Chapter 27: Desperate Measures

Had I heard her right? Who wasn't dead? Jasper? My heart swelled with hope and tears stung the back of my eyes.

I looked over my shoulder at her.

She'd lowered her arms, my handprint still glowed. Maybe she'd done a counter-spell or something when I was leaving.

"Jasper," she licked her lips. "He's not dead. Th-The dark mages have him."

I raced over to her, crouching in front of her and her eyes widened in fright. "If you are lying to me, I will kill you with my bare hands. No magic. Just me."

"It's true, I swear it," she rushed out.

"How? How is that you know this if you're not one of them?"

"W-We're connected right?" Her voice shook. "They've been sending messages. Nightmares, really. Since the day you left, I've been having them in my head. I can't get rid of them. I can't sleep."

I ground my back teeth. "What did they say? What do they want?"

"You." She blinked and tears rolled down her cheeks. "They say they'll exchange Jasper for you."