Tariacopyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzt6ApQI5I
I looked at Pa. His eyes held confusion and anger. I didn't know what to do. Ma, Pa and I had been sitting around the table celebrating the send off of the first lot of cattle. Everything had gone smoothly and for the first time since I could remember, our farm wasn't surrounded by armed soldiers while the truck was loaded. Pa had asked the driver but the man had only frowned before climbing back in the truck.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA4q8U7C8f
The day had been going so well. After my midnight chat with Kara I relaxed. I had a couple more days to figure out how to talk to my parents, or decided that I couldn’t help Kara. I hated the idea of not helping Kara, but I wasn't ready to leave home.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO34vmsmrH
Now I was faced with the decision. Except the decision wasn't should I leave home and help Kara. It was should I let our neighbour, Marcus Frank, kill Kara, or tell my parents the truth. There was only one thing I could do.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u4hg6z2ta
“Taria,” said Pa. “Why are you protecting the animal?”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxrWPaPeKM
“Because she is my friend.” Yeah, that sounded good. Pa and Ma would believe I made a friend in the woods. I was there enough. However, they probably wouldn’t be for me being friends with a panther though.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM3T3rnT86
“She’s your friend?” Pa looked at me with astonishment.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM55YvQ7cE
“Yes.” I was determined. I don’t care how crazy it sounded.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f3MP9Ebg9
Marcus Frank huffed. “Greg, get your daughter away from it. Let me kill it before it kills her.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5xrjTaAGb
“No!” I stretched my hands out to defend Kara. “She would never hurt me.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGiqQsxX1J
“And how do you know? It’s a wild animal. It could suddenly decide it’s hungry and eat you, girl.” Marcus Frank stomped his foot.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8IUcuAZCG
Pa looked at Marcus Frank and then at me. “Frank is right, Taria. Come away.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs9wf9sW8z
“No.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW0SpO0Gss
Pa frowned. Ma walked outside and sighed. “Greg, what is happening?”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqRqIOLmbs
“Your daughter is being stubborn.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBKk08X3no
Ma smirked. “Of course she is, she is my daughter.” Ma moved towards us.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcr1RkqhtV
“Ma,” I said. “Don’t let Pa or Mr Frank kill her.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIwRXM6c0p
“Kill who?” she said.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8uYeVSgon
I looked over my shoulder at Kara. She still stood behind me. Terror in her eyes. I hope she knew I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. She didn't deserve this.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9R0695gpx
“Taria, where did you find her?” Ma was astonished at what she saw.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJF3YtP74S
I looked at Ma and then back at Kara. Time to tell the truth. Kara nodded at me. She knew I was conflicted but I had no choice. I had to tell them. “In a poacher cage.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsdp7ierxH
Ma frowned. “When? Why didn't you tell us that poachers were around?”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7xnk2nRFG
“A few nights ago. I heard this horrible noise during the night and went to see what it was. I stumbled upon Kara in a cage.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi47qYI5oF
“Kara?” said Pa. “You named her?”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KWzK79eYf
I huffed. “No. She told me her name.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPdhuhzJkO
“How?” Marcus Frank butted in. He walked closer to Kara and I. I frowned and stepped back. He wasn't getting near Kara.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWNvvayd5g
“Taria, how did she tell you her name?” said Pa.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBT5PzIOG4
I took a deep breath. I just had to tell them. “She can speak.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsduayGqV3
“Only you can understand me, remember. Mention that,” said Kara.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡru2npscNoN
I frowned at her. “Would you let me explain?”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQE84WTxtJ
Kara pouted. “Fine. Sorry.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡLridRG6cd8
Everyone looked at me strangely. “Sorry,” I said. “She was butting in.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqlC4ONyBG
Ma said, “Taria, sweetheart. The panther—”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VVnKclhRc
“Kara,” I added.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZrRkxk8vz
“Kara, didn't say anything.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOipXczVTA
“Well, that is because I am the only one who can understand her.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsSmhtakZ0
Ma’s eyes widened in shock.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq6ycF7xvD
I took another breath. Just get it all out at once. “She told me that she is my familiar and that I am her bond mate. She is like a guardian angel or something.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6OvLCQPSr
“A familiar...” Marcus Frank looked terrified. He gripped his rifle and frowned at Kara. He stepped back and whistled. His dogs turned to him and followed as he quickly moved away.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgdfW8ywJ0
“What is he so scared of?” I said.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKGwKUQ3eb
Ma and Pa looked at me and Kara. Both of them looked shocked and scared. They glanced at one another.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWcvMOcVFz
“Get inside,” said Pa. “Bring Kara.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCFOQM5teH
Ma gripped my arm and pulled me. Kara followed behind me. Inside, Pa locked the doors. Ma walked around the house and she pulled the curtains shut and locked the windows. Gean wandered down stairs. His face still red with fever but he looked better.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6oaEZZ3hd
