Void Domain, Book 01 полностью

Eva leaned back against the wall, trying to look casual, and placed her arms behind her back. “What book?” Eva said with more confidence than she felt.

“What book?” The larger man looked to his companion. “Sawyer, you’ve killed the bookkeeper too soon.”

While the man was turned, Eva carefully slipped her dagger out of its sheath. She touched it against her other arm. Blood marbles began forming behind her back.

Her body wasn’t quite at a real danger point. She’d survive enough blood loss to take out the dogs. Maybe the two necromancers if she was lucky. If this turned into a long confrontation, she’d be in trouble.

“She’s lying.” The skinny man’s eyes never left hers. His smile still stretched from ear to ear.

Eva frowned at his words. Why does everyone seem to know when I’m lying.

The man turned back to her and frowned. “You don’t want to test us further. You will regret it. Hand over the book.”

“Oh, I just hand it over and you’ll let me go on my way?”

“Of course not. There are worse things than death, my sweetie.”

“Sweetie?” Eva controlled her voice very carefully. “If we are so familiar, why not introduce yourselves.” She tapered off the flow of blood and healed her cut. Ten marbles totaling about a pint of blood hovered in the small of her back.

“Your last warning. Hand us the book or–”

The skinny one interrupted. “She doesn’t have the book. Obviously.” He managed to roll his eyes without taking them off Eva.

“Take us to the book or–”

“Don’t know where it is,” Eva interrupted. The man seemed to be going a bit red in the face. “Ask your friend if I’m telling the truth.”

The moment his head swung to the side, Eva launched four blood orbs. One at each of the dogs and one at each of the men.

Arachne noticed the orbs whizzing past her. She turned and grabbed Eva, smoothly jumping over the horde of golems without a pause.

Eva barely had time to snap her fingers before Arachne bolted down the street. Over Arachne’s shoulder, she could see the two figures atop the building still standing there. Neither crumpled or appeared to be in pain.

One of the spectral dogs chased after her through the air. It barked and snarled as it closed in faster than Arachne could dash. The other dog was nowhere to be seen.

One out of four isn’t bad, she thought as she launched another two orbs. They passed straight through the dog as if it wasn’t even there. A snap of her fingers and the orbs exploded within. The dog howled and vanished into green motes.

“Dogs are dead,” Eva said to Arachne. “Take me back, I want another shot at the necromancers.”

“No.”

“Arachne?”

“You’re shaking, shivering even, and covered in sweat that wasn’t there before. You need rest.”

Eva held her hand in front of her. She couldn’t hold it steady as much as she tried. Arachne’s running didn’t help. “Shaking and sweating from excitement.”

“Don’t lie to me Eva. Your breathing is ragged. You were supposed to be done with blood magic for the night. I could have dealt with them. Call your teachers if you wish. We’re going back to our home.”

Eva sighed and leaned into Arachne’s shoulder. She didn’t close her eyes. If she fell asleep, no one would be able to keep an eye on pursuers. “Can’t call them. Zoe Baxter has the book. Too dangerous to have her engage.”

“Relax, Eva. We’ll find them again. Maybe we will send Ivonis after them.”

“Oh? Did they introduce themselves to you while I wasn’t looking? I must have missed their names.”

Arachne’s mouth split into a small smile. “Another demon then. I’ll go even. Once you’re safe and rested.”

“We do need to warn Zoe Baxter.” Eva scanned the streets behind Arachne, waiting for someone to show up. “And retrieve the book from her.”

“Shall I hunt her down?”

“No, I have her card. Take us home and we’ll call her there, someplace far away from here.”

“She can teleport, right?”

“It will take us time to get there. Time for the necromancers to vanish.”

“Or cause more problems.”

Eva sighed. She wished her master were here. He’d know what demon to summon to clean up the town.

Maybe he will be at the prison.

— — —

“I just got a pulse from Eva.”

Wayne tensed up immediately.

They hadn’t seen anything for the last half hour. Not a zombie, not another person. The other instructors were still checking in every so often, but it seemed like most of their excitement died down as well.

“Where at?”

“Not sure. About fifty miles outside Brakket.”

“Found the necromancer’s base? Or captured? Worse?”

“Just a moment.” Zoe took her dagger and sliced straight down in front of her. A tear in space widened to a small oval in front of her face. Zoe peered into the pure white of between.

And immediately pulled away, clutching her head.

“Zoe?” Wayne set a firm hand on her shoulder.

She shook him off. “Nothing. Same effect as when trying to look around her runes at the dorms. Which means it is probably a safe area.”

“Safe for her. Or the necromancers use the same thing.”