“Shit.” I rubbed my eyes with one hand. “Let me guess, it can cause damage.”
“It’ll kill you,” Rina said directly.
I sighed. Figured. “So, I’m screwed no matter what.”
“Not quite,” Evelyn said with a gentle smile.
There was something I had to know. “You said ‘when you raise the dead.’”
"Yes, someone has told you that you will eventually... right?" She cringed awkwardly.
"Yeah, that's not it," I said. "It's that you said it without... being rude."
Understanding filled her eyes. "Oh, let me guess. The witches are being snotty about your abilities."
"Yeah, snotty to downright hostile," I admitted.
She shook her head. "That's just... nonsense. You see, you're a magic user. But, you didn't get a choice in your abilities so that makes you a different breed of magic user, so to speak."
"Most witches have worked a long time to get their skills,” Rina began. "You'll reach their level and surpass them very quickly, probably before you’re twenty-five years old."
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that why they kill us off? Because we're stronger than them?"
I suddenly had their undivided attention.
"What do you mean? Kill you off?" Rina asked, her brow drawn.
I turned to Evelyn. "That's what Serena said. Once a Necromancer raises the dead, they usually have to be dealt with."
Evelyn grew still, her face serious. "There are specific circumstances set for the execution of a Necromancer, and not one of them includes raising the dead for the first time." She shook her head. "I wish I knew more about Necromancy, but I know the laws. And that is... " She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
The church office opened. Atticus walked out, closely followed by Father Francis.
Evelyn shook her head. "One thing at a time. We will have a longer discussion about this subject."
Atticus came straight to us and stood beside Evelyn.
Francis stopped next to my bench. “Evelyn, it’s wonderful to have you—”
“You denied her the ward tattoos?” Evelyn snapped as she looked up at him, her eyes burning. “Is that correct?”
Atticus’s lips lifted into a slight grin.
Francis frowned. “I offered her a job.”
“And if she didn’t take it?” she demanded. I almost felt guilty. Almost.
“The ward tattoos are sacred,” Francis said. “They can’t be just handed out—”
“Oh, sacred my foot!” she snapped as she began to get to her feet. “They’re spells tattooed into the skin.” Atticus set his hand on her shoulder. She stopped trying to get to her feet.
Francis straightened his shoulders. “That may be, but her skills would be beneficial to the Templars.”
Evelyn scowled at Francis. Atticus’ face was hard as he handed Evelyn the notepad he was carrying. He pulled a pen from the inside breast pocket of his suit jacket and passed it to her. Evelyn took it while shaking her head.
“So, you’re trying to take advantage of her,” Evelyn stated clearly as she began drawing something.
“Respectfully, it’s none of your concern anymore,” Francis stated.
Evelyn huffed, clearly angry at his response.
“The Templars still work for us. Or have you found other funding?” Atticus demanded, his voice hard and dark. “Blackmailing a teenager with something that could save her life is despicable. Especially when that same teenager is risking her life to save this world.”
“The… world?” I asked, stunned.
Atticus closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
“What do you mean?” Francis asked, clearly as confused as I was.
Evelyn answered as she continued to draw. “Lexie, here, is the only way to cross the dead at the moment. If that energy kept building, well, the barriers would have been destroyed.” She looked up and sent a look at the priest. “Heaven and Hell would pour into this world. And we all know we don’t want that.” My head swam. Heaven? Hell? Barriers?
“What the fuck?” I said.
Atticus raised an eyebrow and turned to me. “You didn’t know?”
I gaped at him. “That I was saving the world? No,” I snapped sarcastically. His eyebrow dropped.
“I need to have a word with Zahur,” he muttered to himself.
“And this girl, this teenager, is doing this? Alone?” Francis asked, shocked.
“Yes, she is,” Evelyn stated as she clicked the pen shut. “Which is why I’m angry that you wouldn’t give her the ward tattoos.”
The priest smiled. “Then all the more reason to have her working with us.”
The look Evelyn shot him would have made me back up.
“I’d stop talking, Francis,” Rina told him.
Evelyn turned to me and handed me the drawing. “Lexie, take that to the Templar’s tattoo artist. Tell him to use the same ink as the ward tattoos and have this written down your spine. It’s similar to the ward spell and it will work the same way, only you’ll have control of it. It’ll strengthen your barriers to the point nothing can touch you unless you lower them, which will stop any further brain damage.
The world came to a screeching halt. “It will?”
“Yes. This is tailored to you, so you can continue to cross the dead without hurting yourself. Once the Veil issue is dealt with we’ll talk about a better one,” Evelyn said. I was speechless, but no one seemed to notice.
“And you will give her the shop address,” Atticus ordered.
“Of course,” Francis said, his voice quiet.
Evelyn sighed. “And now, I need a nap.”
Rina chuckled. “Go take a nap, I’m going to raid the kitchen.” She picked up her ginger ale and crackers.
Atticus helped Evelyn to her feet.
“We’ll have a longer talk soon,” Evelyn assured me. “I also want a peek at that dog of yours when he decides it’s safe to leave your friend’s side.”
Atticus picked her up and carried her back inside. Rina followed. Francis went back to the office, leaving me in silence.
I looked down at the paper in my trembling hand. It… this… fuck. The enormity of what that piece of paper meant… I had to sit down. I was sitting down. I took deep breaths. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the design. I… I could… I swallowed hard as tears fell down my face. I could live past thirty. I took deep breaths as relief destroyed any control I had and left me shaking. I could have a life. I could get married if I wanted. I had a chance to… grow old… for the first time in my life. I had the chance for a real life. I wasn’t going to die.
I pulled out my phone and called home.
“How’s Isaac?” Rory answered his phone.
I smiled, tears still streaming down my face. “Fine. He’s fine.”
“What’s wrong?” Rory demanded.
“Um...” I swallowed hard. “I… There are some people here that know a lot of magic and stuff. They... one of them…” I was struggling just to form the words. “This woman, Evelyn, she gave me a design for a ward. Rory…” I took a breath, “it’ll stop me from getting jumped.”
Silence met my ear.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice hopeful.
“Yeah. She killed the fucking demon inside Isaac, so… yeah, she’s probably sure.” I wiped my face.
“Holy shit.” His voice was thick. He took several deep breaths.
“There’s just one catch,” I admitted. “I have to have it tattooed on.”
“I don’t give a fuck, get it today!” Rory all but shouted. I smiled and wiped my face as a fresh wave of tears fell down my face. “I mean it. I want that on you now!” That feeling of being loved washed over me.
“Okay, I’ll get it before I come home.” My voice was quiet and thick.
“Good.” He let out a deep shaking breath. “Love you, kid.”
My throat grew tight. “Love ya too.” I hung up and wiped my face again.
“Ally?” Asher’s voice had me looking up. He stood at the end of the bench, his ocean eyes worried. I had to tell them. It was time.
“I…” I took a breath and tried again. “There’s something I need to tell you guys.”