Page 111 of Black and White, Twice the Might

I’m just changing the water when a strange feeling of dread hits me in my solar plexus, and I receive a magical help message from Sly.

I dump the bucket in the sink, wipe my hands and pull my phone out, ringing Sly. I don’t get an answer. I would try ringing my brothers, but they don’t have phones. I send my magic off to see what it can find out when my phone rings.

I glance at the screen, hoping I’ll see Sly’s grinning face, but it’s an unknown number. I hit the answer button. “Hello.”

“It’s Xander. Sly’s been kidnapped,”he tells me quickly, and I can hear the panic in his voice.

Of all the things my brother could have said, I wasn’t expecting that. “What happened?” I ask, rushing out of my workshop.

“We were putting the shopping in the boot when a white van drove behind us, stopped, and some men jumped out, grabbed Sly and threw him into the van. Enoch and I chased after it, banging on the side and trying to open the door, but they sped off.”

“Are you both alright?” I ask, trying hard not to panic. I don’t want Xander or Enoch stressing out more than they already are.

“Yeah, we’re both fine. A lady that saw it happen let me use her phone to call you, and a man who saw it is currently calling the police.”

“I’m on my way. Can you two get somewhere safe?”

“Yeah, we’ll wait by the entrance, but Ebb, how will you get here? We have the car.”

“I’ll call the witchlings and be there as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, Ebb, see you soon.”

I close my workroom door and phone Ernest.

“What’s wrong? I got an SOS from Sly.”

“He’s been kidnapped, and I don’t have my car.”

“We’ll come and pick you up, be ready.”

“Ernest, thanks.”

“We’re family, no thanks needed. See you in a bit.”

I hurry to the house and pick up the spare keys, both for the car and house, and pull on my coat, rushing out and locking the front door as a car comes speeding down the road and screeches to a stop by the house.

I run down the path and get into the back seat. Adhan is driving, Ernest next to him and surprisingly John in the back.

“They’re at the mega store,” I tell Adhan.

He does a U-turn and heads for the shop.

“What happened?” John asks.

“Sly and the boys were putting the shopping in the car when a white van pulled up, men jumped out, grabbed Sly and threw him in the van that then sped off,” I explain. “The boys tried chasing after the van and trying to open the door, but they couldn’t stop it. Thankfully, Xander said they weren’t hurt.”

“Have you tried contacting him?” Ernest asks.

“We don’t have a mind link, I’ve tried via magic, but I’m getting nothing,” I reply, wringing my hands.

John puts a comforting hand on my arm. “He’ll be found, just keep the faith.”

I nod. “I know, and his magic is strong, I just wish I could feel him,” I look at John. “Can you look after my brothers while we look for Sly?”

John nods. “That’s why I’ve come.”

I give a relieved sigh. “Thanks, John. Enoch might need a lot of reassurance that he’s safe.”