The Puzzle Box Trilogy Omnibus by K.M. Carroll

Author:K.M. Carroll
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: vampire, lich, necromancer, paranormal romance, young adult romance, magic
Publisher: K.M. Carroll
Published: 2018-06-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Libby

We booked it out of there at sunset.

"Why do the Marchers operate after dark?" I asked Mal, as I merged into the highway that would take us to Tehachapi.

"For the same reason that owls do," he replied, gazing out the window. "If you wish to catch vermin, you must hunt at night."

Since he had fixed my soul and healed me with honey, I had been hyper all day. I helped Dad bag the almonds and haul them to the processing plant, then still had enough energy to walk the border of our property twice. The second time, Mal had walked with me. We crossed each other's paths at one point. If the Marchers tried to catch him, my barrier would have a weak point where he could slip through and escape.

"Are the highways Marcher barriers?" I asked. "We all drive them."

Mal shook his head. "So many people use the main roads, in vehicles, that the trail of motes is diluted into nothing. A true barrier is laid while on foot, in direct contact with the ground. If we tried to drive the back roads, we might meet more resistance."

He spoke absently, as if his mind was elsewhere. His soul was calm, having returned to its cave, yet I sensed an uneasiness buried deep inside.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

He didn't answer for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the passing foothills. "Libby, I've been thinking about our relationship."

My heart sank. What with dead animals, learning magic, and grappling with his soul, I hadn't had time to think about romantic mushy things. "What about it?"

He glanced at me, his eyes a cautious amber. "We are more than friends and less than lovers. I fear what the future holds."

I tried not to think about the future, and when I did, I painted it in rose and violet. "We'll put your soul back, you'll be human, the Necromancer will be defeated, we can date, I'll get my Ag degree, we'll all live happily ever after."

His eyes crinkled in an almost-smile. I felt bitter cynicism rise in him like overly-strong coffee. "You are a Marcher and I am a lich—not yet a true lich, yes. Diverging paths already lie before our feet."

I didn't like the sound of that. "Diverging paths? You make it sound like we're the Fox and the Hound."

He gave me a look as if to say, Well, aren't we?

"No!" I exclaimed, recklessly cutting in front of a semi. "I have your soul! Doesn't that count for anything?"

I couldn't articulate how much I liked him, enjoyed his company, cared about his well-being—in short, loved him. My life without Mal in it would be a boring, colorless place. That was why I hoped so hard that he would get his soul back and become normal—we could have a normal life together, sharing our mutual love of magic, nature, and caring for the land.

Something of this must have bled through my feelings. Mal leaned against the headrest and breathed a heavy sigh. "I care deeply for you, too, you know.

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