Jeb stepped shakingly out onto the front lawn of the Baker Mansion. It was old but well maintained. He knew each spot on the main columns that had been repaired. Having been the one who oversaw the repairs he could see the shoddy work that one of his regular workers had performed. If not for his growing distaste of the mayor he would have given him a free touch up service.

  Being at a fine establishment such as the mayor’s home meant dressing up. For Jeb dressing up was his old military dress, which he couldn’t wear anymore. Looking at himself dressed in the suit his loving wife had picked out for him he smiled slightly. She was a good woman. The other people in those homes had been good as well. He pushed the thought out of his mind.

  At the top of the steps security second in command Armand, was waiting patiently. Half of the staff were old veterans and the other half were newer veterans. He had been the one to recruit them for the mayor. His original staff had been dismissed save for the head of security. The reason was unknown to Jeb but he felt he might have sent his men into the lion's den.

  “Colonel Henderman” Armand saluted.

  “Colonel my ass how many times am I going to have to give you an earful over that”

  “Yeah, yeah, it's good to see you Major.”

  Armand broke his salute and shook Jeb’s hand. The man's tanned skin glistened in the fluorescent light. He was younger than Henderman by a good number of years but he was a good friend all the same. You needed friends near the Black Out Cities.

  “Has the ‘special’ guest shown up yet?”

  Armand looked at the other two stationed at the front door and they gave a nod in conformation. They stepped away just out of ear shot, but ready if he shouted for help. He didn’t want anything he said being extracted later. If punishment came down then it would be only on himself.

  “That thing? No, not yet, I don’t like this sir. Everything had been fine at first but now the cops seem to be acting weird. Some of the men were replaced on rounds with them. They're so lifeless.”

  “Good, I need to talk with the mayor before he does something he’ll regret. Keep an eye on those officers if they make any funny moves we might need to take care of all of this.”

  “I still don’t understand sir. What is that guy? He’s just like back there, just like the cities. Cold, sucking the light out of the world.”

  “That's exactly why I need to talk with the mayor before he shows up. If he gets here in the next fifteen minutes, delay him. I’ll convince the mayor to pull his funding. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to continue if he knows what's going on. That man shouldn’t be able to act without any backing.”

  “And if he doesn’t change his mind?”

  There was an edge to his voice. It was the mayor after all could they just take him out? What of the other civilians in the mansion? They were unnecessary questions to dwell upon. Jeb had led most of the men to safety more times then he could count. Not to mention all the instances that were blacked out of their memory. A pang of guilt passed through him as he took in Jeb’s slouched figure. He had once towered over Armand, now the five foot eight man claimed the high ground.

  “Then we get rid of the interloper. If the mayor pushes back afterwards I’ll take the heat. That thing is an enemy combatant. I can guarantee that.”

  Armand had one of the guards lead him to the meeting room. They made idle chatter about MRE’s and which they would take over their own families home cooking. The result was that none of them came close. The smuggled Korean ones were about as near as any of them came. That might have just been because of the escapades in retrieving them and not getting caught.

  “Major, he’s right inside.”

  Jeb stood at the final hurdle. He’d gotten the word out, Snake Blind would take care of it on his end, no matter what happened tonight. His thoughts drifted for a moment on the Lad. Having forced him into cooperating one way or another he felt guilty. He should have made arrangements for him just in case. It was too late for that.

  “Henderman. It is so good to see you. I was wondering who my first guest of the night would be.”

  Mr. Baker the Mayor of Mawe was dressed in a ridiculous style. Purple suit that looked close to a robe embroidered with gold, hair slicked back. He acted like a young man during the meetings. It had been enduring at first, his normally cold and calculated figure transforming to something twenty years younger. Now it grated even more on Jeb’s nerves, he had to know about the killings, he had to know what that man was.

  “We should talk, Mr.Mayor.”

  ***

  “Go we have at least half an hour, up to a whole hour. We need to be in and out in that time.” Mandy’s voice was steady and determined.

  “Have all the guests arrived?” Teddy questioned.

  Amongst the three he came in second with his determination. This involved his brother's life and whatever Mandy’s father was hiding would help him. Not to mention the apparent corruption that Renee had seen. They had to beat the buzzer.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “I was able to set up a small talisman using animal bones. When the third one arrives we’ll be counting down. Until then we have more free reign.”

  Renee was less enthusiastic over the course of events only because she thought escaping during this time would be better. An hour into town was enough to disappear and possibly take Nate along with them. Maybe if they got away smoothly a fix for all their issues would crop up.

  “Ok, let's go.” Mandy Said.

