It had been two weeks since his sister had visited only to storm off after he laughed at her for wanting to buy love potions. The memory still made him chuckle when he thought about it. He’d just finished cleaning the counter when his familiar, a black house cat, jumped on the counter and sat down.
“Oh come on, Beema, I just cleaned that,” he said, laughing when Beema simply purred at him.
Suddenly the purring stopped and Beema looked toward the front of the shop. Beema stood and arched his back, an angry hiss directed at whatever he sensed. Before Ethan could react, Beema was mentally bombarding him with feelings of urgency and retreat. Without thinking twice, he grabbed Beema and moved to the back room at a steady pace, even though all he wanted to do was run. He’d learned a long time ago that Beema’s instincts were way better than his, so all he did was head for the secret exit he’d installed in the floor of the shop.
Quickly kneeling then placing Beema down on the floor, Ethan murmured the incantation to open the exit. Seconds later, a hole appeared in the floor of the back room, leading to an underground escape route carved by magic. Looking around, Ethan got the feeling that he wouldn’t be back so he grabbed a bag and started filling it with supplies and potions. He’d just moved to grab another bag when Beema yowled. The urgency he received through their bond had him moving back to the exit without hesitation. Ethan was halfway through the hole when an explosion hit the front of the shop, sending debris flying toward them.
Beema hissed and Ethan let himself drop to the ground, catching Beema as the cat leapt after him. Ethan quickly murmured the incantation that would not only close the exit from the shop but would also fill up the tunnel behind them as they walked. No one would be able to tell that there was ever a tunnel in the first place.
“Looks like we’re back to square one, Beema,” he whispered as they walked along in the dark, knowing that their cabin would be in a similar state as their shop. He could hardly see what was in front of him, but he didn’t feel he needed to see very well when there was only one way to go.
Beema’s meow was the only response he got from his familiar.
Hours later, when Ethan was ready to drop from exhaustion, they reached the end of the tunnel. Outside, it was dark, indicating to Ethan that they’d been walking for at least ten hours without stopping. Ethan dropped to his knees, his bag falling to the ground, and Beema ran over to him, nudging him and purring.
“I know, I know. We have to keep moving. Fuck, I’m tired.”
And whose fault is that? Beema asked through their bond.
Mine, mine, all mine. I couldn’t take the risk that someone would try to finish us off if they saw us. You know as well as I do that Des, or rather Ravyn, was behind the explosion. Whether she was there personally or not, she’s the one behind the attack, Ethan responded mentally. He was too tired to try to make his mouth move and have sounds come out.
Let us go, Ethan, before we are forced to move.
Beema sounded worried, but he made a lot of sense. It was better to move now than wait until they had to move because they were being pursued.
Standing with his bag in his hands, Ethan wobbled, but soon he was balanced enough to proceed. Okay, my familiar, let’s go.
This way, my dearest witch.
And so the two of them made their way over the ground with only the stars to guide them to their destination—the forest of the Fae.
After stumbling more than walking, Ethan was so glad when he saw the trees that marked the path to the Fae castle that he could have cried. Would have, if he’d had the energy to generate tears.
Dramatic much, my witch? Beema teased.
Nope, that’s totally the right amount of drama, he sent back as he struggled to put one foot in front of the other.
“Halt! Who goes there?” a voice yelled before a man stepped out from behind a tree.
It’s one of the Fae guards. At least we’re on the right track.
Did you doubt me, my Beema?
Only when you started walking with your eyes closed.
Beema’s comment made him realize that he’d closed his eyes after seeing the guard, yet he’d continued to move forward. If he wasn’t careful, he would end up falling asleep standing.
I believe you need to respond to the guard, my witch. The sooner the better.
Focusing on the guard, Ethan noticed that he was holding a sword and it looked like he really wanted to slice Ethan in half.
Clearing his throat, Ethan tried to form an intelligent reply. Unfortunately, that wasn’t what came out of his mouth. “Take me to your queen.”
He mentally groaned at himself and heard Beema’s groan as well.
Maybe you could try again before he does something rash, Beema suggested, his sarcasm evident.
Gathering himself as much as possible, Ethan spoke again just as the guard took a step closer. “Forgive me. What I meant to say is that I would like to seek sanctuary from Queen Arabella.”
The surprised look on the guard’s face confused Ethan.
Why is he surprised that I’m asking for sanctuary? he mentally sent to Beema.
I believe he’s surprised that you asked in Elvish, not that you asked for sanctuary. Beema’s reply was followed with a mental eye roll.
Whoops?
“Very well, I shall take you to Queen Arabella,” the guard said, sheathing his sword and walking closer to them.
“Thank you,” Ethan replied, unsure what language he’d used, just glad that he’d thanked the man.
No sooner had he taken a step than the world started spinning and the ground rushed up to meet him. He heard Beema’s worried meows and the voice of the guard, but there was nothing he could do to stop the darkness from claiming him.
I will make sure you are safe, my witch.
Thank you, Beema.