Found by Jasper

By Kaje Harper

Jasper's curiosity has carried him through adventures with ghouls, demons, world gates, and megalomaniac sorcerers. He plans to spend the next few years cataloging the mansion's vast and moldering library, and experimenting with magical construction. Professor Xsing, the raccoon not-quite-familiar who's decided to work with him, has fascinating opinions. Hamish, the sorcerer they rescued, is becoming a friend. It's silly for Jasper to wish for anything more.

Hamish spent months chained in one small room. Now he lives free in a mansion full of books and friendly people, but adjusting isn't as simple as it should be. When his past weighs heavily, he can ramble the woods and fields. When he can't sleep, there's a nocturnal raccoon happy to share his explorations. But he's lonely, he misses his own long-lost familiar, and when he thinks he hears her ghost— even though familiars don't have ghosts— his life is about to be overturned.

Something's afoot— ghost, spirit, familiar, wood mouse? With Silas, Darien, and their familiars headed off to France, Jasper and Hamish join forces to help those in need. And as they work together, an unexpected chance at love may fill the lonely corners of both their hearts.

~ Found by Jasper is a novel in the Necromancer series, with our past heroes as side characters. Older MCs, friends to lovers, first times, demisexual. **Content warning for secondary character self-harm on page.** ~

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaje Harper
• Release date: Jun 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215988466

Kaje Harper

I get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.I was born in Montreal but I've lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – forty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi...) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published, including Amazon bestseller "The Rebuilding Year" and Rainbow Award Best Mystery-Thriller "Tracefinder: Contact." A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.wordpress.com/books/.I'm always pleased to have readers find me online at:Website: https://kajeharper.wordpress.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarperGoodreads Author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4769304.Kaje_Harper

Book preview

Prologue

Jasper Jones woke to a heavy thump on his chest. He snapped his eyes open, his heart pounding in a crescendo of panic, and found himself lying in his bed, staring up into two brilliant-green feline eyes above long, twitching whiskers.

You were making unpleasant noises. Grim raised a furry paw and tapped Jasper on the cheek twice, not gently. Are you awake now? The big cat leaned closer, huffing tuna-scented breath at him.

He worked his dry mouth enough to mutter something close to Yes.

Good. With a compressive bounce off Jasper’s ribs and an uncatlike thud on the floorboards, Grim jumped down and sauntered out of the room.

Jasper lay still, breathing hard, frozen against the mattress as the last dregs of his nightmare escaped him. Something about being restrained and powerless while someone dear to him was in danger, he thought. All the details were gone, leaving only a memory of dread and fury and frustration.

He blew out a long breath, trying to empty his body of every lingering emotion. A slow count to ten, and he managed to lift his arms and rub his eyes. That broke the feeling of paralysis and he rolled on his side to check his bedside alarm clock. Six-thirty. Not the time he’d planned to get up, but he knew more sleep would be impossible.

Pushing to his feet, he stretched and shivered. Silas’s old mansion had a lot of good things going for it, but effective heating wasn’t one of them. The chill of an Illinois April morning had him grabbing his robe off the bedpost and pulling its terrycloth comfort around himself. The sleeves were a little high on his wrists, because the robe was originally Darien’s, but the thick cloth wrapped him comfortingly. He tugged the belt closed, picked out some clothes from his closet, and headed into the hallway in search of the bathroom.

Once clean and dressed, he returned to make his bed neatly, then eased the bedroom door shut behind him. His footsteps echoed on the uncarpeted hall floor and, with Hamish’s room nearby, he tried to walk more quietly. He was pretty sure Hamish rarely got a good night’s sleep. Holding the staircase rail, he eased his way silently down to the ground floor.

Jasper was still learning the old mansion’s layout— possibly an unending endeavor, given its multiple wings and cellars— but the route down from the guest rooms to the library was easy enough. He passed the kitchen and hesitated a moment, but didn’t go in. Food wouldn’t sit well in his stomach yet.

Despite the early hour, light spilled from the library door and he heard the sound of voices. When he reached the doorway, he could see Professor Xsing in his raccoon form standing on the desk, pointing a black paw at a page in a thick leather-bound volume. In the desk chair, Hamish bent his unkempt gray head over the book, holding a pen poised over a notepad. His hollow cheeks and dark-circled eyes reflected the mistreatment he’d only just escaped.

I have to disagree about that. Hamish’s Canadian accent turned the words into aboot thaht. There’s no evidence— He broke off, his gaze darting to Jasper in the doorway. He smiled fleetingly. Ah, it’s you.

