Chapter 42: Chapter 42
Ora’s POV
In order to mask my energy field, it was better to stay in a crowded place. So, I teleported to the Halterland Market. As expected it was complete mayhem with witches and wizards fighting and dueling over the silliest of things.
One might think that power brings peace and happiness to one’s life but quite often than not the reverse is true. Power makes people arrogant and boastful. It also lures us to show off at the tiniest opportunity that presents before us.
“Thud!” A man zipped right in front of me and crashed against the wall. It was followed by mocking laughter and then curses. I teleported to quickly to a corner. Getting stuck in the middle of a crossfire was worse than taking part in duelling.
My gaze drifted over the hundreds of wizards and witches that swarmed the street. None of them seemed to be looking for anyone. Had I really managed to escape Mother’s location spell.
The moment these words crossed my brain, I was hit by a strong wave of agony. My knees buckled and I dropped to the ground. A gasp escaped my lips. I tried to get up but my hands and legs had gone numb. It was as if every muscle, every pore in my body had been bathed with concerete and then hardened.
A strange sense of dread gripped my heart. My mother had used the famous tracking spell by binding it to her life force. There was no escaping now. This time even my sister would not be able to save me. God knows what sort of punishment was awaiting me.
My entire body started trembling as my power got sucked out bit by bit. Eventually, I started feeling like an empty corpse. Just when I thought there was no hope, a man appeared out of nowhere and took carried me out of the marketplace.
His lack of magical aura suggested that he was either a human or a werewolf. Not exactly the ideal company. But, somehow, I didn’t feel threatened. I liked the feel of his body pressing against mine; more than I would like to admit.
I studied his features carefully as he continued to walk with sturdy, brisk steps. His jaws were sharp and angular. That in addition to his thick eyebrows and thin lips made him look attractive. I would have liked to look into his eyes but he never glanced at me even once. His gaze remained focused on the path ahead.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice when he crossed the boundary of the Hakterland. It was only when I noticed the board of the inn that my heart skipped a beat: The Russel’s.
All the rumors that I had heard about this inn started swirling in my mind. An year ago, the owner of this inn had performed a ritual that killed dozens of witches. It is said that he used their life force to forge a shield around the inn. This shield was supposed to restrain the magical powers inside the boundary.
The moment we crossed the threshold of the inn, there was a static crackling. My power ebbed and until there was just a trace of them left. So, the rumors were true…
The man carried me upstairs to a room, laid me on the bed and just left. My eyes darted all over the room in restless apprehension, trying to note the things I could use in case I had to defend myself. I knew it was futile given that I couldn’t even move but it gave ne something to do.
The time ticked by at a lazy pace; every second seemed to last for twice its duration; pushing me closer to the edge of paranoia. Hundreds of ominous scenarios flashed in my mind, one after the other. But, after a certain point my mind just went blank.
However, nothing bad happened. The man didn’t return at all. Soon, I found myself relaxing. I don’t know how but the numbness in my body started fading too. I flexed my fingers, then my arms. With slight more effort, I managed to sit up.
There was a loud creak drawing my attention to the entrance. The door opened slightly and a boy walked inside. My eyes widened and my jaws hung open when I realized who it was. “Evan?” My voice came out raspy.
He waddled inside; his expression solemn and his lips pressed together. My heart skipped a beat and I scrambled out of the bed. Kneeling to reach his height, I placed my hand on his shoulder, “How did you end up here?” My gaze drifted over his shoulder, “Are the others here too?”
He shook his head, “We met Alpha Norton on the way. He has promised to escort them home.”
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, “Why didn’t you go with them?”
He blinked and looked into my eyes. Then he spoke slowly word by word; as if testing my reaction, “I didn’t go because you are a nice witch….”
My heart filled with warmth as if I had been granted the greatest reward in the world. Cupping his face, I asked, “What does that have to do with you coming here?” The lines on my forehead deepened, “How did you even find me? With all the magic I have, I wouldn’t have been able to find me as far as I remained inside this inn.”
His lips curved in a rare smile and his eyes twinkled just a notch brighter, “You had put a protection spell around us, right?” He raised his small hand and wiggled his ring finger, “I used this ring to track its energy trail…”
I gaped at him in amusement. Why hadn’t I thought of this? The shield could only block ornganic power; not the ones emitted by power stones.
With every moment I spent with Evaan, I became more and more impressed. I felt like singing long songs in his praise but I didn’t want be a bad influence. So, I restrained myself. Rufflng his hair, I stated simply, “You even know that?”
“I read that in Vindictive Grimoire last year.”
Vindictive Grimoire? Wasn’t that considered as one of the most complicated books in the witch world? How did Evaan manage to read that?
My head would probably explode if he continued dfropping bomb shells as if it was no big deal. The less I knew the better. I suppressed my burning curiosity and asked the most consequential question, “Why did you come looking for me, Evaan?”
He took a few deep breaths and wiped his palm against his trousers. His face turned into a mask of absolute seriousness as he spoke in a firm voice, “Werewolves can’t practice magic but if they link themselves to a witch, they can learn magic.” He looked at me with a business like expression and stated, “I want to link my life force with you. Please accept me as your apprentice.”
“You are kidding me right?” I snapped, my eyes widening in disbelief.
“I might be a kid, but I would never joke about something this serious….” His expression turned pleading and he blinked his eyes, “Please, agree to my request, Ora. You are my last resort.”
The way he looked at me turned my heart into soft mush. At that time, if he had asked me to kill myself, I would have even done that. His adorable nature and his maturity beyond his age were probably the reasons that pushed me into making the biggest mistake of my life.
I picked him up in my arms and held him close, “I will help you learn magic, I promise.”
His face lit up with a sweet smile but then his expression hardened, “I know you are a nice witch but I can’t rely merely on words. You have to make a magical pact with me.”
I nodded my head as I lifted him up in my arms, “I can’t practice magic inside this inn. So, we will go out, okay?”
“Okay, Magus,” he replied with all seriousness. Something stirred within me, hearing him address me as ‘Magus’. A desire formed in the depths of my heart to stay with him and protect him.
Fate and destiny work in weird ways at times. I had always wanted to liead a carefree life with no bondages. But, here I was; going to create an everlasting pact….