Necromancer For Hire- Arc 8

Arc 8, Chapter 2

The Outing

A light snow fell from the mottled-grey Michigan sky, turning to slush on the busy sidewalks. Despite the cold weather, Alcorith was very much alive, the lunch-hour rush on their way back to work. Above the tops of skyscrapers, a rare dragon or two raced across the sky.

Gleefully stepping through the snow was Matthew Mortis. He was tall and muscular, and a heavy winter coat wrapped around his stocky frame. Locks of messy, dirty blond hair fell across his bright eyes and nearly down to his shoulders.

His son, Victor Mortis, sat on his shoulders, arms wrapped tight around his neck. He was thin and almost cadaverous, a frightened look set into his face as he eyed the crowd around him. A scarf covered his entire neck and half of his face, and mittens with images of cats on them kept his hands warm. Despite that, he still shivered.

Finally, curled in the warm confines of Matthew's coat was Umbra Mortis, in his weasel-like animal form. Navy blue fur ran down his slender body, and large ears twitched at every noise. He was Victor’s familiar, a professional bodyguard and caretaker. As a fae, he was sensitive to cold weather, and had to be kept warm. A human’s higher body temperature worked wonders for him.

They had been out since earlier that morning, when Matthew and Umbra had decided to have some quality time with Victor. Victor hesitantly left his boardgame with Seraph, and the three set out to the city. They had just finished eating, and only one thing was left on their itinerary.

“Next stop, the First National Bank of Alcorith,” Matthew announced, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

Located on one of the busiest streets in the city, the First National Bank of Alcorith was a grand structure. Massive marble columns supported the building, gold plating announcing its identity. Victor held tight to Matthew's neck as he traversed the elaborate ice-covered steps leading to the front door.

Inside, several customers shuffled within the waiting line, noses and cheeks bright red from the blistering cold. On the service counters sat small dragons, needle-like claws tapping on keyboards and sliding envelopes of money to customers. As natural hoarders, dragons served as both clerks and guards of the treasury. Smaller dragons stayed on the first floor, working as tellers, while the larger dragons stayed in the basements and watched over the funds.

Matthew fell into line behind a dark skinned, firmly built woman. As he shuffled through his wallet, a feeling of unease settled on his stomach. He brought his eyes up and watched the scene around him. The man beside him seemed just as anxious, checking his watch every couple seconds. His stomach churned when he realized several customers were doing the same as well.

“Umbra,” Matthew hissed, voice low, “What do you need to do?”

He felt Umbra squirm. “Just depositing my paycheck. Why?”

“I don't know. Something seems off,” Matthew's heart was beating furiously.

“Now!” a voice rang out, and the situation turned chaotic.

Seven customers threw open their coats, brandishing guns. A man fired into the ceiling, Matthew throwing Victor to the ground and hovering over him. Umbra skittered to the floor, shapeshifting into his humanoid form and crouching in front of his son.

“Everyone against the wall!” the man that had fired barked, waving his gun in the air.

Author's Note- sorry for the delay! ive been kinda busy! hit some writers block aha,,,hope you like the chapter!