Claimed By Zodiacs

Chapter 24

# Michael Firedrake

Charles dropped the pile of books on my desk, the dust scattering on my paperworks.

"You have the strangest fetish nowadays." He put both arms on his waist. "You like the dead more than the living now?"

It's been three days since I'd known...and there's not a single day that I ceased to seek the answers. Why is she still warm to the touch?

"You're being mean. It's just research Charles."

"Research my *ss. You're listless and out of focus these days. Do you want Aria to gain on you again?"

The mention of her name made me stop, glancing at him before going on with my tasks.

"Look at you! Bingeing on junkfood and alcohol!" He stepped on an empty Doritos. "Are you depressed?"

I laughed. "Me? Hell no. When did I ever get depressed?"

"We became friends because you were depressed remember?"

I froze, looking at him in slight confusion.

"Come on man. We were friends since then."

Charles shrugged. "We're acquaintances. We became close when Ambrose died and Aria disappeared."

I threw the eraser at him. It bounced off his muscular chest.
"Seriously man, stop that. You sound like my whiny girlfriend."

Charles laughed.
"You mean your * ex-girlfriend *. You broke up with her yesterday, didn't you?"

Ah. Yes. I broke up with Shelly yesterday. She was so insistent that I'm having an affair. She was too emotional...and I don't do emotions. Not with the wrong people.

"She's a very pretty blond, that Shelly. Can I have her?" -Charles.

"Shut up Charles. You change women the way you change clothes. Leave her alone."

"Look who's talking. You're the one who has different girlfriends from different races." He gave me a forceful tap on the shoulders. "I learned from the best. *wink*"

I chuckled. "Get lost you manwhore. I have research to do."

He shouted lewd obscenities at me before closing the door. I shook my head. * Men will always be men. *

I picked one book off the pile.

* Necromancy *

I sighed. "Where in the world does Charles get these books?" I flinged the book to the nearby sofa. It bounced off harmlessly. I reached out to pick another book.

* Resurrection *

I opened the book and started reading. "This better be good."

____________
I knocked on Nova's door. "Nova?"

No answer. I tried again.

"I need to speak to you. Open the door Nova."

Still no answer but the light turned on. I could see it illuminating the tiles.

"Nova Celestine Cherwood!"

* She hates her middle name. *

The lock clicked followed by a shout from the inside.

"Get inside, idiot!"

I immediately went inside, only to be stopped by a slipper.

"I told you not to call me that ever again."