scry for them. But, it is not that simple with Cowans. There is nothing of their being that the magic can latch onto. With a personal effect, a locator spell may be able to get close to the person, but in this large of a city, it is unlikely we will be able to pinpoint their exact position.”
Eliana’s eyes light up. “But if the spell could get us close, I’m sure I could sense the kidnappers.”
Josh looks hopeful as well. “It’s true; she can sense an evil person from quite a distance. Especially if their intent is to harm someone she cares about.”
Kallen still looks doubtful. “The spell would probably only get us within I would say one half to a full mile away.”
Josh looks at Eliana with pride in his eyes. “She can do it.”
“What do we need for the spell?” I ask.
Kallen considers for a moment. Turning to me, he says, “I will be upfront with you. This is a difficult spell to work and can easily go awry.”
Great. Now I’m super nervous. I think he’s right, I like it better when he just lets me find out for myself after the fact. "Maybe you should do it.”
He shakes his head. “It can only be performed by a Witch.”
There’s more to that sentence than he’s saying out loud. “Okay, spit it out.”
Kallen tries to look innocent. “I do not know what you mean.”
I put my hands on my hips. “I know that tone of voice combined with that look. You’re not telling me something. Spit. It. Out.”
With a sigh, Kallen says, “A spell of this sort is easily detected.”
“By who?” I ask.
“Locator spells are gray magic due to the fact that most people who are lost do not want to be found by their pursuer. It will serve as a beacon to practitioners of such magic.”
I don’t get it. “So?”
“I hate to butt in, but do you think we could move this conversation along? We’re losing valuable time,” Josh says. The worry in his eyes takes away any harshness in his words.
With a terse nod, Kallen says, “Practitioners of gray and black magic tend to travel in groups because many spells require more than one Witch to perform them. When they feel Xandra’s power spread through the city, they will come looking for her.”
I think I’m being obtuse asking this, but I’m going to anyway. “What for?”
“To attempt to harness your power for themselves.”
Oh, that’s all? “I’ve gone against Witches before. I’m pretty sure I can handle them.”
One side of Kallen’s mouth curves up into a wry smile. “It is not your ability to fight them off, my love, that I am concerned with. It is their interference with the ultimate goal of the spell.” My love? We haven’t used pet names for each other before but I like it. Though I’m sure this is an inappropriate time to express that.
“You believe they will get in the way?” Josh asks.
Kallen nods. “I believe they will be an unnecessary hindrance, yes.”
“I’m beginning to think all Witches except my mother are pains in the ass,” I mutter under my breath. Kallen smirks and I give him a look daring him to say anything. He’s smart enough to keep his thoughts safely on the inside of his lips.
Agent Amman stands up and with his jaw set firm, he says, “If it will get my family back, I will do whatever needs to be done to deter these Witches. I can have fifty agents at our disposal in less than an hour.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think your agents would stand a chance against gray or black Witches. Innocent people could get hurt. I appreciate that you want to help, but I think we need to handle them on our own if they show up.”
Kallen turns to Eliana. “If you have paper and a writing implement, I will make a list of the necessary ingredients.” Eliana nods and leaves the room through the door opposite the
Eliana’s eyes light up. “But if the spell could get us close, I’m sure I could sense the kidnappers.”
Josh looks hopeful as well. “It’s true; she can sense an evil person from quite a distance. Especially if their intent is to harm someone she cares about.”
Kallen still looks doubtful. “The spell would probably only get us within I would say one half to a full mile away.”
Josh looks at Eliana with pride in his eyes. “She can do it.”
“What do we need for the spell?” I ask.
Kallen considers for a moment. Turning to me, he says, “I will be upfront with you. This is a difficult spell to work and can easily go awry.”
Great. Now I’m super nervous. I think he’s right, I like it better when he just lets me find out for myself after the fact. "Maybe you should do it.”
He shakes his head. “It can only be performed by a Witch.”
There’s more to that sentence than he’s saying out loud. “Okay, spit it out.”
Kallen tries to look innocent. “I do not know what you mean.”
I put my hands on my hips. “I know that tone of voice combined with that look. You’re not telling me something. Spit. It. Out.”
With a sigh, Kallen says, “A spell of this sort is easily detected.”
“By who?” I ask.
“Locator spells are gray magic due to the fact that most people who are lost do not want to be found by their pursuer. It will serve as a beacon to practitioners of such magic.”
I don’t get it. “So?”
“I hate to butt in, but do you think we could move this conversation along? We’re losing valuable time,” Josh says. The worry in his eyes takes away any harshness in his words.
With a terse nod, Kallen says, “Practitioners of gray and black magic tend to travel in groups because many spells require more than one Witch to perform them. When they feel Xandra’s power spread through the city, they will come looking for her.”
I think I’m being obtuse asking this, but I’m going to anyway. “What for?”
“To attempt to harness your power for themselves.”
Oh, that’s all? “I’ve gone against Witches before. I’m pretty sure I can handle them.”
One side of Kallen’s mouth curves up into a wry smile. “It is not your ability to fight them off, my love, that I am concerned with. It is their interference with the ultimate goal of the spell.” My love? We haven’t used pet names for each other before but I like it. Though I’m sure this is an inappropriate time to express that.
“You believe they will get in the way?” Josh asks.
Kallen nods. “I believe they will be an unnecessary hindrance, yes.”
“I’m beginning to think all Witches except my mother are pains in the ass,” I mutter under my breath. Kallen smirks and I give him a look daring him to say anything. He’s smart enough to keep his thoughts safely on the inside of his lips.
Agent Amman stands up and with his jaw set firm, he says, “If it will get my family back, I will do whatever needs to be done to deter these Witches. I can have fifty agents at our disposal in less than an hour.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think your agents would stand a chance against gray or black Witches. Innocent people could get hurt. I appreciate that you want to help, but I think we need to handle them on our own if they show up.”
Kallen turns to Eliana. “If you have paper and a writing implement, I will make a list of the necessary ingredients.” Eliana nods and leaves the room through the door opposite the
Similar Books