It’s me. What a clever reply. Jasper made his way to the desk and pulled over the spare chair. What are you working on?

Xsing tapped a faded line on the page. My analysis indicates this spell may use power from the Void to maintain it. Here, and here. He pointed to a string of runes. This describes grasping for power outside the sorcerer’s own.

But nothing implies the power search uses the Void. Hamish gingerly turned to the previous faded page. See here? Written by a sorcerer, not a necromancer. He’d have no access to other worlds…

Jasper happily set aside his lingering nightmare, his unease, and the way being around Hamish turned him into some kind of tongue-tied fool, to dig into the minutia of a hundred-year-old spell. Here, at least, his intellect would serve him. He bent lower over the page beside Xsing.

Two hours passed in a very pleasant academic argument, and he was startled when an approaching scamper of dog toenails was followed by Pip’s voice. Are you folks coming to breakfast? Grim had tuna already but he didn’t leave me any. But Darien’s cooking bacon.

Jasper blinked and looked down at the little terrier. Good morning, Pip.

Hamish stretched his arms up and rotated his neck. I fed Grim and the Professor when we first woke, but I didn’t see you around. Sorry.

Oh, I was sleeping. Pip bounced up and down. But I’m awake now and I’m hungry, and you’re all up, and Darien says to ask how much bacon, please. There’s lots.

Hamish began, I had some toast—

Jasper cut in immediately, because Hamish had been starved in captivity, and seemed reluctant to treat his body right now that he’d been rescued. The stubborn man generally nodded and agreed that small amounts of food at frequent intervals were ideal, and then he locked himself up with the books for hours on end without eating. So Jasper jumped in with, Two strips each for me and Hamish, please, and Professor? One or two?

The raccoon looked up from the battered notebook he was consulting. Oh, two, definitely. Bacon is one of the wonders of the human realm.

I don’t think I need— Hamish said.

Come now, Jasper chided. If someone the size of the Professor can eat two slices, you can.

Pip waved his front paw. I can eat three slices. Or even four, and I’m lots littler. It’s so good. I’ll tell Darien you’re coming. The dog trotted out and they all watched him go.

Jasper noted the fond look on Hamish’s face. Pip was pretty much impossible to resist. Jasper tucked his reading glasses in his pocket, reached over and put a bookmark in the thick volume in front of Hamish, then eased the cover closed. Come on. Time to refuel our brains.

Indeed. Xsing jumped to the floor, wobbled slightly, and righted himself. Energy intake to match output. It’s a basic principle. I wonder if Darien is also cooking eggs. The raccoon trundled out at a decent clip for an entity still getting used to navigating on four legs instead of three.

Hamish said, You’d never guess he had one of Grim’s cans of tuna and two slices of bread, just… He threw a glance at the study clock. Ah, well, four hours ago now.

Which means you were up and working at four-thirty. Jasper only said, His is a powerful intellect that needs fueling.

Clearly. Hamish pushed his chair back and stood.

Jasper hovered while trying to appear not to. Sometimes Hamish appeared pale and lightheaded when he first got up, and although his broad frame could make two of Jasper’s lean one, Jasper was almost as tall and not emaciated. He was ready to lend an arm if needed.

Hamish gave him a rueful glance from under bushy, graying brows. I can walk on my own, y’know.

When you stop calling two slices of bread a sufficient meal, I’ll stop worrying. Jasper surprised himself with the tartness of his voice.

I don’t mean to worry anyone. Hamish looked down. Sometimes it’s just…

Hard. It was sometimes hard to leave captivity behind. Jasper had only been held in chains a couple of days, months ago now, compared to Hamish’s many weeks as a prisoner and recent escape, but Jasper still woke in the dark convinced he was tied down. No surprise that Hamish also was struggling, just days after being cut free. Or that he preferred no one noticed.

Jasper lightened his tone. Well, I count on you to make me look less of a glutton. I don’t know where Silas found his butcher, but the man does come through with succulent cuts. And Silas baked yesterday, so we must pay our respects to his bread.

Hamish managed a smile. Very well, I’ll support you at the breakfast table. He was still leaning his weight on one hand planted on the desk.

Jasper pretended not to notice, turning for the door. Come along. I, for one, am eager to hear about the council meeting Silas was called to last night. As he headed down the hall, he listened with careful attention to the steadiness and rhythm of Hamish’s steps behind him. That’ll do, for now.

In the kitchen, Silas sat at the table slicing bread, while Darien stood frying bacon, Pip beside him gazing up with rapt attention. Darien called, Hey, just in time, over his shoulder as he flipped the slices.

