Foretold: Necromancer's Blight: Book 1

by D. L. Harrison

  It was also kind of sad, that Matt would settle for being her duty like that, one more screwed up thing in this new supernatural world I’d been pushed into.

  Either way, I couldn’t blame either of them, but that left my head a huge mess. She wasn’t just talking about dating, she was only going to throw over Matt as a partner if she was sure enough to marry me, not just date me. That was… hard core. It was strange too. Understatement, all of this was bizarre.

  She snorted, “Can’t resist you huh?”

  “Something like that. I had a dream about it once,” I said lightly.

  She frowned, and studied me for a moment, “You’re really okay with it?”

  I nodded, “Life is strange. Plus, I’m not ready for wedding bells, so let’s just do a friend dating type of thing, and see what happens. I don’t know if that’s even possible though, passion and chemistry are maintained from contact as well. A simple kiss could light us on fire, or put out the initial embers we feel now, if it falls flat. Without that… it might just fade into just a friendship. I also won’t, or can’t, wait forever, but for now I understand, and I really like you, even if you’d said no I’d want you in my life.”

  That sounded like a line, but I’d meant it. The kissing part was just the truth, how could we see if we had more than sparks, without physical contact and the intimacy that would light that passion aflame? The whole friend dating thing was just absurd.

  I’d just have to hope touching was enough, maybe with the bond magic? Holding her hand did feel about as good as kissing most other girls ever had.

  Something told me though, that it wouldn’t be enough. Unless something drastic happened, it would fade, and who knew when someone else might grab my attention. That’s how life worked. Eventually, my need of her would fade if it wasn’t fed, it was just human nature. Relationships were hard, unless both people were all in, all the time, things tended to fail.

  This… whatever it was, wasn’t all in by a long shot. And… I was still in limbo. Hopefully, she wouldn’t keep me there for too long.

  The more I thought about it though, the more childish and naïve I found her approach. Christina was definitely a woman, in most ways she was wise, smart, mature, and capable, but her approach to relationships was one that was extremely stunted, and unrealistic due to circumstances outside her control.

  There was every possibility she was as powerfully drawn to me as I was to her, but that wasn’t enough, because it didn’t meet the dream of a fourteen-year-old girl who wanted to swoon and be swept off her feet. I felt like a prick thinking of her that way, but it was the painful truth. She was raised in isolation, and never had that first date, first crush, or for all I knew, even a first kiss.

  There was no point in arguing with her about it, she needed to figure it out herself, and I’d only be around so long. Sadly, I still believed it would be more my loss, she was one in a million.

  We finished lunch in silence, and then Christina said, “We should get back.”

  I nodded, “I’ve got a grueling workout to get to, followed by getting beat up and thrown around by your little sister, and then stabbed by Timothy.”

  She chuckled, “You’re doing a lot better than that.”

  I actually was, my rep weight was now higher than my max weight lift had been when I’d started three weeks ago. I could also finish the run with the group now, but it took a lot more effort than the rest of them to do so. Serena only threw me around a handful of times the last few days, and I’d even gotten her once or twice.

  The knife thing was still too new for that much improvement, fortunately Timothy really didn’t stab me that hard, and we used blunt wood practice knives anyway, so the stabs did hurt, but didn’t break skin.

  I just shrugged and winked though, being friends with her would be easy, getting used to that being all it would be, well that would be harder…

  Chapter Eleven

  My back slapping down on the mat hardly made any noise as I immediately rolled and jumped to my feet, just in time to block a kick to my face.

  Serena smiled, “You’re getting good at that, falling correctly I mean. Must be all the practice.”

  She grinned impudently as she kicked high, low, and then moved in for another throw.

  I blocked the first with my arm, raised my leg slightly to deflect her low kick, and then moved to the side to avoid a grapple, and wound up blocking her next kick, and grabbing her ankle before she pulled it back.

  She must be getting tired.

