“Do you think Hazel and Gabriel are alright Ace?” Rachel asked turning to her brother.
The twins unable to sleep had quietly climbed up to the roof in an attempt to calm their nerves. As of right now, both were laying on their backs while gazing at the stars.
“Come on Rach we’re talking about Hazel Abernathy and Gabriel Pasi, of course, they’ll be alright.” Ace said smiling at his younger sister, “And once they’re back they’ll tell us all the crazy things they did without us over hot chocolate.”
Rachel gave a small smile at the scene her older brother described before lightly chuckling and laying down on her side to face him, “Thanks Ace, you always seem to know what to say to cheer me up.”
“I’m your older brother Rachel, it’s my job to know.” Ace said smiling, “And I happily take it very seriously.”
The two smiled at each other before Rachel returned to her previous position and the two looked back at the stars.
“Seems like it was only yesterday that we met them.” Rachel said.
“Yep.” Ace said agreeing with his twin’s statement, “A lot of stuff’s happened since then. Can’t help but wonder what would happen if we didn’t come across them and Isabella at the hall.”
Rachel chuckled before a gurgling croak from behind them caught their attention. The two gave each other confused looks before they sat up and looked behind them, only to come face to face with…
“Josh!” The twins quietly exclaimed standing up.
The raven gave a friendly croak to them before Rachel saw the rolled-up piece of paper tied to the bird’s leg. Pointing this out to her brother the two quietly climbed back into their room with Josh flying inside and perching on the headboard of Ace’s bed.
“Thank you, Josh.” Rachel said as she relieved the blackbird of his burden, “And stay quiet, okay? We don’t want to wake Eliza and the other two.”
Josh gave a quiet croak which Rachel smiled at before she gave the letter to her brother. After Ace unraveled the letter, he quietly read the contents before his eyes widened.
“What happened?” Rachel asked worried by her twin’s reaction, “Are they okay?”
Dear Ace and Rachel
Hazel and I are safe for now but as of the moment we have a dangerous emergency ahead of us. Right now, we need you to get Hazel’s Claist and meet us at Warcester by sunrise. I’ll explain everything then.
- Gabriel
P.S. Don’t bring Carla, Eliza, or Kimberly.
“But how are we supposed to get to Warcester?” Rachel asked worriedly, “That’s miles away from here and they’ve already got hours ahead of us.”
Ace smirked at this before he pulled out a blue leather-bound book with a ritual circle engraved on it.
“T-that’s-” Rachel began recognizing the book.
“Grandpa’s oldest grimoire.” Ace said smiling at the old book, “Stole it from the old man’s library the day we left. Been practicing some spells with it too.”
“I have so many questions but that can wait.” Rachel said before giving a determined smile, “You go get everything ready while I go get Hazel’s Claist.”
“Rachel are you sure?” Ace asked, “Even if it’s just Eliza and Carla it could be dangerous.”
“Then you better be quick.” Rachel said before Ace slipped his bag on and picked up his sister’s, “And I’ll have Josh with me.”
“As you wish.” Ace said before smiling, “Be careful, alright.”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“You too.” Rachel said before the two left the room quietly before Josh flew behind Rachel.
Rachel quickly and quietly stalked up to Carla and Eliza’s room. Opening the door quietly she was greeted by soft snoring from the two females and a single candle lit the room. Quickly scanning the room Rachel spotted the flute-like object on Eliza’s bedside table beside the candle.
‘Gods help me.’ Rachel thought quietly sighing.
Getting on all fours she quietly stalked toward the bedside and quickly grabbed the flute-like object. Once Rachel safely pocketed the object Josh quickly and quietly placed a similar-looking flute where Hazel’s Claist used to be. Rachel smiled and nodded to the bird before they left the room.
Rachel was still smiling as she closed the door with Josh on her shoulder thought it quickly faltered when they heard, “What were you doing in there?”
Eyes widening, she slowly turned around only to see Kimberly pointing her bayonet at her, “Good evening, Miss Kimberly.”
“What were you doing in their room Rachel?” Kimberly repeated before she saw Hazel’s Claist in the girl’s skirt pocket, “And why do you have Hazel’s Claist?”
