by Viola Grace
Mr. E lifted his head as she reached for him. When Mirrin scratched his head, he purred and leaned into her hand.
“Yes. He became what I needed, and I needed someone to care for who would offer me comfort. I take care of him; he takes care of me.”
“I am glad that you have each other. You wrote that you met your twin?”
“I did. Luken is inside.”
“He is a sweet boy, but you are on different paths. Don’t forget that. He cannot go where you do, but you will always be twins.”
Imara sighed and turned, hugging her mother tightly. “I know. I know where my path is leading, and Redbird City fits into my plans.”
When Imara straightened, she wiped the tears from her eyes. “So, did you want to come into the party? If you have never seen an elf and a specter cut a rug, now is your chance.”
Mirrin laughed. “I can’t resist an invitation like that. Please, introduce me to your friends.”
Mr. E sat up straight as if trying to make a good impression, and Imara led her mother into her party.
It was a great end to her first term, even if most of the party was more dead than alive; they were her chosen company.
* * * *
Mirrin watched Liirick trying to teach Imara to swing dance while her familiar consumed the cake.
“So, Reegar, do you regret taking her in?”
“Ah, dearest Chancellor, I don’t regret it for a moment. She understands the needs of the dead more than we even do. She has crafted a trust fund for me for a few years after she leaves, so that I will never be without the ability to become physical in my own home. How thoughtful is that?”
Mirrin eyed her youngest son and the woman he was flirting with. “What about her?”
“Bara is a legacy to my hall. She enjoys the library and that is all that I need to know most days. The addition of your son is causing a bit of a stir, but she is nearing graduation and will need to choose her path. If she wants to further her education, I am still here.”
“What about next term? Will you take in more students?”
“I will take two more in. I am going to choose carefully.”
“Good. Perhaps we can arrange to change your façade as well.”
Reegar smiled. “It is a thought. I will bear it in mind. I am beginning to like hosting students.”
“It only took eighty years. Not bad.”
“Mirrin.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure you would when I sent the invitation.”
“Thank you for inviting me. She didn’t mention it in our last letter.”
“She didn’t know. This was our party for her. She has made an impression on those around her, and this is her reward. If the reward has to come from the dead, so be it.”
“She is that powerful?”
“Getting stronger every day, and I am happy to be here to see it. She hasn’t given me life again, but she has let me come to grips with what I was missing by not engaging with the world I am still present in.”
“That is quite the gift.”
“And she gives it without knowing. So, be proud of your daughter and send her a card in that enchanted box of yours. If her brothers are anything like her, you should be very proud.”
Mirrin chuckled. “I will. I knew the moment I held her that she was going to make a mark in the world, and I just hoped that she would be happy doing it. Today was a huge leap for her, and I am delighted that you are there to catch her on the other side.”
There was a lot of meaning in those words as they hung in the air between them.
As Imara’s enjoyment expanded, the ghosts got stronger, and soon, the entire spectral population of the college was bopping and twirling. Mirrin watched her daughter’s effect and wondered at the luck that had brought them together again.
Then again, with a seventh of seven involved, luck was always a factor.
Author’s Note
So, we have seen the first book of five that will take Imara through her college days and out into the world.
The Hellkitten Chronicles will cross with the “An Obscure Magic” universe, though it will be exclusively Imara’s story with Mr. E by her side.
Now, as for Mr. E. He is based on my own fur baby, born August 30th with dark chocolate, charcoal and black-striped fur. Only the tip of his tail is white, and his orange eyes are wide and soulful. He is also a goof, eats anything I do before I can and turns up where he shouldn’t, a living shadow. The fictional kitten will eventually grow up but not until Imara graduates.
The next book in this series is Shape Shifting 201.
Thanks for reading,
Viola Grace
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
