Chapter 53

CHAPTER 53

" W ell?" Adder asks nervously from my side. Phrixius stands behind us, and Sha is to my left. We are on a small hill, overlooking the empty land before us. There is a lake to the right, which shines brightly under the sun, and a forest in the back leading to a red-tipped mountain. There's an old church to the left, forgotten and abandoned, and so much sprawling green land that I cannot help but grin. The arched welcome sign from before stands down the path from us.

Something about it calls to me. It's the perfect mix of life and death, a place that's been forgotten and abused, just like us.

"It's perfect," I murmur, shooting him a wide grin to see his own relieved smile. Sha and Phrixius sigh in relief. I don't blame them. I have been searching for weeks for the perfect place. Every time we have come up empty, I know they have taken it hard, since I left everything else behind. What they don't understand is that I have everything I need right here at my side, and now it's time to start fresh.

This will be a new home for all of us, but also others like me who are born with my gifts and shunned. This will be a home of learning, laughter, love, and death.

It's time to bring the necromancers into the light and give them a court like everyone else has.

A court of heathens.

This time, it will be above ground because we are not hiding anymore.

Taking the first step, I head down the hill, my hands held out on either side as I go. Magic flows from my fingertips, merging life and death, and something new blooms into existence. Black flowers slither from the grass, mixed with purple and red, and they spring up on either side of me as I walk. A path forms under my feet, leading into the heart of the land, where I stop and sink to my knees, thrust my hands into the earth, and close my eyes.

I pour my intention into it, and when I straighten and step back, roots dig deep into the land before bursting from the earth, and as we watch, a great tree grows. It reaches far into the sky to offer shelter and remembrance. Once it's finished, I fashion a blade in my hand and step towards the street. Silently, I begin to carve before I step back. Three names are now etched there forever.

William Great—the necromancer.

Serenity Great—his wife.

Ryan Great—their child.

No matter what, they need to be remembered. That is what this place will be—a memorial for those who were lost and a place to grieve without guilt.

"What do you think?" I ask as I reach back blindly for them.

Hands take mine, and more press to my shoulders as they surround me and peer at the tree. "It's perfect." Adder kisses my neck.

"I like it," Phrixius adds.

"Now to build a home," Sha says.

Smiling, I close my eyes and send my power out into our land. I feel it take root and change. I know when I open my eyes, a new home for us will have grown, where we can love and laugh and be together.

When I glance at it, I want to cry. It's not a cave anymore, it's a grand cottage, and I know this is where I will live until the earth finally calls me home. When my time comes, this is where I will lie to rest with my men at my side.

I turn to my men and grin. "Spread the word to all four corners of the world. Welcome those like me. It's time for them to come home."

Three Months Later

Our home has expanded over the last few months. There are so many new houses on this land, I have lost count. Word spread quickly, but it was weeks until the first person stepped foot here. I saw fear in their eyes, but there was also hope. We welcomed them, and ever since, someone else arrives every day.

Life is beginning here again. Each person who comes has their own story of survival. Some are young, and some are old, but we all have one thing in common—what we are and what we have lost.

The tree's bark now holds so many names, I ache when I see them, each person that comes adding more, adding their losses and their lessons. Like that tree, we will stand tall, creating new roots and offering shelter.

As I watch our land bustle and grow, I cannot help thinking about how hard it was to get here and how much was lost, but everything I have gained has made it that much more worth it.

I lost myself along the way, but they found me again, and I know they always will.

I hear a grumble and smile, knowing Teddy will be playing with the kids again. I returned to my cave and brought him back—he's ours, after all. He makes a good pet. Our pet zombie . . . I even let Adder keep the hand, Bobby, and it's currently cooking in the kitchen.

Flicking my fingers, I watch the water balloon soar through the air and hit Phrixius in the back of the head. He whirls to me, his eyes widening in shock since Adder had been chasing him with them.

He gives me the tiniest shake of his head, but his smile is wide as I grin at him. "Don't you join in, that's cheating!" he calls, even as he laughs and ducks under Adder's reach.

Sha suddenly appears before them and dumps a full bucket of water over my god before racing towards me and hiding behind me. Laughing loudly, I lean back into his arms as Phrixius storms over.

"Is that how it is?" he grouses, blowing wet hair from his mouth. He grabs me, and I squeal as he tugs me closer, soaking me through, but it soon turns into a moan as he kisses me. When he pulls back, I'm smiling for a whole other reason.

I was worried he would regret losing his godhood, but I have seen him embrace this life and become so happy that I know he doesn't. He found his purpose with us.

Adder suddenly appears and presses his lips to Phrixius's cheek before dancing back. Phrixius groans and wipes it away. "Demon," he warns.

"Catch me if you can, god," he taunts, and then he winks at me before he races away, a fallen god and a monster chasing after him.

"Are you coming?" Adder calls. As I look at all three of their grinning faces, I can't help but overflow with love.

"I'm coming," I reply as I hurry after them.

I might have been born a necromancer, but I chose to be something more important—theirs.