(Hidden Necromancer 02) The Accused Dead [A] Read online

  Annah sees me and gives me an exasperated look. “I’m sorry. I tried to talk them out of coming!”

  Rennon shoves past her in his wheelchair, his small face red with fury. “I’m here to rescue my sister!” he announces and pulls a pistol out of the pack strapped to his chair.

  CHAPTER 7

  Awakening Danger

  The young woman waiting by the gate lets out a frightened cry before scampering along the pathway toward the house. The Unclaimed gathered around the fire pit crane their heads in our direction, unsure of what is happening.

  “A gun! A gun!” the girl cries out, pointing toward Rennon. “He’s got a gun!”

  The women scramble out of their chairs and flee into the house.

  My heart thunders in my chest. I am so shocked by the sight I don’t know how to react. “Rennon, where did you get a gun?”

  “I’m rescuing you, Ilyse!” Rennon holds the ancient weapon in his small hands, sweeping it from side to side.

  Standing behind Rennon, Annah is frozen in fright with her mouth gaping open and her fingers clutching at the collar of her sweater. Blond hair tangled by the night wind frames her very pale face, Carrie steps inside the garden and releases the heavy gate. It clangs shut behind her. The noise breaks Annah out of her paralysis and she lets out a startled cry.

  “It’s just the gate,” Carrie snaps with irritation before she spots the revolver in Rennon’s hand. Eyes widening, her gaze flicks toward me and Quade. “What’s happening?”

  “Everything is fine,” Quade says, but his attention is solely focused on the terrified little boy in the wheelchair.

  Rennon scrunches his face in confusion. “Where are the guards?” Tiny beads of sweat drip from beneath his heavy bangs.

  In his usual calm manner, Quade answers, “There aren’t any. Put the gun down.”

  “No! I have to save my sister!”

  Carrie pushes past Annah and lunges over the back of his chair. “Give that to me!”

  “No! I’m saving Ilyse!” Rennon shouts, jerking away.

  “The two of you stop!” Annah cries out.

  Neither one of my siblings pays attention.

  My sister’s fingers scrabble for the weapon while Rennon swings his chair about to block her attempt.

  I step forward to intercede even though I’m afraid of the firearm. “Stop fighting! Both of you!”

  Quade catches my arm and jerks me aside a second before the gun barks. The noise is deafening and echoes through the night as a tomato bursts apart a few feet from me. Knocked back in his wheelchair by the recoil, Rennon’s fingers lose traction on the grip and it falls into the bushes.

  “I didn’t mean to shoot,” the little boy wheezes.

  Quade’s full attention is on me. “Are you okay?”

  I nod, my gaze drifting to the spattered tomato on the walkway. If Quade hadn’t pulled me aside, the bullet might have hit me. My stomach gives an uneasy lurch at the thought.

  “I need to get the gun.” Quade hurries forward and bends over the bushes to search.

  “We need to go home now before the wardens get here!” Annah pulls Rennon’s chair away from us and toward the gate.

  “Let go! You’re not my mother!” Rennon flips the brakes onto the wheels to keep Annah from rolling him down the path.

  “We need to go home immediately! We can’t be caught here.” Annah gives the chair an agitated pull, not realizing what he’s done to stop her.

  “I’m trying to save Ilyse,” Rennon pants, his face pale and his eyes wet from crying.

  While Quade searches, I kneel in front of Rennon and stretch out my hands to comfort him. He doesn’t like to cry because he believes it makes him appear weak, so I expect him to pull away. To my surprise, he allows me to wipe away his tears.

  “What were you thinking?” Carrie pokes his arm hard enough to make him flinch. “Rennon, you could have killed someone!”

  “I didn’t mean to shoot! It’s your fault! You tried to take it away!” Rennon retorts, shifting his chair away from her and knocking me off balance.

  Carrie helps me to my feet, her hands trembling against my skin. She’s flushed with fear and anger. I embrace her to calm her nerves.

  Quade straightens with the revolver in his hand. Without a word, he removes the bullets.

  “That’s mine! Father gave it to me! Give it to me!”

