Emma

By Francesca Pace

Emma is just a girl who is unaware of her magnetic charm. An orphan since an early age, she lives with her best friend Serena, a sunny and sociable girl who supports and assists Emma through the hard times and the good ones.

Nothing is as it seems and as the plot unravels Serena will reveal its true nature as a powerful sorceress who stands by the young girl to protect her. Emma's quiet life, which borders on her invisibility, changes suddenly and radically as she enters the complex and violent world of witches and vampires. An unexpected and troubled transition alters her nature and essence, transforming her into a type of supernatural being that never existed before. In Emma two natures that have been asleep for years suddenly manifest themselves and coexist, in a struggle to find their balance. The girl will have to learn to be a hybrid; half witch and half vampire. This change, along with her maturity, teaches Emma that her life is destined for that fantastic world and that her dearest friends will always be there. When extraordinary girl, accompanied her lifelong friends and by a new and passionate love, has to courageously face her new life, learning to love it and love herself like never before, she discovers that her power is limitless and incomparable. This is an exciting and intense story of friendship, brotherhood, and love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Francesca Pace
• Release date: Aug 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507117880

Book preview

Francesca Pace

EMMA

EMMA

TO MEMY 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To my Emma, who is so small but strong, brave and determined.

For inspiring me and cuddling me during the difficult times, enriching my spirit with your smiles and with your heart and beautiful eyes, thank you.

To the love of my life for sustaining and encouraging me during each moment of this adventure.

Bb you have made me proud of every written word and line by always believing in me. Without you I couldn't have finished this crazy project. Thank you.

To Serena who has been, is and will always be my very own sun, that  one which warms and lights up my dark moments. Thank you.

Be daring and bold, withstand hardships with bravery and courage, without fear. Your strong spirit will sustain you every step of the way.

Satisfy your curiosity, it will be the driving force behind your knowledge.

Fight fervently and passionately to defend your ideas and your loves, knowing that at the end of your small and personal battles, the warmest of embraces will be there waiting for you.

1

Darkness.

Silence.

The only light my eyes can perceive is the one that boldly makes its way through the tall and thick leafy branches of the century old trees that surround me.

They are huge oaks with solid and knotty trunks.

They stand superb and majestic, like enchanted giants aware of their immortal and rooted power.

Their bark is cool and humid to the touch, like armor carved by the passing of a hundred years. It surrounds and protects the innermost part of the tree which seems to have a vibrant force of life within it.

I can feel the sap flowing beneath my hands. My long and slender fingers stroke with increasing curiosity the trunk's contour as if they could, somehow, decipher its innermost secrets.

The only sound I hear is the crunch of the dry brittle leaves that surrender under my confident footsteps.

I can hear the whisper of nature's elements as I pass, it sounds in my ears as if urging me on.

I profoundly enjoy the suggestive scenery.

The delicate glow that filters through the branches makes captivating patterns of light. The warm rays of the sun in the heat of that luminosity are like silver flames that shoot from the sky through the thick foliage, all the way to the ground.

The dense trees, rich with branches and leaves give life, closing above my head, like a twisted design that is so thick I can't see the sky.

The outline of all that surrounds me and wraps around me seems to get lost in space, as if disappearing with the strokes of a skilled painter, aiming to make the spectator's gaze lose itself in the edges of reality and dreams.

The timid fog that envelops my feet gives the forest a surreal, ephemeral, and suggestive aspect and the moist breeze that soaks my clothes and long hair smells of wood and mud.

A breath of fresh air shakes the surrounding landscape messing up my unruly mane and brings me back to my thoughts.

I stop in the midst of this magical place. Looking at everything that surrounds me I intimately enjoy every angle that my gaze falls upon. I take a deep breath of the forest smells and my senses that have by now been dulled for too long are awakened.

I brandish a sword with an intricately carved hilt. It is embellished with an amethyst set right in the center of elaborate decoration whose lines I can't clearly distinguish.

Although its blade is at least a meter long, I hold it confidently and effortlessly while I run nimble and fast through the trees, passing them without really seeing them.

