Months slipped by in Salem. Christmas came and went, quiet and without celebration, as did the new year.
Outside the manor, the forest was blanketed in dense snow, caught in the throes of a bitingly cold, white winter. And as she had found herself many nights before, Nicky sat on the chaise lounge in the study. The glow of a warm fire emanated from the petite wood heater in the corner of the room, burning sturdily. Beside her was a bundle of books she had collected from all over the manor. The more she searched the house, the more books, notes, and strange objects she found, making her search for a counter curse feel increasingly daunting.
On one knee, she balanced a notebook, already half full with scribbles and thoughts she had jotted down over the past few months. On the other, a thick tome on ancient witchcraft, its pages warped and yellow from age. Biting down on her biro, she squinted down at the page, trying yet again to read the handwritten text, which had faded considerably. The writing had become so faint in certain sections that it was impossible to discern if there was any text at all.
Rubbing her eyes wearily, Nicky snapped the dusty old book shut, placing it on the floor with the other discarded books. As she did so, she caught a glimpse of Ebony nearby, sleeping peacefully beneath the crackling fire. Suppressing a yawn, Nicky leaned to her left and selected another book from the pile.
Before opening this next text, a smaller hardback on common curses, Nicky took a moment to flip through her notebook, revising what she had uncovered so far. While she hadn't found anything particularly helpful towards her mother's curse, there were curious tidbits she felt compelled to record. The first few pages recounted things she learned from inspecting her mother's desk: how her mother stalked Wanda Maximoff in the news and then in person for some time before concluding that the Sokovian was the fabled Scarlet Witch. How she researched her background and then traced her to Westview. A bitter taste manifested on Nicky's tongue as she perused the pages.
Other notes Nicky had taken down included snippets of chaos magic lore, stories about the covens in Salem, and spells or potions she thought could come in handy. For the past few months, her life had been reduced to study and practice, all under the watchful gaze of her familiar, who insisted she better learn the basics of magic.
Placing the notebook aside, Nicky shuffled in her seat, stretching her neck out as she opened the new book on her lap. As the book opened, something small and white fell out from between the pages, fluttering lightly to the floor. With her eyebrows raised, Nicky leaned over the lounge to see a business card lying atop the rug at her feet.
"What is this?" Nicky wondered aloud, her voice startling Ebony, who jerked awake, animatedly. After taking a big stretch, the cat shuffled towards the lounge and peered down at the card.
"Oh... That..." The cat mumbled, blinking groggily. "It's a bookstore. Owned by a coven in New York." Nicky picked up the card and inspected it. The gold, serif text read 'Richmond County Wiccan Society Bookshop' curved above a small pentagram.
"Agatha was part of this coven?" Nicky snickered a little, mildly amused at the idea. She hadn't pictured her mother hanging out with other witches before.
"Oh, absolutely not," Ebony blustered. "No. It's well-known in most witch circles. It's been around for decades. She had visited a couple of times, your mother. Not that she was exactly welcome to."
"How surprising," Nicky murmured with a wry expression. Her eyes flitted between the book on her lap, her notebook, and the stack of books she had yet to study, eliciting an exasperated sigh. "We're getting nowhere on our own," Nicky whined softly, sinking back into the lounge. She pensively hooked her necklace under one finger and began fidgeting with the charm.
"What are you suggesting?" Ebony's green eyes narrowed.
"Well," Nicky muttered, releasing the necklace, only to then rub her neck wearily. "Surely someone here could point us in the right direction." She waved the card at the cat, holding it between her index and middle fingers.
"Nicole," the cat sighed, sounding nettled. "I just said your mother wasn't welcome there."
"I'm not Agatha Harkness," Nicky said, crossing her arms. "They wouldn't even know who I am. Who's to say I am not welcome?" The cat let out a low grumble.
"It's only been a few months," she said sternly. "You just need to keep looking."
"I'm just saying," Nicky held her hands up defensively. "Instead of trawling through the god knows how many books in here, I could just ask someone to point me in the right direction."
"Other witches..." Ebony growled. "Can't exactly be trusted. Why do you think your mother isn't in a coven?"
"I wouldn't know. It never came up. Besides, I'm not joining a coven," Nicky retorted. "I'm asking for some recommendations. Some advice." The cat glowered at her. She returned the familiar a sober look. "Ebs, this is me admitting that I am out of my depth. It's been months, and I haven't made a dent in any of this." She gestured at the room, the bookcases, and the seemingly countless books and scrolls that filled them. "What's the harm in asking some shop assistant if they have a book on curses or chaos magic?"
