Free SEARCH FOR THE LOST SOUL by Kattie McKinsey Page B

spell had
been banned.”
    “It has
been,” said Loren mildly. “He shall be punished once Kelly’s soul has been
replaced.”
    Chris looked
up. “Then there’s hope for her?”
    Loren
laughed softly. “Yes, my boy. There is hope.”
    “So, how do
we do it? I want to help. It’s my fault that this happened.”
    “No, it is
not your fault. You were under a spell and had no control. The fact that you
were able to come to the realization that something was wrong is impressive.
That you were able to fight the spell once you knew something was wrong speaks
very highly of you.” He fell silent, his brown eyes on Chris. After a moment he
leaned forward, placing his hand on top of Chris’. “Or, is it that you care for
Kelly and didn’t want to hurt her?”
    Chris
dropped his eyes again.
    Loren
laughed softly. “So that is it. Relax, my boy, there is no harm in that. Tell
me, though, does she share your feelings?”
    “I don’t
know,” Chris mumbled.
    “Hmm,” said
Loren. There was another long silence before he spoke again. “That also
explains why you mistrust me. You fear that I have designs on her. You can rest
easy on that score also, my boy. I have no romantic interest in Kelly. She is
far too young for me; I prefer more mature women.”
    Chris
decided that he didn’t like the turn the conversation had taken. “So, how can I
help her find her soul? Where do we start to look?”
    “Wait here,”
said Loren. “I must do some research.” He rose and crossed to one of the
shelves. After examining several of the binders he chose one and began leafing
through it.
    Chris
watched the wizard for several minutes before turning to look at Dominic. The
apprentice was watching him with smoldering dark eyes that made him feel
uncomfortable. He turned his eyes towards the fire; at least it wasn’t accusing
him of anything.
     
    *     *     *
     
    Hours passed
before there was a knock at the door. Dominic rose and answered the knock,
returning a moment later with a tray containing three platefuls of food. He
silently handed one to Chris before taking one himself, leaving the third,
which Chris noted contained only vegetables, bread and cheese.
    As he
started to eat his eyes traveled to where Loren was standing, looking through
yet another book. How long, he wondered, could the wizard stand there and read?
Surely he would be more comfortable in the chair.
     
    *     *     *
     
    Chris was
dozing in his chair when Loren gently shook him awake, telling him softly that
he should retire to his bed. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Have you found
anything?”
    Loren sighed
tiredly and sank into his chair. “Only the most ancient of the books contain
any information at all and it is a tedious process to translate the material so
that I can find what I am looking for. I am sorely tempted to call some of my
wizard friends to assist in the task.”
    Chris looked
over to where Dominic was still sitting in his chair, eyes glued on him. He
found himself wondering if the apprentice did anything but stare. He turned
back to Loren, trying to ignore the brooding man. “Can Dominic help you?”
    Loren sighed
again. “Unfortunately, no. He has not progressed to the point where he has
learned the languages used in the texts. No, I would have to call on older
wizards, those that I could trust.”
    “Your mentor
and his mentor.”
    Loren eyed
him. “You know of these wizards?”
    Chris
nodded. “Leopold told me.”
    Loren laughed
gently. Methinks that boy may talk too much.” There was a long silence as Loren
rubbed his tired eyes. “I must get some sleep. Some of that writing is so
ancient it is fading and difficult to see and it is the wee hours of the
morning.”
    Although
Chris wasn’t sure what Loren meant by wee hours he was certain that it must
mean after midnight. He sat up. “Conrad,”
    Loren placed
his hand on Chris’ knee. “Rest easy. I sent a message hours ago that you would
be delayed and for him