I completely lose myself in the century-old peace of the majestic oaks through which I skillfully fly, weightless, almost as if I were an incorporeal and ephemeral being.

My movements are confident. I see my innocent and fierce face. A sly grin appears captivatingly on my lips, while my lively gaze betrays the insolence and inexperience of my youth.

I stop for just a moment to look behind me and take in all my power, and then I glide away beyond the river which crosses the forest with its live and dynamic murmur.

The deep silence, broken only by the sounds of nature, makes the scenery even more suggestive.

A seductive and magnetic force urges me to continue onward in my journey. Faster and faster. As if something or someone were pulling at me..

My blood flows quickly through my veins flooding and feeding every inch of my body.

My tight muscles respond immediately to my every command.

My breathing becomes short.

My heart beats non-stop and powerfully.

My senses are alert and ready to respond.

My whole body emanates strength, power, and speed.

Like the most dangerous predator, nothing escapes my control and nothing can take my instincts and defenses by surprise.

A mixed feeling of fear and excitement enters my spirit. My adrenaline shoots through me deafeningly, my body quivers excitedly from so much self-confidence.

Every part of me is in a state of pure agitation.

And everything around me is quiet, almost unreal in its stillness.

Like everything around me, my thoughts are also peacefully still, fixed, immobile like a photograph.

I can see them, backwards, reliving each stage.

Everything transmits calm.

A moment later she found herself bathed in light with an irritating noise in her ears.

The awakening tyrannically brought her back to the reality of her room while Gastone, after managing to get under the covers that covered her face, started to lick her cheeks demanding his breakfast.

The room wasn't very big.

Simply furnished, an arched window opened in an entire wall and looked out into the garden of the small building where the small apartment she inhabited was located.

The remaining space was sparsely furnished.

The wrought iron bed stood in the middle of the room.

The wall opposite the large window was occupied by a wardrobe and an antique chest of drawers covered with objects of all types and uses.

Chaos and disarray undisputedly ruled the few meters of this her small and most private world.

Light filtered through the blinds that were still rolled down, weakly illuminating the countless photographs stuck on the wall and the pile of diaries carelessly stacked on a small table that stood at an angle wedged next to the wardrobe.

A new day was dawning, bringing her dream to an end.

The feeling of belonging and security that had guided her during her extravagant dream journey unbecomingly left room for uncertainty and the inability to feel part of this world that had always accompanied her days, or at least ever since she had memories of herself and of her thoughts.

After enjoying the peace resulting from her fantastic dream for a little longer and after taking pleasure in Gastone's purrs and cuddles, she decided to get up.

Come on my big beautiful cat, let's go the kitchen, said Emma, talking herself into abandoning the warmth of her bed, moving slowly and stealthily from underneath the fluffy duvet that she was wrapped in.

A second later Gastone jumped off the bed quick and nimble.

The cat had an elegance and charisma that were uncommon even for a feline and immediately captured the attention of anyone who entered the house. Emma and her friends spent hours watching him, mesmerized.

The way he moved seemed to be timeless, phlegmatic, and sinuous; Gastone was the longest living cat she had ever known. He had been with her all her life.

His fur was completely black and wavy with blue hues, shiny and extremely soft. He had a delicate muzzle, long whiskers, and a pair of yellow eyes with gold designs that gave him a unique and fascinating gaze.

After getting up and serving her Kitty Gaston his breakfast, she ran into the bathroom and jumped under the shower.

The morning's rhythm put her in a good mood. Shower, pony tail, and coffee. Everything fell into place following these simple movements.

The order of the things that ruled her world was important for Emma. It allowed her to be in control of situations and of her emotions.

Naturally instinctive and impulsive, she had learned, over time, to control this feature of her character, favored by an increasing rationality in the way she handled her life.

She could do this, but only if she managed to somehow foresee the events or the consequences of her or other people's actions. This is why she needed order and routine, so that she could never be taken by surprise and so that she never lost control, as had happened too many times in the past.

Essentially, she did not want to let passion and her heart govern her life.

Upon entering the bathroom, she caught her reflection in the mirror out of the corner of her eye.

She stopped for a moment to look at herself.

