Brew 18

The full moon bathed the tea shop’s back garden in silver light. Emery stood at the edge of the grass, hands trembling as she admired the intricate summoning circle she had drawn.

“I really hope this works,” she whispered to herself, taking deep breathes though her nose to help ease her nerves.

Inside the shop, Hanaki and Toriyami watched from the window, keeping a cautious distance.

“So, what’s she doing?” Hanaki asked, tiptoeing to see better.

“She’s summoning her grandmother’s familiar,” Toriyami replied, though his tone was anything but confident.

“Then why are we hiding?” Hanaki asked, not really understanding the reason why he needed to keep his distance. When Toriyami didn’t give him an answer Hanaki started toward the door, eager for a closer look, but Toriyami grabbed his arm.

“You definitely want to stay in here,” he warned, his voice and grip firm. “She’s not the best at summoning spells. The catalyst she has will help, but…” He trailed off, worry etched across his face.

Hanaki frowned, then pointed to the hedgehog perched sleepily on the windowsill. “If she’s so bad at summoning, how did he come about?”

“Chu is a… very special case,” Toriyami sighed. “That’s a long story. One for another day.”

The truth was most witches and wizards managed to summon their familiars in school. Emery had never mastered it. Even Chu wasn’t summoned—he’d wandered into her life by accident.

And yet, here she was, about to attempt a summoning spell more complicated than any she’d tried before.

One mistake, Toriyami thought, and the gap in the grimoire may never be filled.

The moon climbed to its peak. Emery took a deep breath, steadying her hands as she raised her wand.

Her voice rang out clear and steady. Ancient words spilled into the night air. The circle glowed softly at first, then brightened, moonlight feeding the magic. Hints of silver and gold sparkles swirled around her feet, lifting gently in the breeze.

Hanaki’s eyes widened in wonder. “This is your first time seeing a summoning, isn’t it?” Toriyami asked, a rare smile touching his lips. “Good thing she didn’t mess this one up.”

The light intensified. The grass inside the circle shimmered as if seen through water. Emery’s voice softened, the last words of the spell fading into the night.

The magic rippled—then stilled.

A shape appeared within the circle. A fox sat at its centre, fur gleaming under the moonlight, wearing a familiar smug expression.

“Well, well,” the fox said, his voice caring hints of curiosity. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

Emery squealed, hands flying to her mouth in delight. She stepped forward and knelt respectfully before the fox. “Rook?” she asked, hopeful that, while the summon was successful, she was successful in summoning the right familiar.

Rook nodded and bowed his head in respect for the witch that summoned him back to this realm.

Emery beamed, holding out her wand. “I’m Emery Mickleright. Granddaughter of Seraphina Alderbranch. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Rook placed a paw on her wand and gave it a curious sniff. His smug grin softened, that familiar scent and the etchings on the wand. This was truly a want passed down the Alderbranch family line.

Then, without waiting for formalities, he trotted toward the tea shop door. “First order of business,” he called over his shoulder, “I’d like some tea.”

Later…

Rook sat primly on the table as Emery bustled about the kitchen. He watched closely as she gathered herbs and leaves, using a bit of levitation magic to keep the spoon stirring the pot.

“You’re very much like your grandfather,” he mused, his gaze wandering the scene. “The way you handle ingredients, the way you move. But thankfully, you have your grandmother’s looks.”

Emery turned, mock-scowling. She tapped Rook gently on the head with the back of the wooden spoon. “Grandfather was handsome, thank you very much. I’ve seen the old portraits.”

Rook sighed dramatically, rubbing his head. “Once, I was a powerful familiar. Now, I’m being beaten with a spoon,” he grumbled. “You truly are Seraphina’s granddaughter. How much longer for the tea to be done?”

Emery chuckled and returned to the tea, adding honey and herbs. “You may be powerful,” she said, “but you’re also impatient.”

She finished the blend, pouring the tea into a delicate glass pot. She placed a plate of cookies beside it and filled Rook’s cup before sitting down across from him.

Rook leaned down and sipped, closing his eyes to allow himself to fulling indulge in the complex mix of flavors that tickled his taste buds.

“Not too hot. Not too cold. A perfect blend—with just a little love mixed in.”

Emery smiled, resting her chin on her hands. “So,” she said softly, “please, Rook. Tell me about my grandmother and Aria.”

Rook sighed, pushing the cup to the side as not to allow any distractions in his line of sight. His sharp eyes softened with memory.

“I suppose it’s time you knew. I was sworn to secrecy to keep the truth from Blaise. He never knew the full story.”

He paused, looking deep into Emery’s eyes.

“But you’re not Blaise.”