"Your box of secrets", Alex wheezed as he lifted the lid. Jiya peeked in with surprise. Under the light of the candle, she realized that the books that were mentioned in 'the list' were here. But one of the books was extra. She pulled it out. The heading read "For a Spell Casting Smitch In Making".
"Woah", Jiya exclaimed, "It's a handwritten book by my great-grandfather."
Alex peeked over her shoulder, "Indeed."
"Why do I need spells for?" she asked with confusion.
"To protect and to heal", Alex answered nonchalantly.
"Myself?" Jiya asked as she flipped through the pages.
"Of course. But others too", Alex said.
One particular spell caught her attention. It said:
When you have to bring out the ugly fear of your opponent -> Temer al Infierno
Temer al Infierno, Jiya repeated in her head.
"F*ck off!" she heard Alex curse under his breath and turned to look. She saw spiders crawl up his cloak as he was sitting down.
He snapped his fingers and the spiders burst into flames. They fell on the floor with a slow screeching noise.
"Did I do that?" Jiya asked, alarmed.
"Do what?" Alex asked as he stood up and brushed off the dust on his cloak.
"The spiders?" Jiya huffed as she turned away, "You are scared of spiders?"
"No, I don't think so", Alex said as he appeared beside her and sneaked a peek on the book, "You need your Whisper Wand for that."
"But…"
"And I am not scared of spiders", Alex waved his hand.
Jiya shrugged and placed the book inside the box, "Shall we move?"
Alex turned to look at her. Her face was illuminated partially by the candle flame. She looked beautiful as always, he thought.
"Huh?" Jiya looked up abruptly, surprise evident in her eyes.
F*ck, Alex cursed in his mind before he shook his head, "Nothing. Let's go."
If Alex could hear her thoughts, when Jiya thought about him or called out to him telepathically; so, could Jiya. If Alex thought about her, Jiya would hear it.
Alex moved out of the room, rubbing his neck awkwardly. Jiya caught up to him, the box of secrets tucked under her arm.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked, grasping his arm.
Alex sighed and looked at her, "I am eager to leave the city before dark. As beautiful it may look under the sun, it's equally dangerous during the night."
"Says who?" Jiya pouted as she let herself be dragged by Alex.
"Says books", he said.
"Hey, tell me a thing about yourself", she said.
"What do you want to know?" he wanted to sound annoyed, but couldn't.
"What do you smell?"
"Feelings", Alex replied as he continued forward.
"Are you ignoring me?" Jiya asked, "Because I heard your thoughts?"
"You are overthinking it", he said with a frown.
"Well? Petunia and the other people here..." Jiya paused and then continued, "Are they like... us?"
"Petunia... she was", Alex gave her a knowing look, "After a certain age, one loses one's power. Only the learned and acquired knowledge remains."
"What about the people?"
"Some were, some are and some will be."
"So?" Jiya raised an eyebrow, "This city has Smellons too?"
"Indeed", Alex halted, "Here we are."
Jiya looked ahead and saw a temporary brick wall and again with the same hole. She pressed her mirror against it with a bored sigh. The wall moved to aside. She squinted at the sudden intrusion of the sunlight.
"Let's go", Alex moved forward with a sigh and Jiya followed.
"Is this a different city?" she asked, amused by the vibrant colors on the city walls.
"The City of Espejismo", he nodded in response.
"Why are we here?"
"You will see", Alex dragged her by her arm.
---
The citizens were rather giants compared to the dwarves back at the City of The Rare. After moments of walking, both of them stop in front of a shop which Jiya would describe it as 'would-have-been-a-fashion-corner-if-not-for-its-peevish-mannequins'.
"Here we are", Alex stopped and looked up at its old-fashioned banner. It said Fancy Shopping at La Disfraz.
"Is this supposed to be clothes store?" Jiya asked with a mocking tone.
Alex gave a slow nod, "That's what I was told."
"Let's go in and find out", This time, Jiya grabbed Alex by his arm and dragged him in.
The store was the epitome of silence. If not for the clothes and mannequins, it would have easily topped the list of 'most haunted places', though Jiya would like to have a list of 'most quiet places'. Because according to her, noise is not an option, but silence is creepy.
"Where did this guy get lost?" Alex asked with irritation.
"How many cities do we have to creep?" Jiya asked as she crossed her arms.
"No more", he sighed, "This is the last one. All the other things on the list, we will find them here."
"Thank goodness", She sighed.
Moments later, they heard shuffling of feet and two males, one shorter than the other, appeared from nowhere. Alex and Jiya exchanged glances. The males were wearing similar costumes. The shorter one had a violet gown with yellow stars while the taller one had yellow gown with violet stars. Both had a blue turban on their heads. They had childish roundness to their faces, baby fat was evident. They appeared to be twins.
"I am Hagrid", the taller one spoke before he pointed to the shorter one, "And this is Hojuram."
"Yes", the one called Hojuram spoke, "And we were playing hide and seek."
"Care to join us?" Hagrid spoke with a smile.
"Nope", Alex shook his head with a smile and pointed at Jiya, "The Rare."
"Holy mother of God!" Hagrid exclaimed.
"Holy God of mother!" exclaimed Hojuram.
They bowed to Jiya and spoke in sync, "Honored to your presence, The Rare."
Jiya and Alex exchanged a quick glance. Both of them were having a hard time to decide who was more sensible and less annoying one.
Nevertheless, Jiya gave a polite nod. Alex began to spoke, "If you don't mind, she will be joining the Institute. We are here to get her the uniform."
"Oh my!" Hagrid exclaimed with exasperation, "My masterpiece is finally going to be of use!"
"No", Hojuram scolded, "I made it. It's my masterpiece!"
"No, fool!" Hagrid raged, "It's mine!"
"No! It's mine!"
"It's mine!"
Alex closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Jiya rubbed her temples with frustration, before saying, "Stop!"
The twins paused and looked up at her fearful eyes. She continued, "It would be better if you get us the uniform. After we leave, you can decide whose masterpiece it is."