Silas looked up. Good morning. I hope you all slept well.

Just fine, thank you, Hamish clearly lied.

Despite Grim’s green stare from where he sat up on a corner of the table, Jasper echoed, Yes, just fine. He pulled out a chair for Hamish and grabbed his own. What did the council want with you, Silas? Still trying to get you to join them?

Not lately. They’re leery of me these days, and now Hamish is here, I think they’re eyeing him instead.

Not interested, Hamish said. I did enough sorcerer-wrangling in the war to last me several lifetimes.

I’ll let you tell them that. Silas began distributing the bread on plates, his long-fingered hands deftly stacking slices two at a time as he spoke. No, this meeting actually had a good reason. They’ve okayed nine demon bounties payable to me for Coilingbroke.

Nine? Darien glanced over his shoulder, frowning. You banished twelve demons.

The council decided, Silas’s tone went dry, that since Worthington transferred power to me for the banishments, he was entitled to some of the reward. They suggested a fifty-fifty split. I suggested he might then be called upon to handle half of all future demons. We settled on nine bounties.

Grim chuckled. Ferngold’s face turned an interesting shade. I almost wished for better color vision to enjoy it fully.

Darien clapped a theatrical hand to his chest. Are you admitting a cat’s physical form isn’t perfect?

Bite your tongue, young sorcerer. Grim licked one extended claw.

Nine is still a good sum of money, Silas said. Enough for that ocean cruise to France we wanted.

Jasper exchanged looks with Darien and Silas but even in the safety of Silas’s kitchen, no one said aloud, Enough to drop the most dangerous demon off the side of the ship into deep water.

I’ll go see a travel agent, Silas added. We’ll plan the itinerary later, see what dates we can schedule first. The water crossing should be… fun.

Hamish eyed them, but didn’t ask for further explanation. You and Darien deserve time off. You should take advantage.

Jasper resolved to talk to the others about letting Hamish in on the plan for demon disposal. Hamish still seemed so isolated among them, even though he was willing to argue arcane science with Professor Xsing and let Jasper nag him into eating. Sharing this vital secret would draw Hamish deeper into their little clan, and Jasper was surprised how much he wanted that for him. They hadn’t told him every secret, yet, but Grim seemed to trust him, and that went a long way in this house.

Or crumbling mansion. Or mausoleum, as Darien liked to call it. Will you want Hamish and me to stay on as caretakers here when you’re gone? Or shut up the mansion and leave the place unoccupied? He had a snug little house of his own, just a couple of hours away. He should be eager to get back to his familiar solitude and his workspace. But he wasn’t, for reasons he chose not to look in the face right now.

Are you willing to stay? Silas glanced between him and Hamish. I admit, I’d like someone’s eyes on the demon detector, and there’s more than enough work in the library, but I can’t pay a salary.

My own work’s portable, Jasper pointed out. The writing which was his bread-and-butter required reference books, since most of his fiction was historical, but books could be moved. He could write anywhere.

And I’ve no great need of cash, and no immediate wish to move on, Hamish said. I’ve sent a letter to a friend in Cloud Ridge about vandals breaking into my house and feeling unsafe to live there. I authorized her to put it on the market. The house won’t bring much, remote as the village is and with holes in the drywall. His eyes darkened.

Jasper wanted to offer comfort at what was no doubt a memory of the gang of cruel sorcerers destroying Hamish’s sanctuary while they taunted and tortured him, but there was really nothing he could say.

Hamish cleared his throat. I own the property free and clear. I should be able to live on the proceeds for a while.

Silas said, You’re owed something by the Guild too, for your work bringing down Arliss and her gang.

Hamish waved a hand. You can’t even get your full demon-bounties out of those tightwads. I’ve no energy to demand they open their purses to pay me.

That’s not fair, though, Darien protested. We all owe you, bigtime. Without your spell, we could’ve had sixteen demons running loose.

And I’d have been the first one eaten. I’m content enough with how our adventure worked out.

Jasper was impressed that Hamish could put the word content in that sentence and sound like he meant it. He suggested, You could join the local council, and then ask for payment. Might shake them up a bit to say no to a fellow member.

Hamish chuckled sourly. The prize isn’t worth the game. I’ve no wish to be on the council, even for a cash payout. He pushed to his feet. I think I’ll go for a walk. Shake out my legs.

Before bacon? Pip asked, eyes wide.

Maybe he can’t bear the idea of greasy bacon. Hamish was less than a week from being forcibly starved, after all, his stomach no doubt still in knots. Jasper took a plate of bread, spread a little butter thinly between the two slices for flavor, and jumped up. A bit of sustenance. He held the quasi-sandwich out to Hamish. You can eat as you walk.