  “Don’t lie, Rennon!” Carrie’s voice is high-pitched and fragile.

  My worries about her ratchet upward. With Elder Alvus threatening to declare her Unclaimed, her future is as uncertain as mine, but I don’t dare tell her. She’s already so distraught and afraid.

  “I’m not lying. Father gave it to me. It’s mine. He said if the Unblessed ever breached the house, I could kill them with it.” Rennon’s flushed angry face matches Carrie’s.

  “Did he tell you not to wave it around when it’s loaded?” Quade asks. “Did he show you how to use it?”

  “No-o-oo,” Rennon stutters. “He said I could have it when I’m eighteen. He showed me where he keeps it. I got it to save Ilyse!”

  “So you stole it from your father, Rennon! That’s being a very bad little boy!”

  Annah’s accusation does not sit well with my brother.

  “I can’t steal what he gave me! It’s mine! I’m rescuing Ilyse!”

  “Rescuing her from what?” Quade asks, his lips slightly curling up at the corners.

  I’m learning to read his expressions. Though he’s concerned, he’s also amused. I totally understand. I’m touched that my brother loves me so much, but also upset with him for stealing the revolver and brandishing it.

  Rennon looks about the garden before slumping dejectedly in his chair. “I thought there would be guards.”

  “So you were going to shoot them?” I ask dubiously.

  “No! I knew they wouldn’t shoot me because I’m a little boy, so I was going to point the gun at them and scare them while you escaped.”

  “And go where?” Carrie’s frustration boils over into her voice. “You didn’t even have a plan, Rennon!”

  “I was going to take her to him!” Rennon points at Quade.

  “Why Quade?” I ask in surprise. “You just met him today.”

  Forehead scrunching, Rennon angles his chair so he can cast a very disapproving look at me. “I’m not stupid, Ilyse. I pay attention to what’s going on. I listen. I watch. I heard Father talk about Quade Reed being your witness at the test. I heard Annah talking to another lady about him defending you against the Elders and that he lives in the big house by the cemetery. She said he wears a black hat and lots of rings. That’s how I knew who he was when I saw him talking to you outside the back gate the other day. And then I saw... uh...” He falls silent and nervously rocks his chair back and forth. “I saw... something.”

  Rennon fearfully stares at me and Quade, obviously unsure of how to answer. Quade and I exchange startled glances. My little brother knows I’m a necromancer. He saw Bale’s corpse attack us and how I sent it away. It bothers me deeply that he’s been keeping my darkest secret.

  “Saw what?” Annah asks uneasily, her eyes flicking toward me. It’s a look I’ve seen often in the last few weeks. I’ve been accused of so many violations of the Lost Texts, I wonder which one she suspects I’m guilty of doing.

  “He saw me kiss her,” Quade answers. “We’ve been meeting on the sly.”

  Rennon’s gaze flicks to him and understanding fills his eyes. It’s definitely better for people to think we’re lovers than find out I’m a necromancer. “Yeah. They were kissing.”

  Face pale with shock, Annah says, “Ilyse, if your father knew...”

  “He’s disowned her. He doesn’t care,” Carrie snaps.

  My sister’s words strike deep and hard into my heart, and for the first time, the full weight of my father’s rejection hits me. The intensity of my delayed reaction to his betrayal is overwhelming. I struggle to catch my breath. Quade’s hand settles against my shoulder blade, warm and comforting. I’m not alone in the wake of my father’s rejection. I need to remember that truth.

  Rennon regards me with eyes shimmering and his bottom lip quivering. “I was going to save you because Father wouldn’t.”

  “And what would happen to you?” Carrie kicks the wheel of his chair. “You’d get carted off, maybe thrown over the wall.”

  Rennon lifts his chin in defiance. “I was going to go with them. Into the Deadlands.”

  Hurt flushes my sister’s face a bright crimson. “And leave me behind?”

  “Carrie, he’s not trying to hurt you.” I reach out to embrace her, but she jerks away from me.

