Twice Dead by Caitlin Seal

Author:Caitlin Seal
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Published: 2018-09-17T16:00:00+00:00

Naya found Lucia pacing in her workroom, a piece of paper clasped tight in one fist. When she saw Naya her scowl flickered to confusion. “Who are you? We’re closed.”

For a moment Naya wondered if Lucia had lost her mind, but then she realized what the necromancer must be seeing. She concentrated and felt her face shift back to its original features. It was like relaxing a muscle she hadn’t realized was tense.

Lucia’s scowl returned in an instant. “Ah,” she said, the single syllable flat and heavy with scorn. “So you decided to come back.” Her voice got louder with each word. “What were you thinking, leaving like that? Where is Jesla?”

Naya stepped back, trying to get out of reach of Lucia’s wrath. “I took her home. She’s fine. Listen, we have bigger problems.”

“Bigger problems?” Lucia raised her hands above her head, looking like she wanted to throw something at Naya. “What do you suppose would happen if her bond became unstable? She could fade before her parents bring her back to us. Perhaps life is cheap for you Talmirans, but here—”

“I was trying to protect her. Would you just listen? Something’s happened. I need you to tell me everything you know about Valn’s plans.” The words stuck in her throat but she forced them out.

Lucia paled. “I know nothing of that.”

Naya stepped toward her. “Don’t lie. I’ve seen how scared you are of him. You know something. So tell me or I’ll tell him you’ve been experimenting with the war runes.” Naya prayed the threat wouldn’t ring hollow.

She hadn’t thought Lucia’s eyes could go any wider. “Tell him…? But…are you saying you don’t know?” Lucia laughed humorlessly. “Creator. Tell him all you want. Valn was the one who brought me those runes.”

At first Naya was sure she’d misheard. “That’s insane. He wouldn’t.”

“Why do you think I was working for him? He knows my history. He came here with your body and demanded I make you a reaper. He said if I didn’t comply, he’d expose the truth about me. He’d also go after Alejandra. And everyone I’d ever resurrected would be investigated. I couldn’t risk getting them into trouble like that.”

What truth, and who was Alejandra? Naya shook her head. “That’s impossible. Where would Valn get those runes? And why would he ever want to use them?”

“I don’t know. I have been trying not to know since you arrived here.”

Naya frowned. “Please. I think Valn might be planning something terrible, and I think you know more about what’s going on than you’re saying.”

“Is that a joke? Why in creation would I know more than you? You’re the one working with him.”

Naya balled her hands into fists. “Not anymore. I thought we were trying to protect the treaty, but things have changed.” She sensed a flicker of doubt in Lucia’s aether. “I heard you that night at the café. You were asking about the missing Talmirans. Why?”

Lucia’s nostrils flared. “Because someone has been trying very hard to make everyone think a necromancer killed them.

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