Her encounter with the mirror definitely cancelled the memory of the previous night's dream, and the strong woman who was sure of herself gave way to her, Emma, who stood five feet twenty-five tall and weighed slightly over 121 pounds. Not quite the image of power and rashness.

Her body was small and lean, her oval face pale and smooth, surrounded by a cascade of long dark hair which brushed her shoulders, was dominated by a pair of large and inquisitive eyes. Her gaze, insolent beneath long dark eyelashes, was often an accomplice to her shrewd smile. Her lips were full and always formed a pout, giving them a whimsical manner that would have enabled her to conquer the world if only she were aware of her irresistible sensuality.

Emma's beauty was simple but captivating.

While she stood under the shower the warm jet fell over her candid and delicate shoulders, a trickle of water following the shape of the tattoo that she had gotten a couple of years ago.

That tattoo reminded her of the decoration carved on the hilt of the sword she held in her dream even though she had not been able to focus precisely on the details.

Running down between her young and firm breasts, over her flat belly and soft hips, the stream of water ended its journey by her slim legs.

Lost in her thoughts, Emma's fingers stopped to toy with the amethyst pendant that she always wore around her neck. She couldn't stop one of those thoughts from running quickly and relentlessly to the memory of her mother.

Emma had lost both parents, who had died young, when she was just a child, and she had few memories of the time spent with them, memories that were becoming blurred with the passing of the years.

This is what had urged her to write all those diaries. She wrote about all her memories, fragments of memories that came to mind that could describe her parents to her.

She wrote about herself and about what happened to her and she had recently also started writing down her dreams, which were becoming more frequent and detailed.

Clearly fixed in her mind was the image of her mother with the amethyst around her neck who, hugging her, told her fantastic stories about heroes and brave princesses.

This she remembered well. Her mother's and father's kisses and caresses when, just about to fall asleep, she listened absent-mindedly to their stories.

––––––––

Once again she was brought back to the present by an unmistakable call.

"Mio amor!"

Serena was calling her from the kitchen urging her to move, time passed and as usual they were late for class.

"Mio amor, you're still under the shower day-dreaming. Get a move on!".

Day dreaming was Emma's favorite pastime. She did it all the time, wherever and whenever.

She got lost in her thoughts and in her stories.

Everything happened in her head oblivious of what was going around her or where she might be.

All of a sudden her gaze would become absent, a sly smile would appear on her face and her fantasy peopled with sorceresses, vampires and helpless damsels clicked in.

Serena was well aware of this.

They had been friends forever and they had always lived together but it had only been a couple of years, when they had just turned eighteen they had left the family home that hosted them, that they had moved to Zurich, together once again.

Serena did not have a family either. Nobody knew for certain what her background was, least of all her, who had been abandoned when she was a baby.

In essence, they were each other's family.

The girls were different in many ways, but they complemented each other in everything.

Serena was sunny and always smiling. Open to the world and beautiful, she had long blond hair, never out of place, that surrounded her slightly elongated face elegantly enriched by full cheekbones that gave her a distinguished appearance in every situation.

Sure of herself in her movements and sure about her belonging in the world, she was aware of each change that took place. 

She was tall and slim, the body shaped by continuous workouts and the sinuous lines of her firm muscles made her proud and flawless. Serena did yoga, went jogging, and did everything that allowed her to be in contact with nature, which she loved, and of which she was an enchantress.

In comparison, Emma was laid back, like her cat, with her very dark hair and large eyes, her gaze romantic and dreamy, she spent her free time reading and writing.

Opening the bathroom door, Emma came face to face with the lovely blond standing before her with that captivating smile on her lips that always brought joy and with those lynx-like eyes fixed on her.

Serena's eyes were amazing. They had a unique elongated shape and their color changed with the seasons, going from a honey color in summer to a cooler orange in winter. Her blond eyelashes were almost white and they enhanced the amber irises, by no means concealing them.

Back from greeting the sun, Serena was radiant and was holding in her hand the longed for cup of Starbucks coffee without which Emma would not have made it to the front door.

With the same speed that Gastone had jumped off the bed, Emma grabbed the coffee container and with a sly smile she sank into the ancient armchair in the dining room and took a long sip from the steaming cup.

