Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 44

"You found her?" Saleh and Stella said together.

"Yes. First, we saw her in the painting and then the royal procession came by on their way into town." Everyone's attention was focused on Anna.

She laid out the whole story for them. From the museum to the processional to the male that almost caught them (cleverly skirting around the make-out part as she and Jake agreed).

"Maggie's alive?" Noah said, stunned. Clearly he'd been in the same boat as Jake: thinking Maggie was dead for all these years.

"She's alive and she's truly a princess?" Stella sounded just as shocked.

"It's really her?" Saleh's eyes were just as wide as the others.

"Yes. And I got her attention for a moment as well. She recognized both Jake and me."

Everyone was stunned into silence. It seemed like they all thought the princess being Anna's sister was the most unlikely outcome. Anna wasn't sure what to make of that.

"What do we do now?" Stella asked quietly.

"We wait for Maggie to make contact with me through my dreams. I'm sure she'll try tonight. Then we move from there," Anna explained, "I need to talk to her."

Jake laid a comforting hand on her back.

"Well," Saleh chimed in, "at least the scent thing worked. If you're going to be venturing back into town anytime soon, I'd recommend remaining with Jake for the time being. You don't want to walk into the castle reeking of mortality." She scrunched up her nose at the last words and Anna rolled her eyes.

"We were talking about that on the walk here," Jake said and then he turned to Anna, "You can stay with me for as long as you need."

Anna nodded and then looked at Stella, "You can go back to your house though, if you want. I'll be okay with Jake."

Stella's answering smile was full of understanding. "Of course. And I'll cover for you if your parents call. We can just tell them that I'm going through a lot and it helps to have you there, or something. It'll all work out."

"Well, it seems like the only thing to do now is to wait for Maggie to reach out in Anna's dreams," Saleh summarized, "So, we can continue to meet here nightly and work on magic and figuring out what Noah is and how to access his specific magic as well. And once your sister reaches out," Saleh nodded towards Anna and her raven black hair slipped over her shoulder, "we can move forward with another plan. But, let's go ahead and get you guys back home for today."

They all stood and Saleh vanished the blanket and books they'd been sitting on before saying her goodbyes and heading towards Garen. The remaining four filed through the opening in the Great Oak and passed through worlds until their feet landed firmly in a clearing in Radnor Lake State Park.

"Noah," Anna started, searching for a change of subject to distract her from her own thoughts, "Any progress on your magic?" Though she knew it was doubtful, she wanted something to talk about other than Maggie.

"None yet," Noah said, looking over his shoulder at her as they made their way along the path back to the main hiking trail. "I can feel it, the magic, in my soul. But, I can't seem to bring it to the surface." He turned his gaze to Jake who was behind Anna, "How did you do it? The first time?"

Anna saw Jake blush a little at the memory. "It only came to the surface for Anna at first. It was the strength of the mating bond that drew it out of me." Anna reached behind her and took Jake's hand as they continued down the path.