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‘Or me.’ Katie shrugged.
‘Right. Because you’re not a witch like Rayenne or Ophelia are.’
‘Right. And Aiden.’
‘And he’s what? A wizard? Warlock?’
Ophelia pulled a face. ‘Witch is fine. We tend not to use the other terms too much.’
‘Do I want to know why?’
‘One of them comes from the old word for oath-breaker, and as for the other?’ Ophelia chuckled. ‘Well, this is real life – not a fantasy novel.’
‘Right, sorry. And my parents… they don’t know about this?’
‘They’re not gifted, or awake. But they are part of the Hudsbury community and life here. And they’re good people, Mia. So, magic will have been helping and protecting them even though they didn’t know it.’
Mia nodded. ‘And is it only in Hudsbury?’
‘There are other places in the world… but sadly it’s few and far between. People – generally speaking – don’t believe in the way that they used to. But the belief stayed stronger in Hudsbury and so did the magic.’
‘And magic only works here?’
‘Hudsbury is a place of old power – there are strong energy lines here, so magic binds more easily. A strongly gifted, experienced witch can spell things to take with them, but it’s a lot more limited.’
‘My teas and biscuits don’t last as long, or work so well, away from here.’ Aiden pulled a face and Mia squeezed his hand, guessing what he was thinking.
‘Although, there was the elf on the shelf thing.’ Katie laughed.
‘What?’ Mia’s head snapped round. ‘Elves are real too?’
‘Of course they are.’ Ophelia smiled. ‘But not like that. Real elves are a lot taller – and usually stunning. Certainly not the type to dress up in stripey tights, cause mayhem in people’s houses and spy on children. From what Rayenne says, it’s a bit of a touchy subject for the fae – quite embarrassing.’
‘If not elves, then what…?’
‘Brownies,’ all three answered together.
‘Pesky little things.’ Aiden shook his head.
‘Buggers to clean up after!’ Katie agreed.
‘But good for watchfulness, and reminding people of manners,’ Ophelia added.
‘This is all so amazing. To think I’ve lived here most of my life and never knew…’ She stopped and stared at Katie. ‘Except I did know, didn’t I? We played with pixies when we were children. That was real. But how did I forget?’
‘Children believe in magic more easily than most adults. So it shows itself to them more easily.’
‘But how could I forget that?’
‘The magic protects itself. And the people who use it right,’ Ophelia explained, softly. ‘But it will always be there for the people who need it – whenever it can help.’
‘The right type of people,’ Katie added.
‘Absolutely,’ Ophelia agreed.
‘And what makes someone the right kind of person?’
‘Kindness. And being deserving, or in need. It’s been there all your life, Mia.’