Hamish seemed about to refuse, but Jasper had put himself between the man and the doorway, plate in front of him. After a moment, Hamish picked up the bread. Thanks. I’ll do that. He stepped around Jasper and out into the hall.

They all sat silently, listening, as Hamish’s footsteps receded toward the back corridor. Silas touched the wall behind him, no doubt querying his house wards. He’d written Hamish into them the day after they arrived so Hamish could come and go at will, but he’d know when the man passed through the perimeter. Grim jumped off the table and slipped silently away down the hall.

He’s gone out, Silas reported a minute later. Grim’s with him. Or behind him. He’ll see no harm comes to Hamish.

Pip cocked his head. I didn’t hear him fetch a coat. It’s still chilly outside.

That’ll give Grim a reason to turn him for home sooner, I guess. Silas took his fingertip off the wall.

I wish we could do something more for Hamish. Darien brought the pan to the table to hand out the bacon. He followed up with a bowl of sliced apples and more butter. Good for you getting him to eat, Jasper.

I try. Jasper picked up a crisp strip of fried pork and bit into it, the salt goodness a little flat on his tongue. It’ll take time. Best to not pester him too much. They’d been busy enough in the days after his own kidnapping to make his issues fade into the background, and he’d been enormously grateful for that. Don’t hover.

Now he just had to take his own advice.

Hamish was a big boy. Big man. He had a right to his privacy and his distance, and to handle things his own way. Nudging him to eat was common sense, but anything else was intrusive. Jasper reached for the butter and anointed his bread, paying attention to creating a thin, even layer. Breakfast was his business right now. Hamish wasn’t.

***

Hamish McGregor watched Jasper’s fingers dance over the runes written on the front doorframe of his small, two-story, wooden house. The magic in the runes responded to Jasper, but the flickering color wasn’t his usual blue. Are those someone else’s work?

My friend Clarice’s. Runes appeased, Jasper set a key in the lock. My own household runes here on Earth failed when we crossed through the gate to the Greenworld, since they lost touch with my power. When I told Clarice I was staying with Silas for a while, she set up a new alarm system, so she’d know if anyone came snooping or stealing.

That was kind of her. Hamish figured it’d be a while before he got used to when we crossed to another world dropped casually in conversation. Jasper and his friends had had some very interesting adventures.

Hamish figured he still didn’t know half of them. During the long, long drive down from Cloud Ridge, trapped together in the backseat of Locke’s car, Jasper had distracted Hamish with an account of how he, Darien, Silas, Magda, and the familiars had traveled between worlds, from Silas’s basement to an unknown wilderness world, and on to the Home of the familiars. The whole thing sounded like one of Robert Heinlein’s fantastic tales, even to Hamish, who’d been raised on magic.

But similar gates— now destroyed— had been used to bring demons to Earth. Hamish had witnessed the last one himself. And there the Professor was, a familiar by nature but not bound to any sorcerer, brought to Earth by a gate and not a summons. The universe was more fascinating than Hamish had ever realized. In his darker moments, he tried to take hope from that thought.

He watched the Professor trundle his furry body across Jasper’s doorstep, stop, and sniff the air, long nose twitching. I smell old books.

I have a few. Jasper ushered Hamish in ahead of him and closed the door. Nothing like Silas’s library, of course, but enough to be interesting. I hope to bring some of them back with us, since I don’t like them here in an empty house. Along with some lighter clothing and a few possessions.

Hamish glanced around the house as Jasper dug in a hall closet for suitcases.

Some details looked suited to the Jasper Hamish was coming to know, particularly the well-filled bookcases lining several walls. But others didn’t. The house felt cold, and not just because the heat had been set low. There were no photos or paintings on the wall, and no rugs softened the wood floors. Perhaps Jasper’s bedroom upstairs had more personality, but this space felt more like a library than a home. How long have you lived here?

Three years. Jasper set one bag down beside a tall wooden shelf. Why?

Hamish shrugged. I guess you mainly like books.

Well, you already knew that. Jasper looked over, his forehead creased. What else should I like?

It was none of Hamish’s business and he was about to say so when a thump echoed lightly from the front window. Hamish jumped and whirled, putting his back to a wall, and peered at the glass. On the other side, two small furry faces peered in at them from the ledge. One of the tabby cats raised a paw and thumped on the glass again, lost its balance, and fell off the sill.

Jasper said, Oh dear, and hurried to open the front door. The cats stalked inside, tails up and jerking in an aggravated gesture that Hamish recognized with a pang.