The rest of the house, including Serena's room, had white walls and basic furnishings.

The room was presided by Emma's old armchair and a 70s couch that the girls had found at a flea market a few weeks after they had arrived in town.

The books that were crammed into the shelves of the only piece of furniture in the room was proof of Emma's presence in that house, just as all the baskets with dried flowers and herbs was that of Serena's.

Serena loved everything that was related to the properties of plants. She was practically obsessed, constantly giving Emma teas and tisanes.

She spent much of her free time studying how to make natural remedies for all types of ailments or troubles, and the house often looked like a small herbal laboratory with vials and stills all over the place and the smell, sometimes nauseating, of plants and flowers.

Good morning to me!, Emma declared, smiling through her half-closed eyes and taking another pull of coffee while her friend, with her persistent stare, pressed her to get dressed and rush out.

The lethargic brunette huffed, resenting the pressure, but she finished her coffee and went to her room.

Emma got dressed in the blink of an eye. They were quickly out the door.

The day promised sun, finally.

The trees in the garden of the small building where the girls' apartment was housed, although by now almost bare, stood triumphant and strong, making patterns of shadows on the light green grass underneath.

The summer that had just ended had been short, scarcely hot with cool evenings. But today the sun seemed to timidly peek out from behind the sporadic clouds that chased each other in the peaceful sky.

The warmth of the sun's rays seemed almost out of place for that time of the year. It was,  by now, almost mid October.

Something was stirring in the air, which was effervescent and light. A pleasant breeze gathered the fallen leaves in a tireless whirlwind, lifting the girls' long hair almost as soon as they set foot outside.

It was going to be a day to remember.

2

The morning went by as usual... very slowly."

Emma simply couldn't manage to feel passionate about Latin even if it was the source of her dear Italian language.

She found the lessons boring and outdated. She didn't enjoy having anything to do with old and out-of-date things and she hated those that were considered the dead languages.

If they're dead it must be for a reason. They are unspeakable.

She thought to herself while she doodled distractedly in her notebook.

When she returned to reality she saw that she had sketched the outline of the sword she had held in her dream. She had depicted the decoration by drawing the outlines perfectly and accurately.

She didn't give much importance to what her hand had designed. Anything was better than having to listen to the ramblings of the university professor, who exalted the elegance and refinement of Latin and the legendary Roman Empire.

That's when Emma actually started paying attention to her teacher; when he began to speak about fascinating Imperial Rome.

Emma had grown up in Rome, the city that for her is the most beautiful in the world, rich in all its fascinating contradictions.

Walking down the perfectly preserved passageways of the Imperial Forum one becomes immersed in thousands of years of history.

Around the cobbled alleys one can find amusing characters who for a few Euros offer to act as your tour guide, enriching the historical explanations with unusual and, to say the least, creative anecdotes about Imperial Rome.

Having a beer by the Circo Massimo becomes an experience that is so rich in emotions and meaning, if one stops to think for a moment about all the history that is, even today, present in that place.

The sacred and the profane go hand in hand down the narrow streets of the Trastevere.

The statues of Saint Peter and the colonnade seem to warmly embrace the curious tourists that stroll by.

With Serena, Emma had spent endless moments leaning on the parapet of the Sant’Angelo bridge, imagining the many secrets that could be hidden behind the now silent walls of that magnificent fortress, while the reflection of the powerful walls undulated in the waters of the blond Tiber.

They had laughed and joked while browsing the market stalls along the retaining walls of the Tiber in the summer, flirting with boys on Saturdays and drinking tequila. They had cried over battles lost and rejoiced over others won, always together and united by a double thread that rendered them inseparable, like sisters.

The suffering of one was the delirium of the other. The joy of the first was the calm of the second.

This is why, when Emma decided to leave Rome, pushed by some inexplicable interior force, all Serena could do was follow her. It was unthinkable that they could be separated.

The choice was Zurich because of the city's gothic fascination.

Emma was immediately enraptured and enthralled by it.

It is a pearl in the center of Europe, rich in suggestions and thousands of stimuli.

