Chapter 21
Rune keeps his hand placed on my lower back as we follow the professor to where there are dozens of animals in different pens; I see cats, different birds, snakes, lizards, and so many different creatures.
Rune’s raccoon crawls up on his shoulder, hissing towards the others.
“Mikko, knock it off. As for you, good luck, my Ruby girl. I have to go help Professor Grellet since I’m her TA.
” He kisses my cheek as he walks to where she is standing in the middle of all the different pens.
“Alright, this is how things are going to work. Individually, you will take turns going in each pen, but do not immediately try to pick up any of the animals. Try sitting down, letting them come to you. The familiar picks the witch, not the other way around. Not all of you will be blessed with one, or maybe you’ll get one down the road.
Passing this class is mandatory, and even if you aren’t chosen, you will encounter them regularly throughout your life.
As you can see, my TA Rune Bloodgood, has Mikko.
Mine is a lynx, although familiars aren’t the same as normal animals, he is still a predator and will try to eat prey animals for fun.
It is important to take your time. The bond with your familiar is forever; your souls will be linked until you both take your last breath.
If one of you dies, so will the other. Some of the animals are fully grown, others will be younger to help with bonding.
” She pauses and gives us a moment to process everything she’s said.
Personally, I've met many witches who had familiars. There is no rhyme or reason for why certain witches get chosen and others don’t.
Or why you get the animal you do. One theory is that a familiar has the soul of a witch who passed and they choose someone they feel is worthy of their help and guidance.
“Now, you each can start walking around to the pens. Though these are not where the animals live full time, we only allow you in the Familiar Barn if you have one; however, they will be allowed to live in your dorm room if feasible. Good luck my darlings, and remember being chosen is a privilege. Do not take it for granted.”
The animals are in what look like play yards for toddlers but all different sizes.
There have to be close to forty of them set up around the clearing; some only have one type of animal, others have several depending on if it's a prey animal or not. Walking over to the first one full of kittens. I step in and plop down on the ground. They are so adorable and fluffy, and all completely different: the little white one is balled up sleeping, the little black one is trying to climb out the side of the pen, the orange one is absolutely losing its shit and running around like a little psycho, and the others are all somewhere in between behavior-wise. Nothing really clicks with any of them though, so I move on to the puppies with the same result, nothing clicks. I walk around the various containments where there are racoons, snakes, owls, parrots, toads, rabbits, and ferrets. I don’t feel anything with any of them until I make it to the back of the clearing.
There is one pen set apart from the others that has only one animal.
A beautiful komodo dragon, maybe five feet long and sixty pounds. I go to step in, but Rune rushes over and grabs my arm. “You probably shouldn’t climb in there with her. They do have a tendency to bite, and she is not known to be friendly.”
The dragon's head turns towards me, and if she could smile I swear she’d be wearing a smirk.
“She won’t hurt me,” I tell him confidently as I climb in, sitting down across from her but still giving her space.
For a long moment we just stare at each other.
Faintly, I realize there is a pulling in my chest, similar to the mate bond but somehow different.
She slowly walks towards me, and lays her head on my lap.
As soon as her head touches me, the connection snaps into place. She is mine, and I am hers; we are one.
“Hello, witchling. I’m Zara.”
“Hi, Zara. I am so happy to meet you. My name is Magnolia.”
Her voice sounds raspy and deep like what you would probably imagine a thousand year old dragon would.
She’s laying in my lap, like a content house cat.
Rune and Mikko are standing outside the pen, both looking very worried; it is interesting to suddenly be able to tell that a racoon is worried.
“Ruby, dear, while I am thrilled you found your familiar, could you please ask her to not eat Mikko?”
“Tell your blood witch mate that I have no desire to eat his overgrown rat that eats out of the trash,” Zara replies, sounding fully offended.
“She says that’s not going to be a problem,” I inform him. Why do I have a feeling she is going to keep me busy? A thought suddenly occurs to me, and I burst out laughing.
“What did she say that's so funny?” Rune asks, reaching out a hand to help me stand.
“Actually, she didn't say anything, but at lunch today the others and I were talking about what our fears are, and Ward–one of my other mates–is terrified of reptiles. He was hoping I’d get something fluffy, and instead I got blessed with a giant murder lizard that can literally eat water buffalo. He’s going to lose his shit! ”
“I am not a murder lizard, thank you very much, and your mate will need to man up,” Zara snaps.
“Oookay, sassy pants. I’m sure it will be fine,” I roll my eyes at her dramatics.
“Gather ‘round, class!” Professor Grellet claps her hands, waiting for everyone to join her. It seems over half the class have found their familiars. I’m still in awe of mine; the connection simmers right under my skin, not as overwhelming as the mate bond, but still distinct.
“It seems we have had some luck! I am so happy for those who have found your familiars. I suggest you take the time to learn about the creature that chose you. Learn their diet, their likes and dislikes. If they would like, your familiar can go with you, and I will have everything you need for their care sent to your dorm. Raise your hand if your familiar will be leaving with you; once we point to you, you may go.”
“Zara, are you coming with me?” I ask, glancing down at her.
“Of course witchling, you’re not leaving me to go back in that hell with these creatures.
” I raise my hand, and when Rune points in my direction, I start heading towards my next class.
First semester is Mental Shielding, which is held at the combat arena, and I decide I can use the extra time until class starts to get to know Zara more.
I’m almost out of the forest when Rune catches up with me, Mikko still perched on his shoulder like a bird rather than a raccoon.
“So how does it feel having a familiar?” he asks, bumping into my shoulder, causing Mikko to slip. He jumps down from his vantage point and hisses at me, making Zara smack him with her tail. The racoon skitters up a tree.
I sigh, “Honestly, I’ve always hoped I’d have one, since my Nana has a raven. Hers is a lot less sassy, though it seems I got lucky.” I roll my eyes sarcastically, fighting the urge to use air quotes when I say ‘lucky’.
He barks out a laugh. “Yeah, I’ve been taking care of her since she was brought here. She’s a handful, that’s for sure. By the way, what’s her name? We aren't allowed to give monikers to the unclaimed familiars.”
“Though I loathe his rat, I like your mate. He made sure I got good meat.”
“Mikko is not a rat. You both will need to learn to get along, since you will be stuck together for a very long time,” I remind her. Out loud, I tell Rune, “Her name is Zara. She says she likes you. However, I am still worried about what Ward will–”
“What the fuck is that!” Ward’s voice, slightly higher pitched, interrupts me.
Speak of the devil… “Hey Ward. This is my familiar, Zara.”
He looks like he is seeing a ghost, his normally tan skin now paper white. “Dove, please get away from that thing, They eat fucking meat! Are you crazy?” He whisper-shouts.
“Who, exactly, is he calling a ‘thing’?” Zara snaps her teeth towards Ward. Rune is red trying not to laugh his ass off, and by now the others have joined and seem to be having the same problem.
What the actual fuck has my life become?