“Um…” Rachel said not knowing what to say.
Kimberly narrowed her eyes threateningly before she pulled the safety lock out. Rachel gulped nervously, Josh quickly noticed this and flew to Kimberly and started to furiously peck her.
“Get off me you stupid bird!” Kimberly exclaimed swatting furiously at the bird.
Rachel’s eyes widened in surprise before she quickly ran downstairs after dodging Kimberly’s attempt to both stop her and swat Josh. Giving a sharp whistle, Josh quickly flew to Rachel who was now running to the door.
“Get back here!” Kimberly exclaimed shooting near the girl’s feet.
‘Son of a motherless goat!’ Rachel thought as Kimberly continued to shoot at her and the raven.
“Kim what are you doing!?” Eliza demanded after she saw what the blonde was doing.
“She has Hazel’s Claist!” Kimberly shouted angrily before Rachel and Josh finally got out of the building, “And they’re getting away!”
Eliza’s eyes widened before she quickly ran to her and Carla’s room.
“Eli, what’s going on?” Carla asked alarmed as she saw the black-haired girl, “I heard gunshots and Kimberly yelling something about Rachel and Hazel’s Claist.” She then picked up the replica that Josh had placed, “Eli what is going on?”
“Rachel stole Hazel’s Claist.” Eliza said glaring at the replica before taking it and soon after breaking it in half, “Ceramic, Hazel’s Claist is made of marble.” She dropped the two pieces before grabbing her scythe and opening the window.
“Eli, why would Rachel do that?” Carla asked as Eliza readied herself to jump out the window.
“That’s what I’m hoping to find out.” Eliza said before they heard Kimberly shout, “The boy’s gone too!”
Eliza’s eyes widened before she gave a quiet growl, clenched her jaw, and jumped out the window. Landing on all fours she immediately saw Rachel. Drawing her scythe out she began chasing the girl like a cheetah would its prey.
‘That’s going to be a problem.’ Rachel thought glancing behind her and seeing Eliza, ‘Better hurry up.’
Determination evident in her eyes Rachel again sprinted with newfound speed as she continued to follow Josh to where her brother is.
“Ace!” Rachel called seeing her older sibling, “Incoming!”
‘Oh, for Merlin’s sake!’ Ace thought upon seeing Eliza chasing after Rachel with her scythe drawn, “Hurry up Rach!”
‘I’m trying!’ Rachel thought before she was finally by her brother’s side with Josh perched on her shoulder.
Ace took a deep breath before he closed his eyes, making the ruin symbol they were standing on glow a bright blue.
‘He’s going to do a teleportation spell?’ Eliza thought before she began to run much faster.
“Ace.” Rachel said in worry as she watched Eliza grow nearer.
“Just a second Rach.” Ace said raising both his hands a bit.
“She’s getting closer.” Rachel said as Eliza readied herself to attack.
As Eliza was probably a good twenty or thirty seconds away Josh gave a loud croak. A second after Josh’s croak echoed through the empty streets Ace’s snapped open revealing his glowing irises.
“Jal aur bhoomi ke davata, main tum se praarthana karata hoon, haren aage le aao,” Ace chanted both his eyes, and the ritual circle glowing brighter, “Warcester!”
There was a flash of light that blinded Eliza, Rachel, and Josh before Rachel was greeted by the sound of lively streets. Looking around the girl saw that they were in an alleyway.
“So where are we?” Rachel asked as Ace’s glowing irises dimmed.
“Warcester.” Ace said peeking out of the alleyway and seeing the sign, “Now we just have to wait for Hazel and Gabriel.”
“So where do we go for now?” Rachel asked as Ace gave his sister her bag.
Before Ace could give her an answer a raspy and slurred voice made the twins’ eyes widen before running in the opposite direction. Once Ace was satisfied with the distance, he quickly looked at his sister who was shaking rather violently with Josh flying near her in a worried state. Sighing quietly Ace gently engulfed his little sister in a hug in which Rachel wasted no time in burying her head in Ace’s chest as the dam-stopping her tears finally gave way.
“Just let it all out, Rachel.” Ace whispered soothingly, “Don’t worry, I got you.”