Emma enjoyed strolling aimlessly around the city's old quarter, alive and thrilling at any time of day, although her favorite moment was at sunset.

She loved the twilight, when the light of the moon is timidly rising, reflecting in the river that crosses the whole city, tinted in subtle hues, shades of gray and silver, bathing it in a mysterious and mystical fascination.

The pale street lights come on discretely, also reflecting in the Limmat that flows lazy and silent while, close by, the eateries begin to fill up with noisy groups and young couples with their arms around each other in romantic embraces as they stroll, enjoying the conspiring moon.

In Niederdorf, the city's old quarter and beating heart, the kitchens of the restaurants fill the alleys with the smells and aromas of the countless variety of world cuisines. People spill down the narrow streets and squares to listen to the street musicians play all types of music.

Chatter and laughter fills every corner and every lane, magically bringing the entire quarter to life. Everything teems with activity, with carefree people drinking and laughing.

All this joy and lightheartedness infected Emma, who would join in and, stroll among it, leaving behind her unhealthy melancholy, and letting herself be drawn in by a healthier feeling of tranquility.

Pain and anxiety were real and intimate parts of her life. They had always lived with her and, sometimes, when she was feeling down, she would go for a walk by the lake, in winter, when there was hardly anybody there and she could unleash all her fantasies and her many melancholies.

She would sit all by herself on a bench, deep in thought, watching the sway of the ruffled wavelets move on the lake's surface that were created by the waves breaking on the still rocks.

The steadiness of those continuous and always identical movements give her peace.

Zurich moves in an apparent slowness, it is like a sleepy and immutable city, but actually, under its solid and static nature there beats a dynamic heart, brilliant, simmering with activity and sophisticated, making it unique and unpredictable, just like Emma.

Under her mask of self-control and indolence there lies a tumultuous and troubled spirit.

An appearance of calm in a whirlwind of feelings.

Between classes, students noisily filled one of the many cafés that are located near the university.

The café was full of chatter and Emma sometimes thinks she can clearly distinguish Serena's laughter from the opposite end of the coffee shop while she drives the waiter crazy with her captivating gaze and kind ways. Other times she's sure she can clearly understand the words spoken by people who were meters away from her. Could it be just a fantasy...?

She had asked herself this many times without really paying close attention, thinking they were just strange jokes that her imagination played on her now and then.

She simply enjoys the liveliness of this city, its zeal and the thousand things that she was always involved in allow her to keep her mind away from her reveries.

Emma and Serena were sitting at a table when, not without a certain amount of racket the rest of the company entered the café.

The moment had arrived and Emma knew it, she couldn't escape her destiny.

While she drank the cappuccino that Serena had brought her after she had stopped torturing the poor barista, their other friends from the group gathered around with dozens of proposals for the evening of her birthday.

We could organize a theme dinner, Martha suggested with overflowing enthusiasm as she planted a noisy kiss on her cheek.

Martha often organized events based on a theme, of which her 100 dinners with a hat was unforgettable.

She chose a historical period and although the menu was always the same, pizza and beer, she made her friends wear hats belonging to the period chosen by her.

This always gave way to ridiculous scenes, but the dinner was always successful.

Martha loved doing these things and Emma adored Martha and was willing to support whatever bizarre idea she proposed.

Hi Martha, said Emma amused at her bubbly and invasive manner.

Although she had always hated redheads due to an inexplicable and instinctive antipathy, Martha's carrot-colored hair, which she herself attributed to her Scottish origins, accompanied by the many freckles that surrounded her cheerful hazel eyes, made her likeable to Emma, and not just to her.

"Martha smells good", thought Emma as soon as she was close to her.

"She smells like mint and cinnamon".

In fact, she thought she could begin to smell the strong lively smell of all her classmates, not just Martha's. And this surprised her because, though skeptical and hesitant, she had the feeling that her sense of smell had suddenly become a lot more potent.

Suddenly someone behind her made an ironic remark.

A dinner with the dead...after all it will be Halloween night.

Martha glared at him.

