Jasper was trying not to panic. As much as he may wish that defeating the Witchfinder General meant that he’d be safe, he wasn’t that naive. There would be others from the order who tried to hunt him down, and he would rather be far away by the time they got here.
He did his best to ignore the pang of grief in his chest as he moved around his grandmother’s cottage, packing up her herbs and tinctures and spellbooks. There was so much more that he’d wanted her to teach him, so much about being a witch that he didn’t know, and now he had to figure it out all on his own.
He reached for his grandmother’s crystal ball, but when he placed his hands on its shiny surface, a vision swam before his eyes.
“Don’t be afraid, my boy,” a familiar voice called to him, and his heart leapt.
“Grandma? Is that you?”
“Aye, who else would it be?”
“How are you speaking to me? I thought you died when we vanquished the Witchfinder.”
His grandmother’s voice was tinged with regret, and Jasper got the impression that if he could have seen her face, she’d be smiling sadly at him.
“I did my boy, I did. But we are witches; death does not mean the same thing for us as it does for normal mortals. My body is gone, but because of our magic, my soul is able to linger here in the astral plane.”
“Could I bring you back?” Jasper asked hopefully. “If I can figure out how to get you out of the astral plane, then I wouldn’t have to be alone anymore!”
“No, I’m so sorry my dear boy. But that does not mean you have to be alone. I will do my best to guide you, as will the other spirits here.”
Jasper frowned, tilting his head.
“Other spirits?”
“Our family has communed with the astral plane for generations. There are spirits here who will be glad to speak with you and guide you. But be wary, my boy. Not every spirit can be trusted. There are more dark forces in this world to fear besides the Witchfinders.”
— — —
Jasper ✨ is now available for questions!
Sandra 🔮 is now available for questions!
Maureen 🍰 is now available for questions!