“Aw, yes,” he sneers. “Sector Five…” He looks me up and down. “Seems about right.”

I hear a small growl and an angry grumbling from nearby, followed by a small shuffling sound.

A dark smile tilts my lips as my eyes narrow toward his mocking smile.

“You seem to like listening to the sound of your own voice. But really, what did you do when the Library was attacked?” I look at the man, only a couple of scrapes and small bruises on him. Compared to the others around him, he seems the least scathed.

His eyes flicker to the people around him as they begin to whisper and murmur.

“I—”

I cut him off quickly, “And how many people did you save or help?”

His nostrils flare as he bares his teeth at me, the voices around us becoming clearer to hear.

“I think he hid.”

“I saw him crouched under a table during the attack.”

“He was the one that pushed me down when I was trying to get to the Vault!”

“He didn’t even think to help anyone.”

“Why is he arguing with someone who saved us?!”

The hushed voices become louder as the man’s cheeks flush red, his anger reaching its peak as his glare turns vicious. Just as he opens his mouth, Isaac walks over, cutting him off.

“The only ones to blame for all this are the Interitus. Cole has done his job as a Guard and protected as many people as he could in this attack. I’m sure most of the people from his Library wouldn’t be here if not for his protection.” He looks at the group of people sitting around Mateo. People nod and murmur in confirmation from the small group.

The small petite blonde from earlier raises her voice in agreement.

“Cole saved all of us here.” She nods. “He wouldn’t leave any of us behind. He fought off the attackers long enough for us to grab the injured and get to the basement.” She looks to Cole quickly, a grateful smile tilting her lips.

The man wrinkles his nose up at the girl before turning his back to her. He faces Isaac, a look of pure disgust twisting through his features. “And how do we know you're not a part of this…Necromancer!” His voice is dark and guttural.

Silence falls on the group, their attention fully on Isaac. Faces that once looked toward him with confidence and respect now turn away, ashen and pale, unable to meet his eyes. Small whispers and murmurs of doubt begin to spread through the group.

Necromancers were a taboo in the supe community. Seen as an evil source of black magic only seeking death and power. They were despised by the elders in the community and feared by the younger supes. Always mistreated and discriminated against, most hid themselves or their abilities from others because of prejudice.

And Isaac was a Necromancer.

A powerful one.

Exemplary in every aspect. His ability and control as a necromancer always left me in awe.