A Warning

AN: Sorry for the delay. I intended this chapter to come out the same time as A Nightmare and a Message. I should be able to resume my normal upload rate.

Ariawyn did not get far before she was greeted by a familiar voice.

“Apologizes for the false alarm,” the voice calmly and peacefully said. “But I needed to speak with you.”

Recognizing the voice as the Guide, Ariawyn immediately relaxed. “What is it you need to speak to me by, Guide?” Ariawyn could not sense the presence of the Guide. This was not uncommon with spirits. One usually had to trained to detect them, assuming their race was not gifted at that already. Even then, some spirits were able to conceal themselves from being passively observed or to the point that one needed to be very skilled in sensing them. The barrier spell around the house could detect a spirit entering or exiting the barrier, as well as where the spirit is inside the barrier.

Ariawyn assumed a more relaxed stance as the Guide spoke.

“It is about the **** case you are on,” the Guide began.

“I was checking the crime scene, and I saw traces of magic there.”

Ariawyn raised an eye brow.

“Are you sure?” Ariawyn asked her. “I am,” the Guide affirmed. “The traces were feint, but I detected what appears to be traces of a mana construct.”

“That can’t be right,” Ariawyn objected, her face becoming very concerned at this news. A mana construct is an object created out of magical energy, similar to a conjured object. The two differences are that a mana construct is usually not temporary and it does not act like a physical object would. It is unaffected by gravity and cannot be grasped by the physical. In fact, it requires magic to carry or move such an object. This was not the kind of thing that someone with no magic proficiency would have, and even for magic users, mana constructs are pretty rare and very hard to make.

“I read a report they sent a while ago and they said there were no traces of object,” Ariawyn explained. “Are you suggesting that the Guardians investigating the scene lied on the report?”

“I know it can be hard to believe, but yes,” the Guide answered in her peaceful voice.

“Then I have to go check…” Ariawyn began as she started for the door.

“It’s too late,” the Guide interrupted. “They were clear up the traces of magic when I arrived.”

“So, someone in the Guardians is covering up details about this,” Ariawyn concluded. “And the only proof we have is your testimony.” And that wouldn’t be enough. Even with her history, the Guide’s testimony could be held at the same value of any one else’s. On top of that, it could be countered by arguments that what the Guide perceived as magic traces from the killer were actually from the investigators or something else entirely. And finally, everyone in the Guardians knows about the Guide, so it’s likely whoever was behind this was already prepared to deal with the Guide discovering this.

“In that case,” Ariawyn said as she concluded her thoughts. “We can’t risk taking these people to the Guardian safe house. We have no idea what they might have planned for them.”

Ariawyn pulled out her cell phone and started to look up a contact.

“While you make arrangements, I am going to speak to the boy before I take my leave,” the Guide said. “He deserves to know what is going on. If I learn more, I will let you know.” And with that, the Guide moved to the second floor to talk to Kazuma.

Meanwhile, Ariawyn found who she was looking for and called their number.

“Good morning, Ariawyn!” a cheerful voice answered on the phone. Ariawyn held back her usual annoyance for this person’s cheerful and playful behavior.

“Where are you now?” she asked.

“I’m about to drive over to pick ya’ll up,” the woman on the other end of the call replied. “Is something wrong?”

“There has been a change in plans. I will be taking the witnesses to a different safe house.” Ariawyn quickly responded.

“Hmm,” the woman began. “Was it cleared with the higher ups? You know how they get.”

“I have,” Ariawyn lied. “I will let you know where we are going once you arrive.”

“Very good! Til then, cya!” the woman on the other end said as she ended the call.

Ariawyn then search for another contact. I will have to call in a favor for this, she thought as she dialed in the number. With all this going on, she was going to have to make a lot of changes.

Meaning, she would have to forgo her usual plans for tonight. Looks like I won’t be able to finish it today.