Chapter 7
928 Words
Without my eyes leaving the stranger in my living room I sidestepped to the front door and opened it behind my back then one at a time brought the boxes in. The one he already opened seemed filled with clothes, as he said. But the second one had to weigh forty or fifty pounds. Once I had both inside I shut the door behind me, still holding my pepper spray in one hand. I then used my keys to open the unopened box and diverted my eyes for a split-second to look inside, sure enough there was a random smattering of objects that I've seen over the years in various movies that were associated with witchcraft. As well as a stack of four thick books. On top of all of it, taped to the top of the box was an envelope with my aunt's scrawling handwriting spelling out my name.
What drew my attention the most was a thick leather bound book that looked a little worse for wear and rather old. It was a rather nondescript book with one simple strip that almost looked like a belt coming across the middle with, what I remembered my grandmother telling me when I was very young was, the crest of our family in the middle of it. Something about the book drew my attention undividedly. It was as if it called to me in a way no inanimate object ever had before. Not feeling entirely comfortable with that I ripped the envelope with my name on it from the box and strode back to the seat I occupied before.
Good to his word Cicero hadn't moved from the wall and just waited patiently for me to acknowledge him. As I opened the envelope I lifted my arms up so that I could look at both the envelope and him. Once I pulled out the paper I again held it up so that even though I was reading I could still keep an eye on him if he moved. It probably wasn't the best idea in the sense of common sense but something inside me wasn't afraid. It was weird but I didn't necessarily trust the man in front of me I knew he wasn't there to hurt me. I didn't want him to know that though so I continued to hold up the letter from my aunt and kept one eye on him.
My dear niece Erin,
I know that this is probably a lot to take in and hopefully by the time you're getting this you and I have had a little sit down about the trait that runs through our family. If we have not than I am so sorry things ended up like this. You might not believe me now but you have inherited the gift of sight that is run through our family for four generations now. Your grandmother had incredibly high accuracy whereas I did not so here is hoping the gift resides well with you. I know it is you that inherits it because when I had a vision telling me about it I ran a spell to see the future to make sure it was true, by the way I don't recommend doing that it is very dangerous magic.
I am sorry that you are so ill-equipped for the universe you have forcibly stepped into But that is why I have left you Cicero, let him be your guide through all things in the world of witchcraft. While he is only been a familiar for eight years, he’s accumulated quite a bit of knowledge in that time, more than enough to get you to the right people when needed. You can trust him, I promise. Unbeknownst to him I worked a spell on him as he slept so that if he ever, for whatever reason, had ill intentions towards you, which I doubt that he will, he would immediately turn into a cat and not be able to change back, thus making it easier for you to get away or lock him up in a cage or something of that nature. It wasn't as hard to do as you think as he is already cursed. I simply built upon what was existing.
That being said I have left you one of the two family tomes. The other is with your cousins, well one of them, whichever of them inherited my gift of working with herbs and spells I'm not sure which it is at this point and will be testing them between the time I write this letter for you and hopefully before I pass.
I am also giving you our library. Hopefully we have been able to discuss what being our family librarian entails. As it can be more dangerous than being a run of the mill witch. If for some reason I don’t get the chance, tell Cicero you need to be in contact with Marisa, he will know what that means. I am sorry to leave you this responsibility, as I don’t know how prepared you will be at the time of my passing. But you are the least unqualified in the family. DO NOT let anyone tell you otherwise! The library is your responsibility until you relinquish it or die. It cannot fall into the wrong hands.
Being a witch is dangerous but it is also something you cannot choose to ignore so I wish you luck niece and I hope that the journey into the wondrous world of magic does not prove to be too difficult for you.
Love,
Your loving aunt Cadence
- Writer
