Vanessa's Heart: A Blue Mage Side Quest (Blue Mage Series) by Eden Redd Read Free Book Online

One
    “This is a perfect time to rebuild this section of the city.”
    Vanessa looked up as the Lord Mayor of Stukarr stretched his arms out to the destroyed section of the city. Professor Hart was at his side, looking out at the destroyed buildings and hills of rubble. The dead woman hung back, turning and looking around. A rat scurried from one gaping hole, over a section of rubble and down another gaping hole. Vanessa wondered if the rat’s life was any easier in the ruined buildings.
    “What do you have planned, Lord Mayor?” Professor Hart asked while glancing back at the Vanessa and giving a reassuring smile.
    “This section of the city has been nothing more then abandoned buildings for a decade. Now we can rebuild and make it livable again. With the threat of war, the city will receive an influx of people looking for shelter.”
    Vanessa touched a small red brick in the street with her booted toe and turned it on its side.
    The Lord Mayor turned to the pale woman with kind eyes. “My dear Vanessa, how long do you think it will take to rebuild this section?”
    The raven-haired dead woman looked up; white streaks ran from her temples down the length of her lustrous hair. “I would say about a month.” Vanessa shuffled her feet, uninterested.
    The Lord Mayor looked to the dead woman, nodded and turned to walk in a little further. Professor Hart stepped to Vanessa, concern bleeding into his eyes. When the Lord Mayor was about thirty feet away, Professor Hart reached up with his hand and cupped a finger under Vanessa’s chin, lifting her face up slightly to meet his gaze.
    “You are doing an amazing job helping the city.” The professor said with a kind smile.
    Vanessa pulled back and looked away. Her dead heart pumped when he touched her. Even after all this time, his touch was still intoxicating. Stepping away, she pushed those feelings deep down, her heart no longer beating.
    “The dead of the city are doing the work. I’m just relaying the orders.” Vanessa hugged herself as if she was cold, which she never was anymore.
    Professor Hart moved to her but did not touch her. “The dead love you. They are doing a great service helping rebuild the city after the giant slime attack. This will work in your favor to bring good will to the city as a whole.”
    Vanessa’s mouth grimaced. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just being used until reconstruction is complete. Then they will burn me.”
    “We both know you don’t believe that. Is there something you want to talk about?”
    The dead woman turned away. “It has been difficult lately.”
    “Still adjusting to college life?”
    “You could say I’m adjusting to being myself again. When I was the Dead Mother, I spent my time plotting revenge on you and building my army. Now I’m just a messenger. I’m attending college once again like nothing happened.”
    Professor Hart wanted to reach up and touch her shoulders for comfort. Instead, he kept his hands at his sides. “You are a hero. You saved many lives from certain death.”
    Vanessa kept her back to him. “For now. There is still a prejudice against monsters and a larger one against the undead. I think once the city is rebuilt, myself and the dead of the city will be pushed back underground.”
    Professor looked up to the sky. The sun was setting and a warm glow covered the heavens. He let out a long breath.
    The professor moved closer. Vanessa felt his living warmth radiate against her cold skin. Her heart beat once and she wanted to turn around, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. The urges were there but her spirit was weak and tired.
    “Tell me what is really wrong?”
    The dead woman turned to Hart but kept her head tilted forward. “It’s Castor. I think I’m slowly starving him and I don’t know what to do.”
    “Have you spoken to Gwen about him?”
    “Not yet but I already know what she will tell me. I have to eat and drink more so he will be well fed with mana from