened. Zeke came in, frowning. “You fell asleep.”

  I shook my head, sitting up a little more but staying covered by the bubbles. “No, not at all. I’m super awake.”

  “You’re so full of shit.” He came in and handed me a bowl of food. “Here, eat so you don’t drown.”

  I blinked hard several times before actually taking the bowl. “You might want to have a seat then. I don’t know how much awake I have left.”

  He ran his hand through his hair as he surveyed the bathroom. He finally settled on the edge of the tub with his back to me.

  “Why are you looking that way?” I asked before popping some noodles into my mouth.

  He sighed. “So I can’t see into the tub.”

  I half grinned. “I’m that distracting, huh?”

  “I’m trying to be respectful here,” he said in the soft voice he used with me sometimes. “You’re tired and I don’t want you regretting anything.”

  “Okay, I’ll stop teasing.” I twirled my fork in the noodles. “So, why did you and Ethan switch nights?”

  His shoulders grew tense. “I … I haven’t been sleeping.”

  “Bad dreams?”

  He no
dded.

  “Tank isn’t helping?” Since Sylvie was out of town already, Zeke had moved Kita and Tank to Miles’ backyard. Originally, we’d been worried they wouldn’t do well with the shifters that came around, but it had been quite the opposite. The wolf hybrids simply accepted the shifters as if they were their own.

  He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I need you tonight.”

  Damn, the way he said that had heat pooling low in my belly as I fought the urge to squirm at the sensation. “Well, you got me tonight.”

  “Thanks, Baby.”

  “What happened while I was gone?” I asked as I prayed that my body would cool down.

  “Weapons practice,” Zeke said. “We went up against the shifters and for once we managed to hold our own.”

  “Wait.” I finished my bite. “Tell me this wasn’t with live vials in the staffs?”

  Zeke turned his head, giving me his profile. “It was.”

  “You guys can’t practice with live weapons,” I snapped. “You’re going to kill someone.”

  “We don’t have a choice.” Zeke’s hard voice sent a shiver down my neck. “We need to know how they work and have practice using them.”

  “Zeke—”

  “This is war, Lexie,” he reminded me. “And we’re training to fight for our lives. We can’t pull any punches.”

  He was right. I hated it. I hated that they were a part of this, but he was right. “Tell me you guys took the blade off?”

  His shoulders relaxed. “Yeah, we used a blunt wooden blade for practice.”

  “They’re talking about attacking Jadis.” I took another bite, not really tasting it before I set the bowl onto the ledge on my right.

  “We figured,” he said.

  “We could lose people,” I reminded him, the thought making my throat tight.

  He grunted in response.

  A question had been haunting me for some time, and I knew Zeke was the one to ask. He wouldn’t try to sugarcoat anything. “Do you ever regret meeting me?”

  Zeke rolled his shoulders as he shook his head. “Not once. Not ever.”