Tariacopyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡguFBWygj0C
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡkORXng5IVg
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjb3faFklZ
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCtaeqJvJJ
“Taria,” said Pa. “Why are you protecting the animal?”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74yZ1Vf7Eb
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzuyCJJh35
“She’s your friend?” Pa looked at me with astonishment.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyIKJWasrU
“Yes.” I was determined. I don’t care how crazy it sounded.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡczYKy0GO7l
Marcus Frank huffed. “Greg, get your daughter away from it. Let me kill it before it kills her.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uUu3wdMOh
“No!” I stretched my hands out to defend Kara. “She would never hurt me.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5QzQzw01X
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdxUY6UEV1
Pa looked at Marcus Frank and then at me. “Frank is right, Taria. Come away.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VvUpyqDlf
“No.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡUckKMakibl
Pa frowned. Ma walked outside and sighed. “Greg, what is happening?”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6zN1xUVcP
“Your daughter is being stubborn.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcKs691xNm
Ma smirked. “Of course she is, she is my daughter.” Ma moved towards us.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHz7smiMEu
“Ma,” I said. “Don’t let Pa or Mr Frank kill her.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VBHJCfDxr
“Kill who?” she said.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuEcXKmYi9
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5RVdkhw7W
“Taria, where did you find her?” Ma was astonished at what she saw.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fRBXAdcdL
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGgiSd3fcm
Ma frowned. “When? Why didn't you tell us that poachers were around?”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxrgsEAKaH
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbXxNV808m
“Kara?” said Pa. “You named her?”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM325Vf9br
I huffed. “No. She told me her name.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAZWQsBqcM
“How?” Marcus Frank butted in. He walked closer to Kara and I. I frowned and stepped back. He wasn't getting near Kara.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SX6qK1zLa
“Taria, how did she tell you her name?” said Pa.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyWZA2VQb6
I took a deep breath. I just had to tell them. “She can speak.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGGiDwKeXX
“Only you can understand me, remember. Mention that,” said Kara.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16PZcgJeQv
I frowned at her. “Would you let me explain?”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM4lLFnGvz
Kara pouted. “Fine. Sorry.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOft7S0S7X
Everyone looked at me strangely. “Sorry,” I said. “She was butting in.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡP83F7gWRuM
Ma said, “Taria, sweetheart. The panther—”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTyrek6C1C
“Kara,” I added.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOrriyjiqr
“Kara, didn't say anything.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡggAjVHASz5
“Well, that is because I am the only one who can understand her.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWYdocxuOz
Ma’s eyes widened in shock.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70nyrF7LYy
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡceONyKu8C4
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg1ctpp1Ue
“What is he so scared of?” I said.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1eYzFEHqC
Ma and Pa looked at me and Kara. Both of them looked shocked and scared. They glanced at one another.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDQ3qpOVxq
“Get inside,” said Pa. “Bring Kara.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LH1Ybrndl
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNnPMXvqEW
“What’s going on?” he said.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TAUX0jLWR
“Nothing,” said Ma. “Just go back to bed, darling.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWDTYB5qYi
“Can I have a drink first?”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA59qS6ViL
Ma smiled at him. “I’ll bring it up. Go get back in bed.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmErgCsznp
Gean nodded and went back upstairs, but not before he spotted Kara. He frowned but didn't say anything.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzl4tkGyKF
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwfWFFPMA7
“What’s going to happen?” I said, breaking the silence.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡxstcUKOnjc
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLM8PgsvOd
“Explain to me? I thought I would be the one who is doing the explaining.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFJqCp5rcG
Ma smiled softly. “No, we knew that this day was coming.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK93W4NLr7
“I had hoped that it wouldn’t happen so soon.” Pa rubbed his face again.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdSLmI1OeQ
“Sit down, sweetheart.” Ma pulled out her own chair and sat down.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pvMQ8bVAo
I followed suited and waited for them to speak. Kara sat silently. She hadn’t spoken since we were rushed inside.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡC98Md5Q0Rh
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pv1ARJCGY
“Which doesn't mean we love you any less,” said Pa.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡsInXud6G9G
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MQcy3ip49
I frowned. “What do you mean?”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcZbdA2WcI
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEqiCVwIBG
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFsfS1iaqn
“He was working for the King.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7zjiMTlJ5
“We have no king.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EJvXmqu42
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡauHDJAF2L5
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5dYpwLjRv
Pa nodded. “Yes.” His eyes grew sad.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV98q7uRBz
“So, my parents were the King and Queen.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL3BpNc4QX
“Yes,” he said.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf3netT0ML
“And my brother is a warlock hiding with your brother.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaHFj8NOZo
“Yes.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTarvzfHE5
“And the Queen is my aunt.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPlIczb6AY
“Yes.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡR58yLsGyhG
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFz774HmMl
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡsraNanmmuW
“Why do I have a familiar though?” I asked.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm2tUOVBmd
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡijSSr0X8nJ
“Your father is right,” said Kara.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPbFCl3ZHx
I glanced at her. “Well, what happened to them all?”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2TZvONrq9
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡEItxBUxy2U
“What is she saying?” said Ma.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡixJtcmPflx
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhzGg4v3wV
“Taria?” said Pa.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaEGIfAgOD
“She said it was the Queen who destroyed the familiar’s.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6aUAngpCC
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqUw6bABf7
“Why don’t I remember?” How could I forget I had a familiar?copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsib90qKgf
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrlylVVCly
“But, why?”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiY9O5kpHz
Kara frowned but didn't answer. She stayed silent.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe2OpbOQV5
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jwqSSmOuI
I gasped. “That’s horrible.”copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ0lSOrdd8
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKmOyM0nCW
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHfZ88RvWm
“What is my part in all of this?” I asked.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj5eFY26cg
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ1COzpOX1
“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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqJ0qS8hn5
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBoJP3ISaU
“Or you can go with Kara,” said Pa.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qTa2HKrwH
“But there is no one else,” I said, more of a statement then a question.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡth8dhy5qQt
“No,” said Kara.copyright protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt5UdUXVN8
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWyK6BsQ3Z
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡywgHKyfPY5
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 protection211ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuzooMimI5
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