Emerald Prep (Young Magic Book 1)

Prologue - Age Six

Looking back on my life, I would have to say that one strange day many years ago was the true beginning of my journey. I was extremely young but the war was still agonizing on all of us. If I did not meet Bram Harker that day and if he was not given that spell book to read. My life would have been so much easier and different, but I do not mind it at all. However, I have learned to not focus on the thousands 'ifs' in my life and to focus on the 'now' in my life.

My choices have made me from the boy I was into the man I am today. I would not wish it to be any different, maybe at some moments a little bit easier, but oh well; the past is in the past. Each scar I have, inside and out, it proves that I survived and continue to survive every day. I may not be strong on the outside but my heart shows that I am a warrior.

* * *

"Mommy, are we going to see Auntie Lily today?" I asked her, as she got ready to leave.

"Yes, we are, Little Bear. However, before we leave, can you find me my hair ribbons? I don't want your Aunt to think that I'm a feral monster trying to attack her when she sees me." She asked as she tried to brush the fluffiness out of her hair.

I nodded my head and ran off to search around. It was funny how Alex and I have a fluffy problem with my hair, unlike our sister. I checked all the old places for them and did not find them anywhere. I passed the kitchen in my search and did not even realize someone was there.

"Little Bear! Are you looking for these?" I heard my dad call out. "I found them mixed in with the laundry this morning."

I turned around and ran to him. He handed me the two ribbons before picking me up. He bounced me in the air a few times, and then he hugged me and kissed my head.

"How is my littlest bear doing?" He asked as he scratched between my ears.

"I am going outside and to Auntie Lily's house today!"

He put me back on the ground and picked up his paper from the table. I watched his white bear ears twitch from reading the news. For some weird reason, he always looks sad while reading it.

"Well then, you need to get these ribbons to your mother so that she doesn't look like some ferocious monster when she walks outside the house." He told me as I started to walk away. "Oy, Little bear! Do not forget to cover your ears and tail before you walk outside! I don't want you to get hurt!"

"I know that! I may be little but I was not born yesterday!"

"I swear that you have your mother's attitude."

"I'll let her know that!"

"Please don't!"

I walked to the entryway and gave my mother her ribbons as she handed me my scarf. I wrapped it around my head enough to hide the ears. I pulled my long shirt down to make sure that my little tail was covered up. I looked up to watch her shift her glasses. When she leaned down to fix my glasses, I saw the purple eyes that are so like mine in color and strength.

"Mommy, am I always going to have to hide all my life?"

"I hope not, I wish with a mother's heart that one day, you could walk around without shrouding who or what you are. I hope that I will be alive when that day comes to pass."

Even being as young as I am, I knew a bit about the war against humans, mages, and werebeasts. My mommy does her best to protect my siblings and me from the anger of the village. Even though people say evil things to her because they do not know the truth. I wish I could fight them all for her but she always stops me and tells me that I am too young to understand what is going on.