Necromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 6)

“His father performed tests on him to devise a way to transform our arts to humans,” Sean said. “I didn’t meet him personally, but my wife did.”

“His father?” Ivan frowned. “He told me he was a guinea pig but not that his father was the one who did the tests on him. He did say his father kept his mother in captivity until her death, forcing her to have their baby, him, after she tried to abort him.”

“It is him,” Sean said. “It’s exactly what Asia told us.”

“What else did he say?” Cain asked.

“I’m not saying another word until you tell me what this has to do with anything. Nicolas told me you’re the only person who can help. He wanted me to find you for a reason. What reason is that?”

“Wait.” Alice held up her hands. “I don’t understand anything. What does Nicolas have to do with the shifter?”

“Nothing,” Cain said. “The shifter is after Ivan for financial gain. Nicolas sent him to us because he wants us to find his father.”

“His father?” Alice echoed.

“Godfrey. We don’t know his last name, but he used to go under the false name of Reid.”

“Shit.” Ivan scratched his beard. “This isn’t good.”

“What aren’t you telling us?” Joss asked.

“There’s this other spirit. His name is Boris.”

“And?” Cain demanded when Ivan hesitated.

“Boris said he was sent to look for me.”

“Don’t make me draw this out of you,” Cain said. “Why?”

“Boris said Godfrey sent him.”

Cain’s laugh was loud. “Godfrey wants you to work for him.”

Joss cursed. “We should’ve been able to find Ivan first.” He stared at Cain. “Why did you hide him from us?”

“His soul is too dark,” Cain said. “I couldn’t use him on the team.”

“Then you should’ve ordered him to be eliminated,” Maya said. “Why didn’t you?”

Clelia looked at Alice. “I think I know.”

“This is not ethical, Cain,” Joss said. “You’re not practicing what you preach.”

Sean got to his feet. “What matters is that Ivan has a lead to Godfrey. If Nicolas is prepared to help, we’ve got to use him to find that freckled bastard once and for all.”

“Let me get this straight,” Alice said, her gaze finding Ivan’s. “A spirit named Boris finds you to give you a job offer from Godfrey.”

“Only a spirit can find a necromancist.”

“I got that,” she said impatiently. “Then Godfrey’s dead son, Nicolas turns up, and tells you to find Cain.”

“Nicolas doesn’t only want a burial,” Maya said. “He wants revenge.”

“No.” Clelia shook her head. “From what Katherine and Asia told us, he was a gentle man. He wants justice.”

“He did say to give Katherine his regards,” Ivan said.

Lann stood abruptly. “Tell him to keep away from my wife. I would’ve done so myself if I could see him.” He smiled coldly. “If I could touch him, my hands would be wrapped around his skeletal neck.”

Ivan felt compassion for Lann. He’d react the same way if any spirit sent Alice a message. “I think he meant well.”

“We’re wasting time.” Maya crossed her arms. “What’s the plan of action?”

“There are two threats,” Cain said. “Boris and the shifter. We need to get the shifter out of the way so we can work undisturbed to find Godfrey.” Cain turned to Ivan. “Can you speak to Nicolas?”

“Yes, but I doubt he’ll tell me more until I’ve complied with his wish. He did tell me the shifter who tried to shoot me is called Daniel.”

Joss looked at Clelia. “Son of a bitch. We should’ve taken him out in Paris when we had the chance.”

“Maya,” Cain said, “call Tim. Tell him to do whatever is necessary to cut through the red tape. We need the body as soon as possible. Ivan, do you know exactly where the body is?”

“I have the coordinates.”

“Give them to Maya.”

“What about Daniel?” Clelia asked. “I can go after him.”

Joss put an arm around her shoulders. “I’ll deal with it.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know how to handle them.”

“We’ve seen that,” Maya said with a wink.

Cain rubbed a finger over his chin. “Josselin, let Lann and Clelia deal with Daniel. He’s a minor threat.”

Ivan cleared his throat. “There’s more.”

Cain turned to him. “Go on.”

“The portal Boris entered through is open. Any spirit can come through. Until I find a way to close the portal and send them back, they’re going to be on me like bees on honey. More importantly, we have a bunch of dead people walking the earth. It’s only a matter of time before they figure out a way of making themselves known.”

“What do you mean?” Sean asked.

“They all want something. That’s why they’re here. If there’s no one to listen, they’re going to get louder.”

Alice paled. “They’re going to start appearing to us.”

“How?” Maya asked.

“Any way they can,” Alice replied in small voice. “In our dreams and in our heads.”

Ivan frowned. He got up and took her hand. “Alice?”