Necromancy for the Greater Good

power.”

  “I am not going to die in Buffalo,” she snapped, and walked off to get the instruments. Maryann rushed after her.

  “We won't die,” she said. “At least, I hope not. But it's a good thing we always bring back-ups in case of amplifier failure.”

  “I am amazed you can be so optimistic.”

  “Thanks!”

  Nora rolled her eyes.

  “Hey, DJ,” Isabella said. “I'm sorry; I didn't catch your name.”

  “DJ Evilseed,” he said with a slight lisp.

  She blinked in surprise at the college-aged, skinny young man. “Seriously?”

  He shrugged. “Why not?”

  “Okay, do you want me to call you Evilseed?”

  “If I have to call you Belle.”

  “Okay, listen, can you just take requests for us, please?”

  “Sure. I've got nothing else to do tonight. I just hope my computer doesn't run out of juice,” he said.

  “You can always use a pencil and paper.”

  “That's so retro,” he said.

  Isabella managed to keep from rolling her eyes. “Thanks, Evilseed.” She returned to the stage.

  “Do you think there's anything other than natural going on here?” Leah asked. “I mean, besides the freaky weather.”

  “I haven't felt anything. Maybe the earthquake was just coincidence.”

  “Is anything ever coincidence with us?”

  “I'm sure it has been; we just never noticed because of everything else. Anyway, Evilseed is going to take requests for us.”

  “Really, Evilseed?” Leah asked in exactly the same tone Isabella had used.

  “Hey, if it works for him, who are we to judge?”

  “Fair enough.”

  Nora and Maryann returned burdened with instrument cases.

  “It's really an eclectic mix,” Maryann said, “since we weren't planning on doing an acoustic show.”

  “We'll make the best of it. The key is to keep these people entertained and not panicking,” Isabella said. She pulled out a violin and started to tune it up. “I am sorry to lose the keyboard though. We'll finish our set as planned and then figure out where to go from there.” Then she spoke to the increasingly agitated audience. “Alright, people, we're all in this together so let's make this one hell of a party!” She turned to Leah to set the beat.

  They played their planned second set with some modifications due to the instruments and then paused for a break. The crowd was so far well-behaved despite the crisis situation.

  “Hey, I just thought of something,” Maryann said. “Derek mentioned the earthquake.”

  “What?” Isabella asked.

  “Right before our set, he said something about the earthquake and freak storm like he thought something was going to happen.”

  “Well, we should talk to him,” Nora said.

  “That doesn't mean this is his fault,” she replied.

  “No, but it doesn't hurt to find out,” Isabella said, and cast spirit sight on herself and the others. “Maryann, go find him. I'll go with her. Nora, Leah, talk to DJ Evilseed over there and see what requests we got and if we can even make this work.”

  “Evilseed? Really?” Nora asked.

  Isabella shrugged. “Whatever works for him.” She walked off with Maryann.

  “We may need to do a duet to give them time to talk,” Leah said.

  “I'll see what I can find,” Nora said.

  Isabella and Maryann had to search for Derek. Much of the crowd was at the bar getting drinks, both because cocktails were half-price and because getting drunk seemed like a good way to deal with the dangerous weather. Everyone had heard the manager's report but they were all afraid the blizzard would be worse than predicted and they could be stranded for days.

  “Whoa,” Isabella said, spotting Derek. His aura was white and ghostly.

  “Um, what am I seeing?” Maryann asked. “I'm not used to this spirit sight like you.”

  “He's had some run-ins with death, or death spirits, or ghosts, or something.”

  “He's not actually dead, is he?”

  “I don't think so. Anyway, zombies smell pretty bad.”

  “But vampires don't.”

  “I think he's a live one, but you have some taste in men,” Isabella replied.

  “Oh, like it's my fault they find me,” Maryann pouted. “Is he even human?”

  “Um, I think so. More or less anyway.”

  “That's great. Do you think he's responsible for this?”

  “I have no idea, but I guess we're going to ask. Actually, you ask. He likes you.”

  “But-but...”

  “Don't worry; I stuffed a few charms in my pocket, although I really don't want to be doing that kind of thing in such a public place.”

  A young woman lurched by them on her way to the bathroom.

  “I wouldn't be too worried about that,” Maryann replied. “I'm not sure many people are going to remember tonight anyway.”

