“True. But most necromancers don’t have this much power. Just holding onto a few pets takes work. And you have not only a magnificent gargoyle, but a powerful witch as well. In addition to so many dead in here… I’ve never seen a necromancer with this much power.” Perhaps a few of his fellow reapers might manage it. Nevertheless, this would be impressive even for them.
“This is nothing. Vladimir can command this many with ease.”
“How do you know? Have you seen his reserves?”
Valentine blinked. “Well, no. But I’ve felt his power. Not up close, I admit. But when he and the sorcerer battled Kraft and Riley a few months ago, I felt it.”
“Hmm.” He studied all the bodies. “None of them have decayed at all. They feel powered up and ready.” He watchedher. “You seem tired but not devastated by the drain. Why is that? And how do you hold them? A stasis spell?”
“Kind of.” She turned to Talon. “Can you clear out for a few? I need to talk to Khent.”
“Hey, shifters, go guard the house. Val and I need to talk to the vampire.”
The bear shifter who’d spoken earlier snorted. “Gladly. Come on, guys.” The shifters cleared out.
“Go with them, Aisha, Grizz.” Val nodded, and the witch and gargoyle followed the group.
Leaving Talon behind.
At Khent’s obvious disapproval, the eagle shifter shrugged. “Your death glare doesn’t work on me. I’m staying.”
Before Khent could insist, Valentine stepped forward. “Let him stay. He already knows my process anyway.” She turned to the dead, and Khent felt a wave of her energy blanket them once more. Oddly welcoming.
Mila ruffled her feathers then settled back on his shoulder, entranced by the sight of Valentine.Yes, I know. You can be with her in a little bit, my sweet.He stroked her head and breast, and his raven cuddled him with affection.
Valentine smiled at seeing it, and her pleasure made him…happy.
“I command by leaving a piece of myself in them.”
“In all of them?” Khent blinked.
“Well, yes. That’s how I’ve always done it.”
“And when your pets eventually waste away and return to death’s embrace, what happens to those pieces of you?”
“They return to me.”
“Always?” Khent had a bad feeling.
“Well, yes. Why?”
How could she not see it? “Valentine, if you go to war with Vladimir, he’ll devour you bit by bit as he rushes through yourcreatures. He won’t have to hurt you to injure you. He’ll just eat your dead, and by proxy, eat you.”
“Oh, damn.” Talon got the message.
“No. When they leave this world, my essence comes back to me.”
“But Val,” Talon said. “Vladimir eats other necromancers. And he’s been after you for a long time.”
“How has he not found her yet?” Khent asked. “He’s powerful, and he’s looking. He’s also got the help of the Lord of the Underworld.”
Talon grimaced.
“The cloaking spell you so easily saw through has been effective against other magir,” Valentine explained. “I’ve always kept my distance from mages, and especially on those rare times when I sensed another necromancer. I kind of pull myself all the way in. I can show you later.”
Khent nodded, intrigued.
“We’ve been hunting Vladimir for a long time, but not so seriously as we have the past few years. It’s taken a long time for me to gain more magic. To learn new spells. You did say you’d teach me.”
