I jumped awake as my alarm went off, the computer loudly trying to get my attention. I slammed my hand against the desk, letting the machine know I was up. I glanced at the clock, my eyes widening as I realized the time.
"FUCK!" I cried out, scrambling as I tried to get up and quickly change my clothes. How in the world had I slept away a whole day? The pounding in my head answered my question and I cursed the betrayal from my body. As soon as I was dressed, I flew down the stairs, surprising Lee as he rounded the corner.
"Hey, Lin, what are you-"
"I'm late for a job, no time!" I yelled back, barely taking the time to slide on my jacket to hide my wings. I flew out the door, cursing my drinking as I ran down the street.
Since leaving the police force, it was hard to find work as a fallen angel and there was honestly only one real job left for me; necromancy. Among angels it was a forbidden act, only meant as a final act with strict approval from the Creator. But for a fallen, approval was unneeded and necromancers for hire were always in demand.
I could feel Jinx's annoyance and frustration before I even saw her and the intense golden gaze of the witch was enough to send a shiver down my spine. She always had a way of doing that and her black hair disappeared into her matching black outfit, making it impossible to tell where her hair ended and her clothes began
"You are so lucky I don't just go back to LPD." The witch hissed, not even waiting for me as I finally reached her. "C'mon, this couple is a real piece of work and I'd rather just get this over with and go home."
I followed behind my partner as we walked through the graveyard, walking past multiple headstones as we headed deep into the site. Slowly I began to make out the shape of our clients against the setting sun and their voices carried over the otherwise still ground.
"-pointless! If she can't even show up on time then how is she worth the price?" a female voice shrieked and I rolled my eyes.
"We have no other way of finding out." The man stated coldly and I found myself agreeing with Jinx as we finally reached them. She cleared her throat to get their attention.
"This is Lin, who will be raising your daughter." The couple turned their attention to me and it took all my effort to smile politely. Both seemed to have had every type of plastic surgery imaginable and their expressions of fake politeness only emphasized the falseness of it.
"A delight." The father said and I declined the handshake he offered me. He seemed offended, but kept his smile as he continued. "What exactly should we expect?"
"My partner will move you to safe distance while I raise and bind your daughter and once it is safe, she-"
"Safe? I thought there was no risk!" The woman shrieked and Jinx did her best to hide her own frustration.
"As I explained Mrs. Henderson, the ritual is safe, as Lin is an experienced and talented necromancer. Once the binding is set, there is no danger to you or your husband." The witch spoke in the most neutral voice she could manage and it seemed to be enough to pacify the couple. I nodded as I continued speaking.
"Yes, and then you can ask whatever you would like. Afterwards you can leave and I will return her to rest." I finished and the couple nodded, the man's face looking painful as he looked to the grave.
"Good. It is imperative that we have answers. Tired of all these denials and investigations." I watched as Jinx escorted the couple to a safe distance and I turned to the dirt. I took a deep breath as I sighed, kneeling next to the grave. This Henderson couple was the worst type to raise for but they always paid the best and I knew that was why Jinx accepted the request. That was our deal; she would be the face and deal with customers, as long as I did the raising.
"Alright, let's do this." I slid my fingers into the wet earth, my body beginning to glow a sickly yellow as the angelic power rose in me. It flowed into the earth, dragging the sleeping girl back from Death and I slowly stood as she rose through the ground. She was pretty, but in a natural way compared to her parents, and I watched as her glassy eyes opened to look at me. Before true awareness could return, I drew a circle with my hand around her, and sickly gold chains restrained her body.
I motioned for Jinx to bring the parents back to the grave and as soon as they approached, the girl's disdain was immediately obvious.
"What the fuck do you to want?" She spat and I shared a look with Jinx. I was starting to regret this job more and more.
"Now, Sammy we never taught you to speak-"
"You walking plastics never did shit for me and I'm guessing you only wanna know if I committed suicide so the authorities will get off your back." There was a heavy silence as she spoke and I stared wide-eyed at the couple. They were suspected of murdering their daughter? Just who in the world were we dealing with?
In the silence, I turned a silent glare to Jinx. She shrugged as she shook her head, indicating she had no idea that's why they wanted her raised. I didn't have many limitations when it came to reasons, but I did have one: I refused to deal with any cases that had legal implications. If the raising was done to try and secure some type of evidence, I would always decline. As a fallen angel, it was too risky to get involved with those types of cases and Jinx knew that.
"Well?" The man pressed and the girl glared with complete hate and disdain.
"No. I didn't. The truth is hidden in my journal and you can fuck off if you think I'm going to tell you where it is." Sammy hissed and I watched as the faces of her parent's barely reacted.
"Just knowing it exists is enough." The man turned to Jinx and smiled at her. "We'll wire the rest of the money within the hour. If you will."
I watched dumbfounded as the couple walked away, but my attention was soon brought back to the girl. She was seething in her bind, the chains almost red with her rage.
"No, I won't let them escape. They deserve to take the blame." She spat, and my heart started to pound as I watched the circle start to change as well. This was not good and I moved to place the girl back in the ground before she could break loose.
"Lin!" I barely registered as Jinx shoved me out of the way, the circle breaking in the same moment. The girl lunged forward and collided with the witch and I watched in horror as she disappeared into my friend's body.
Jinx's eye immediately glazed over and I watched as she stood up, glancing at me where I sat on the ground.
"They deserve this." Jinx's voice was distorted as she faded from view and I was soon left alone in the graveyard. A single thought ran through my mind as I stood.
I'm choosing the job next time.