Chapter 17

DESPITE EVERYTHING JARED'S sixth sense had revealed to him as he surfed Ruby's feelings, memories and thoughts, there was still a knot in his stomach regarding her. He was coming to the conclusion that the lady he saw employing magic to sneak out of the Fortress wasn't her when a voice called his name. It was no other person than Alex.

Alex could tell that Jared was not meditating even though his posture said otherwise. He had given the boy a day off the day before, could he probably be up to another trick to get another day off? Nevertheless, he let his voice ring through whatever Jared was actually doing.

"Jared". He called softly but there was no response. The boy's eyes were still tightly shut as if he was meditating but his lack of response after a call further confirmed Alex's suspicion of him not meditating.

"Jared!", He called again, raising his voice a little bit higher, intently and not rashly. The boy's eyes opened slowly, unsure if he heard his name.

"Yes, Master