Guardian's Redemption

Chapter Thirteen

Ashley knew Ben was watching her go into the bar. He was constantly worrying about her, especially when after their most recent issue with that old couple.

'I'm in my late twenties, I can handle myself,' she had mentally told herself then. "I just need a little space," Ashely whispering a loud. She knew that he was most likely tracking her with his naturalist ability.

She looked around the building, finding a staircase in the back of the kitchen. She had not noticed it was a two-story building so that peaked her interest even more. Ashley figured it would be better to start on the second floor and work her way down to the main floor. Ashley poked through everything: old rags, burnt books, torn blankets, and broken glasses. Ashley only found a couple kitchen knives and a water jug that was full and sealed. Most items were either broken in some way, such as a crack, or they just did not appeal to her liking.

Down the stairs she went, looking about as she descended those worn steps. Her mind suddenly began to scream at her. Someone was in the building now, over in the shadows by the door. She didn't know why she knew but she did. Then she thought of it, the trick Ben had taught her.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to force herself to calm down. Eyes closed, the woman finally was able to use her mana to find something, but there were no blue flames in the building.

Ashley opened her eyes. There was nothing there, however the hair on her neck still stood up. She tried to move slowly; but the structure decided to betray her presence, the floor boards creaking with every step.

"Ben, you there," she whispered out to the shadows. She hoped he would respond with kindness and not make this some stupid training exercise.

Nothing came back, no voice to say yes. She swore at herself for saying something knowing that Ben would have announced his presence beforehand. When she got to the main floor her eyes widened as a figure moved in front of the doorway, blocking the light to the only exit. It was dressed in a full cloak from head to toe, showing nothing but a body and a hooded head. Ashley held her breathe ready to scream if it attacked.

The cloaked figure pulled the hood off, revealing a face that Ashley recognized immediately. A woman she had grown up with, the daughter of her parent's best friends that the kids ended up calling one another "cousins" even though there was no blood relation. The woman's black hair had red streaks in it something Ashley had never seen on the woman before. Ashley couldn't believe it first Ben now her. Was this a sign?

"Sonya, is that really you?" Ashley asked trying to mask her excitement.

Sonya nodded as a tear rolled down her own face. Both lunged at each other embracing in a warm hug. Ashley burst into tears at the luck she was having, Sonya squeezing her a bit. The world was getting better and better.

Candles ignited from behind the bar, illuminating the building slightly more. The light revealing the over turned furniture and a couple of full bottles of whiskey on the counter.

"I can't believe this," Ashley mumbled then raising her voice in overwhelming excitement. "First Ben, now you, we must go get him."

Sonya stroked Ashley's hair, "We will but first I need to talk to you. Ben can wait for the moment."

"I don't understand?" Ashley questioned.

"You will," Sonya replied. "Let's have a seat."

The women grabbed a couple of overturned chairs and sat at the only table that wasn't broken. Sonya placed an elbow on the table and her chin in her palm. "It has been a long time, hasn't it? I can tell you have a spark of talent as well. Using your mana to search for me is a bit of a stretch in skill."