Taria8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLIbWf6fON 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGBpypQcUd 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fnYBKWNN0 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡewPSTEQH1n 維尼
“Taria,” said Pa. “Why are you protecting the animal?”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjjJMXBQdz 維尼
“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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwPVEKN7Bh 維尼
“She’s your friend?” Pa looked at me with astonishment.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡK61ecARVXU 維尼
“Yes.” I was determined. I don’t care how crazy it sounded.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8zgfzEiAO 維尼
Marcus Frank huffed. “Greg, get your daughter away from it. Let me kill it before it kills her.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPA9lJ07Ts 維尼
“No!” I stretched my hands out to defend Kara. “She would never hurt me.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbUcVMpTAm 維尼
“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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbIlzrl5OK 維尼
Pa looked at Marcus Frank and then at me. “Frank is right, Taria. Come away.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uWmX7LUJT 維尼
“No.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SPH7FiMXa 維尼
Pa frowned. Ma walked outside and sighed. “Greg, what is happening?”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7VVnylO6H 維尼
“Your daughter is being stubborn.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡY03C82gTIP 維尼
Ma smirked. “Of course she is, she is my daughter.” Ma moved towards us.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12FAVF1l4h 維尼
“Ma,” I said. “Don’t let Pa or Mr Frank kill her.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡce0ze2JoLr 維尼
“Kill who?” she said.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvL8mnNdZ3 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMq1G4uLat 維尼
“Taria, where did you find her?” Ma was astonished at what she saw.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DehpAuFSJ 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLEijmGAAp 維尼
Ma frowned. “When? Why didn't you tell us that poachers were around?”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjlB8Ct22b 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQLp4LVEOf 維尼
“Kara?” said Pa. “You named her?”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡADR8rv48ny 維尼
I huffed. “No. She told me her name.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJDI4wIs6B 維尼
“How?” Marcus Frank butted in. He walked closer to Kara and I. I frowned and stepped back. He wasn't getting near Kara.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTVBTN2rOE 維尼
“Taria, how did she tell you her name?” said Pa.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVtFaEk1G0 維尼
I took a deep breath. I just had to tell them. “She can speak.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡigbfmuiOia 維尼
“Only you can understand me, remember. Mention that,” said Kara.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVWX80phrG 維尼
I frowned at her. “Would you let me explain?”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Qa6FOeEex 維尼
Kara pouted. “Fine. Sorry.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaAyqWBxlx 維尼
Everyone looked at me strangely. “Sorry,” I said. “She was butting in.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1km2lWhDg 維尼
Ma said, “Taria, sweetheart. The panther—”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQDMaIyTBa 維尼
“Kara,” I added.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIzqu8DqA2 維尼
“Kara, didn't say anything.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAEzKVb5Tl 維尼
“Well, that is because I am the only one who can understand her.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6eJw62IWA 維尼
Ma’s eyes widened in shock.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQ6b2g5xLr 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡivDzpkw6CS 維尼
“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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6SzbYoZyl 維尼
“What is he so scared of?” I said.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5BMizr21D 維尼
Ma and Pa looked at me and Kara. Both of them looked shocked and scared. They glanced at one another.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3O9L1UTO6 維尼
“Get inside,” said Pa. “Bring Kara.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3k0R4zgfF 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBhqUUTdzI 維尼
“What’s going on?” he said.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRqkhMukXt 維尼
“Nothing,” said Ma. “Just go back to bed, darling.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfS4D4Fozk 維尼
“Can I have a drink first?”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQocttqctt 維尼
Ma smiled at him. “I’ll bring it up. Go get back in bed.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUXWJzJ1ux 維尼
Gean nodded and went back upstairs, but not before he spotted Kara. He frowned but didn't say anything.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeFdCocMHa 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx5cUTZ8hf 維尼
“What’s going to happen?” I said, breaking the silence.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtvl3mgZBM 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCVz9UHAK0 維尼
“Explain to me? I thought I would be the one who is doing the explaining.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6qynvUAIu 維尼
Ma smiled softly. “No, we knew that this day was coming.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tZnyxV3LQ 維尼
“I had hoped that it wouldn’t happen so soon.” Pa rubbed his face again.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5vFmlJaLk 維尼
“Sit down, sweetheart.” Ma pulled out her own chair and sat down.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5ssMhnRyr 維尼
I followed suited and waited for them to speak. Kara sat silently. She hadn’t spoken since we were rushed inside.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsfAXM0fqa 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡKreInVYpml 維尼
“Which doesn't mean we love you any less,” said Pa.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpazilYcqA 維尼
“Right, we love you just as much as Gean.” Ma took Pa’s hand. She squeezed it. “We didn't exactly find you though.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbsP87v9UL 維尼
I frowned. “What do you mean?”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtUxa9Pq7R 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJMozirzNx 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfmQRHAuRM 維尼
“He was working for the King.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd2AucoLw2 維尼
“We have no king.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IjaEDLZQz 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fFEAx8FAY 維尼
“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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FuPJ6Fq1c 維尼
Pa nodded. “Yes.” His eyes grew sad.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTci6UWAll 維尼
“So, my parents were the King and Queen.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSqtJyHEAP 維尼
“Yes,” he said.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLKdossQl5 維尼
“And my brother is a warlock hiding with your brother.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFnlncbvUV 維尼
“Yes.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRDw8LU9B1 維尼
“And the Queen is my aunt.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xXvvlp5dg 維尼
“Yes.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqPgfWjVm5 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZRgjmw0Jq 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF9n7EZpw8 維尼
“Why do I have a familiar though?” I asked.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡNphybQCKYz 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLumUPdEZ6 維尼
“Your father is right,” said Kara.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvetTkBgBZ 維尼
I glanced at her. “Well, what happened to them all?”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8nG3AI9iI 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpNkO6Pxvl 維尼
“What is she saying?” said Ma.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75PyKUqpXn 維尼
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?8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wac3SOi91 維尼
“Taria?” said Pa.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EN2VELjVA 維尼
“She said it was the Queen who destroyed the familiar’s.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWK9uOMnZ3 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa64HxcW71 維尼
“Why don’t I remember?” How could I forget I had a familiar?8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bA9BX0zFQ 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIrUQ6OkFq 維尼
“But, why?”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡSItuTn6nL6 維尼
Kara frowned but didn't answer. She stayed silent.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCYFLaxxdk 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡsijTavcvc3 維尼
I gasped. “That’s horrible.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVOcVO6wjb 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡzksdZn9nN5 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf7XAD1cKV 維尼
“What is my part in all of this?” I asked.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTClS2rrUr 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdmzmpkkEv 維尼
“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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuwsuTmDvI 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTKRScmZeb 維尼
“Or you can go with Kara,” said Pa.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eSLCbjbWD 維尼
“But there is no one else,” I said, more of a statement then a question.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡv61nNKygws 維尼
“No,” said Kara.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0VOOkt9iM 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HeEGqP5sq 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ecDjYDDH3 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection612ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5IQKNe9Ss 維尼
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