“What’s going on?” he said.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yR1NPaIkX
“Nothing,” said Ma. “Just go back to bed, darling.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1okmnlxz7
“Can I have a drink first?”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi1Wh34Ell
Ma smiled at him. “I’ll bring it up. Go get back in bed.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SN3yhCOv6
Gean nodded and went back upstairs, but not before he spotted Kara. He frowned but didn't say anything.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT48yZ50YT
I stood awkwardly beside Kara. I felt uncomfortable with her besides me and the wary glances from my parents. Pa sat down at the table. He dropped into the chair and released a heavy sigh. He rubbed his face and looked at Ma. Ma gently touched his shoulders, almost like she was reassuring him.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7cdroR0ZK
“What’s going to happen?” I said, breaking the silence.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ5r69UbcR
Ma and Pa looked at me. Both of their faces held sadness and fear. Pa reached up and squeezed Ma’s hand. He said, “There is a lot we have to explain to you.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWO0HGDfdv
“Explain to me? I thought I would be the one who is doing the explaining.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP57sY08SA
Ma smiled softly. “No, we knew that this day was coming.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H9YQgdXX5
“I had hoped that it wouldn’t happen so soon.” Pa rubbed his face again.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRedJ2Gy7n
“Sit down, sweetheart.” Ma pulled out her own chair and sat down.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnFf9zF2wq
I followed suited and waited for them to speak. Kara sat silently. She hadn’t spoken since we were rushed inside.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡOboiHrBrjC
“You have known for a while now,” said Ma, “that you aren’t actually our child. We found you and brought you into our home.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡaenFV5tv43
“Which doesn't mean we love you any less,” said Pa.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt05rmtqmH
“Right, we love you just as much as Gean.” Ma took Pa’s hand. She squeezed it. “We didn't exactly find you though.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2pewEDYoL
I frowned. “What do you mean?”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGRvAl0KPR
“We received a message from an my brother,” said Pa. He never spoke about his family, his siblings or his parents. I had asked once or twice when I was younger but the topic was always quickly changed. “My brother is a warlock.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDoRfKMJ6a
My mouth fell open. No wonder I had never met his family, ordinary people didn't like warlocks and witches. People thought they were bad luck or that they were up to no good. To have one in the family normally forced the family to either become outcasts, or the family had to abandon their own child. No wonder Pa had never brought him up.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hfYQtbCvk
“He was working for the King.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBDeYpZ91y
“We have no king.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡMatlMcvz8l
Pa nodded his head. “Not anymore.” Pa leant forward and placed his arms on the table. “The king I am referring too was the Queen’s brother. He was the eldest and rightful leader of the land. When the King married they had two children, one boy and one girl. Their son was given the gift of foresight and whenever he slept he would have nightmares. My brother, along with many other abilities, has the gift of foresight as well so the King contacted him and requested his assistance. My brother became the young prince’s teacher when it came to magic.” Pa had a flash of pride in his eyes. Every time he said “my brother,” I could see how much he loved him. “The King was killed, by his own sisters, the Queen, because she wanted power. She slaughtered the King and his wife. My brother escaped with the princess and the prince and came to us. The prince was old enough to live on the run, but the princess was barely a year old. She needed a family to take care of her so my brother brought her here.” Pa smiled at me and took Ma’s hand again.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr9Dd11d36
“I’m the princess?” Who else could it be? I always thought that when I found out who my real parents were that they would be just like Ma and Pa. They would be ordinary folk who couldn’t afford to look after a baby girl, so they found someone who could. I didn't expect my parents to be the most powerful people in the land. And I had a brother. Another brother.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR58u7LtIA
Pa nodded. “Yes.” His eyes grew sad.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb0jfuIf0G
“So, my parents were the King and Queen.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡemSQZogk2L
“Yes,” he said.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7jvmGgL4H
“And my brother is a warlock hiding with your brother.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMcMuGLZzP
“Yes.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5fzbVSIMM
“And the Queen is my aunt.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXN6jQ8YJw
“Yes.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75Wy5w4sDY
I leant back in my chair taking in everything my father had told me. It was a lot. I was related to the Queen, who I had never met, but she always sounded like a horrible bitter person who cared for nothing but power and money. Being so far away from the capital they only ever bothered us if cattle shipments were behind, or if the cattle weren’t at the proper standard. We had never witnessed the Queen’s harsh rule up close.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLA8zyDDhq
Everyone sat quietly. Ma and Pa watched me. Curiosity filling their faces. They probably wanted to know my reaction. Would I ran away? Would I remain calm? I couldn’t really do anything but remain calm. My own feelings on the topic didn't seem necessary. What mattered was what I needed to do. Pa had said nothing of familiars though.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEYQCUugrF
“Why do I have a familiar though?” I asked.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOq1xIDXIr
