“I think our work here is done,” Dominic said. “Let’s head back home. Your energy can replenish itself a bit on the ride, and the we can do some more practice when we get near Middletown.”
Dominic turned and headed off into the trees, back the way they had come. Leesa and Rave followed behind him. Every few steps, Leesa found herself glancing down at her foot, as if somehow she might start limping again. When they reached the trail, she stopped her companions.
“Hold up a second, you guys. I want to try something.”
Rave and Dominic looked at her expectantly.
Leesa turned away from them and took off running down the path, thrilling to her newfound agility and speed. Because of her limp, she had always avoided running, even jogging. She had made up for it with long daily walks, but now she could do either. She stopped after about thirty yards and turned back to face her companions.
“What do you think, Rave?” she called. “I know it’s not volkaane fast, but it’s pretty good for me.”
“You run beautifully,” Rave said. “I think you would look even more beautiful running toward me, though.”
Leesa didn’t need a second invitation. She raced back to Rave and jumped up into his arms.
“Don’t think that just because I don’t limp anymore that this isn’t still my favorite way to travel,” she said as she snuggled her cheek against his warm chest.
Rave squeezed her against him. “I’m very glad to hear that. I’d hate to think I’ve become unnecessary.”
Leesa twisted her head and kissed his neck. “Never,” she said. “Never, ever.”
6. SHARING THE NEWS
THE RIDE HOME FROM NEW YORK passed quickly. Leesa and Dominic talked some, but mostly she just enjoyed being behind the wheel, cruising at highway speeds through the scenic wooded hills of western Connecticut. She didn’t get to drive all that often, especially on the freeway, so she still got a kick out of it. Since it was pretty early in the afternoon, traffic was light, making driving all the more enjoyable. She wished Rave could be making the ride with them, but of course that was impossible.
In less than two hours, they were back on Route 66, heading through Meriden toward Middletown. Just before they entered the town that had become her home, Leesa glanced toward Dominic.
“Do you mind if we take a little side trip?” she asked.
“Not at all. Where do you want to go?”
“To East Hampton, to show Cali what you did to my leg. She’ll be thrilled.”
“I’m certain she will be.” Dominic closed his eyes. “Wake me when we get there.”
Leesa grinned. She doubted Dominic would be sleeping—he closed his eyes much more for thinking than for sleep. She wondered what he had been thinking about on the ride home. Mysterious and dangerous wizard stuff, probably.
She guided the SUV through downtown Middletown and across the river over the Arrigoni Bridge, whose shiny steel latticework gleamed in the sunlight. Once across the bridge, it took only about fifteen minutes to reach East Hampton. Leesa had been here a couple of times with Cali, so she knew exactly where she was going. She pulled the car into an empty spot at the curb a few doors down from the small boutique where Cali worked.
Dominic opened his eyes. “I will wait here,” he said. “Take your time.”
“I won’t be very long,” Leesa promised as she opened the door and climbed out of the car.
As she headed down the sidewalk, she watched herself in the storefront windows, walking without any trace of a limp. When she reached Cali’s store, she stopped for a moment, looking at the trendy summer outfits displayed on four mannequins in the window and thinking what a perfect place this was for Cali to work.
Leesa opened the door and went inside. Cali was arranging some clothes on a rack to the side, her back to Leesa. She was wearing a purple and black top that left one shoulder bare and jeans with sparkles on the rear pockets.
Leesa crossed over behind her. “You guys got any cute outfits in this place?”
Cali spun around, a big smile on her face. She gave Leesa a quick hug.
“What are you doing here? Is everything all right?” Cali knew that where Leesa was involved, you could never be sure.
“Everything’s great,” Leesa assured her. “I’ve got something to show you.”
Cali gave Leesa a quick check with her eyes. Leesa wasn’t carrying anything, nor was she wearing anything unusual.
“What?” Cali asked.
“Can you come outside for just a minute?”
“Sure. I’ve got a break coming up. Let me just go tell Sue.”
She headed over to a middle-aged woman fussing with something behind a counter in the rear of the store. The two spoke for a moment, and then Cali returned.
“I’ve got ten minutes,” she said. “Let’s go.”
They exited the store, Cali leading the way. As soon as they were outside, she looked up and down the street and then turned to Leesa.
“So, what am I supposed to be looking at?” she asked. “I don’t see anything.”
“Watch.”
Leesa started walking down the sidewalk in the direction of the SUV. She had gone only a few steps before Cali noticed.
“Holy crap!” Cali exclaimed, hurrying to catch up. “Your limp is freaking gone. What gives?”
“Dominic healed my leg this morning,” Leesa explained. She skipped a short distance down the sidewalk and then circled back. “Isn’t it awesome?”
“Totally.” Cali’s eyes narrowed. “If his magic could heal you, why’d he wait so long to do it?”
“I asked him the same question,” Leesa replied.
She explained as best she could about how she had to get good enough at her magic to be able to visualize Dominic’s. Since she didn’t fully understand the whole thing herself, her explanation left Cali somewhat confused.
“I don’t quite get it,” Cali said when Leesa was finished. “But this isn’t the first time I didn’t understand something where magic is concerned. It doesn’t matter, though. Either way, I’m thrilled for you.”
