Faulkner The Christmas Witch

1. Auflage 2021
ISBN: 978-1-68524-605-1
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet/DL/kein Kopierschutz

E-Book, Englisch, 178 Seiten

If the only way to save your home town, was to partner with your middle school nemesis... would you do it? After moving to the mysterious and magickal, Amberlight Valley, a young girl discovers magickal powers of her own... and must do exactly that. Middle school is hard enough for Brigid Baelfyre, working through the recent loss of her father while attempting to make the first Christmas away from Scotland special for her and her mother. In the midst of the whirlwind that is her life, Brigid must endure the taunts of Morgan Asarligt. The dark and moody princess of Amberlight Valley Middle School, seems to have a deep interest in the tease and torment of our ginger-haired heroine. Things take a strange turning point once they are assigned as science partners, and stumble upon what could only be a magick spell. They discover the myths and legends of Amberlight Valley are not myths at all, learning a dark force will return soon. Only when the moon is waxing to become full on Halloween, will The Stygian Myst be able to return. It has been said that the Myst is like a creature protecting itself from the light of the valley, with the desire to consume everything which falls into its path... including The Amberlight Stone, the source of magick for the Valley. With the Myst threatening to eradicate all that is pure and magickal, Brigid struggling to understand her own powers, and Morgan's ever growing attitude, the fate of Amberlight Valley rests in the hands of a thirteen-year old, inexperienced witch. Will Brigid find The Amberlight Stone and restore the dwindling magick in the Valley with Morgan's help, or will Morgan thwart her every effort for personal gain?

Autoren/Hrsg.