  Reaching the outside of the office wasn’t a big deal. Moving around the mansion whilst the guards patrolled was second nature to Mandy. With the added help of Renee subtly pushing their sight away it was no time before they stopped at the door. What was supposed to be an empty office had a shining light within.

  Mandy hesitated outside the door for a moment but pressed her ear up against it. The others followed suit as they listened intently. Two men were speaking inside one was clearly the Mayor while the other was harder for any of them to place.

  “Fine, he can’t hear us within this room. Are you happy now?”

  “No, but this will have to do.”

  “Then get on with it.”

  The mayor's predatory rasp had returned. The secretly friendly voice that only seemingly Jeb and the guest knew was nowhere to be seen. He was dismissive and of no mood to take on the problems of an old buffoon.

  “I just wanted to know what the plan really is?”

  “You know the plan. Those poor souls are destined to die. Our resident ‘Soothsayer’ predicts their demise and we capitalize. More than half of your recent building projects have been because of him.”

  “I am grateful for what he has done. These past two years of work have been significant. But you should know as well as I this is no simple case of predication. Such things are the realm of god.”

  “God. You speak to me of God? Would such a god take away my beloved? Have her run away with some unknown man far too young for her? Or would he take away that straightened back of yours?”

  “That didn’t answer my question.”

  The mayor paused, picking up a brass palm sized snow globe. The town of Mawe was laid out within but due to its age the Thorn Wood trees were down in the valley. He frowned at the thing, it normally made him feel better but at that moment. He just felt worse.

  “Do I really need to say it? So what if a few of the older folks without families pass away? Like you didn’t know this whole time.”

  “I might have denied it. Looked away from the horrors we were committing. That doesn’t mean I can’t seek redemption.”

  “Redemption. Don’t say you're leaving the agreement over something so paltry as that?”

  “We can find other ways to make money.”

  “Ah, yes, the money. I guess to you it’s always just been about the money. I hesitate to reveal this, as I know you are against the idea of the partnership on moral qualms. However, you have been of great help since the beginning. Even if the first house never could get bought up, everyone after has fed our goal well. I don’t see why we couldn’t fix something for you.”

  “I don’t want anything you're offering. The town will die and if it doesn’t do that it won’t look like it did before.”

  “Not even if I restored your back? Our little birdy at the hospital told me about your problem.”

  “Everyone knows about my back. It can’t be fixed, whatever got it out there made it permanent.”

  Jeb rubbed at his back. So much had been ruined by his condition. Marriage on the fritz and no off ramp in sight. Though he guessed what the Lad said might help. He straightened up the best he could to look the man in his eyes.

  “Not that problem. It's the symptom that comes with it. I thought of making a signing bonus for the last contract. Once your back is repaired, you can have as many children as you please. Though I wouldn’t recommend it. Dirty little mongrels.”

  Mandy shook and nearly knocked into the door. Hearing him say it to her face would have been more bearable. She could spin it as tough love, but here he didn’t have to put on an act. He truly hated them. Hated her.

  “Don’t lie to me like that.”

  Renee pulled the other two back making hand motions and mouthing about the other one showing up. Then fear gripped her heart. In the front of the manor he stepped out of an old black and blue carriage. At its front a man of tremendous size stood collared to the reigns. As the Necromancer stepped out onto the cold night concrete he looked over at the pile of bones and into Renee.

  *AHHHHH*

  She screamed as her body spasmed. Magic reversing course and blasting deep into her body. The sound did not go without notice. Jeb was the first out of the door. Worry strewn across his face, while Mr.Baker approached in a leisurely manner. He glanced around at Mandy and Teddy who were tending to Renee. Her body shook and the last of the magic backlash left her.

  “I see even here there are prying eyes. Major, would you mind helping me to secure the mongrels? Taking them to the housing wing would be enough.”

  “Don’t call me that.” Mandy croaked.

  “Sir, I am here to report he has arrived.”

  William the head of security stood at attention. His eyes wandered to Jeb and he made a disgusted face for only a moment. Shifting back to his deadpan look he awaited his command. The Mayor considered the situation. Before brushing it to the side, what could children do?

  “Would you assist Jeb in taking the children to their wing? We will sort things out once his lordship has left.”

  “His lordship?” Jeb questioned.

  “Worry not, I know you are on our side. Nothing would be better than regaining your true self. That's just what I want for all of us.”

  The mayor reached out and gave a small hug to Jeb. As he did so he shot a glance at William who smiled happily. As they parted Jeb went down on one knee reaching a hand out to the children.

  “Come now kids, I'll help you.”

  “We don’t need help from someone like you.” Mandy responded.

  Mandy easily picked Renee up and began to head back toward their wing. Jeb and William walked side by side just behind them. One’s wandering eye watching the other with vicious intent.