Karacopyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPrBomfNZp
The warlock walked three paces ahead of me. I didn’t trust him enough to blindly lead him to where we camped. Who knows what tricks he had up his sleeves? As we trekked through the woods I took time to study him. His face had a familiar feel about it and I thought hard about who he looked like, but I came up blank. As I studied him I could only imagine what type of person he was. He dressed like no other warlock I had met. On his head, he wore a black top hat; he wore a red velvet coat that fell to his knees; his pants were black as well as his knee-high leather boots; and around his waist was a red sash in a bow. He wasn’t dressed for the cold of the White Mountains but warlocks had all sorts of spells that could keep them warm.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBLaj7j8RO
We had walked in silence for a short time before we reached the road. It was quiet and no one was around. I dashed across the road and stopped just inside the cave. I slid to a stop. It was empty. Tiara and Daniel were gone. Where they were, I had no idea. Why would they leave without me? I was too astounded to notice the warlock behind me.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq9Zw0e50I
He cleared his throat. “Your friends seem to be gone.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaGPZicmRM
Turning around, I frowned at him. “Yes.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTDmD7udJe
“Would you like help tracking them down?”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSfgYmgFfk
I walked back past him out of the cave. “No, I’ll be fine.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMZrXUFtRu
“Are you sure?” he said.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKZFRScYww
I turned away from him and examined the ground. There were no tracks from any animals and no scent seemed to linger in the air. It was almost like they had never been here.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzljN1VnyJ
“It seems like they have left no trace.” He stepped forward and picked up a clump of snow.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn5zxlo3Bi
“There should be footprints. It hasn’t snowed since last night.” I walked forward and tried to find any trace, nothing.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡmecVb9F6GW
“It is possible that this top layer of snow slipped off the mountain and covered their tracks.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cg0Js1YGU
I turned to look at him. He had a point.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡXagHNI5scl
“See how the snow isn’t flat.” He dropped the clump of snow and ran his fingers across the ground.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡBthiYFLlkU
“I guess it’s possible.” If he was right, then it was probable that if I followed the road I would find tracks.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡveW4e4ZUlB
“Even if you can find tracks, is there a way for you to know for sure if the tracks are from your friends. This road is the main route through the mountains.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTPaltKSu5
“What do you suggest then?”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7lytTbkmh
“I have a spell that can track your friends but I need something with a connection to them.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1qJgexzAS
“I don’t have anything.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrLXYmuSOc
“You said that one of them is your bond mate.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEMYnINIqA
I nodded.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQCpHDYfOe
“Then I can use you.” He stepped towards me.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgciaQuVZa
I stepped back. “I don’t think so.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSY1qhXrD1
He smiled. “Don’t worry, it won’t hurt or have any lasting effects.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ytV6omB9g
“How am I meant to trust you? I don’t know who you are or your name.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ7iGUXvUa
“Let me rectify that. The name is Jasper Nayda, warlock and friend to all those in the White Mountains.” He removed his hat and bowed. “And I solemnly swear that I shall not harm you or your friends, if we find them, in any way.” He placed his hat back on his head.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwWtuJRMRp
“You could be lying.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0dkWpxZd2
His smile slipped from his lips. “You are a paranoid one, aren’t you?”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlEQTb0Fbd
“I’m a familiar. In the world, we live in, it pays to be paranoid.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp2Q0yLBPA
“Fair enough.” He placed his hands behind his back. “But what other choice do you have but to trust me.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOHTBcqM1o
Taking the chance that I found their tracks was risky. Jasper Nayda could have all sorts of motives, but he had done nothing but try to help me so far. Giving him the benefit of the doubt could be stupid but it was the best course of action. I needed to find Tiara and he was the way I was going to do it.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡywDnwh2KMc
“We have a deal,” I said.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59tHCIJwWD