Faulkner, Dalea

Leseproben

1 The Discovery
Cerri Baelfyre was a beautiful woman, with long copper hair, that swished as she walked, and sparkled wild like firelight in the sunshine. She had this captivating energy, and was surprisingly quite introverted. Her face was round and be-freckled, and held a natural look, hinting to anyone who gazed at her, that she might share a magical secret with you in any given moment. Most people lovingly called her Cer-Bear, or Cerri, but her real name was Cerridwen. Only a handful of people called her Cerridwen. She especially loved the memory of her husband, saying her name, and how it slipped out of his mouth like icicles melting at Christmas. Often, she dreamed of their life together, back in Scotland, and woke up in the mornings with a tearful smile on her face. Life in Amberlight was still new, but it was almost starting to feel like home for Cerri. This morning, she woke with a smile from the remnants of last nights memories, and smelled eggs and bacon wafting in from the kitchen. Her daughter was truly amazing, and she was grateful that she wasn't going to have to make breakfast this morning for them both. Cerri sat up, and combed her fingers through her long hair, knotting out a few tangles that had managed to show up during her slumber. She tossed her legs over the side of her bed, and stretched some more. At 37 years old, she looked amazing, but she was definitely sore from yesterday's yoga class after work. Glancing at her clock on the nightstand, she realized she had better dress herself for work, and get some food in her tummy. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee caught her nose as she slipped on her most comfortable pair of jeans, and put on a flattering but cozy top. "That smells amazing!" "I know! But your food is gonna get cold if you don't hurry down soon!" "Alright!" Cerri finished putting on her lace up boots, delicately dusted her face with a few little bits of makeup and headed downstairs. Brigid was sitting at the kitchen counter, eating her breakfast and smiling. "Thanks for helping me last night, I feel so much better about everything now." "Oh you're welcome sweets! But you didn't have to do all this!" "I wanted to. You're always going out of your way for me, and I wanted to something for you for once. So..." Brigid smiled a big silly grin. "Deal with it." Cerri laughed. "Alright. I'll deal with it." And gave her daughter a little wink. They ate their breakfast, and piled into the car, Brigid's backpack in tow, and Cerri's massive Mary Poppins style purse. It was only a 6-minute drive to Amberlight Valley Middle School, but since weather could be unpredictable, Brigid often chose to ride with her mother. Cerri pulled her car up to the front of the school, and grabbed Brigid's hand before she was able to take hold of her backpack. "Honey, I hope you have an amazing day today. Thank you again for breakfast." "I love you, mum, I'll see you after school." And she reached over and gave an awkward front seat of the car kind of hug. Grabbing her things and hopping out of the car, she turned and waved to Cerri, and walked into the school. The fresh crisp air filled her lungs with a kind of confidence she hadn't felt in a long time, and she had a hunch something massive was going to happen today. Cerri watched Brigid for another moment, and drove away. She had purchased a local shop and converted it into Amberlight's Apothecary. It was a whopping 4-minute drive away from the school, which was perfect, especially today. She sensed something in the air, but couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. One of the local Historical Homes always caught her eye on the way to work, Rathcroghan Manor. It was a dark and grungy looking Victorian home, with a tall pointed wrought-iron fence, massive gate, and a garden that hadn't been tended to in ages. The bushes and vines were overgrown and thorned, dismal and well... appeared like they had been dead for decades, or centuries. Each time Cerri passed the house, she imagined what the home must have looked like in its heyday. She imagined that the garden was filled with Camellias and Roses, in shades of cream, blush, and peach, and that the house itself was in a state of pure joy. A white sided finish, with every shingle still in place. Looking at its current state, it was hard to imagine that anyone could live there right now... but Lady Befana Rathcroghan, called the place home. Cerri wondered if she would see Befana today in the shop, as she had often come in for different herbs, teas, and a variety of oils. She pulled up to the back of her shop, and took a minute to take everything from the morning in. Her kind daughter, the hug goodbye at the front of the school, the daydream of old Rathcroghan Manor's camellias, and here in this moment now, as she sat in her car, about to walk into her dream of a shop, and serve the people passing through and the citizens of Amberlight Valley. "Today is going to be a great day." She said out loud to herself, as she grabbed her massive purse, and her car keys. Cerri felt something coming on, and the energy pulsed through her, like sparkles of tiny lightning, just beneath her skin. Her shop was cozied up between two other stores, like a little wooden strip mall, surrounded by tall pines, and friendly faces. The front of the Apothecary had a covered patio, like the neighboring shops, to shroud people from the rains which would inevitably fall in the Autumn seasons. As she walked inside, and flipped on the lights, she was reminded gently of the conversations had long ago, between her and Duncan. Cerri whispered her wishes to someday create a beautiful little shop, exactly like this, and Duncan had said that it would happen. She was so glad he was right, but wished that he would have been able to see it. A melancholy smile had manifested on her face, and she lit her favorite candle by the register to start her day. The halls were buzzing with teens and tweens, shoving their books and bags into lockers, as fast as they could before the morning bell. Brigid was curious what her inklings from earlier might foretell. She hastened to her locker, only to find Morgan standing there, doing what appeared to be another bully session with her second favorite victim, Mary Lassner. Mary was the closest thing Brigid had to a best friend since moving to Amberlight Valley. She was very small in stature, shy, and kind. Next to Brigid, she struck like she might have stepped right out of a Faerie circle and sprout wings. Mary had a sweet personality, and because she was so short, was an easy target for Morgan's mischief and mockery. Brigid seemed to have arrived just in time, before Morgan was able to cause any true harm or tears for that matter. Morgan was stunning. She had long black raven hair, falling nearly to the backs of her knees. It was enviable really, and she flaunted her beautiful locks as often as she moved. If only her personality was a fraction as beautiful as her hair, she might make a decent friend to anyone... but it seemed like there was never a way to win with her. She was always a bit snarky, even with her teachers, and a bit of a know-it-all in class. While she was studious and intelligent, she had the emotional intelligence of a rock. Brigid could sense that Morgan was about to explode, so she did what she though was best, and tried to distract her. "Hi Morgan!" She blurted. The words tumbled out so quickly and awkwardly, as she feigned a smile and jumped in between the girls, with her back to Mary. Morgan, clearly irritated and taken aback... "Um... what do you want?", her words dripping with a snake-like poison. With no real plan as to how to further this conversation, Brigid paused... amidst the awkward silence that followed, Morgan's minions... Stella and Jenn came up to the lockers so there was now a small group of craziness... waiting to unfold. Even more irritated at the lack of response, Morgan snarled, "Well?! I don't have all day firebird." Brigid finally had an answer. "I was wondering if you wanted to be my partner on the science project." Looking confused, "What science project?" "The one we are going to be assigned today, in first period." Morgan laughed. "Ha! Sure. If we are assigned a science project in first period, I'll be your partner." She spoke with copious sarcasm and was amused at the thought of the two of them actually being partners on a project. Brigid, internally realized what she had just signed herself up for, took a deep breath. "Ok, but remember... everyone here saw you agree to it." Forgetting her quarrel with Mary, Morgan grabbed her books and slammed her locker shut. "Fine. Whatever. Firebird." Morgan and her minions rushed away, to their first period class. Mary, astonished at Brigid's heroics grabbed her shoulder, spun her around and gave her the biggest hug. "Oh my gosh. Thank you sooo much. I don't know what I would have done without you." Mary released Brigid from her embrace, but was still holding her shoulders. "Thank you." "It was nothing. Although,...