The one who had spoken was Dim. Dimitri, actually. A young man from ice cold Russia who had enrolled in a course on local folklore to obtain the necessary credits for his dissertation in anthropology.

Dim was very handsome, with a strong body sculpted from endless hours spent at the gym, that contrasted with the paleness of his face with delicate features, enhancing the deep blue of his eyes.

Emma, meanwhile, continued to smile bashfully from the interest although she really wished she could be somewhere else.

She really wanted to be far from the attention of the world because, although it was her micro-world, being in the center made her feel truly awkward.

Many other comments and suggestions followed Dim's and all Emma could do was blink confusedly in the midst of all the hubbub.

She did not like to draw attention to herself and at this moment, much to her regret, all the coffee shop customers were looking toward their table, where all the noise was coming from.

Emma looked around her blushing from the awkwardness and smiling shyly, almost as if to apologize, to everyone whose gaze she met.

Endowed with a cherished beauty, she had always tried to make herself invisible to the eyes of the world. Unsuccessfully.

She was brilliant and intelligent and no matter how hard she tried to conceal her beauty she was charismatic and magnetic. With her slow, silent, and solemn demeanor, she was elegant, though at times insecure in her movements. Unwillingly she attracted people's attention wherever she went.

Although she was aware of the effect that her deep gaze and her lively smile had on others, she still wasn't able to feel comfortable with them.

She always felt out of place and now all this attention made her feel uncomfortable.

But she had to consider all her friends' proposals and enjoyed all the affection they gave her.

In spite of the chatter and din that was going on around her, she suddenly realized there was someone else in the coffee shop that was especially interested in what was going on at her table.

Emma could feel the strong presence. She felt a pair of eyes on her and this increased her annoyance and embarrassment. She didn't know how, but this time she was sure that it wasn't just a simple feeling. She was convinced that someone was watching her intently.

She looked up suddenly, taking everyone else by surprise and practically scaring them.

She quickly looked around her and felt a chill go down her spine.

"What the hell is going on?" she asked herself.

The feeling of being watched became stronger and she stood up to get a better view of the tables around her.

A few of the tables were occupied, and mostly by students. She couldn't see anything strange or out of the ordinary. But she still felt a warning feeling growing in the pit of her stomach and she had the intense sensation that her skin had become more sensitive, to the point that her clothes bothered her.

It was like in her dream, as if her senses were waking up from a long slumber to warn her of imminent danger.

She continued searching with her gaze, letting it fall on either side of the room, with an undecipherable expression on her face until Serena violently entered her field of vision and grabbed her chin in her hands. Turning her friend's face towards her own she asked her if she was all right.

Yes answered Emma with a voice that betrayed her uncertainty, only turning to look at her friend after an endless moment.

You looked like you were in a trance, like when you get lost in your thoughts, but with an angry expression. Serena smiled as she finished speaking, but for the first time, Emma had a strange feeling of unease when being near her.

Staring at those beautiful eyes she detected a new hue. They were ochre, as if their original shade had become darkened. As if a drop of blood had tarnished the lovely orange shade that those eyes always adopted in the fall.

Emma squinted slightly to look better into Serena's eyes but the latter quickly turned her head and looked somewhere else.

It wasn't possible that now even Serena made her feel out of place, of this she was sure, but she had the strong feeling, right there and then, that her friend was keeping something from her.

Emma tried to chase that thought away and returned to the present, to her friends and to the preparations for her birthday.

She smiled at her friend who was still standing in front of her and was looking at her again. Taking one last curious glance around the room, she sat down.

The rest of the day went by quietly even though Emma couldn't stop seeing the image of her trusted friend's worried and surprised look during that odd moment at the coffee shop.

No matter how hard she tried to turn her thoughts to something else, all afternoon long the image of her roommate's changing irises was in her head, like an uncontrollable and inevitable flash that intermittently hammered on her brain cells, making her increasingly more confused and bewildered.

Emma surprised herself by shaking her head as if wanting to physically expel that flash, but couldn't.

On their way home from university, both girls exchanged few words, feeling clearly embarrassed. An unusual and inexplicable feeling of embarrassment.