His smile returned. “Excellent. We will need to go back to my house and get what I need for the spell.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKuo56lDDH
I frowned. “That will waste time. Who knows how far they will get and what sort of trouble they will find.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3h9XwJPE8
“I wasn’t planning on doing any spells when I left this morning, therefore everything I need is at home. If you want me to do the spell you are going to have to come with me.” He gestured back into the trees where we had come from. “It won’t take us long to get there.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDgVZ2kkws
There was no choice. I walked past him and off the road. “This better be quick.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQlaOKZpgS
He clapped his hands and followed me.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡI27DvY2Rhz
***copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyCKZqEUJI
Thirty minutes later I was still following Jasper to his home. I was ready to turn around, and try to find Tiara on my own, but I no longer recognised my surroundings. The trees were closer together and the snow wasn’t as deep. There was a warmth in the air that I had never felt while being on the White Mountains.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g1yzEymhE
Jasper stopped suddenly. He placed his hand on the trunk of a tree and said “Open.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0oL6RvSDE
I felt the buzz of magic, and looked around. All I could see were trees.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbXtI3GTdW
Jasper stepped forward and he was gone. He had disappeared. Not a single trace or him anywhere.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8fXyOT5gg
Moving towards where he had stood I could feel the buzzing of magic increase. I reached out my paw past the tree Jasper had touched. I felt a pull and my paw slipped through rippling air. It was some sort of magical door.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRjZDmVsF5
Before I could decide to step through on my time, a hand grabbed my paw from the other side and yanked me through. I stumbled through and landed on my side. Jasper was standing beside me looking down at me.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa3lJPJg9c
“Sorry about that, but the door is on a timer. Take too long to step through and it could cut you in half.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MdlbECxxZ
I stood up. “You could have explained that before you just disappeared in front of me.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2g7g2D14R
“Yes, I could have.” He dusted off his hands and spun around.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFf7VTZ5c4
I turned to follow him and froze at the sight before me. On the outside, the cluster of trees looked like nothing more than trees. There was no way anyone would ever think that a house was hidden inside. But here stood an extremely large home. Built from old stone and wood, the house looked like it had only recently been built. Vines and flowers covered every inch, and it was surrounded by a large meadow filled with wild flowers. The colours seemed to shine in the sunlight that was filtering through the trees.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OfQYBPQ37
Jasper stopped on the wooden porch and turned to me. “I thought we didn’t have time to waste?”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo4SMeONmA
Shaking off my amazement I ran up the cobble path and stopped beside him on the porch. “No, we don’t.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOiUaJZBs0
Jasper opened the door and inside his home was just as beautiful as the outside. It felt warm and cozy. We passed through the entrance hall and on either side, large arches opened into a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. A set of double doors, that sat slightly ajar, led to a study. Jasper pulled the doors shut as we walked pass. He led me pass the staircase and into a large back room.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTA1wno0mP
The room looked like a study. Books filled the shelves that lined the walls. A large table in the middle held books, plants and ingredients sorted into jars. The room seemed an organised mess.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01lxbtWoTZ
Jasper removed his hat and coat and threw them on a chair in the corner. He rolled up his sleeves and jumped on a ladder. He grabbed a book from the shelf and flipped through the pages, as he climbed down. He read in a mumbled voice to himself before he began grabbing things. He crushed them all inside a small pot. The way he moved around the room appeared as if he was dancing. A look of joy filled his eyes. It was clear that he loved doing spells.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSdyArIMzX
Jasper suddenly stopped and smacked the book shut. He picked up the bowl and walked around the table so he stood in front of me. He smiled, and said, “I promise this won’t hurt or have any side effects. Just stand still.” He scooped the mixture from the bowl and held it in his palm. He held it in front of me and blew it into his face.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O4dQaDdDD
I coughed and blinked to get the dust from my eyes. I shook my body hoping to get it all off. “What the hell!” I glared at him.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz01nPWPR4
He frowned. “Shh!” He held his hand over my head. “Show us the way.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mqj3wWct1