  She jumped up on the other leg before I could take advantage, and kicked me in the chest, but I took it and didn’t release her ankle until she was way off balance. It was cheap, but it worked, and she landed on her back, but back rolled and hand spring flipped up onto her feet like a gymnast before I could follow up on it.

  It was probably a good thing I didn’t spar with Christina, because her sister was distracting enough doing moves like that in her typical leotard and yoga pants outfit, with her hair in a ponytail. That more than anything showed me my attraction to Christina wasn’t based on looks, because her younger sister was just as attractive and limber, not to mention fun to be around. For some reason, all I could find for her was friendship.

  Probably because I was obsessed with her sister.

  “Enough,” Timothy said, “You’re doing much better, let’s see what you’ve forgotten since this weekend.”

  Serena winked at me and mouthed, “Good luck,” before she slipped out the door.

  The older man was a menace with his knife, and he eerily wielded it like a vampire would use its clawed fingers. Surprisingly, he stopped after only fifteen minutes, and grunted.

  “Not bad, not great, you’ll be lucky to stay alive without backup, but not bad. Don’t think this changes anything though, I still expect to see you working out every day, and sparring with Serena or one of the others. Knife fighting too.”

  At my look of confusion, he added, “Go talk to Carl, you just graduated school early.”

  I nodded slowly, not sure how I felt about that after last Friday night. I was infinitely more prepared than I had been on Friday. I knew what to expect, and I knew how to use the knife in my boot. I also had a few more insights into my necromancy, although I was still just an amateur there.

  “What about guns?”

  Timothy replied, “We’ll get to those, you won’t need them for necromancer hunting though. I’ll give you a crash course this weekend. Proper handling, cleaning, disassembly, assembly, and then, and only then, will I let you shoot them.”

  Crap, did I just volunteer for another boot camp weekend of training?

  I tried for grateful, but missed, “Okay, you got it.”

  He smiled knowingly and I got out of there before he could think of anything else. Why didn’t I keep my mouth shut?

  I wasn’t sure what Carl needed, but I delayed long enough to quickly take a hot shower, and put on some fresh clothes.

  I went up to the second sublevel floor and down to Carl’s office, and knocked.

  “Come in,” he said loudly.

  I opened the door and slipped inside, four sets of eyes looked at me. Matt turned his away first, both Serena and Christina gave me a bright smile, which were startlingly similar. I moved over and sat in the open chair next to Serena.

  “What’s up?”

  Carl had an intently serious look on his face, and he studied me a long moment before he spoke.

  “I’m going to team you up with Serena, she’s ready, and you’re not in your top shape yet, but you’re ready too.”

  I understood why he was studying me so intently, he was putting his daughter’s life in my hands.

  “So, what’s the plan?”

  He said, “I want all four of you on campus tonight, close enough together to assist if needed, but that’s just a precaution. I know how hard you’ve worked, and you have an advantage the rest of us don’t, you’re ready.”

  I started to wonder who he was trying t
o convince.

  Serena looked thrilled, and excited to finally get to what she’d trained her whole life for. I could almost feel her intense energy vibrating off her body. Christina looked conflicted, but held her tongue about our bond, so I followed her lead. There might have been worry for her younger sister in there as well, and perhaps a little for me too, since she wouldn’t be close enough to protect me.

  I was rather torn about that myself, but had no qualms about Serena. She could take care of herself, and I had no doubts she had my back as much as I would have hers.

  Carl continued, “I fear that Macy will ramp things up again, this is about more than just you two being new to the field, I don’t want Matt or Christina out there without support as well. Even they would be hard pressed if Macy sends enough vampires, and she’s had a long time to build up her forces. I want you to be aware of each other, and don’t move too far out of contact.”

  Well, that wouldn’t be a problem, as long as she was within a half mile I couldn’t lose Christina if I tried.

  “That shouldn’t be an issue,” Christina said.

  I tried not to smile.