For Emma this was a sad surprise. She had never seen Serena with that drawn expression and had never seen her have trouble facing someone or something, least of all her.

It was actually a liberation for each of them to go their own ways that afternoon. Each went to their respective jobs, Serena at a herbalist's shop with a laboratory attached, and Emma to the café where she worked as a waitress since she arrived in Zurich.

3

Serena couldn't stop thinking about what had happened at the coffee shop that afternoon and continued to wonder, with growing concern, if Emma had become aware of her uneasiness.

Her friend wasn't mistaken. Emma's wasn't just an imaginary feeling; she was aware that he watched her, like he had been doing for the past sixteen years, since the day Emma's parents had died.

What Serena couldn't understand was how her dear friend had been able to perceive the presence so clearly and forcefully, as if it was the most normal and ordinary thing in the world. As if it was an inborn and genuine feeling.

Serena was sure that the work they had done so far had enabled them to achieve their aim, which was to keep Emma away from her true nature, to defend her from all darkness.

At least she had been sure until that afternoon, when all her certainties had seemed to waver in a single unexpected moment when Emma, inexplicably, had been able to bypass her protection and the controls that she had set up around her.

She knew everything had gone the way it was supposed to, that they had all performed their duties correctly, especially Serena who loved Emma so much. She was more than a sister to her and it had not been a difficult task to stay close to her and protect her during all those years.

It had not been a burden for her because a deep and pure bond had developed between the two girls. They were true friends, even though they were different and even though Serena had been around for a lot longer than Emma.

So strong was her affection for Emma that Serena would have risked her life to save her friend's.

Lately, however, it had become more difficult and demanding for the charismatic blond to keep Emma's real nature in check, reducing it to an ephemeral fantasy limited only to appearing in her friend's dreams.

For some time it seemed as though her true essence was beginning to emerge and Serena needed Martha's help to keep the lively brunette's impetuousness and strength of spirit under control.

Emma's power was huge and immensely dangerous, and no one, least of all Emma, was aware of its real extent. This is why when it started to show, in spite of Serena's efforts, Martha had been, so to speak, drafted.

The extravagant redhead had entered Emma's life on a regular basis just a couple of years ago although, in reality, she had been close by to her all her life, but as a discreet observer.

The two sorceresses, who had so far kept their tremendous power a secret, now worked together to fulfill the mission initiated by Serena years ago, when she had placed a protective spell on Emma, on the day of her birth, October 31, 1990, the day of Samhain.

Different in their appearance, Martha and Serena were also different in the strength and origin of their power.

Serena was a Wicca, quite younger than Martha in age and cult, who drew the strength of her powers from nature's elements:  air, water, earth, and fire.

Martha, as her origins revealed, was a sorceress of Druid descent, whose powers went back many centuries.

Of a more private and contemplative nature, Serena relied on Martha's force and impetuousness and between them they obtained a unique Supreme Power; the power of Mother Earth.

They were among the most powerful sorceresses in the world and their mission had been for many centuries to defend the descendants of Tarja, one of the matriarchs, or Original Sorceresses.

So far it had been sufficient to just keep careful watch, without having to play an active role in the life of humans.

Never until now, had they come into such close contact with the women from the stock of powerful sorceress, it had not been necessary because none of them had actually incarnated the pre-chosen one described by Tarja herself in her prophecy. At least not until Emma was born.

Tarja was a very powerful sorceress who fell in love back in 1840 with her enemy by nature, a vampire. Andrew.

Handsome and seductive by birth right, Andrew's was a pure spirit, in spite of his damned nature.

In his life as a human he had been a beloved son and a loyal friend. He had studied medicine and his aim had been to help people, forsaking the virtues of an easy and worldly life that his class could provide for him, to devote himself body and soul to the ill and ailing.

Fate, however, had planned otherwise.

A woman fell in had fallen in love with him centuries before his encounter with the beautiful sorceress.  Danielle.

All men fell under her spell and would have gone to hell and back for her. All it took was a single glance.

Danielle's eyes were black as night, deep, and bewitching. Her delicate heart-shaped face was framed by a cascade of red curls that fell softly down her shoulders.