"It might arouse suspicion," the cat replied, agitatedly pacing the rug. "And garner us unwanted attention."
"We'll be discreet," Nicky promised, eagerly sitting up. "Please. I need the help. And a change of scenery." Her eyes trailed over to the forest outside, the scene dark and bleak thanks to another moonless night.
"Fine," Ebony conceded, growling once again. "But we must be vigilant. If your mother were here, she'd say the same thing. The only witch she could ever trust was herself." The cat followed Nicky's gaze towards the window, her tail wagging lethargically as she stared out into the cold darkness. "Let's get some rest," she yawned, motioning for the door. "We can leave for New York tomorrow."
***
"This is it, Ebs," Nicky shivered, squinting between the brass-etched sign attached to the red brick wall ahead of her and the card in her gloved hand. In the snow-drenched half-light, she was finding it difficult to read either the sign or the card. The card itself had led her and her familiar to a basement store, tucked underneath an 1800s tenement building in the East Village.
"Yes, yes, it appears so," Ebony replied, shaking her body furiously. "Let's get this on with and get out of the cold!" A decent layer of snow had fallen since they'd arrived in the city, powdering her coat with startlingly white snowflakes, much to the cat's chagrin.
Down the stone steps towards the entrance, Nicky paused in the doorway. 'Richmond County Wiccan Society Bookshop' was printed against the glass of the door in gold leaf, black-lettered calligraphy. Dusting off the snow from her beanie and coat, Nicky took one last glance at Ebony, the cat merely giving her a begrudging nod in reply. She removed her woolen glove, grasped the cold brass doorknob, and opened the door.
Above her, a small bell chimed with a light twinkling sound that rang out through the store, signalling her arrival. Scents of dried rosemary, lilac, and tobacco mingling with dried parchment, ink, and leather reached her nose as she stepped further inside, letting the door swing closed behind her.
At first glance, the store appeared to be quite small. Warm and cozy, the eclectic establishment felt like something from a different age, its period dressings and finishes giving Nicky the feeling she had just about stepped into another era. The walls were dressed in ornate wallpaper and framed paintings of what she could only presume were witches and their familiars. Even the light fixtures, old gas lamps with bronze fittings and glass cases, partially blackened by smoke, added to the antique vibe.
"Crystals and sage are in the corner behind you," a bright yet raspy voice called out from Nicky's left. Nicky jumped slightly and turned to see a woman sitting behind the shop counter. Dressed entirely in black, from her silver-tipped leather boots, skinny jeans, to her flowing satin shirt, the woman would have completely disappeared in the shadowy corner of the room had it not been for her alabaster skin and shockingly red hair. It was a fiery shade of strawberry red, wound in tight curls that traveled down past her shoulders towards her elbows.
"I-I'm sorry," Nicky stammered. "What was that?"
"Amethyst, rose quartz, lapis lazuli," the shopkeeper crowed, a cloud of white smoke escaping her lips as she spoke. She leaned back on a tan leather office chair, her feet crossed and resting on the edge of the black marble countertop. Without looking up from the small paperback she had in her left hand, she raised her right, which still held onto the small black vape she had been smoking, and signaled past Nicky with a wag of her long index finger. "The crystals and stones are back there with the sage. Prices are marked."
"Oh..." Nicky looked behind her, confused. Just as the woman said, there was a small display of crystals, each sorted into little wicker baskets. Above them hung little bundles of sage, brown price tags attached at the stems, tied with wiry string. "I wasn't looking for crystals," Nicky mumbled, removing her beanie, the heat beginning to make her head itch. "At least I don't think so, anyway..." She shrugged at Ebony before returning her gaze towards the shopkeeper.
"Huh?" The woman looked up from her book, her mouth slightly ajar with the vape now resting on her bottom lip. She studied her customer for a second, taking a drag from the little black device before placing it back on the table.
"I was hoping to find something that could help lift curses," Nicky continued. She watched as the shopkeeper's lips curled into a lopsided grin, more white smoke escaping out of the side of her mouth. Seemingly out of nowhere, an enormous tabby cat appeared beside the woman, perching itself on a shelf ledge behind the counter. Its wispy tufts from its fluffy ginger and white coat almost had a flame-like appearance, dancing like fire whenever the cat moved. It stared at Nicky with copper-colored eyes as it lowered its head towards the woman's ear.
