Discovering magic, p.19
Discovering Magic, page 19
part #2 of Anaïs Blue Series
There was something in her other pocket. She felt a square, cold, solid object. She pulled it out and looked at it sitting innocently in the palm of her hand. It was Marilyn’s compact.
TEENAGE ANGST
Anaïs turned the compact over in her palm. Engraved on the back were two letter Ms. It reminded her of the words she had seen on the back of the promptuary. She pulled out her handbook and looked at the rear cover. The words were still there. Memento mori. What did they mean? Who could tell her? Sojourner Pink. Yes, she could tell her. If she saw her again. Where was she anyway? She said she would join them.
She sighed and dropped the compact into her pocket and hugged the book to her chest. It was good to have it back. She stared down at her shoes. They seemed so far away. She had really grown. She was still not used to it. The sudden change, the ageing. She frowned.
I don’t want to grow up.
It dawned on her that there was nothing she could do about it. At some stage, it was going to happen again. Physically she was going to change. It was unstoppable. Growth was going to occur whether she liked it or not. It depressed her.
She envied Marilyn. Shades were lucky in a way. They did not age. They stopped growing altogether. There was no more physical progression. They could look in the mirror every day, forever, and nothing altered. If they were fortunate they would die in good condition. It reminded her of what some long-dead rock star had said, or at least she thought it was a rock star. Live fast, die young and leave a good-looking corpse. Whoever it was had followed it to the letter. They were gone. As were so many more.
She knew that wouldn’t be her destiny. Her life would not flash by. Her gut feeling was that she still had a long way to go. If things panned out anything remotely like Caput Mortuum’s existence, she would be stuck in an earthly body for centuries. Barring situations beyond her control. If she could keep it all together. If she could stay safe and not fall victim to some terminal accident. Or succumb in a battle against forces more powerful than her own. She had no way to predict her future. No one did.
Witch or non-witch, natural or preternatural, the future was out of everybody’s hands. No matter what you believed. There were just too many permutations. She didn’t understand how so many people believed it was different. Thinking that everything was pre-ordained. That they could control their future. That it was written in the stars. You just had to deal with your lot, the one you created, and make sure you tied up all the loose ends.
What a bunch of fools!
Ok, it was unfair to think that way. She was no natural. She knew a great deal more about what made it all tick, the workings behind the scenes. She had the hidden information, the key to the universe. Sort of. There were mysteries, so much even she didn’t know, but she was lucky. She should not gloat. Or blame people for what they didn’t know. In most cases it was better they were kept in the dark. Some things should be kept secret. Knowing too much would break the system and bring it all crashing down around everybody’s ears.
Even shades were not immune. The problems they had to solve were a result of how their lives had been led, not because they had started out with them. The problems had been created along the way, on the journey. That’s what made it so difficult. If there was a grand plan or a book, perhaps something like a super-promptuary that mapped it all out, then it would be easy. There probably would not even be a need for witches.
She realised she preferred it this way. Thinking about these things actually made her feel better. It gave her purpose. Just having a purpose was important. She was lucky. She should enjoy what she was doing. She should not dwell in self-pity. She should be more positive. It was hard. But a challenge makes it all the more worthwhile. She decided she did not need to know it all. She accepted she had more time than the rest to expand her knowledge. That was exciting.
She looked across the road. The Bambina was there, and the librarian was helping Nan into the back seat. Her Nan, her shade, her responsibility. After what had just happened she realised their roles had reversed. She had become the caretaker. Nan depended on her now.
The promptuary emitted a high-pitched beep. It repeated the sound over and over, steadily increasing in volume. What now? She flipped it open. The sound stopped. She stared at the page. A map materialised. A bright dot flashed in the centre. She grimaced. Was it trouble? Why did she have to be there? She sighed.
She shut the book and looked across the street. The librarian was behind the steering wheel, rapping her fingers on it. Anaïs sneered at her. Why was she always so impatient?
Fine! We’ll go. Just give me a minute.
The thoughts that had been bothering her returned. Time stood still for no one. Change would come no matter what she did. It did not matter that she was a witch. She clenched the promptuary fiercely with both hands.
No, stop thinking about it. Forget about it. Just get on with it. Be positive. You can do this.
She cleared her head. A tenacious grin split her face and she challenged herself.
Bring it on!
Thank you for reading.
Sign up to the author’s newsletter and be the first to hear about Anais Blue’s next adventure, as well as get a FREE copy of the $2.99 prequel ‘The City of Shades’!
Join here.
Anaïs’s adventures continue in
A New Source of Magic: Anaïs Blue Book Three.
The Mediterranean has never been more magical. Nor so dangerous. Pure evil rises from the depths.
From Pompeii to Malta, and the islands beyond, Anaïs Blue’s extraordinary adventures continue. With her promptuary repaired, the little witch is now compelled to test its full capabilities.
It will be no holiday.
Faced with magical forces far beyond the powers of mere mortals, protecting those she cares most about may be more than a novice witch can handle.
Anaïs is the universe’s only hope. But is this a battle she can win?
OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES
Thistle Witch: Anaïs Blue Book 1
Discovering Magic: Anaïs Blue Book 2
A New Source of Magic: Anaïs Blue Book 3
A Witch’s Calling: Anaïs Blue Book 4
Magic Awakes: Anaïs Blue Book 5
Join the author’s book club to be informed about upcoming release dates for the series.
Tap here to sign up here.
ALSO BY P J WHITTLESEA
One man. No future. A rich heritage.
Indigenous urbanite Billy knows very little about his ancestry. He is quite content to let it stay that way. One late night out changes all that.
Stranded on a central Australian highway with only the stars and mosquitoes for company, he finds his future determined by a pair of unlikely saviours. And a mysterious supernatural entity.
In an effort to get home Billy embarks on a surreal odyssey. Not only into his heritage, but also into himself.
Tap here to read his remarkable story.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
P. J. Whittlesea is an author and singer-songwriter. Originally from Australia, he now resides in Amsterdam in The Netherlands.
Thank you for taking the time to read Discovering Magic.
Please consider posting an honest review here or on Goodreads. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.
Sign up to the author’s book club here to find out about new releases, promotions, special sneak peaks, and to follow his writer’s journey.
Don’t forget to follow Anaïs Blue’s Facebook page to find out more about the witch herself.
To learn more about the author follow or like him here:
P. J. Whittlesea, Discovering Magic