Leesa smiled. “I kinda like it myself. I just have to remember to keep limping a little when I’m around my mom and Bradley. They’ve noticed that my limp has improved, but I don’t want to have to explain how my leg is suddenly completely cured.”
“Tell them I kicked you in the ankle,” Cali said, grinning. “And the next thing you knew, your limp was gone. Like a miracle.”
Leesa chuckled. “Cali’s miracle kick cure. I’ll have to remember to use that as my fall back excuse if I mess up.”
“I’d better get back to work,” Cali said. “Thanks for coming by to share. I’m so stoked for you. We’ll have to go out dancing some time soon.”
For the first time in her life, going dancing didn’t sound like a bad idea to Leesa—that didn’t include slow dancing with Rave, of course, which was positively heavenly.
The two girls exchanged hugs. Leesa watched as Cali headed back into the store, then she returned to the car, eager to get back to practicing her magic as Dominic had promised.
An ocean away, important news was also being shared.
The apprentice waziri Jordan rushed into the chamber where his master Viktor and fellow black waziri Andre sat at a wooden table, studying an ancient parchment.
“Master, he’s alive!” Jordan exclaimed breathlessly.
The two waziri looked up at the excited young apprentice.
“Calm down,” Viktor admonished him. “A wizard should not allow himself to become so emotional.”
Jordan nodded and took several deep breaths, calming himself.
“I’m sorry, Master,” he said when he had collected himself.
“Now, who is alive?” Viktor asked.
“The stable hand we sacrificed to the zombies last night. He has returned from the dead without any help from our magic.”
Viktor and Andre exchanged glances. This was big news indeed, a huge step forward in the Necromance
r’s plans.
“We must inform our liege immediately,” Andre said. He withdrew the golden amulet he wore under his cloak. The amulet was round, about three inches in diameter, and hung from his neck on a thin silver chain. Elaborate, engraved runes decorated the surface of the gold.
He flicked a hidden catch on the side of the medallion with his thumb and the face sprang open, revealing a smooth, shiny black surface inside. The ebony interior was fashioned of the same material as the Necromancer’s magic table.
Andre focused his gaze on the black surface and softly chanted a spell. After a moment, an image of the Necromancer’s bulbous head appeared within the locket.
“What news?” he asked without preamble.
“Jordan reports that last night’s subject has reanimated,” Andre replied.
“Excellent. Bring him to me immediately.”
“Yes, my lord.” Andre closed the amulet and stood up. “Let’s go.”
The three of them hurried to the chamber where the unfortunate victim stood motionless against the stone wall, held there by a spell from Jordan. Other than a couple of gaping wounds in his side and one on his cheek where the zombies had gnawed his flesh, the man looked little changed from the day before. His skin was perhaps a shade or two more gray, but that was it.
“Release him,” Viktor ordered his apprentice.
Jordan uttered a brief incantation and the reanimated servant lurched hungrily toward them. Viktor stopped him with a quick spell.
“Follow us,” he commanded.
The zombie trailed them though the dim hallways to the table chamber. Inside, the Necromancer waited in his specially reinforced chair.
When Viktor halted a few feet from the table, the zombie stopped as well.
“Here he is, my lord,” Viktor said.
The Necromancer studied his former servant. What passed for a smile creased his round face.
“Let him go.”
Viktor ended his spell. The zombie immediately lumbered toward the Necromancer, who let the creature come within a single step before stopping it with a spell of his own.
“We have achieved contagion,” he said. “This represents a very big step—a very big step indeed.”
Viktor, Andre and Jordan took their seats at the magical table. The Necromancer had activated it before they arrived, and its depthless black surface glowed with haunted eyes.
“I make it approximately sixteen hours since he was bitten,” the Necromancer continued. “Our next goal is to get it down to less than an hour. I have no doubt we will get there sooner rather than later.”
“We shall redouble our efforts,” Viktor promised.
Andre and Jordan nodded their agreement.
The Necromancer held his palm out toward the zombie. “Circle the table,” he commanded it. “Do not stop until I tell you to.”
The creature began lumbering around the magical table, moving with a slow, awkward gait. While it walked, its bulging eyes remained fastened hungrily upon the watchers, but it made no move to deviate from its path.
The others observed the zombie silently for two or three laps, studying the thing, before the Necromancer spoke.
“I want to see how long the reanimation lasts,” he said. “The rest of you may return to your tasks.”
The two black waziri and their acolyte immediately stood up and left the chamber. The Necromancer continued patiently watching the zombie as it circled the table. With each revolution, the Necromancer grew a little more pleased. Finally, after more than an hour, the zombie stumbled and crashed to the floor, where it lay motionless. The reanimation had worn off. The man was once again dead.
The Necromancer let out a long sigh. Excitement and impatience warred inside him. He was getting closer to his long sought goal, but there was still much work to be done. He could not wait until the moment came when he could unleash armies of the undead upon the world, armies filled with creatures who would remain alive indefinitely unless slain.
