Adriana packed up all of her supplies she needed to keep her appoints for the day. Since her hospital visit she had a bit of a backlog of clients from the two days of work missed.

She met with all but one client and felt exhausted. She went home to quickly grab a few more herbs for her last client, a person who Rick scheduled for her. Usually she liked to meet her clients, but because of her situation, Adriana took the file with a smile on her face. She looked down at her watch “I need to get a move on.” She always wants to arrive before her clients to prepare herself. Glancing one more time in the mirror to make sure there wasn't any blood left on her face from the rest of the day she walked to her car.

She drove back to the cemetery, a drive becoming all too familiar these last weeks, but she always seemed to enjoy the scenery on her way there. She sat in her car reading the file by the dome light trying to get a feel for the client she was meeting in a few moments. Adriana got out of the car and grabbed all her tools: her herbs, a cage with a chicken inside, and her ritual blade to set beside the grave and awaited her client.

Francisco rolled the toothpick in which he had been keeping in his mouth. He had just quit smoking not too long ago and every once in a while could feel himself wanting a cigarette. When that happened Francisco would have to dip into his nicotine laced toothpicks in order to keep him from going back to what some people called, “Death sticks.” Francisco allowed the taste of the toothpick to fill his mouth, sucking on it as if it were a lollipop. Sometimes Francisco wondered if he just liked the toothpicks because they reminded him of his childhood days with candy. As Francisco entertained the thought, he allowed his hearing to remain ever constant. Though he was enjoying the reminiscence of when days were much simpler, he was here to investigate a certain someone, and it would do him no good to be lost in thought when she arrived.

Francisco repositioned his back against the tree. Glad that he had gotten to the cemetery first, since he was curious as to what would occur. He had an appointment for a necromancer to raise the dead for him. At the necromancer’s office, Francisco had given the reason that he simply wanted to see it done and he had no real specific reason for the raising. In actuality however, Francisco wished to see a necromancer for a different reason. Only a few days ago, Francisco had met a very powerful vampire who could call lions. At the time, the two had come to a beneficial agreement, one that would ultimately bring power to the both of them. However, vampires were known to only truly be loyal to other vampires and even then, their version of loyalty was iffy. Francisco was hoping to get a necromancer to join his Pride as a sort of spiritual guide, so that if their vampire ally ever decided to betray them, he would be in for some opposition.

Francisco allowed his body to rest against a tree for what seemed like an hour, wondering if the necromancer was ever going to show. It was then however, that a peculiar scent reached his nose. It was a new scent, one that carried the familiar smell of the dead who made their home at the cemetery, but also one of the living. It was as if that one person defied almost all the rules, being both connected to the dead and the living. Francisco allowed his ears to tell him that the necromancer was getting closer, and from what he smelt, holding a chicken and herbs. When he ears had told him that she was close enough to speak to without shouting, Francisco moved around the tree, immediately noting the woman standing near the tombstone, a ritual blade nearby. Francisco made a smile as he created more noise so that he could be heard. Then when he was sure she had noticed him, he moved forward offering his hand. Francisco then said as he awaited the handshake, “Hola señora de los muertos. I am Francisco Rivera; I am the one who had called your offices to raise the dead for me. I must apologize for sneaking up on you; I was lost in thought and did not realize you had arrived until just now.” Francisco made sure to tone down his power completely, not wanting the necromancer to know what he was or his intentions until after he had seen her strength.

Adriana heard a rustling behind her coming from the tree near the grave site and gave a small jump. A flash of the ghouls ran through her head, but she visibly shook her head to erase the image. She turned around to a rather handsome man and smiled as he called her ‘lady of the dead’ in Spanish. Though Adriana did not necessarily speak Spanish, she knew a little, you couldn’t survive as a business in Miami with out knowing it.

She outstretched her hand to him “Nice to meet you Francisco. I am just a little jumpy please do not apologize it is not your fault.” She walked back toward the grave stone wondering why she hadn’t noticed someone was there, cursing herself for being careless. She finished setting her tools and took a deep breath and began the ritual as she had numerous times already tonight.

She liked to make the ointment she used at the site instead of making it at home and carrying around a bottle of it. She sat down in the grass near the headstone, careful not to step on the grave itself. She mixed some rosemary, cinnamon, sage and thyme together “Rosemary for memory, Cinnamon for preservation, Sage for wisdom and Thyme to bind it all”. She rubs the ointment near her eyes, nose, behind her ears, near her mouth, on her hands, and lastly over her heart then heads over to the cage.