  Derek saw the two women and waved them over.

  “Isabella...”

  “You'll be fine. I'm here with you.”

  Maryann took a deep breath and walked over to Derek.

  “I'm glad the cocktails are half-price,” he said. “Rum and colas tend to be expensive.” He smiled. “Oh, so I was right about you four. Let me guess, you see something different about me?”

  “Yes. Who are you?”

  He took a sip of rum. “Derek La Croix. I'm just a guy, but I've been around, seen some things, met some people, and learned a bit about the world.”

  “How did you know about the earthquake?”

  “I felt it, same as you probably did. Or at least one of you.”

  “Did you cause that earthquake, or this storm?” Maryann demanded.

  He laughed. “I'm flattered you think I could that since you just met me. But, no, what's going on is not my doing, although I knew something was going to happen.”

  “Wait, wait, then who did this? Do you know?” Isabella interrupted.

  “I'm just a guy. I don't know everything. I know when things are going to happen. That's why I'm here.”

  “In Buffalo, or in this club?” Maryann asked.

  “Both, I suppose. I get around. I go where I think things will happen, and where I might meet interesting people. And here I am.”

  “In the middle of a freak blizzard,” Isabella said.

  He shrugged. “But with interesting people. I've got kind of a relaxed attitude about these sorts of things. We may get through the night, and we may not if the emergency power gives out. But it's an exciting time,” he said, and took a drink. “I really wish I could smoke. I might sneak a smoke anyway. What're they going to do, throw me out?”

  “I don't understand this at all,” Maryann said.

  “Better run back to the stage and play something before the people get restless. Don't worry, I'll be here. There's only one place I can go, and I don't think I'm quite ready for that journey yet.” He looked at Isabella. “Ah, you're the one. Tsk, tsk, such an unhappy medium. Come back after a few songs and I'll buy you all some drinks.”

  “I don't think it's a good idea to get drunk during a crisis,” Isabella replied stiffly.

  “I didn't say get drunk, although I don't think it matters. Have a drink, loosen up, lighten up. It's a party at the end of the world,” he said, and drained his glass.

  Nora and Leah were calling to them and they recognized the crowd was getting impatient, so they left Derek and returned to the stage.

  “So how's Maryann's taste in men?” Nora asked.

  “It's not my fault!” she said.

  “I don't know. He's seen death, but he's not afraid. It's like he finds all of this funny, even though he's got to know there are probably people dying out there,” Isabella said. “He claims he's not responsible for the storm or the earthquake.”

  “Do you believe him?”
Leah asked.

  “I don't know. It's hard to control the weather or cause earthquakes.”

  “Thank God for that,” Nora said.

  “Agreed,” said Maryann. “But it's still weird how calm he is about all this.”

  “You still think he's cute, don't you?” Leah asked.

  “Um, shouldn't we start playing now?” she said.

  “Sure. Do we play this straight or try to have some fun with a bad situation?”

  “How the hell can we have fun?” Nora demanded.

  “Fine, let's try not to think about the situation,” Isabella said. “And focus on giving the crowd a good show. They're going to need it.”

  They picked a few songs and started to play mostly pop songs from the '50s and '60s and soul tunes from the '60s and '70s, which were easier to play since all they had were acoustic instruments. The crowd was lackluster and reckless, but they did their best. Finally they asked for people to join them on stage to sing with the band, which got a better response.

  Derek hopped up on the stage with them.

  “Wow, that's not normal,” Leah said, seeing him with the spirit sight.

  “What's normal?” he replied. “Do you ladies know REM?”

  “You mean, 'It's The End of the World?' Isn't that a bit macabre?” Nora asked.

  “It's upbeat. There are other songs. 'Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true,'” he sang. “'You'll see it's all a show; keep 'em laughing as you go; just remember the last laugh is on you.'”

  “Monty Python?” Leah said as the others looked confused. “You're quoting British satire?”

  “I'm just glad someone knows what I'm referencing.”

  “It's not funny. It's bad out there,” Maryann said. “I don't want people to get hurt or die or anything.”

  “I don't either, but there's no point in getting worked up about it. Life's too short, right, Anna?”

  “That was easier to say before we were all snowed in,” she replied.

  “Please try to relax.