  Matt said, “Macy seems to favor a distraction and then a second strike attack. I’d suggest any two of us that run into a vampire, the other team should hold back until she shows her other cards.”

  “If Macy is back again, and I track her, how do I communicate that without tipping her off?”

  Christina said, “Call for help. If you really need help, Serena can call us in, if you call for help…” she trailed off.

  Serena sighed, “When you join up with us we’ll all know to follow him when he takes off. If necessary, the one engaged with the vampire will stay behind.”

  “No, we shouldn’t spit up more than as two teams, either the two of us go for Macy alone, or all four of us. We can always go back for the vampire after dealing with Macy. If there’s a trap, the one left behind could be in huge danger.”

  Serena nodded reluctantly, and I was relieved.

  If I had to, I’d just take it out with necromancy, no matter who was fighting it at the time.

  Matt grunted, “All four of us. No offense. I don’t want it to be just Christina and I either, the girl is canny, and probably well defended.”

  Carl nodded, “Do the best you can, but live to fight another day. Wait for her to make the mistake.”

  We all agreed with that.

  Carl said, “If that’s all, dinner?”

  Chapter Twelve

  I stood by the elevator waiting. After dinner, I’d put on my boots and a slightly warmer shirt.

  I saw her come around the corner, gorgeous flowing liquid midnight hair, intensely vivid blue eyes. She had a touch of makeup on that made her long eyelashes pop, and slightly enhanced her usual beauty. Her long sleeve black sweater shirt clung to her generous tight curves, her pastel blue flowing skirt ended a few inches above the knees, and she had on knee high black boots.

  It was a surreal moment, because for a second I’d thought it was Christina, but it was Serena. I’d never seen her with makeup on or her hair down before, or in normal clothes for that matter. She looked older that way, not quite so young. Mature, sexy even.

  I’ll probably go to hell, but for a second I wished I had it bad for the younger sister instead, but I just didn’t. It would make things easier if I wasn’t partnered with the wrong sister, of if the right sister didn’t have unrealistic expectations.

  She stopped and looked down at herself, “What, do I have something?”

  I laughed, when her lips puffed out as she checked her teeth.

  “No, you just surprised me. I’ve only ever seen you in workout clothes, hair up, without makeup.”

  She looked startled for a second, and then thoughtful as she walked over.

  “Won’t that be awkward,” I eyed the skirt. She liked to kick a lot when fighting.

  She smirked, “Skirt shorts. This looks okay?”

  “You clean up very nicely if that’s what you’re asking.”

  She smiled, and we both turned as Christina came around the corner, followed a moment later by Matt.

  I felt a stab of guilt at Serena’s shy happy smile when I’d given the compliment, and I didn’t like putting off telling about the bond I had with Christina. Not anymore. Not only was Christina holding me at arm’s length for the dubious safety of having her fall back guy with duty, but what were Serena’s expectations? At the very least, she probably thought she’d get stuck with me, but it could be worse than that, what if she actually liked me?

  I didn’t like her like that, I liked her like a friend, or whatever, point being I didn’t want to see her hurt, just because Christina wanted to hide our bond. Then again, did the bond really mean we had to partner? Probably not, it could be useful in separate teams as well, for keeping track of the other team if nothing else.

  Damn, when did my life turn into a damned soap opera?

  I was annoyed now, and wished I didn’t like either of them. That would simplify things a whole bunch. So far though, the Serena thing really didn’t seem to be a problem, I was almost positive Serena didn’t see me that way as well, but it was still a point, especially in this screwed up society of warrior police slaves where partners inevitable partnered up in all other ways. It was… messed up.

  Wrong.

  Christina was in her usual tight jeans, black boots, and a clingy shirt. She made casual look really good, and when she noticed me looking and our eyes met, she turned her head away. I held back a sigh of frustration. So much for not awkward after I asked her out, now she was avoiding me. Still, I wouldn’t hide what I thought or felt about her from her anymore. I was pretty much hopeless, but also annoyed beyond reason at the whole situation.

