Necromancer For Hire- Arc 3

Arc 3, Chapter 26

The Extortion

Victor...! Matthew thought to himself, blood roaring in his ears. His stormy eyes darted from his son to Clockwork. That woman wants us to abandon our quest for Clockwork...but that's not an option. Time has to have his powers back.

"Daddy! Please!" Victor cried, fearful eyes glistening. The color had drained from his face, making the blood that trickled from his cheek even more apparent.

Matthew gritted his teeth, mind already made up. But as a father, my baby is my first responsibility.

He was going to rescue Victor, no matter what.

Matthew squeezed Esper gazing at him with concern. "Esper, are you going to be okay?"

The spirit had taken a rather lengthy cut across his chest, staining the entire front of his sweater (and Matthew's coat) with crimson.

Esper nodded with difficulty, moving his trembling hands to his wound. Runes shined around his fingers, stitching up the massive gash. After the spell was finished, he slumped back against Matthew's shoulder, panting.

"I'll be fine," Esper whispered. "Just make sure Victor doesn't get hurt." 

"Don't worry, Esper." Matthew assured. "There's a reason I'm leading this group. I'll make sure all of us get out of this alive."

Taking a deep breath, Matthew softly laid Esper on the concrete floor, the nature spirit falling limp. He looked exhausted, the strain of the blood mage's attacks and recovering from such a serious having taxed his body to the point of overexertion. Matthew wouldn't have been surprised if Esper fell asleep right away.

Matthew's body twitched, sweat soaking the back of his clothes. Every instinct he held urged him to lunge at the woman, rescuing his child in a bold show of violence. He wanted to rip her to shreds for having the gall to brutalize a young child, especially one that was his pride and joy.

But there was no way he could let himself fall into that temptation. If he so much even moved the wrong way, she would jerk the blade that was pressed against Victor's throat, and the boy's life would leak out onto the floor before Matthew's eyes.

I have to be very careful, Matthew thought, standing up on shaky legs. My actions will determine whether my baby lives or dies.

He cast a guilty look to Clockwork, locking eyes with his swirling irises.

And if I miss out on obtaining Clockwork, the universe is a loss. The tension that pressed down onto Matthew's shoulders was incredible, nearly making him want to shut down.

But, for all he knew, Umbra's mission had been a failure. He could be the only man in the world with the ability to save Time.

"Blood mage..." he started, trying to keep the raging emotion out of his voice.

"Arisha," the woman corrected him, flashing a sly smile. "My name is Arisha. Have you made a decision? Is the death of your child really worth taking my prisoner?"

Victor stared at him in wide-eyed terror, like a cornered animal. He was trying to mouth something to Matthew (his vocal cords now paralyzed by fear), but Matthew gave the boy a comforting smile.

I really hope this works, Matthew thought as he formulated his plan in his mind. Otherwise, Victor, Esper, and I are going to die and time itself is going to be doomed.

"I'd like to take upon your earlier offer, Arisha." Matthew's voice suddenly got deep, like a purr.

Arisha squinted. "What are you talking about, wind mage?" She seemed apprehensive, yet interested in Matthew's words.

"Don't you remember, Arisha? You told me if we made love you'd let me off scot-free." Matthew smiled at her alluringly, like he was beckoning her forward, to him. "I'd like to apologize for my earlier behavior. I've changed my mind, you're obviously a woman worthy of my sexual prowess."

Author's Note: matt pls