  “Isn’t it enough that I’ve already lost you, Mother, Aunt Leticia, and don’t even remember Angelina? How long before Father abandons me, too? They’re going to come for me, too, Ilyse. Don’t you see it?” Carrie covers her face with her hands, turning away.

  “You can come with us.” Rennon tugs on her skirt. “I’ll protect you when I get my gun back.”

  Nervous and uncertain on how to deal with the unfolding drama, Annah says, “No one is running away. We need to go home. Now.”

  “No, I have to save my sister!”

  It’s at this moment that Actura arrives and towers over all of us. I hadn’t noticed her approach since I was so concentrated on my siblings. The blond woman immediately notices the revolver in Quade’s grasp and holds out her hand.

  “Give that to me,” she commands.

  “It’s not yours. It’s mine,” Rennon retorts.

  Quade pockets the weapon and the ammunition. “I’ll give it back to Rennon before he leaves if he promises to not rush around with a loaded firearm again.”

  “It’s mine,” Rennon protests.

  “Then act responsibly,” Quade retorts, meeting my brother’s angry gaze. “This isn’t a toy, and you almost shot your sister.”

  Actura’s voice is terse, her gaze hard, and her stance intimidating. “I have every right to confiscate that gun after it was brought onto our property and put us at risk.”

  “Maybe, but I’m keeping it for now.”

  Folding his arms over his chest, Quade’s silver rings glint in the glow of the torches. The Undertaker is his usual calm self, which clearly aggravates Actura.

  “The wardens will come here to investigate the gunshot, so give me the weapon.”

  “It’s mine!” Rennon shouts at her.

  “Rennon, don’t yell,” Annah chides him. “You might be heard and we’re not supposed to be here. We should go. Now.”

  Actura shakes her head. “No, you can’t leave. The wardens will be in the passage and in the street. You have to stay.”

  “Why would they think the gunshot came from here?” Quade asks.

  Actura hesitates, her gaze flicking down toward me. “We’ve received anonymous threats since Ilyse arrived.”

  Of course, my mere presence would cause trouble for the others. It’s abundantly clear I can’t stay here much longer.

  Quade asks, “Will the wardens enter the grounds? Or are you going to meet them at the entrance?”

  “What difference does it make?” Actura asks.

  “I’m just wondering what deals you have with the wardens to keep your haven safe. Will they search for an illegal gun? If so, they’re going to find us here.”

  “I will handle the wardens when they come, but I agree. You need to hide.” Actura points to the area where the fruit trees are clustered. “Annah, take them to the hiding spot.”

  “Hiding spot?” Quade lifts his eyebrows.

  “But give me the gun first.”

  “For what purpose?” Quade tilts his head to gaze up at her. “And why do you have hiding places?”

  There are strange undercurrents to this conversation.

  “This little boy put us all at risk. It’s my responsibility to protect everyone in here. What I need the gun for is none of your concern.”

  “Oh, I think it is,” Quade replies with a sardonic smile.

  A bell rings nearby.

  “The wardens are here. Go hide, Annah. Take the children and this man,” Actura says in such a fierce way I’m actually afraid of her.

  Annah flips the brakes on the wheelchair so she can roll Rennon along the pathway, and, surprisingly, he lets her. Carrie scurries along behind them, casting a frightened look my way. I’m worried about her pale complexion and her shivering lips.

  Quade leans toward me, his lips close to my ear, and whispers, “Watch and listen to all that happens. Something is going on here.”

  With a conspiratorial wink at me, he saunters after the others.

  Again, the bell rings out.

  “The wardens will get impatient now. Come with me, Ilyse.” Actura spins about and starts toward the house.

  Hurrying along beside her, I attempt to match her long strides.

  “You’ve barely been here a few hours and already chaos has broken out.” She bites off every word, each one punctuating her frustration.

  “My brother was trying to save me,” I breathlessly explain. “Annah and Carrie had no idea he had the gun.”

  “As if things aren’t complicated enough with you being here.”

  Smarting from her tone, I say, “I thought I was welcomed here.”

  “You are. I protect my own. But your siblings just made things a lot harder on me. On all of us. Keep quiet and let me handle all the questioning.”

  “Shouldn’t I go up to my room or something?”