  I also needed to focus on the patrol, not my insanely complicated love life, or my convoluted lack of one really.

  “We ready?” Matt asked, “I really want to take her down tonight.”

  I got that, the longer it took to take her down, the closer she’d be to whatever plans she had to kill a bunch of us and take off to another city. Hopefully, if we were out as a group of four, that wouldn’t happen.

  “Think so,” I said, and we got on the elevator…

  It was early October now, and it started to get a little cool as the sun went down. I’d been walking and looking around with Serena for over an hour how, so far nothing.

  Christina, and I assumed Matt, were just a quarter mile away on the parallel path through campus.

  Serena asked, “So is it always like this?”

  I smiled, “I’ve only been on one other patrol remember? But as far as I know yes, Ninety-nine point nine percent boredom, point one percent terror and excitement.”

  She sighed, “I’ve been looking forward to this for a while, now that I’m out here…” she trailed off and brooded in silence.

  “Now that you’re out here?” I prompted.

  She shrugged, “Just not what I expected. I’m good though, just on edge.”

  I got the feeling she wasn’t just talking about tonight’s patrol. I’ve no idea what she could mean though, maybe she didn’t expect a half-breed freak of a partner? I doubted that, she’d never once looked down on me, or showed me contempt. Not even that time she’d snuck in to talk to me while I was still tied down to a table.

  It was also the first time I’d seen this side of her, usually she was an upbeat person that was halfway flirty, and halfway a wise ass. Fun in other words. People were people though, and everyone had a bad night. Maybe she was just nervous.

  “In what way? Do you want to talk about it?”

  She replied, “Maybe later. When we aren’t hunting.”

  I was going to tell her okay, when I felt the buzz, I wasn’t at all sure what Serena and the others felt when a vampire was near, but whatever it was had Serena looking in the same direction.

  At the same time, I felt Christina who was far to our left, break into a run in the opposite direction. Shit, so mu
ch for our plan.

  “Be careful,” I said as we ran toward the signature, “Macy is already splitting us up, Christina and Matt ran the other way.”

  We rounded the corner and almost bowled over three drunk guys, but moved around them quickly and kept going.

  One shouted an obscenity at us, we ignored it as we slipped between two buildings around fifty yards passed them. There was a vampire there feeding on a blonde.

  “Shit, is that Jo?” I asked, as I let her engage the vampire and watched for more surprises. I didn’t like this at all, I could still feel Christina, but she was close to the edge of our bond’s reach.

  I was also sure now, as the vampire threw the blonde to the ground and turned to face Serena, that it was the young witch we went to college with. She was in a cute skirt and halter top, and obviously on her way to a party, or something.

  Or at least, I hoped this was coincidence, and not part of Macy’s plan somehow.

  Serena moved with a quick confidence, but the vampire was just as fast, faster really, and vicious. It’s why we didn’t try to double team them, but one member of the team stood as guard against a second attacker, and was there to take over in case of injury. Things moved too fast with vampires, and two on one we’d get in each other’s way if we tried to fight together.

  Serena was graceful though, and threw the vampire a number of times, that was quite reminiscent for me, before she got an opening and stab the bastard in the heart. The vampire fell to the ground and I circled, and looked at Serena with confusion.

  Serena said, “What’s wrong?”

  I sighed, “No second attack, and that scares the hell out of me, it means she’s changing tactics.”

  Serena winked, and then teased me, “I’ll take care of you Tom, don’t worry.”

  I snickered, the Serena I knew was back, maybe it had just been nerves, and the itch to prove herself. Now that the vampire was dead she seemed almost normal.

  I stepped over past the vampire carefully and checked on Jo’s vitals.

  She seemed okay.

  “Okay, normally I’d just say leave her, she’ll be fine. We should check on Matt and your sister, the sooner the better. Maybe we only got the distraction wave because Macy set the trap for them, and only wanted us out of the way?”