Page 6 of Necromance
I took in my surroundings. A grand, four-poster bed stood in the center, its dark canopy draped in fabric so thick with dust, it might have once been velvet. A large gilded mirror hung over the dresser, its surface clouded with age, reflecting nothing but shadow.
I turned toward the fireplace, where the scent of old, burned wood still lingered. The grate was cold, the embers long dead, but if I could find some firewood, it would make the space welcoming.
I had slept in worse places. But, for now, at least, I had carved out a place for myself.
CHAPTER THREE
I had just finished unpacking, my clothes neatly hung in the deep mahogany wardrobe, when the air shifted again. This time it was lighter, almost playful. A soft rustle, like the sound of fabric brushing skin. A child’s giggle, faint, but clear in the stillness of the room, echoed softly through the room.
I froze, listening.
It wasn’t uncommon for children to linger after death, often drawn to the memories of laughter and warmth they had known in life. The playful spirits of young ones were often curious, but not malicious. I had dealt with them before, spirits who found solace in simple interactions, in the comfort of being noticed.
“Are you hiding from me?” I said quietly, my voice soft but firm, meant to reach the child without startling them. “Youdon’t have to hide.”
The giggle stopped.
And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement, a small figure, just in the doorway. She appeared slowly, like a shadow stretching out from the corner of the room, cautious but curious. The child’s face was soft, her features delicate but with a certain sadness beneath her bright eyes. She had the look of a servant’s child, dressed in faded clothes, her little hands clasped tightly in front of her.
I smiled gently, crouching down to her level. “I won't hurt you,” I whispered.
Her eyes darted around, unsure whether to trust me, but the giggle returned, a light, innocent sound. Then as quickly as she had appeared, she vanished down the hall, her laughter still echoing behind her.
I followed, my steps quiet as I navigated the long hallways. With every creak of the floorboards, each whisper of wind that blew through the cracks in the windows, the castle stirred as I moved.
It didn’t take long to find her again, but this time, she wasn’t alone.
The child had stopped in the hallway near a large statue, but beside her was another figure. A woman, tall and gaunt, with pale skin and a stony expression. She wore a faded black dress with a starch white apron, the kind worn by a servant. Her face, though kind, was tinged with an odd expression of perpetual service, as though she had never left her role.
Not even in death.
The maid caught sight of me then, her eyes widening as she pushed the little girl behind her. I held up my hands in surrender, trying not to frighten her.
”I won’t hurt you,” I said gently, stepping closer, but still keeping my distance.
The woman blinked, confused.
”My name is Mia,” I tried again. “I’m here to help you cross over… to leave this castle.”
This didn’t have the desired effect that I had hoped for.
The woman tugged the child closer to her, her soft eyes hardening now as she glared at me. I could force her to leave this place with magic, but there were always risks with that. Mainly, magic always had a price and mine was utter exhaustion after every use. I’d hoped that the spirits of Ravenspire would simply agree to move on. Unfortunately, it didn’t look as though I would be so lucky.
I sighed, cursing inwardly.
Stepping forward, I closed the distance between myself, the woman, and her child. I could feel the energy in the castle swirling around us, thick with the weight of the spirits that were still here, but I forced my focus on the present, the woman’s hand, now trembling, and the silent gaze of the child.
I raised my palm slowly, feeling the familiar hum in my ears, the subtlepulse of magic just beneath my skin. The energy in the hallway shifted, tightening around me like the castle knew my intentions and wasn’t happy about it. I closed my eyes, taking slow breaths. There was no room for hesitation now. My magic was about to meet the weight of their souls, and release would come.
I couldn’t brew a potion or even cast a simple spell, but death, I could control.
I reached deeper inside, letting the power rise in me, coaxing the energy from the air and from within my own body. My fingers tingled as I guided their spirits, their ethereal forms reaching for the light that I would give them.
The tether between us tightened as I threaded the power through my hands, lifting their souls gently, slowly, but with steady force. I could feel their weight, light, fragile, and yet with an unspoken burden. The energy swelled as I added more force to the resistance. I breathed words of release, carefully keeping my focus.
Beads of sweat formed on my brow as something jerked against my magic, pulling me forward. I opened my eyes, meeting the woman’s concerned gaze. She clung to the child and her frown was deep with worry.
What was happening?
