Page 39 of Sinister Magic

The thought stirred anxiety, as I imagined losing the first new friend I’d made in a long time. The first I’d felt safe enough befriending, since he could take care ofhimself.

That is not possible—and it would not be permitted. Even though you are not supposed to be my handler—nor was the thief that had me before—because of the deal my ancestors made, I must wait until we are called to serve the dragons. Then, perhaps when that battle has been fought and the deal has been satisfied, I will be released to live always among my ownkind.

Would it help if I never called you away from your world?I hated the thought and wasn’t sure I could give up such a powerful ally now that I’d gotten used to having him at my side inbattles.

Do you not needme?

Of course Ido.

Then you should call me. I would not wish you to be slain by some furry wolf pup because you lacked a propernanny.

I smiled, wondering if that meant he’d come to care about me. What would I do if a dragon—maybe this Zav himself—showed up and tried to take the figurine from me, to use Sindari in some war that might be fought oneday?

How long ago was your realm formed and that dealmade?

Before your peopleexisted.

Ah, and in all that time, the dragons hadn’t yet fought their war? Maybe there was hope that nobody would come for Sindari in my lifetimethen.

Rocket wanted to sniff one of the dead wolves, but Mom hurried him past the area of the fight. She still had him on his leash. She was almost jogging as she led the way up the path, a path that grew wider and more tamped down, more covered with all manner ofprints.

She slowed to a halt in front of a jagged cliff formed of jumbled lava-rock boulders. They had been there a long time, and massive pines grew up from dirt-packed crevices between them, their roots dangling over the sides. The path ended right in front of a huge slab ofrock.

“Has that always been there?” I pointed atit.

“No. It’s usually a tunnel entrance. This looks very permanent.” She looked down at the tracks for confirmation that we were in the right spot, then touched the boulder. Suspecting anillusion?

Her hand landed on solid rock. Deadend.