My body tingled and I felt a pull in my chest. I turned and followed the pull, it was leading me out the house.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDLdXnRD3H
“Do you feel it?” said Jasper.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHtAYjoa8P
I nodded. “It’s like a pulling in my chest.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXMEyCVQOQ
He smiled. “I’m glad that worked.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp5Ct2ydv4
“What do you mean?”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcGsVcvbyc
“I’ve never tried that spell on something alive before.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZrn8c0EJn
“You mean to say that you used me as a test?”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBnoU2dS0C
“Not intentionally.” He clapped his hands together. “No need to worry though. The spell was a success and now we can find your friends.” He grabbed his coat and hat.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTeYXCVTbM
I followed him back down the hall. “You said that this spell would have no side effects.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRdL5M2UIl
He shrugged. “It shouldn’t.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVBPHdvJIV
“Shouldn’t isn’t the same as none.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡscWTFgRTyi
“Well, there is no excitement in life if you don’t take some risks.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXXEVpmsXb
“This wasn’t meant to be a risk!” I yelled.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDKkiIJ2kj
He shrugged again and turned into the kitchen.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6d28yCqnd
I stopped and sat. I was sick of following him around. Jasper seemed completely insane. He had lied to me about the spell but I could feel the tugging in my chest, it seemed to have worked.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7PfnXWOeu
The front door opening brought me from my thoughts. I turned my head and there stood a young man. He wore a pair of brown slacks and a white shirt that was covered in dirt. Over his shoulder he was holding a sack. He frowned at me and dropped the sack.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY0F8A8hXf
“Jasper!” he called out. “You here?”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL5CD813UN
Jasper’s footsteps echoed as he slid out of the kitchen. “Theo, you’re back.” Jasper smiled. “Were you successful?”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡzC3lVsFfIH
Theo dropped the sack on the floor. “Yes and no.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡt11lqeW1St
“What do you mean?” said Jasper.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNA5doPFaX
“Well, Mr Dawson didn’t have his usually supply of items. He was stopped by Queen’s guard on his way from the capital. They confiscated all the things you required.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡppCloz5lTD
“Oh,” said Jasper. “So you went and found them yourself?”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZVnPlwIEB
Theo slowly shook his head. “No.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZEIXBQRSS
Jasper’s smile slipped into a heavy glare. “Please tell me that you didn’t go and find the guards.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwDgCcdb6l
“Okay, I won’t.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOsWikNKhA
“Theodore!”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6wuDKizdB
“I know, okay, I know. But you said that we needed it, and Mr Dawson has a family to feed. I was helping more than just myself.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDerzoiUL9
Jasper sighed and rubbed his hands across his face. “I understand that you wanted to help. But you know why you can’t just go running into the capital. If someone recognised you-”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSnottrRYN
“They would have me arrested and killed. I know.” Theo crossed his arms over his chest. It was clear in his eyes that he didn’t want to disappoint Jasper. “I promise not to do it again.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r9HztMEUe
Jasper smile returned. “Good.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0uBtuudJy
“Now do you want to explain?” Theo gestured at me. “I thought your days of bringing home random animals was over.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJEqjMHsjE
Jasper laughed. “She isn’t a random animal. She is a familiar. I’m simple helping her get back to her bond-mate. They got separated.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFRQxcWTK5
Theo slowly nodded.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJZs7DUzLl
“Theo let me introduce you to-” Jasper frowned. He thought for a moment, then looked at me. “I don’t believe I know your name.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ebbP5pTp3
“It’s Kara,” I said.copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2z6RZ4JU2
“What a wonderful name.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiijnutJGA
I smiled. “Thank you.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGy3MhOvAC
“Kara this is Theo, my apprentice. Theo this is Kara.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU2tPwoINZ
Theo looked at me strangely. “Hello Kara.”copyright protection358ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w77XEQflu
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