ABIATHAR WAS DUMBFOUNDED.

Everything had seemed to be looking up, and suddenly it all came crashing down. Vedast had invaded his home and taken Jaculus away on a case of theft, leaving him all alone. He didn’t even know where to go from there. Everything felt like a dream, a fog that he was staggering through.

“Excuse me, sir,” a meek voice said, peering up from his side.

Abiathar blinked, looking down. He was standing in front of a freezer in the grocery store, blocking the way for a little girl.

She stared at his face, watching him with concern. Abiathar forced his expression to become more relaxed. She didn’t seem any less frightened.

“Ah, I’m sorry,” he mumbled, stumbling out of her way.

She rubbed the hem of her dress, bashfully pointing above her head. “Sir, can you get that from the shelf? I can’t reach it.”

“Er...this?” Abiathar asked, gesturing to a box of popsicles.

She nodded.

Jaculus would have probably loved these, Abiathar thought as he handed the girl the box, watching her face light up.

"Molly, what is that?” a woman asked, approaching the girl.

“Mommy, can we get some of these?” Molly asked, holding out the box, “They look really good! Please?”

Her mother smiled, patting her on the head and tossing the box in the shopping cart. “I don’t see why not. I think we should be getting back home now. It’s almost time to cook dinner.”

As they walked away, Abiathar felt his chest ache. It was a sort of empty longing, the kind of pain one felt when they know they’ve lost something. He realized the source of the pain- this was what he wanted. He wanted a child of his own.

And that child was Jaculus.

In his breast pocket, Jaculus’s gift to him seemed to burn. Was this what Jaculus had stolen? Where had Vedast gotten a relic from his parents? His heart pounded furiously at the implications.

Above all else, where had Vedast even learned of Jaculus’s residence at Abiathar’s home? He hadn’t been in contact with Vedast since their last meeting, which had been weeks before he ever met Jaculus. He would have known if Vedast had sent any spies or spirits to observe his house. In fact, the only person that had been to his house was…

They couldn’t have, he thought, ice water filling his veins. Aliza and Rene once were his students. They wouldn’t betray him.

But they were the only ones that knew about Jaculus.

Gritting his teeth, Abiathar burst onto the street, knowing the exact house to visit. He had to get answers.

---

Abiathar pounded on the door, jaw clenched tight as he glared at the shabby apartment door. All those years ago, they had exchanged addresses, and Abiathar knew they hadn’t moved.

The door opened, revealing Rene’s face. His eyes widened as he caught a full view of Abiathar’s face. “W-Witchmaster Abiathar?”

“Which one of you spoke to Vedast? I need to know now.”

“Witchmaster Vedast? I’ve only met him a couple times in my entire life. What’s going on?”

It must have been Aliza, Abiathar thought, huffing.

Rene grabbed Abiathar’s shoulder. “Witchmaster, is something wrong? Did Vedast do something?”

 Abiathar stepped inside, slamming the door behind him. “Vedast came in with his dogs and abducted the higher spirit I was taking care of. The only one who could have given the tip is one of you two, so I assume it was Aliza.”

Rene rubbed the back of his neck. “Did...did that higher spirit really mean that much to you?”

"He meant the world to me, Rene. He was like a son to me. Higher spirits, they’re just like us. They feel, hurt, and love. But now...now he’s gone.”

Abiathar’s words took several seconds to sink in. “I had no idea, Abiathar,” Rene whispered. “But are you really just gonna let Vedast get away with this? You love him, don’t you? You’ve gotta fight for him, don’t just give up!”

“What am I supposed to do? Vedast isn’t one to show grace. We’re already not on good standing with each other as it is.”

Rene paced the floor, gesturing with his hands. “Don’t you write all those notebooks full of information about spirits? Why don’t you put something together like that, focusing on higher spirits? Show him your research, he can’t argue with science.”

Abiathar’s eyes lit up, slapping his fist into his palm. “That’s it! Rene, will you lend me your assistance. I can’t do this alone.”

Rene smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Of course, Witchmaster Abiathar.”