The Professor hurried toward them, whiskers twitching. Ah, good to meet you. I’m the Professor. Jasper didn’t say… He broke off and tumbled backward as both cats arched their backs and hissed at him.

Those are real cats, Jasper said. To his credit, Hamish didn’t hear any hint of laughter in his tone. "Felis domesticus."

The prototype for Grim’s form. The Professor regained his equilibrium and peered at the cats, who backed away and then both scrambled to the top of a bookcase. They appear significantly smaller.

Grim is a large cat, Hamish told him. My Mina was about the size of these two. A pang of loss, thinned by the intervening decades, still tightened his throat. And similar in color. Ah, Mina, the adventures you’ve missed.

Jasper waved at them. The gray tabby is Sylvan, and the brown tabby’s Amber. They were my neighbor’s barn cats once, but the family moved and I inherited them. He went over to the bookcase and extended a fearless hand, despite bottle-brush tails and the low-level growl still coming from the bigger brown cat. Hello, girls. I missed you. I assume from your sleek coats that Clarice has been feeding you right.

Hamish winced as Jasper ran a finger along the bigger cat’s head, knowing that a pissed-off feline was nothing to trifle with. But clearly the cat liked Jasper because he finished the caress with all his fingers intact.

The Professor peered up at the cats. "They seem unfriendly. Are raccoons and cats natural enemies? I must make time for a deeper study of Earth’s fauna, with particular attention to Procyon lotor. Instincts do not tell me everything I want to know about this form."

Not natural enemies, Jasper said, but rarely friends. You’re larger than they are, and raccoons are likely to steal food from cats. Perhaps if you backed up to the far side of the room?

The Professor did so, promptly getting distracted by the titles of the books on the shelf behind him. With his attention off them, the cats relaxed and stopped hissing.

Hamish watched the Professor scanning vertical titles, his head cocked at a painful angle, and heard Jasper saying to the cats, …and you’ll like the old mansion. There are many places for cats to explore.

What? He stared at Jasper. You’re bringing them with us?

Of course. My plan is to remove all the essentials and shut up this house for a while, so Clarice isn’t obligated to keep coming over here twice weekly. I can hardly leave the cats to fend for themselves. Darien and Silas agreed. Or at least, Darien agreed, and Silas didn’t contradict him.

Well, cats will liven up the old place, I suppose. Not to mention the car ride back. But Hamish had never been one to borrow trouble, and perhaps Jasper had a plan for that. What can I do to help?

Pack some books? Jasper moved one of the empty suitcases over to where the Professor had now pulled out a fat tome and stood peering down at it. I’m not sure how much weight Darien’s station wagon can haul, but at a minimum, all the arcane works should be removed if the house is to stand empty.

All? Hamish glanced up and down the bookcases. Are you not planning to move back here?

Yes, of course. To his surprise, a faint flush colored Jasper’s neck. Eventually. But there’s so much work yet to be done at the mansion. And Darien to collaborate with. We have so many plans to work on, and limited time before he and Silas go to France. This house is really inconvenient, so consolidating libraries makes sense. And… Jasper looked down, swallowed, and raised his eyes. Truthfully, I’m not ready to be back here.

Hamish would’ve let that go, but Jasper kept that entreating gaze fixed on him, and seemed to want him to ask. Not ready, why?

Jasper chewed on his lower lip, then said, When Arliss hit you with the tranquilizer dart, did you lose consciousness? Darien says he did.

Hamish very much did not want to revisit that moment, but for Jasper he said, No. I was dizzy, disoriented, and then she put the cuffs on me. He couldn’t avoid a shudder. Quickly, he rubbed his upper arms briskly and added, This place is chilly, pretending it wasn’t the memory of the suppressor cuffs blocking his magic that made every cell in his body revolt.

Me too, Jasper said. That is, I passed out for just a moment, but I remember most of it. We were out there in the barn when they attacked. He waved a hand toward the side of the house where Hamish remembered seeing an outbuilding. "I came back to consciousness only to feel them snap the cuffs on me, and then they dragged us out of the barn like two sacks of garbage. Darien was out cold

Reviews for Found by Jasper

[Gianluca Amadei · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this universe that Kaje Harper has created! Silas and Darien were interesting characters but the focus of this book on Jasper and Hamish was a welcome change! I hope that there are many more adventures, for this unlikely and unique family, to come. Thank you Kaje for another wonderful story! I definitely recommend this book, but it should be read in order with the rest! Otherwise a lot of it will not make much sense!