Adriana hated this part, but had gotten used to it by now. She kneeled in front of the cage and softly whispered to the chicken “I’m sorry” as she always did to her sacrifices. Adriana opened the cage and cut the chicken in order to start her blood circle, placing blood on herself in the same manner as the ointment.

She walked around the grave forming a circle of blood, when the circle was complete she took out her wrist and the blade and cut a little bit on her left arm, not wanting to undo the bandages because to get them as good as Justice had took time and patience Adriana didn’t have, in order to give blood for the raising. Taking her hand, she dabbed some more ointment on her palm and took some of her blood on there as well as she walked to the headstone and traced the letters of the name. Mathew Lovel. “Hear me Mathew Lovel, I call you from the grave by magic, blood, and steel. Arise Mathew Lovel and come to me.”

The zombie climbed out of the grave and stood there with a blank look on their face. It wouldn’t talk till it fed, once again the ghouls made a run through Adriana’s mind, but she walked up to the zombie and offered the cut to it. Adriana always thought of zombies as ‘it’ because if you get attached, well you might never want to put them back in the ground, not good to have a zombie as your walking shadow.

She took her arm away and presented the zombie to Francisco who she almost forgot was there- that happened a lot, she would get so caught up in animating; she would turn around and be surprised her client was there. Adriana could not help but feel proud every time she raised the dead, its not like everyone could do it and it took a lot of concentration or things may not work out properly.

Francisco shook the hand of the necromancer’s, a smile still on his face. He listened to the woman’s words, glad that the necromancer he had hired was polite. Francisco watched as the woman who had been named by the office’s secretary, Adriana, went to work. Francisco watched as she first began to prepare an ointment. Then after she had finished making one and spreading it, she brought out the chicken. Francisco had never actually seen a real rising before and had only read about it, so actually, seeing the chicken’s neck be slit even though he knew it was going to happen was still a bit surprising to him. Francisco easily pushed his lion down even as it began to smell the blood and wish to surface. Francisco didn’t want his secret to be let out until he was absolutely sure she was good enough to help out the Pride. They were in need of a necromancer badly and it would only help strengthen their Pride.

Francisco kept watching as the blood circle was finally completed. It was then that Francisco felt the metaphysical power within that circle, his whole body warning him not to get close or enter it. Francisco had heard rumors that to enter a circle after it was completed had consequences that had not been logged yet. However, even without any real evidence in the books of misfortunes occurring, Francisco still believed them. He waited there patiently as Adriana began to call the dead man’s name, someone that Francisco had picked at random from the obituaries. Francisco kept watching silently as the thing rose and Adriana fed it some of her blood. When the act was all over, she turned to him, as if presenting the zombie.

Francisco only kept a cold stare on his face as he examined the creature, noting that it didn’t look completely human. Though what could he expect from someone who had been dead for at least a few months now. Francisco gave a small nod to Adriana as he said, “You did bueno. I am glad that my money was not wasted. I am curious though, can the zombie do anything, but stand there. I mean, can you order him around and how long will your control on him last?” Francisco knew some of the answers to his question but he wanted to hear Adriana’s answer. He wanted to seem like the innocent, curious, client that he had pretended to be at Adriana’s offices. At least he planned to act such for now, perhaps if he felt she had proven herself, he would allow her to know the truth.

Adriana smiled cautiously, thinking to herself What does this guy want to do with a zombie. “Thank you.” She genuinely smiled at the compliment, she didn't receive very many. Usually the client asked what they needed then left. “Yes sir I can order him to do which ever I choose. He is basically a simple minded being following orders. I can usually control them until day break, the sun seems to waiver the control over zombies. The night gives me more” she stopped and searched for a word “power over them.”

The zombie then decided to interject his thoughts on our subject matter. “Miss” Adriana looked over “I think you are sorely mistaken, I would not do whatever you tell me. I have a mind of my own you know.”
Adriana sighed, she hated breaking the news to the zombie that they were in fact dead and under her control. “Mathew, jump on one foot now.”
The zombie began jumping up and down on one foot “See, I will not-” His face went blank, realizing he was doing just as she instructed.

“Mathew stop.” As he stopped hopping, he sat down with the realization he was dead.

Turning her attention from the zombie and back to her client, Adriana did not want to seem to suspicious, but not interviewing him herself at the office, she did not know his intentions. “Fransisco, I do hate to seem rude, but I must ask” she stopped to phrase her comment correctly hoping to not sound completely unprofessional “What exactly are you needing the zombie for? I usually ask this question when I first meet my clients but i was unfortunately out of the office.” she lifted her bandaged arm for emphases. Even though he did not control the zombie, he was bigger than she was and that means he could have control over her. She stopped thinking the worst and decided he was just curious on what animating was and how animating was done.