7. DREAMING
LEESA HAD NOT DREAMED in quite some time—not one of her special dreams, at any rate. In the weeks after summoning a dream to help her defeat the xenorians, she had been visited by a number of magical dreams, all of which were disturbing and none of which she could remember in any detail. Both her book and Dominic told her this was normal—that once you unlocked the dream power by calling forth a vision, more dreams were almost certain to follow. And they were typically difficult to remember or interpret.
After a few weeks, the dreams had finally ceased—until tonight. She knew she was dreaming right now. Somehow, she also knew she was going to remember this one.
She and Cali were walking on the sidewalk along the outskirts of a college campus. It was not Weston College—the small lake across the street was all the proof Leesa needed to tell her that. There were no lakes on the Weston grounds.
A lush green lawn sloped down to the water, while beyond the lawn stood brick buildings two and three stories high that appeared to house classrooms. While not new by any means, they certainly looked newer than most of the structures at Weston. A large, U-shaped complex of dorm buildings covered a gently sloping hillside on Leesa and Cali’s side of the street.
Scores of students filled the grass around the lake, sitting on portable chairs or stretched out on colorful blankets enjoying the beautiful summer evening. Some appeared to be studying, but most seemed to be simply relaxing and soaking up the last few rays of sunshine.
A sign near one side of the lake proclaimed “University of Connecticut.” Leesa had never visited the campus, which was less than an hour’s drive from Middletown, but even so, she knew her vision of the school was accurate.
She was tempted to go join the kids near the lake for a short break, but something told her she and Cali needed to keep walking.
“Where are we going?” Cali asked, perhaps wondering why they weren’t heading across the street toward the inviting, park-like lake shore.
“I’m not sure,” Leesa admitted. “But it’s up ahead somewhere.”
They walked along the road for another couple of minutes. Across the street, the classroom buildings gave way to taller, more modern structures that Leesa guessed probably contained science labs. On their right, they came abreast of a low stone wall that bordered a large cemetery. A black wrought iron gate marked the entrance to the cemetery, which could only be visited on foot. The gate was open.
“We need to go in here,” she told Cali.
“Okay,” Cali replied, surveying the graveyard. “It looks cool.”
They turned and passed through the gateway. Leesa guessed the cemetery was probably less than one hundred years old. The grass was lush and well-manicured; the headstones were all clean, and unlike the markers common in older graveyards, showed little weather damage. There was nothing at all spooky about this place, even with the sun beginning to sink beyond the western horizon. Still, Leesa and Cali took each other’s hand as they walked up the gently sloping asphalt path toward the top of the hill, where the gravestones were gathered more closely together.
By the time they reached the top of the hill, the sun had disappeared, painting the dark sky in streaks of pink and purple while cloaking the cemetery in dim twilight. Below them, the windows of the college buildings began to glow yellow.
The two girls watched as darkness enveloped the campus. Some of the light from below reached into the unlit cemetery, keeping the hilltop from becoming totally dark. Still, it was dark enough.
“There’s someone else here,” Cali whispered.
Leesa glanced around. “Where?”
Cali pointed to their left. “Over there.”
Leesa followed Cali’s finger. Sure enough, she saw three dark forms fifty or sixty feet away. One was tall enough to be an adult; the other two appeared to be children. Leesa wondered who would bring kids into a dark graveyard at night.
The three figures appeared to be watching Leesa and Cali. After a few moments, they began to walk slowly
forward.
As the trio drew nearer, Leesa could see that her earlier guess had been correct. The taller form was a woman. The two children were a girl and a boy. The girl looked to be around ten years old, the boy a year or two younger.
The woman stopped ten feet away. The children halted beside her, one on each side, holding her hands.
There was something very strange about these three, Leesa could see now. Their outlines seemed almost fuzzy, although it was difficult to tell for certain in the darkness. They also seemed insubstantial somehow. She had the feeling that had there been any light behind the three, she might have been able to see right through them. Before she could fully ponder what that meant, the woman spoke. Her voice was soft, yet more audible than Leesa would have expected, given the low volume.
“Please, help us.”
Both Leesa and Cali quickly surveyed the surrounding area. They did not see any sign of trouble.
“What’s wrong?” Leesa asked. “How can we help you?”
“We’re tired of fighting,” the little boy said.
“We just want peace,” the girl added.
“Fighting?” Cali asked, looking around one more time to confirm they were still alone. “Fighting who? There’s no one else here but us.”
“We certainly mean you no harm,” Leesa assured the newcomers.
“We just want to rest,” the woman said. “We deserve to rest.” She draped an arm around the shoulders of each of her children. “Especially my kids.”
“I don’t understand,” Leesa said.
“My husband was a violent drunk,” the woman said, her soft voice beginning to fill with sadness. “He beat me often.” She wiped the back of her hand across her eyes, then dropped her arm back around her daughter’s shoulder. “If that’s all it was, I could have borne the burden, but sometimes he turned his temper upon the children. They didn’t do anything wrong. They did not deserve that.”
“No one does,” Leesa said, feeling especially sorry for the children.
“Finally, my husband lost it completely,” the woman continued as if Leesa had not spoken. “He murdered us, and then turned the gun on himself.
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