Prologue
They always say life is a fickle thing. That if you keep pushing forward you will find a way out of the tunnel, and back into the light of day. Yet, what they don’t tell you is all those stories you heard as a child, all the ones about vampires, werewolves, witches, anything deemed ‘fantasy’: Is in a way our actual reality. Faes, demons, and angels even, if you’re wondering, are all very much real. Most would say they are not to be trusted. I, however, believe that not all are as terrifying as believed. Hell, some may even surprise you.
I was but a wee tot when I learned the truth from my mother. Shortly after we moved from the family home in Falkenberg, Sweden, to the sweet old town of Port Townsend, Washington. She bought us this quaint little two story Victorian home with a nice fenced in yard, on the edge of the woods. It was near a lake even. We had a garden house built attached to the home, allowing me to grow what I needed.
Not everything was as pleasant as it sounds, however. The people here didn’t take too kindly to our strange family. It’s a small community after all, whispers and rumors about the strange new eccentric single mother with her daughter. About how we didn’t belong in the community, because we didn’t go to their churches that sat on every corner. Or looked the way they wanted us too; acted how they thought we should. Be the kind of family they deemed superior above all else.
Yet, when Mrs. Marigold needed that charming position to catch the eye of a current someone. It didn’t stop Ms Lux from wanting a money spell jar, so she could divorce her rich ex-husband and take him for all he was worth. Who do you think they called on? Who did they come to, money in hand with a smile, with their requests?
That’s right, dear reader, my mother.
Her magic wasn’t that of fantasy, it was as real as you or I. From her curses to the enchantments, it was all real.. I loved watching her work as far back as I could remember: helping her in the garden and greenhouse, or working in the kitchen right by her side. Taking mental notes on every word she spoke, I dreamt of being just like her one day. My mother was a wonderful teacher of the arts. She was supportive of my dreams. Who bought this small hole in the wall, practically falling down business, and filled it to the brim with books of all kinds.
After that the townsfolk seemed to hate us more. Parents wishing we would leave, they didn’t want their kids to learn of our strange ways. Read books they didn’t approve of, or learn of the imaginable history of the world we lived in.
From time to time, we would get more unique visitors with requests for help. From the friendly werewolf who needed help finding someone; to the vampire sick from drinking from a corpse.
Then one day, she was just gone. I awoke to some breakfast on the counter with a note that read.
“Dear My lil Violet petal,
I’ll be away for some time on a requested job. You may not hear from me for a while. Just know I’ll send you letters when I can and have you in my heart.
Take care of the store! Never forget to lock up before you go home, and do your best sweetie~
I’ll make sure there is money in the bank for you. So don’t worry about that.
Love, Mom
PS: Don’t go doing what I would do now!”
That is it dear reader! That was ten long years ago, and she hasn’t returned home. In my spare time, I take care of the town's stray cats. Since, like me, they are also the outcasted, thrown-aways. They seem to make this very lonely town, not so lonely for me. I still got the bookstore I run with some more help now. While also having my doors open to anyone in need of a magical hand.
Placing my pen down next to my journal, I sighed deeply looking down at the words with a somber worry. Wishing I knew where the time had gone. Hearing a soft mew to my right, I looked over to see my tiny tuxedo sitting right next to me. Star, one of my most dearest family members, bringing me out of my own mind once more with a stubborn headbutt to the cheek. Letting out a soft giggle, “Okay, okay. I’m okay..” I spoke softly as I gave Star scratches behind the ear, “I’m okay, now… thank you baby girl..” I giggled louder as the other felines of the house came alive. “Let a new day begin!”