Francisco nodded his head as he listened to Adriana’s explanation on her power over the dead. Most of the information was indeed already known, but he had to admit being a little more surprised that her power weakened considerably during daylight. As he thought about the subject, it did make sense. The thought had just never crossed his mind that their power was similar to vampires in terms of when they were at their strongest. Francisco brought his attention back to Adriana as he realized that she was about finished speaking. He hadn’t meant to tune Adriana out, but he had gotten most of what she said, and what he had missed was probably stuff he had already known.

It was just as he brought all his attention back to the necromancer that the zombie began to speak. Francisco knew that the zombies could speak, but it did amuse him to actually see one do so for the first time. It reminded him of a very less dangerous vampire. Francisco gave a playful smile as he listened to the dead man speak and watched as Adriana began to show him just how dead he truly was. Francisco’s face went more serious as he noted the expression on the zombies face. Normally such things wouldn’t have phased him, but he had to admit being a little sympathetic as he watched the man realize his position.

Francisco stayed focus on the man as Adriana told the zombie to stop and then turned back to him. Francisco gave a curious smile as Adriana addressed him now, asking several questions of him. Francisco didn’t really mind however, for having questions was something only an intelligent person would have. After all, Francisco wouldn’t want to work with someone who trusted everyone. Francisco nodded his head in agreement as he said, “In all honesty, chica. I am curious about the dead and their dealings with necromancers. From what you have shown me you have complete control over zombies.” It was now or never, Francisco was about to start letting Adriana know just what type of person he was. Francisco then went on to say, “I know now that you can control dead, but does that mean all of the dead. What about ghouls and vampires? How far does your control extend to them?” Francisco then went quiet wondering how the necromancer would take the question and how she would answer.

Adriana was taken aback at being called a necromancer, she usually was not referred to as such, and only as an animator. She had spoken to only her parents on how she felt the dead, like there was more there than her coworkers describe when they work. Adriana did a little studying and found necromancy. Though she hadn't delved into her power over other creatures, mostly because she never truly met a vampire, and did not think they would enjoy being controlled as a zombie would be, she hadn't asked herself these questions.

Picking her words cautiously, for she did not know if Fransisco was telling the truth or half truths, Adriana continued to answer the questions. “It is good to have a curiosity” she smiled and titled her head. “I do have complete control over zombies, but ghouls are a different story. They are more like wild animals in the regard as they do not have a working human mind. Ghouls run on instinct purely, if they are hungry they will hunt with no regard to what they are hunting. In order to control a ghoul, you must overcome the instinctual mind. They are a danger and usually can not be controlled merely, stopped.”

She started to twist a piece of her hair as she began to think of his next part of the question, vampires. “Vampires” she stopped and took a deep breath “I wish I had an answer to your question Mr. Fransisco. I truly do not know. I have never truly met one and do not go seeking at night to experiment on a person” she corrected herself “I mean vampire. I do not think it would be wise, many may not see it as experimenting with my power, but taking away their free will.”

She debated on to whether or not to explain her feelings to this perfect stranger, but he was willing to ask her questions most people shied away from, so she decided to take a leap of faith with Francisco.

“I feel them. All of the dead, not just zombies, but here in this cemetery is like being in a crowd of people only I can feel.” Adriana tried to gage his expression, but found it too dark to do so, she continued “When I would walk the streets at night in Brooklyn, I could feel an alive deadness” she laughed at the oxymoron “Walking dead, vampires. That was the closest I ever got to any vampire, was on the streets, in a crowd of people. I hope I at least shed a little light on myself, rather than all animators, many of my coworkers do not feel the exact same things in the cemetery as I do. Does this answer your questions?” She asked with hope she did.

Francisco listened curiously, as Adriana shared her knowledge with Francisco concerning the ghouls. Francisco was more then a little surprised by all the information having not thought on just how a ghoul existed. During his studies of the undead, he had simply written them off as zombies and had not bothered to put any research time into them. Now that Adriana was explaining what they truly were, Francisco regretted that he had done so. If he had encountered one of the creatures before his meeting with Adriana, he would have underestimated the beasts and would have learned a much more painful lesson. Francisco made sure to make a mental note to further look into ghouls as Adriana finished her explanation on the beasts.

