Had I heard her right? Who wasn't dead? Jasper? My heart swelled with hope and tears stung the back of my eyes.

I looked over my shoulder at her.

She'd lowered her arms, my handprint still glowed. Maybe she'd done a counter-spell or something when I was leaving.

"Jasper," she licked her lips. "He's not dead. Th-The dark mages have him."

I raced over to her, crouching in front of her and her eyes widened in fright. "If you are lying to me, I ...