"Oh?" The woman raised her eyebrows and sat up. She peered over the counter and regarded Ebony, who had stepped between Nicky's legs. The black cat became statuesque, with her back slightly arched, and her eyes trained on the shopkeeper's familiar, unblinking. "You're right, Cal, she does have a familiar with her," she said, smirking at the ginger cat.
"That's OK, right?" Nicky stammered again, glancing down at Ebony. "I mean, she can be in here?"
"Of course," the shopkeeper laughed animatedly. "I just didn't take you to be an actual witch!" She stood up, her boots thudding heavily against the ground. "I figured you were one of those new-age yuppies looking for some 'positive vibes' and 'house-clearing' crystals. I get at least one of those a week." The woman smirked and took another drag from the little black vape in her hand. "I haven't seen you around these parts before, though," she added as she stepped out from behind the counter. Is she being cynical? Nicky wondered. Or is that just her thick New York accent? Her eyes darted at the stranger's familiar, the cat now sitting on the counter, straight-backed and still with its pointy ears pricked.
"Well, I'm from Maryland originally," Nicky explained, shoving her beanie into her pocket. She contemplated taking her coat off, feeling herself start to perspire, thanks to the store's toasty atmosphere. "But I've been abroad for a few years now. Actually, this is my first time in New York. The state, not just the city."
"Right... " the shopkeeper trained off, looking down her nose at Nicky. She cocked her head, studying Nicky with genuine curiosity."So. A curse, you say? What type of curse are we talking about? Pestilence? Ghosts? Demons? Alopecia?"
"Um, nothing like that," Nicky replied, wiping the sweat from her brow with the cuff of her coat. "More like... amnesia."
"Hmm, walk this way," the woman instructed, heading towards the middle aisle. She paused a moment, turning back at Nicky, wagging a finger at her. "But first, take that coat off. There is a stand over there." Nicky did what she was told, relieved to have removed the heavy winter coat. "I was breaking out into a sweat just looking at you!" The shopkeeper chuckled. "This place is always kept at a sensible 74 degrees." She beckoned Nicky to follow as she swaggered down the middle aisle, leading her deeper into the store. At her heels, Nicky could feel Ebony's presence, the familiar keeping close.
"So, is this like a '50 First Dates' reset to a specific date sort of situation or, like, do they have no idea who they are?" The shopkeeper asked, stopping to casually lean on a shelf. Above her, a little hand-painted sign read 'Curses and other Various Maladies'.
"Well, the latter," Nicky answered sheepishly. "But it's as if they have taken on this entirely new personality. Like the 'Stepford Wives' or something like that."
"Yeesh, that is some pretty specific mind-bending stuff," the woman tapped her chin pensively. "How did it happen? Any idea?"
"Ah..." Nicky gulped, unsure how specific she needed to be. She glanced at Ebony, remembering her promise to be discreet. "As far as I know, she crossed another witch. One who knows chaos magic..."
"Chaos Magic?!" The woman exclaimed, frowning at Nicky as she pushed herself off the shelf. "Who are you?" She asked, her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"M-my name is Nicole," Nicky stammered, shuffling backwards slightly.
"Nicole, who?" The shopkeeper pressed her, stepping closer. A head taller than Nicky, she stood over her imposingly. Nicky gritted her teeth and, refusing to be intimidated, looked the woman in the eye.
"Nicole H-," Ebony cut her off, scratching at her leg. The feline's sharp claws pierced the skin on her calf, making her recoil and wince. "Ow! Scratch! Nicole Scratch!" Nicky blurted out, glaring at the cat angrily.
"Did your familiar just take a swipe at you?" The woman asked incredulously, her jaw dropping in surprise.
"Um, yeah," Nicky grumbled, letting out a nervous laugh before shooting the cat an angry look. "She can be like that sometimes."
"I haven't heard of any witches named Scratch," the witch eyed her suspiciously. "Which coven are you from?"
"I'm not in one," Nicky shrugged. The woman cocked her head, her red bouncing buoyantly from side to side.
"Hang on," the shopkeeper crossed her arms. "Who is this for?"
"My mother."
"Old lady Scratch, huh?" She asked with half a chuckle. Nicky nodded, wary that the woman's air of suspicion had not waned. "Whereabouts did this happen?" The witch continued, watching her closely.