Francisco easily noticed the twirling of the necromancer’s hair even through the darkness. Though a lycanthropes night vision wasn’t as advanced as a vampire’s it was certainly good enough to spot through the darkness now. The dim lights that were on all the way back at the streets surrounding the graveyard gave just enough light for Francisco to see clearly. Francisco paid attention to Adriana giving an unnoticeable sigh as he could tell her words were true. It seemed that though she was indeed a necromancer she was quite inexperienced and hadn’t even ever met a vampire before, a dangerous thing. She would be quite unprepared if the things that went bump in the night, just one day decided to pay her a visit. Francisco listened to her reasoning for not really going after the whole vampire theory. He couldn’t help, but feel a little disappointed for he did not see it as all as unfair. After all, when a vampire stole the free will of a human or a lycanthrope that they could call, they felt no remorse. They did not regret their decision in the least. Francisco gave a tiny sneer as he thought of Gerard and how the man wouldn’t even have been fazed if he had forced the lions under his control.

Francisco quickly snapped out of his own personal thoughts as Adriana went on, surprisingly. She had answered all of Francisco’s questions, so he was shocked when she went on. Francisco gave all his attention as Adriana shared a piece of herself, something she had no need to do for a client. Francisco was no friend, he was no coworker, and he did not deserve the explanation she was giving him. Yet, the woman offered it nonetheless, and Francisco was glad for it offered him quite a bit of information. When Adriana was done talking, Francisco just stood there for a moment, collecting his thoughts. He didn’t really know how to respond to the woman’s words and just how thankful he was for her to be honest with him. It was then that Francisco made his mind; he would tell the woman the whole truth and see what comes of it.

Francisco moved up closer, his face now able to be seen even by Adriana. Now that his expressions could be seen, he made sure to keep on a tight mask. He looked at Adriana, the respect clear in his eyes. Francisco then said, “Bueno, you did a fantastico job. I really only have one more question. I think though first you deserve a little explanation of my own.” Francisco’s jaw tightened slightly as he went on to say, “I am not just curious persona, chicita. I am a hunter, I am the guy who when the creatures who bump in the night go bad, I bump back. However, that isn’t all, for I got a little secret of my own.”

Francisco then let his power finally be released, scalding hot energy flowing forth. He made sure to hold some of it back however, not wanting to harm or scare the woman who was sensitive to his power. As Francisco stood there his power now easily detectable he said, “Let me introduce myself again, señora de los muertos. My name is Francisco Rivera, Rex of the local lion Pride, Ingressus Umbra, and exterminator to all supernatural baddies who have gone against the law. I have come to you, Adriana, not just out of curiosity, but also with a proposition. Do you know why there aren’t many necromancers in the world anymore?” Francisco let the thought hang, giving Adriana time to move past the revelations he had given her and back to his last question.

Francisco eyed her carefully waiting for her reaction. Then after several very quiet moments Francisco said, “I did a lot of research on the dealings of necromancers and vampires before talking to you, chica. The reason why there aren’t many like you, is cause there is a law, that all vampiros kill necromancers that pose a threat. Meaning if you do not become their slave, you become their meal. It has been good fortune that you haven’t met any, señora. I do not know whether you would have been here today if you had. My proposition is this. Join my Pride as a spiritual guide and we shall protect you from the vampires with our lives. As a guide, you will help us understand and defend against them, as well as help during rituals. In return, we promise to do everything we can to stop those who walk the night from harming you. What do you say? Will you run with the lions, or take your chances with the bats?” Francisco then went quiet; his power toned almost all the way down again. He wanted her to make the next decision with a clear head, and not ruled by fear. Francisco wasn’t sure what she would say, but for her future, he hoped she chose to help his Pride. It would be a shame to read about her death at the hands of some vampires in the obituaries.

Adriana looked up to Fransisco when he stepped closer to her, into his eyes. Her expression was one of puzzlement as he explained he was not just curious. She had a few things run through her head, but none of those scenarios were that he was among the 'creatures' he spoke of.
She felt his power crawl over her, but she did not turn away or tremble underneath, scared as some might have. She felt this earlier in the hospital from Justice, but this was more power- stronger. As he introduced himself, she realized she was in the presence of yet another lion in under a week. “Well, I must say I am privileged to meet yet another lion, and for it to be the Rex, I am honored.” As Francisco posed the question of surviving necromancers, Adriana remembered a unspoken rule of necromancers being killed on sight by vampires, of course no one could actually confirm that. “Most vampires kill necromancers on sight, or at least that has been what rumored to have happened.” She began twisting her hair once again as she spoke of death sentences for people with her skills.