  “No. The wardens will want to see you. Any disturbance is going to be presumed to be connected to you.”

  “Why?” As soon as I speak, I immediately realize the foolishness of my question.

  Actura gives me a look of disbelief. “You’re the main topic of gossip in the settlement, Ilyse. You must realize that.”

  I wince at this revelation, though I had suspected it was true. I’ve been obedient to the Lost Texts, so no one really knows me outside of my family, Prudence, and Jane. I can’t imagine what they’re saying about me. “I passed the test. Bale’s family exonerated me. What will it take for people to believe I’m innocent?”

  “You’re a woman. You’re presumed to be guilty and hiding your crime. That’s how it works here.”

  Actura stalks through the house with me at her heels. The Unclaimed cluster together in groups in the main hall, chatting with each other with strained expressions on their faces. There are much more than had been gathered around the fire. Zellie stands off to one side, shoulders slumped, and her head bowed. She barely glances up at the sound of our approach and disgust flits over her features. Is her loathing reserved for me or is she still unsettled by Actura?

  I’m not really surprised to see Jane waiting by the door. Her lips are pursed together and her hands are clasped so tightly together at her waist her knuckles are white.

  “I heard what happened,” she says to Actura.

  “Everything is complicated now. We’ll be under even more scrutiny,” Actura replies.

  Jane nods. “Unexpected events cause unexpected complications. We’ll have to adapt.”

  Again, the bell chimes.

  “I’ll try to hold them off, Jane, but chances are we’ll have to endure an inspection. Make sure everyone is downstairs.”

  “I will.”

  Leaning toward me, Actura says, “Stand quietly and let me answer their questions.”

  Straightening, she opens the front door and motions for me to follow. Jane clutches my hand briefly as I start to walk after Actura. The brief squeeze of her hand is reassuring despite the worry looming in her eyes. Again, I’m grateful she’s my friend.

  Pulling free, I hurry to catch up with the tall blond woman striding purposefully toward the front gate. The bell rings again, much to her obvious irritation and she mutters under her breath about men being impatient. When we arrive at the entrance, she unlatches the inside panel of the gate and swings it open so we can peer through the bars at the wardens.

  To my dismay, Elder Alvus stands among them.

  “How can I help you?” Actura asks, her voice clipped.

  “There was a gunshot a short while ago. It sounded like it came from this area. Is everything all right?” Elder Alvus asks in a deceitfully congenial manner.

  “We heard it, too. I assumed it was one of the wardens on the wall dealing with the Unblessed,” Actura replies.

  In the light spilling from the windows of the house, Elder Alvus’ craggy face appears cadaverous. He frightens me more than any Unblessed Dead. His cold eyes glitter ominously as he smiles in my direction. “That’s not the case. No one on the wall fired any weapon.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re here,” Actura lies.

  “The latest addition to your household has caused quite a stir in the settlement. Many still believe she’s guilty of necromancy, murder, and seduction.”

  “She was proven innocent of the first two charges. It’s also my understanding she kissed the man who was supposed to be her future husband, which doesn’t sound much like seduction.” Actura’s words are clipped and tart.

  Elder Alvus gives her a very icy smile. “We’re here to make certain no one attempted to bring justice to her on their own terms.”

  “As you can see, she’s safe and whole. There wasn’t an intruder. Everything is fine.”

  “Still, it would be best if we make certain everything is in order.”

  “It’s been a quiet night. We don’t even have any of our usual guests. We’re in perfect order.”

  Wrapping a gloved hand around the bar inset in the gate, Elder Alvus says, “We need to come in and check your weapon and ammunition inventory.”

  “Why?” Actura folds her arms over her breasts and lifts her chin at a defiant angle.

  “To make certain that you’re safe, of course.”

  “If someone in this house fired a weapon, I would know about it.”

  “Unlock the gate. Let us in. The wardens will check the inventory while I make certain all the Unclaimed are accounted for.”

  Even though Elder Alvus doesn’t shout out orders or act aggressively, he is very menacing in his aloofness. I’ve never been so terrified of anyone in my life.