The Necromancer's Betrayal (The Final Formula Series, Book 2.5) by Becca Andre

while you ladies chat?”
    “That won’t be necessary.”
    Doug shrugged and headed for the door, eyeing James as he passed. James watched him with that unblinking intensity until the door closed behind him.
    “I wish you wouldn’t be so rude to him,” Grams said.
    “Why is he here?”
    “To bear witness. You found the grim.”
    “The grim has a name. It’s James, and he’s a sentient being.”
    Grams’s frown deepened as she looked at James. “He’s dead, Ely.”
    “Yes, but he has a will of his own and should be allowed to keep it.” Elysia took a breath. Grams wasn’t going to like this. “He’s not evil. I want to free him.”
    Grams straightened. In her heels, she stood a few inches taller than Elysia. “You can’t let him go. He can rip life from the living.”
    “That’s an excuse. The only reason you want him is to impress the Deacon.”
    “Elysia—”
    “Besides, if you’re going to use that argument, I can bind the living to their own corpse. That’s some damn nasty magic. Maybe I should be bound.”
    Grams’s frown fell away, replaced by astonishment. “You can create a lich?” she whispered.
    Shit. “You know I have the power.”
    “I knew it was a possibility, but you’ve actually done it? Your eyes—”
    “It took a lot of juice to bind James.”
    “Just binding him?”
    Elysia opened her mouth, then closed it. Was Grams implying what she thought she was? “I am not a necrophile,” Elysia whispered.
    Out of the corner of her eye, she saw James stand straighter. Yeah, he had no idea how deep the necro crazies could go.
    “I’m worried about you.” Grams’s brow wrinkled with concern, her voice sad. “Out in the world, alone. We cling to family for a reason, Elysia. You should know that better than anyone.”
    Because her mother had been a loner—before she became too crazy to care for Elysia properly. But that was the last topic Elysia wanted to discuss. “I want to unbind him. Will you help me?”
    The compassion faded from Grams’s features, replaced with the all too familiar frown. “It can’t be done, not from someone like you—and certainly not by someone like me.” Grams crossed her arms. “And even if I could, I wouldn’t.”
    “You would rather suck up to Doug and his dad.”
    “We have been pariahs for centuries. And whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, you are the Family’s way back in. You’ve been selfish long enough.”
    “I’m selfish? You’re asking me to give up everything so that you can get in good with the Deacon.”
    “This has nothing to do with me. I request this on behalf of the Family. Do you think I haven’t made sacrifices?”
    “I don’t believe you were forced into an arranged marriage.”
    “Arranged?” Grams gave her a sad smile. “Doug took an interest on his own. I was as amazed as everyone else. And his interest must be true if he has waited this long.”
    Elysia crossed her arms. “Yet my interests don’t count at all.”
    “Considering what some have done to keep the Family intact, I don’t think many would see marrying Doug as such a hardship. He’s good-looking and wealthy. Or do you intend to pour drinks for the rest of your life?”
    “I get it.” Elysia had always known that Grams put the Family above everything, but to hear her come right out and say it hurt. Apparently, Elysia’s own hopes and dreams mattered little. In the necromancer world, it always came down to the Family.
    Elysia turned away. “James, let’s go.”
    “Elysia Grace, don’t you walk away from me, from us.”
    “I don’t see myself having any choice.”
    “The bank forecloses on this funeral home in two weeks. You must know we lost two others earlier this year.”
    Elysia bowed her head, but didn’t face her grandmother.
    “How am I going to send Livie to mortician’s school? Or afford Uncle Stephen’s care? Maggie’s already asking me to place her granddaughter, and the girl’s only twelve. Not as bad as you,