"A little ways out of state," Nicky explained, keeping her tone calm and casual. "In New Jersey."
"Alright. Now, let me get this straight," the woman sighed, her hands now resting on her hips. "You're a covenless witch, and your mom, who I presume isn't in a coven either, got got by some broad using chaos magic. Have I got that right?"
"I'm not exactly a witch, per se," Nicky muttered, grimacing at her own remark.
"Now, what the hell..." the woman caterwauled.
"I mean, I am, kind of," Nicky blustered, waving her hands defensively. "Technically, I am a witch. The daughter of one, at least. But I have no clue what I am doing. I don't really practice magic."
"You're fresh blood, huh?" The red-headed witch gave her a wily smirk.
"What?" Nicky frowned.
"You're a new witch," the shopkeeper continued, her grin returning. "I mean, you look a little old to just be starting out, but hey, never too late to start, right?"
"I mean, I guess..." Nicky rubbed her neck, blushing a little as she glanced down at Ebony. The cat simply ignored her, keeping her focus on the shopkeeper.
"Hmm," the woman hummed, rubbing her chin meditatively before snapping her fingers. "OK! This I have to see for myself. Come on. Let's go." She grabbed onto Nicky's arm, making her tense up.
"Go where, sorry?" Nicky sputtered, squirming against the woman's grip. Behind her, she could hear Ebony let out a low growl.
"Wherever your amnesiac mom is shacked up, of course!" She laughed, pulling Nicky ahead of her. "Come on. Pitter-patter, get at her." She slid behind Nicky and, with both hands now grabbing her shoulders, ushered her to the door.
"Wait! Are you serious?" Nicky cried out, struggling against the witch, who continued to manhandle her.
"Yep."
"But why?"
"You think I can diagnose your mom's problem based on your crappy description? Give me a break!" The woman scoffed, stopping by the shop's entrance. She walked up to the door, clicked the lock, and then hung a 'closed sign' in the window. With a wave of her hand, the lights in the store dimmed. She unhooked their coats off the rack, hers jet black, just like the rest of her outfit. In one smooth motion, she donned her wolf jacket before unceremoniously flinging Nicky's coat at her. Noticing Nicky's uncertain expression, the witch scoffed loudly. "Seriously, I could use a break. I haven't left the shop all day. This should be interesting. Do you know how to portal there or are you a complete novice?"
"I can do it," Nicky grunted, fumbling with her coat. This was more than she bargained for. She felt Ebony brush her leg, vying for her attention. Or perhaps, she thought, this is just what I need. Nicky watched the red-headed witch as she retrieved her vape from the front desk and laconically took a drag, smiling cunningly the entire time. There was an air of confidence about the woman, Nicky couldn't help but admire, perhaps even envy. Suddenly, it occurred to her that this was the first witch she had met besides her mother.
"Well, then?" she said, smoke pouring out of her nose, filling the room with the smell of tobacco and menthol. Fuck it, Nicky thought, slipping her coat on. It's better help than those sorcerers.
Taking a deep breath, she focused on the front door. She bit her lip, concentrating on drawing an arch in the air with her finger. A blue light appeared before her, and the tiny little orb grew into a line that spread into an archway. As it did, five runes materialized glowing brightly above it. Nicky closed her eyes and conjured Sherman Drive, picturing the idyllic suburban house. When she opened them again, the portal was open, and the quiet street-lined street was waiting on the other side.
"So, you do know a thing or two. Good for you," the shopkeeper grinned. "Lead the way."
"Nicole!" Ebony hissed. Nicky's eyes darted down towards the cat. Her fangs were bared in anger. "What are you doing? Think about this."
"What's her problem?" The woman snickered, crossing her arms impatiently.
"She's... apprehensive about all this," Nicky mumbled, shaking her head at Ebony. "She's very protective of my mother and me."
"You just met this woman," Ebony spat, her fur standing on end. "Think! We don't know if we can trust her!"
"She'll be fine," the shopkeeper laughed, waving her comment away. "Nothing's gonna happen. I just wanna take a look." She bent over to look at Ebony. "On my honor, as a fellow member of the sisterhood, I'm just trying to help. Now, come on!" She snapped upwards and clapped her hands at Nicky. "I ain't got all day."
Noticing Nicky's hesitation, Sera stepped past Ebony, the cat hissing at her as she did so, and sidled up beside Nicky, placing a hand between her shoulder blades and coaxing her through the portal.
***