Page 69 of Monster's Mystery

“We’re going to track Aiden via my soul bond,” I said.

Bruce whooped, a grin on his face. “I was going to suggest that when I saw you next. There are a couple cool spells that only beasts can perform, and fewer still that can be performed by soulmates. Have you ever been to a soul bond wedding?”

Brom nodded, but the rest of us shook our heads.

“The bond is strengthened magically at the time of the ceremony. Only another soul bound beast can perform the spell, so it’s extremely rare. The effects are quite dazzling.” Bruce smiled at the memory. “I was young, and only a witch, but it had a deep and profound effect on me.”

I blinked, wondering why Aiden hadn’t mentioned it to me before this. Maybe he wasn’t aware of the ritual, if it was so rare.

“Do you have the tracking spell? Can we do it now?” Bruce asked.

I shook my head. “No, Professor Dunlop still has to find it. But he was optimistic, and told me to meet him tonight at seven. He also said ‘the more the merrier,’ so you’re all welcome to join me.” I took a large bite of my sandwich, chewing quickly.

“Can’t wait!”

My friends left for their next class slowly, giving me encouraging words as they parted, until it was just Bruce and I left at the table.

“I’m glad we’re in this together,” I confided in him. “All of us, really, but you’ve been there from the beginning, standing by me when Hazel was falsely accused. I didn’t get to know you well last year, and I’m sorry.”

“Hey, no problem. You’re Aiden’s soulmate. He’s my friend. I’ll do anything to help you.” Bruce patted my shoulder. “I’ve got study hall. I’ll see you at dinner?”

“Sounds good.”

CHAPTER19

I was barelyable to focus in Charms and Potions class, I was so excited at the prospect of using my bond with Aiden to find him.

I burst out of class to find Lilia waiting for me, a solemn expression on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, my heart dropping. “Is Brom okay?”

“He’s fine.” Lilia brushed off my concern. “He’s helping the professors in front of the school.”

My eyebrow rose. “Helping with what?”

“It’s better if you see it.”

We walked down the stairs and out the front door. There were several professors and administrative staff, including the dean of the academy, and a few students blocking off the area.

At first, I didn’t understand what I was supposed to be looking at, and I turned to Lilia, confused.

She just gestured straight ahead, and then I saw it.

Or rather, Ididn’tsee it.

The statue of the founder’s wife was gone.

“What!” I said, incredulous.

“I told you that you wouldn’t believe me.”

“It’s actually gone, not made invisible?” I asked.

Lilia nodded. “That was the first thing they checked, so Brom told me.”

“Do you think this is related?” I wondered out loud. “Maybe the statue has some sort of vision spell on it and keeps an eye on the front doors, so she ‘saw’ who killed Richard.”

“That’s… new,” Lilia said hesitantly, staring at me in awe. “I hadn’t thought of that, but maybe she did. You think the killer found out and took her?”

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