“Familiar’s are generally connected to people of power. They are here to guide and protect those who are special.” Pa said, “Witches, warlocks, and royalty. Sometimes normal people can have them as well.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjNxSra8IN
“Your father is right,” said Kara.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T5HZkdeHz
I glanced at her. “Well, what happened to them all?”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLenB9hdwa
“The Queen,” spat Kara. Her golden eyes darkened and she moved towards a window. She looked up to the darkening sky. “She destroyed most of us.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡVspCma5Yvf
“What is she saying?” said Ma.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡSURx1dK4Dk
I looked at Ma and then back at Kara. Kara seemed distraught and I wanted to comfort her but I didn't know how. What was I to do?copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡWctJjTFxXr
“Taria?” said Pa.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqPVxf63Uz
“She said it was the Queen who destroyed the familiar’s.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp2vbRNgNA
Pa nodded. “Yes. The royal family was known to always have a familiar. Every single person in the family had one. The King had one. The queen didn't have one as she didn't have royal blood. Your bother had one. And you even had Kara.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIidHBJk72
“Why don’t I remember?” How could I forget I had a familiar?copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDnJ2WYw6A
“You were too young. Kara was born on the same day you were. She was at your side until the day you were brought to us. My brother took her to the White Wood to grow up because it was too dangerous for her to stay here.” Ma looked at Kara with affection. It surprised me. Ma didn't have the biggest fondness for animals of any sort. She continued, “If the Queen were to find out where you were and that Kara was your familiar, she would have killed you both. But now Kara is here to protect you, and you her.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pG36JhQkV
“But, why?”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1gGmpvEwF
Kara frowned but didn't answer. She stayed silent.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡycrF9eNsZB
Pa said, “Because she was jealous, still is. Of everyone who has a familiar. She was the only royal family member who never had a familiar. When she was younger her parents spoke to many witches and warlocks, but no one could explain why she didn't have one. I guess that the jealousy turned into hatred for familiar kind and she decided that if she couldn’t have one, then no one could. After she took over as Queen she started a man hunt for every familiar. Anyone who tried to defend or hide their familiars was killed as well.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUruWgoyTn
I gasped. “That’s horrible.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡay0VEJxcUc
“That’s not the worst part,” said Kara. She had moved from the window to stand beside me again. “When a familiar is killed or when a familiar’s bond mate is killed, the other feels the pain. They would experience it like it was happening to them. Those who are left fled their homes and their family’s to protect themselves. The sad thing is that some humans chose to save themselves and killed their familiars.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwMHwhR9T6
I reached out and touched Kara’s head. I gently stroked her black fur. She closed her eyes and purred under my touch. All I wanted was to comfort her. I was glad she had never experienced such horror though. Like me, she was hidden away from everything until now. Who knows what she had seen on her travels to find me.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡATMnXvuwnI
“What is my part in all of this?” I asked.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nFXsFEV1G
Pa looked down at the table. Ma’s grip on his hand tightened. She said, “Your uncle told your father that during their travels to us that your brother had a vision. He saw that one day you would be the one who would save everyone. That you would kill the Queen.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3EmqUpaAd
“I have no choice then. I have to go with Kara.” Fear seeped into my stomach. I didn't want to go, but I had too. I didn't know what I needed to do. And I didn't know how to kill someone. I couldn’t kill anyone.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaPd7QMqt2
Ma frowned. “No. You have a choice. This is only something you can do if you want to do it. You can stay here with us and live your life.”copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfSHFpYnMs
“Or you can go with Kara,” said Pa.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWXhmJ3mqG
“But there is no one else,” I said, more of a statement then a question.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwt1JtG2WV
“No,” said Kara.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡZigxcJHpE5
I left out a sigh and stood from my chair. I needed to think. I opened the front door and moved to sit down on the porch steps. I needed to give them an answer. I knew the right thing to do would be to go with Kara. To leave my home and help her save familiars and find my brother. But I already had a brother. Gean. He drove me crazy just like a brother was meant to and I loved him. And how could I leave my parents. I felt like I was telling them that they didn't mean anything. Just watch me get up and leave my life behind, for a one of danger and possible death. Sounded like great fun.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc2iJUTDf9
I groaned and stomped my feet on the stairs like a child. I didn't know what to do. If I asked Ma she would tell me to do what I felt was right. It wouldn’t matter how scared I was, or what anyone else said. I needed to listen to my heart. Pa would simply say that he would accept whatever I chose to do. Gean would most likely tell me to leave so I would stop dragging him outside. Kara, she would encourage me to go. I needed to go, for her and every other familiar out there.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡlagbjFYDNv
I didn't know if I could kill someone though. Pa had told me that almost everyone felt the same way. Some people would say that they would never kill someone, no matter the situation. But when your life is threatened, self preservation kicks in and you would kill to survive.copyright protection463ＰＥＮＡＮＡn39ge5QYvy
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