I feel my head swirling. I am finally able to get in sync with my true form. I spit out blood. All the power I used is deteriorating this body.
I try to stand up but am too weak. Curse this human body. It makes me weak. My neck wound still hurts. This body takes forever to heal.
I turn my head and look around. My husband is nowhere in sight. Had he finally run for his life in fear. The stone is still in my hand. It is just a glimpse of the power I can get if I can get my hands on all those stones in the cult house.
There is very little power left in the stone. I fold it in my palm. It does not have enough power for me to heal myself. I would need to be on bed rest. I'm pathetic. I would never have needed bed rest if I were to have been in my true form.
My dear husband is nowhere in sight to help me. Now that I actually need him, I have scared him away. I need to regain my strength so that I can steal those jewels and return home. And to do that, I would need help.
"Karim!" I manage to mumble at the top of my lungs.
It hurts so much to speak. My voice sounds strained and croaky.
I try again.
My heart nearly stops beating when I hear approaching foot steps. He had never left! He has come back!
He crouches down beside my head and stares down at me.
"What?" He asks.
I ignore his tone.
"Can you carry me to a bed. I need to rest". I say pleadingly.
I hear him snort.
"I am not going anywhere near your cursed body until you tell me exactly what is going on". He says through clenched teeth.
I just saved his life. I sense his fear as well as his growing hatred. I don't want him to hate me for some reason I can't explain. I hate the way he is looking at me. The admiration is gone.
What is even wrong with me? I should be happy that he hates me. It would make things a lot easier when I leave. No broken hearts.
But it doesn't feel easier this way. I am becoming weak.
I find myself telling him.
"I was a demon in the world I came from. I am what you humans call a necromancer. I can raise and control dead and lost souls. I have the demon eye, so I can see both dead souls and living souls. I can also see evil spirits. I can speak to them. I used to work alone back in my world, until I was hired by the emperor to raise an army of undead. The peace corps overtook me and one of them cast a transmigration spell on me. That's how I woke up in this world in this human body. My power is too great for this weak body to handle. The body is deteriorating from within. Because of this, I can't summon enough power to open a portal home. That is why I need those gem stones at the cult house. With them, I can open a portal back home and finally be in my true form". I narrate.
His jaw is hanging.
"So then, how old are you?" He asks.
His eyes still show traces of disbelief.
"I am twelve thousand years old".I reply.
He covers his mouth.
"Twelve thousand what? Are you fucking with me, Arya?" He asks.
"No". I reply.
"Is your world as civilized as this one?" He asks.
"Not quite. There are no phones or electronic devices." I respond.
"So why did you agree to marry me if you really want to return to your world?" He asks.
Sometimes I'm not sure of the answer myself.
"When I woke up in this world, I did not know anybody. Everything was strange. I could not sense my powers. I was still trying to blend in with me new body. Then, that night, I stumbled into you. You saw how weak I was and offered to help me.You fed me and clothed me and cleaned my injuries. It is very difficult to heal myself in this human body. I had been with you for nine good months and you were there for me. When you proposed, I could not find the heart to say no to you. I had to say yes. I admit that I saw you as a ticket to going back home". I say.
He takes in a sharp breath at my confessiom but does not betray any emotions. I thought he would be hurt. If at all he is hurt, then he is doing a good hell of a job hiding it.
"You said you could read people's blood. How did you know I was going to hit you?" He asked.
"Blood is life. Blood also contains all your secrets, thoughts, wishes. As a necromancer, it is your duty to find out everything you can about a person before you turn them into an undead". I say.
"When did you get a chance to read my blood?" He asks.
"While we were kissing. There was a bruise on the side of your mouth". I explain.
"Your gifts could prove very useful in my line of work. We could sell important information to those in need. You can help me assasinate people. You can use your powers to tell when they are coming. You can lure them into traps. I want you to partner with me". He says with hopeful eyes.
I have never considered working.
"Using my own power deteriorates my human body. To do what you are asking of me, I will need plenty of gem stones to draw power from. You would have to help me steal them". I say.
He thinks for a moment.
"We have a deal."
I nod.
"So do you agree to be my partner?"