As Fransisco confirmed what she had only heard through rumors she began to think of how fortunate she was not to be so curious as to walk up and try to control one of these vampires. As she listened to his proposition, she couldn't help but feel flattered. “Fransisco” she started and then caught sight of Mathew out of the corner of her eye and noticed that even though herself and Fransisco were close, there was the barrier of the circle in between them.

She reached beside her tools and grabbed a handful of salt. Adriana took all her attention from Fransisco and turned it to the grave. “Mathew please stand before me.” Even though she did not have to say please, she felt it impolite to not do so. She threw salt at the grave “By salt I bind you Mathew to the earth, walk no more.” tapping the ritual blade against his headstone “By steel I bind you Mathew to your grave, speak no more.” She stepped back and took a deep breath “By will I bind you Mathew to your grave, I bid you sleep once more.” She walked the circle in the opposite direction, as she did she felt the wall of energy dissipate into the air and she stepped closer to Fransisco giving him her full attention once more.

“Fransisco” she picked up where she left off “it is a prestigious honor you offer me to be apart of your pride in such away as to offer my guidance. It is also honorary for you and your pride to offer my protection in which I am sure to need with the information given to me tonight.” She took a deep breath “I would like the opportunity to think on this decision, for I want it to be for the best of not only myself, but also your Pride. I do not think it will take long, but I do want a full nights rest before I give you my answer.” Even as she spoke these words, Adriana knew her decision was going to be joining his pride, but she wanted to have a little more knowledge on lions before she made a complete fool of herself on not knowing at least their structure. She would head down to the library tomorrow and begin her reading.

Francisco couldn’t help, but raise an eyebrow as he listened to the necromancer’s words and took special note to the fact that she said another lion. As far as he knew no other lion had made contact with the woman, but apparently, someone had not informed him of their meeting. Francisco made sure to remember such valuable information later. If it was a lion within his Pride he would need to know why he wasn’t contacted and if it was a new lion he would need to meet them. Francisco then gave a smile to Adriana glad that she had addressed him by his proper title and respectfully. If she had not it would have given Francisco much doubt on whether she would last within the world of his Pride. Francisco also nodded his head as Adriana kept speaking, allowing Francisco to find out that she indeed did know about the vampire’s secret law and was not all too surprised by it.

Francisco stood a little straighter as Adriana began to speak his name, Francisco assuming that she was about to give her answer. It was then that the two of them finally noticed the zombie in which Adriana had raised for him. In all the confusion created by the questions and revelations, they had forgotten Mathew. Francisco remained quiet allowing Adriana to do her job and put the zombie back to rest. Even though he had seen the initial raising, the sight of the man moving back into his grave was just as intriguing. Francisco watched the spectacle entranced, wishing more then just a bit that the ability to raise dead wasn’t something one was born with. Francisco would have loved the ability control those who died, for it fascinated him to no ends.

As the grave finally ate up the zombie, the dirt shifting to look as if it were undisturbed, Francisco brought his attention back to the necromancer. He watched as she approached him, speaking from where she left off. Francisco’s face remained still as the woman spoke, not even flinching as Adriana admitted to needing more time to make the decision. Francisco could understand her wishes for what she was about to decide was the same decision all lions made when joining a Pride. Some lions simply joined the local Pride for it was there. However, the smart ones knew better. They looked into the Pride they weighed the consequences and then and only then did they join up. Francisco nodded his head in acceptance to her request for a day, happy that she was thinking this through. Francisco then pulled out a small business card, handing it to Adriana. Francisco then said, “Take all the time you need, chicita. The number I had given your offices, was just to an outside answering machine. This card has my home phone number. When you are ready to stalk the everglades with the biggest gatos on the playground, give me a call. Until then we will observe you from the shadows, to keep you safe from a distance. We are Ingressus Umbra, The Shadow Walkers. Do not bother to try and spot us for you will fail, just feel safe knowing that we will not let you die till you have made up your mind.” Francisco then gave a more dominant smile as he slowly backed away. His body moved slowly to the tree, the overcastting canopy creating enough shadow for Francisco to become one with the darkness. Then in an instant he was gone, owning up to his Pride’s name, Ingressus Umbra.

Adriana took his card wordlessly and looked down at it, even if she couldnt read the card. She laughed a little at his use of big cats to describe his Pride. She began to thank him when he walked into the shadows and disappeared.

She walked back to her car exhausted from not only a full nights work, but from Fransisco as well. She drove home eying his business card till she arrived and collapsed in bed thinking of the Rex and her future in his Pride.