~/~/~/~/~
Walking into her sitting room, Oracle sat down, waiting for her guest to appear. Picking up the book she’d been reading, she opened it to her bookmark and picked up where she’d left off, or tried to, but her thoughts kept flipping back to her upcoming assignment. Catching a movement out of the corner of her eye, she looked up. “Hello, Mystia, is everything all right?”
“No, it’s not,” Mystia replied, “something terrible has happened.”
“And it has to do with Carson?” Oracle surmised.
“Yes…no, well…maybe it will.”
Patting the place next to her on the love seat, Oracle said, “Come, tell me what has you so unsettled. If it concerns Carson, then I definitely need to know.”
After she sat down, Mystia said, “Someone created a light sphere, today…and used it.”
“What is that?”
“It’s used to locate and spy on people.”
“A spell?” asked Oracle.
“Not in the usual sense. A light sphere is conjured up by the mind of a witch or warlock,” Mystia explained.
“Most unusual, but why are you concerned that someone made one today?”
“Because it has sent ripples throughout the magic world,” replied Mystia. “The last time someone made one, the Witches’ Governing Council searched for the witch responsible but was unsuccessful.”
“I do not understand, is this something forbidden by the Witches’ Council? And why does this concern Carson?”
“Here,” Mystia said, waving her wand. After an old book materialized in her hand, she opened it to a page and, handing the book to Oracle, said, “Read this.”
As she read the fable, Oracle’s understanding about Carson’s gift grew. Then, reaching the end, she paused before raising her eyes, wanting to be sure Mystia was correct. “How do you know Carson’s mate is this person?”
“After the magic world detected a light sphere last time, I designed a spell that could tell me the location of the witch who created it. This time, it led me to a place in France…exactly where Carson is headed. Oracle, the ability to do this is very rare and, as you read in the story, it can be extremely dangerous.”
“Which would be very bad for Carson,” Oracle murmured.
“Exactly. When are you leaving for France?”
“Any day now,” Oracle said, “I am waiting for the Fates to give me the order.”
“It may be too late,” Mystia said, “especially if the Witches’ Governing Council had another witch use a location spell to try to find who’s responsible for the latest light sphere.”
“I cannot go without permission, but you could. You will be able to protect him in the meantime.”
“I can at least try, but there are more powerful witches that may interfere.”
“If you need to, bring Carson and his mate back here,” Oracle said, “at least, that would be better than leaving them there, at the mercy of a witch they have no defense against.”
“You’re right, I’ll go as soon as I let Jimmy know what I’m planning to do.”
Reaching over, Oracle hugged her friend. “Thank you, Mystia. Hopefully, I will be there soon.”
~/~/~/~/~
After boarding the private jet, Glenn sat down in one of the club chairs. How the Hare was able to convince Dire Enterprises to make it available on such short notice wasbeyond him, but he was grateful. It was going to be a long flight and a real bed on the plane for him to sleep in was a bonus he hadn’t expected.
“Good evening, Mr. Thatcher,” the steward said, “it’s good to see you again, sir. Would you like something to drink before takeoff?”
“Hi, Paul,” replied Glenn, smiling, “it’s been a while, hasn’t it? Anything new happening?”
