SEARCH FOR THE LOST SOUL (28 page)

“By the way.
The Wizard’s Council discovered who Griling was.”

Chris
frowned; the name seemed familiar but he couldn’t place it.

Kelly
laughed softly. “Remember when the spellbook first came into my possession and
it was talking to me?” she waited for Chris to nod before continuing. “If you
will remember, the spellbook wanted me to find someone named Griling. Well, we
traced him through the Wizard’s Council. He was a powerful wizard and an
adversary of Marcelondini, the wizard who owned the spellbook before me.

“Once Loren
brought Griling’s name before the Wizard’s Council, they began a search.
Through magical means that even I don’t understand, they discovered that
Griling killed Marcelondini. There was a trial, of sorts, and he was found
guilty. He was executed for his crime.”

“Justice,”
Chris murmured.

“One wizard
may not kill another,” Kelly intoned.

Chris eyed
her; she was reciting that from somewhere. He decided not to question her on
it; it was really none of his business.

There was a
long silence before Kelly leaned forward. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

Chris
nodded.

Kelly took a
moment to frame her question. “I was just wondering what your plans for the
future were.’

“Why is that
personal?”

Kelly
shrugged. “It is to me.”

Chris
sighed. “I guess I’ll return home. But, I have to admit, it’s going to be
pretty boring there after what I’ve done here.”

There was
another long silence before she asked in a quiet voice. “I was wondering if
you’d consider staying here with me.”

Chris stared
at her. “I didn’t think you wanted me around.”

She blushed.
“I do want you here. You’re the most important person in my life.”

Chris eyed
her for a moment, uncertain how to react to this news. “You never indicated
that to me.”

“You never
knew I was alive while we were in school. After we came here, Loren said I
couldn’t say anything until I was certain. I was always sure. I told Loren that
but by that time, he had discovered that my soul was missing. He said I
couldn’t make such a decision until my soul was returned.”

Chris looked
away from her; he was having difficulty thinking while she was in his sights.
“So, you didn’t mind that I—er—did what I did.”

She shook
her head. “I’ve wanted you to kiss me since the day I first saw you. Loren says
that’s probably the reason why Gregory chose you to be in that prison with me.
As I was only starting to come into my powers, I was defenseless against his
attempts to read my mind. He discovered my feelings for you and brought you
along. It made the spell on me much easier for him.”

Chris felt
like his head was spinning. “Are you in love with me?”

Kelly
blushed deeper, but nodded.

Chris rose
and pulled her to her feet before kissing her gently. “I love you too,” he
whispered when he pulled back.”

“You do. I
never knew.” There were tears in Kelly’s eyes.

Chris
laughed softly. “I’ve always loved you. But I thought you were too innocent for
me. And then I cause you to lose your soul and I was sure you hated me.”

Kelly shook
her head. “Never.”

Chris kissed
her again. “That makes me very happy.”

Kelley
sighed as she laid her head against his chest. “So, will you stay with me?”

“You don’t
even need to ask,” he answered, stroking her hair gently. “But, will Loren let
me stay?”

“He said you
could if you wanted to. That could be your reward.”

“Done.”
Chris raised her head so he could kiss her again. “But, what will I do around
here?” he asked when he pulled back.

Kelley
smiled wickedly. “You could work for me. Loren says I need an assistant.”

“Will you be
a tyrannical boss?” Chris asked, laughter in his voice.

“Maybe,” she
answered.

Chris
laughed as he bent to kiss her again.