“Like intuition?” I asked.
Yes,Oberi replied.I justknewI was going to come back. And I know now that I always will… unless my Elementai die with me. I’m still a Familiar, so the rules still apply, I believe. So neither one of you get any bright ideas.
“So, what? Mutabeecha can’t be killed?” I asked. “Why weren’t we aware of this?”
“Yeah, Oberi,” Ava said accusingly. “I thought you said you could die.”
Technically, Ididdie, Oberi pointed out.And I’d die if my Elementai did.
Ava gave an introspective noise. “We don’t know a lot about mutabeecha to begin with, but theymustreincarnate immediately whenever they die, as long as their Elementai live. How else can we explain him dying and coming back to life?”
“I don’t know, but this is all really weird,” I said with a shiver.
She paused for a moment. “This is good to know, but we’re also a unique case. If one of us dies, could Oberi and the other person survive? Or would webothhave to die for Oberi to die, too?”
I don’t know,Oberi said.Don’t ask me, I’m just the dog.
He sniffed around again and started in the direction of the mushrooms.
“Oberi!” I yelled, getting his attention. I stomped over to the mushrooms and squashed them under my feet. I didn’t know if I’d gotten them all, but I think I’d made my point. “Could you pay attention for one second? You’re an idiot for eating these mushrooms in the first place. You’re not getting another helping!”
Oberi huffed.They were delicious. You’ve ruined my breakfast!
“We don’t need to go testing any of these theories!” I raged. I couldn’t believe he didn’t see the problem. “Just becauseyoucame back to life doesn’t mean you can cork off whenever you want. We don’t know how this magic works.”
“Charlie’s right,” Ava agreed. “We can’t chance it again.”
Oberi groaned.By the ancestors, I’mfine!
“You scared us to death!” Ava cried.
Oberi snorted.You weren’t the one who died, honey.
“We’re here, we’re here!” Marcus yelled across the prison yard. I heard three sets of footsteps racing toward us.
“We found Professor Woolly,” Marcus said in a panic as he skidded to a halt beside us. “He’s gonna do his best, but can’t make any promises.”
Oberi walked up to Marcus and licked his hand, making a loud slurping sound.
Marcus sighed. “Oberi, not now. I’m trying to—Oberi?”
Oberi snickered in my mind. I wasnotamused.
“What’s going on?” Kallie asked curiously.
I froze. How could we explain what had just happened?
We can’t tell anyone, Ava insisted across our bond.If the Warden finds out Oberi can’t be killed, he’ll want him— just like he wants us.
Agreed, I replied firmly.
Professor Woolly sucked in a deep breath. He was obviously winded from running. “This is the Familiar in question? The one that ate the mushroom?”
“Yeah, but he was just…” Kallie trailed off.
“Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?” Professor Woolly said in a jolly way. “This Familiar was playing a prank on you! They’re quite intelligent creatures, really. He seems like a funny character. Aren’t you, boy?”
Oberi panted and barked happily.At least someone thinks so,he said snidely.
