Page 13 of Crossing Between

I licked my fingers after finishing one of the cronuts that Quilith ordered for us from a popular bakery in town I'd never been able to afford before. It melted in my mouth like butter with the perfect combination of dough and sugar.

"This is so good. Actually, it's heaven in the form of a breakfast sweet." I took a sip of the tea that Kenji had given me earlier, it was still warm in the thermos.

"I agree." Quilith swallowed one whole. "So, Zoey, my little duckling, I would like to talk about your secret.

I will keep it. That's what friends do, but I need to know a few more pieces of information.

" They brushed their hands together to get the crumbs off.

"How much control do you truly have? I don't want to worry that my cutie of a friend's magic will suddenly go crazy and she ends up bringing zombies up out of the grave and killing people in a rush of power. "

"I need your word." I set the thermos down and looked at them directly. "Please."

If a dragon gives a promise, their magic binds them to it. They don't give them out lightly since if they break it, they die. If Quilith promised me that they wouldn't reveal my secret, I knew I would be able to trust them with my life.

They stared at me for several silent moments.

"I promise that as long as you pose no danger to this community, or yourself, I will not be the one to give away your secret of being a necromancer.

" Power pulsed through the room. It was heavy, and ancient as it passed between us.

"Now, let's keep eating. The cucumber sandwiches are delicate and perfect after all the sugary goodness.

" They passed me a paper plate with said cucumber sandwich.

"The only soul I've ever raised was my mother.

I learned from the book that when a necromancer raises the dead if they don't do it correctly, it darkens their own soul and boosts their magic in the wrong way.

That's partially why most necromancers go bad.

They get drunk on the power. I practiced with my childhood pets that had passed away.

Raising the dead in the right way takes time and our magic is almost alive on its own.

It pressures you to just take over the soul and push it into slavery instead of getting their cooperation.

It took years of hard work to get my magic to behave and realize that I'm the one in charge, not it.

" I took a bite of the food. It really was perfect.

My anxiety had disappeared the second Quilith gave me their word that I was safe with them. It felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders as I spoke of growing up and my magic that everyone on this planet hated and despised. Quilith didn't seem to be judging me. They just listened.

"Sounds like you've had it tough, being the one to take care of your troublemaker brother and hiding your powers from the world." Quilith tapped a finger against their bottom lip. "Do you ever relax, my lovely dovey?"

I leaned back in the chair as I looked up at the ceiling.

"I'm not sure. Does that make sense? It's just what I've always had to do, I never thought about it.

It was freeing last night when I told Ryan to grow up.

Not sure if he'll listen, but at least being honest with him was a knock off my shoulders.

" I looked at them. "Quilith, thank you. "

They blinked in confusion. "You're welcome? For what exactly?"

"For not killing me as soon as you figured out what I was. For giving me a chance and making that promise. I know what that means for dragons." I pushed my hair behind my ear. "I hope we can be friends. That would be nice."

Quilith clapped their hands to one cheek and made some kind of noise I wasn't able to recognize before they threw themselves at me, and wrapped their arms around my shoulders in a crushing hug.

I couldn't breathe very well, but it was nice to feel that contact with someone else for a brief moment.

I squeezed them back until they stepped back, wiping their eyes.

"I would love it if we were friends. Give me your cell phone.

Gimme." They held out a hand making a give it here gesture.

"Only a few people have my number. You're going to be one of them!

" They grabbed my phone when I pulled it out and proceeded to put their information into my contacts.

"Did that just in time too. Our adorbs detectives are back for you.

" Quilith let out a snort. "It looks like they may have bitten off more than they could chew. "

I stood and went out of the office, following behind my new friend into the examination room. I came to an abrupt stop when I saw my coworkers and I had to slap a hand over my mouth to keep myself from laughing.

Elias and Kenji were drenched in some kind of foul-smelling liquid.

Whatever it was dripped from Elias' braids while Kenji's shoes looked like they were soaked in a bright neon green substance.

Their facial expressions were one of those where they were ready to string someone up for messing with them.

"Whatever caused this?" Quilith gestured with their left hand dramatically while covering their nose with the other hand. "You two smell fetid."

"Our CI sent us to an underground stenchcrawler wrestling ring.

There was a brawl when the champion lost in the first round to Kenji who couldn't help himself.

" Elias turned a murderous glare at the oni.

"We got out of there only after getting sprayed in the stenchcrawlers acid and crawling through a sewer tunnel. "

I couldn't help it. I lost it. Quilith was right along with me. I laughed so hard I lost my breath and my sides began to ache.

"You guys look horrid and that smell is worse than the dead bodies and chemicals in here." I wiped a tear from my face. "Kenji, you truly fought a stenchcrawler and didn't gag?"

Kenji wiped his face, throwing off some of the goop that was on his forehead. "I couldn't resist. I had to let my monster out to show them who was boss." He pulled his arms in front of him, flexing his muscles.

Elias grunted before he grabbed some paper towels on a table near them. He started vigorously scrubbing his skin. "I could punch you in the fucking dick, you asshole."

Kenji just laughed as he slapped Elias on the shoulder. "Let's grab Zoey so we can get to the showers at the station."

I stepped backward and held up my hands. "No offense, you two, but that's going to be a hard pass from me. I like my sense of smell. I don't want to lose it by being in close quarters with you smelling like that. I will take the bus."

"Nonsense." Quilith wrapped their arm around my shoulder. "I shall take our fair lady back to the station. You two go away." Using their other hand, they gestured at the detectives with a shooing motion. "I'll drop you right in the arms of our beloved captain."

"Wait--" I jerked my head to look up at Quilith to ask them what they meant when a portal appeared behind us and they pushed me through it with a wave.

"Heads up, Varon! Enjoy!" They yelled after me as I felt myself falling into darkness as I let out a scream.