Free Tara Duncan and the Spellbinders by Princess Sophie Audouin-Mamikonian

familiar?”
    â€œEvery spellbinder has an animal companion called a familiar. It’s his or her sign or mark, in a way. The spellbinder and the familiar can communicate. Isabella’s familiar was a tiger, and it was killed when your father and mother died. As you see, she hasn’t replaced it.”
    â€œ A tiger ?”
    â€œDon’t worry, familiars aren’t dangerous to spellbinders. Deria’s magpie Mani is her familiar. It’s been Mani’s job to keep an eye on you when Deria wasn’t able to. All right, I see that you’ve finished your breakfast. Why don’t you go upstairs and get ready?”
    Tara had been carefully studying the magpie to see what made it different. She was startled when it flew to the table, landed on a loaf of bread, and saluted her by dipping its wings. Then it swiped a piece of her toast.
    â€œWow! Did you see that?” she exclaimed. “That was great!” Then she turned to her grandmother. “Grandma?”
    â€œWhat is it, Tara’tylanhnem?”
    â€œIs there anything else I should know about?”
    Isabella hesitated for a moment then said, “No, except that I will be leaving for Peru in an hour. To protect the manor I need some sorcery objects that I don’t have available here, and I must go get them. Mangus and Tachil will stay at the house. But don’t worry. Chemnashaovirodaintrachivu will always know how to reach me.”
    This news made Tara uneasy. Peru was so far away.
    As she was pondering this, her grandmother continued: “I want to say that I’m very happy you’re under the high wizard’s temporary protection. I’m sure you are going to enjoy yourself at the Castle. The rulers of Lancovit are charming people, and all should go very well. It will be like spending the rest of your vacation in another country.”
    Tara’s mind was racing and she was about to ask more questions, but her grandmother’s serious expression dissuaded her.
    â€œI hope so, Grandma. I’ll see you later.”
    With Deria’s help, Tara’s suitcase was soon packed. She was about to take it and her purse downstairs when Deria stopped her.
    â€œNo, leave them here for the time being. I’ll bring them over to the count’s later. Nobody must know where you’re going, and the sight of suitcases might reveal our high wizard’s plan.”
    â€œSo should I just go downstairs like this?”
    â€œYes. I’ll be along in a moment.”
    Tara went downstairs reluctantly and found Chem and Isabella waiting for her. Her grandmother looked even more serious than usual, but now that she had told Tara she loved her, the girl understood that it was a mask to hide her feelings.
    Tara hugged her tight and kissed her. An embarrassed Isabella returned the hug then stepped back.
    â€œYou will be going to Travia Castle, which is the capital of the Kingdom of Lancovit,” she said. “Castle etiquette isn’t as strict as in Omois, which is the biggest human empire on OtherWorld. But I’m counting on you, Tara’tylanhnem. You’re the seventh spellbinder in a long and glorious line, and I want you to bring honor to the Duncan name. Never forget that.”
    Though Tara had sworn to herself that she wouldn’t cry, tears started rolling down her cheeks.
    â€œI’m going to miss you, Grandma. I love you.”
    Isabella shot a look of annoyance at the old wizard, who was discreetly dabbing at his eyes. To Tara she murmured, “Me too, Tara’tylanhnem. Now go.”
    â€œAll right, let’s get moving,” said the wizard. “It’s time we were off.” He had conjured a big blue handkerchief with dancing dragons, but they quickly got out of the way when he raised it to blow his nose.
    Tara looked at Chem with some skepticism. Everything that she had seen about magic up to now left her pretty cold. Because of magic she’d been deprived