The Necromancer Trilogy: Prophecy

Chapter Three - Celia Karn

Blacktouch swung round, him and Sophie both staring at the girl leaning casually against a tree a few metres away. Sophie blinked. It was the blonde girl from earlier, the one with the motorbike that didn’t make a sound.

“Well, well, well, what have we here?” Blacktouch leered.

“Get some better lines,” the girl drew out a revolver. “I happen to hate clichés.”

“That’s interesting,” Blacktouch sighed. “You are one yourself.”

The girl rolled her eyes. “You have a few choices, Emblem. We know about you. I know your capabilities. I also know that you can’t beat me. So drop the girl and run cowering back to your master. Or I’ll kill you.”

Blacktouch looked at her thoughtfully. “What’s a pretty girl like you doing fighting assassins like me?”

“Just criminals, Emblem, just criminals,” the girl sighed, wearily. “Now, make your choice. I don’t have all day.”

Blacktouch ignored that comment. “So…tell me…who are you?”

The girl smiled. “Interesting question. The girl about to shoot you.”

Blacktouch nodded. “Fair enough, fair enough. But here’s the thing, now...Are you following me, known assassin for the criminal classes? Or are you following her?”

Sophie blinked. “Me?”

They both ignored her.

“Is that any of your business?” the girl asked, coolly.

Blacktouch smiled. “Oh, so you do know. Oh, how nice!”

“I’m going to count down from ten,” the girl warned.

“You’re stalling,” Blacktouch criticised. “Not good. If you really wanted to shoot me you would have by now.”

“I’ll get past the pain,” the girl shook back her hair. “Ten…nine…eight….”

“You know who she is. You know what she can do.”

“Seven…six…five…”

“Do you know who I’m working for?”

“Yes.”

“Oh? Who?”

The girl scowled.

“Ha,” Blacktouch grinned. “Thought I was gonna let it slip, did you? No chance. I’m a highly-paid professional. Unlike you. You’re just a low-paid professional.”