Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Sandy’s POV

In the blink of an eye, Ora teleported me to my room and vanished. I didn’t even get a chance to talk or respond to her. That Grand Magus they were talking about, seemed pretty powerful. What if something happened to Ora?

My eyes darted to Evaan who was still sleeping soundly. What would that mean for him? I wrung my hands and gaped at the space where Ora had been a few moments ago. If only I could teleport like that witchy woman.

I kept smacking my fist against my palm as I started pacing along the length of the room. Wasn’t there anything at all I could do?

“F***!” I exclaimed loudly as I smacked my palm in frustration. This startled Evaan and he sat up with a start. Rubbing his eyes groggily, he questioned, “What happened Uncle?” His eyes roamed over the room and he added, “Where is aunty?”

“Umm… she has gone for some work, Evaan…. You go back to sleep.”

I was surprised when he just nodded and went back to sleep. He was the kind of boy who wouldn’t stop digging unless he has all answers. The poor kid was probably exhausted.

I slid into a chair next to the window with a sigh. I was probably fretting too much. That witchy woman must know what she is doing. She would probably be back soon. I waited and waited but she never returned.

The night turned into day and day turned into night. Yet there was no sign of her. In the end, I told Evaan about everything that had happened.

I knelt in front of him and took his hand in mine, “You seem to know way more about the witchy stuff than me…” Looking into his eyes, I prodded, “What if something happens to Ora? Will it affect you as well?” Pausing for a moment, I added, “Please be honest with me Evaan….”

Something flashed in his eyes and he pulled his hand away, “If it doesn't affect me, will you try to save Aunty?”

My face flushed and I lowered my gaze. I had indeed planned on leaving with Evaan if the pact didn’t affect Evaan.

“She saved my life, Uncle Sandy. I have to return her favor,” Evaan said in a resolute voice. “It is up to you whether you want to stay back and help or leave.”

I felt embarrassed by his words. A kid of five years had better morale than me. Getting to my feet, I stated, “I will try my best to help you, Evaan…”

“Then, please help me find some candles, sandalwood sticks and mystical weed, and blood flower.”

“What are you going to do with that again?”

“I will locate Aunt Ora by performing a ritual.”

I crossed my arms are raised my eyebrows, “Is this dangerous?”

“Well, that depends on your definition of dangerous.” He looked dead into my eyes as he continued, “I can do this even if you don’t help me, you know. It will just take a little longer.”

God knows what this boy would end up doing. The best way to keep him safe was to play along. Letting out a deep sigh, I agreed, “I will go get the ingredients.”

***

I don’t know what I was doing: helping a five-year-old perform a dangerous ritual. I would probably never forgive myself if anything went wrong but it was too late to stop him now. I had already procured the items he needed and he was busy arranging the candles in an array.

He placed the candles carefully in the form of an infinity sign as he explained, “This sign represents the endlessness of the world. Only this array can be used to perform such a ritual.”

“Which is?”

“I will tell you after the ritual is over,” his voice was firm. I had tried to ask him the name of the ritual several times but he was unwavering. I should have taken the cue and stopped him but for some reason, I didn’t.

“Usually a witch’s blood is needed to perform this ritual but since I have made a magical pact with Aunt Ora, I can use the blood flower as a representation of her blood,” he explained further as he placed the blood flower in one of the loops and sat in the other.

“Can you really perform this ritual without the help of magic?”

“I do need magic,” he stated simply as he took off his ring and held it in his palm. “I will be harnessing this ring’s energy.” His expression turned very serious, “No matter what happens from this point, don’t try to stop me. If you do, it will kill me.”

I gulped and grabbed his little wrist, “Do we really have to do this? There surely must be another way.”

“What if Aunt Ora dies before we find another way?”

I had no reply to his words and my hand slipped to my sides. I crouched next to him and watched him close his eyes in concentration. His lips quivered as he chanted something in a low voice.

There was no change in the atmosphere but I could see that Evaan’s body had stiffened. His grip on the ring increased and blood started trickling down his nose. A sense of desperate panic gripped me. What was I supposed to do now?

I was going to snatch the ring from his hand but Evaan’s words flashed in my mind, ‘No matter what happens from this point, don’t try to stop me. If you do, it will kill me.’

Dang! Why did I agree to something like this? Time ticked by at a painfully slow pace. The blood oozing from his nose trickled down his neck, along his body, streaking his clothes in red. If this continued for long, he would probably die. I tore my hair and a frustrated growl escaped my lips. What reply would I give to Emilia!?

When I saw that a small pool had formed on the floor, I couldn’t contain myself anymore. I decided to put an end to this ritual. I was about to blow off the candles when there was a sudden flash and the blood flower started glowing. The pool of blood on the floor was absorbed by the flower and it took on a darker shade.

Moments later, Evaan’s eyes snapped open and he gasped in a weak voice, “I did it… I can use her magic and teleport….” His eyes glazed over and his voice trailed off.

I rushed to support him as his body became limp. Carrying him back to the inn, I cleaned all his blood stains and gave him some water to drink. He recovered soon and his lips curved in a small smile, “I managed to perform the soul-binding ritual at the age of five. Do you think I am remarkable?”

I ruffled his hair and replied honestly, “I guess you are; but I don’t know if that is a good or a bad thing….”

“That means, I can finally find my father.” His eyes lit up and his lips curved in a delighted smile. “Mommy had said that I could find my father if I became remarkable.”

Tears of concern brimmed in my eyes, “Do you have any idea how terrified I was seeing all that blood trickle down your nose? You are just a boy of five years, can’t you act like one? Do you have to do all this scary stuff?”

“I have to Uncle…. I promised my mommy that I would find my father no matter how difficult the path was.”

There was so much longing in his words that my heart ached for this little boy. I pulled him into a tight hug and held him like that. Now, I could understand why Ora hadn’t been able to refuse him earlier. There was something about this boy that made one forget everything and listen to him.