The bachelors of London elbowed each other for the opportunity to dance with her at every ball that was held in the city.

But the beautiful redhead, bored by so much acquiescence, turned her attention to the only man who never gave her a second glance, Andrew.

Andrew had no interest in the young woman. He saw her as nothing but a spoilt child who behaved disrespectfully toward ordinary people.

And he was right, for just like a spoilt

Reviews for Emma

[boundtogetherforgood · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Emma Woodhouse is 21. She lives with her father and from the age of 12 was raised by him and a live-in governess, Miss Taylor who is now the newly married Mrs. Weston. Emma set things rolling for that romance to take hold; at least she believes she did.Emma has a passion for arranging couples. The book follows her as she sets out to arrange a fitting match for Miss Harriet Smith. Readers either cringe or enjoy the ride as they watch Emma woefully mess up Miss Smith's life for a time.Through all of this Emma avers that she has no intention of every marrying. Of course that stand is well challenged by the end of the book.I very much enjoyed reading this Jane Austen novel. The only other book of hers that I have read is Pride and Prejudice which I loved. P&P was a masterpiece. I feel that Emma was a good book but not as witty or as culturally astute as P&P. I eagerly look forward to reading more of Miss Austen's works.Oh, and I can't step away without saying the Mr. Woodhouse, described at the beginning of the book as a "valetudinarian:a person who is excessively concerned about his or her poor health or ailments" really got on my nerves!

[ainjel-3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Honestly I found this to be one of the harder Austen novels to read. The plot wasn't as captivating as some of her other works, nor were the characters as interesting. Mr. Knightly and Emma are, of course, exceedingly interesting, but everyone else I found rather blah and dull which might have been the point. Emma is an absolute scoundrel and I was constantly reminded of the Austen quote where she tells her sister I believe that Emma is a protagonist only she will like. There are a lot of interesting choices and techniques used in this novel that require some more pondering and close reading, but I will say this: Emma is not the best Austen novel, but it is probably one of the best literary pieces she produced.

All in all, I would recommend this book to the dedicated Austen fans, but I probably wouldn't recommend it as a starter into Jane Austen literature.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Maybe I shouldn't have listened to this as an audio book because I found it kind of boring. I'm looking forward to listening to more of her books.

[doingdewey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although Emma isn’t going to displace Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice as my favorite Austen, it was definitely a fun read. The introduction mentions that Emma was Austen’s favorite character she created and I can see why. She’s sometimes naive or snobby, but she’s also cheerful, happy, and concerned with the happiness of others. I thought her father and sister were pretty funny, unique characters as well. The way relationships develop between characters is generally slow, subtle, and believable. The end is a bit abrupt and everything wraps up a bit too neatly, but I was in the mood for a light read and actually liked that the resolution wasn’t drawn out too much. Overall, this was a very fun, light read.

This review first published at Doing Dewey.

[kristykay22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An extremely enjoyable and often hilarious slice of Georgian life featuring the spoiled, snotty, but also weirdly lovable Emma who is very convinced she understands how everyone feels even when she is repeatedly proven wrong (even about herself). Austen has the ability to draw characters that are simultaneously pointed caricatures and lovingly individualistic portraits. It is no wonder she published her novels anonymously during her lifetime, because I'm sure her friends, family, and acquaintances could find themselves in these pages. Not sure how I made it this long without reading this one, but I'm glad I finally did.

[odinblindeye · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not the biggest Jane Austin fan, as I find her subject matter not as engaging as some would have me believe. It's a well written book, and her humor is definitely there, but I just don't get the same feeling from Emma as I did from say, Pride and Prejudice. It was alright, but still, I needed to force myself to finish this one off.

[underthebookpile · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Emma is a classic novel that still delights after all this time. It follows the spoilt but well-intentioned titular character as she develops schemes to fix her friends up with suitable husbands. For the most part, they all backfire, leaving some of her acquaintances worse off than they were before. Despite this, you can't help but still like Emma. All of the characters, including her, are very well developed and have humorous quirks and interactions throughout the story. Folks who like the movie "Clueless" might like this book as it is the very closely related basis for the film.

[jessiqa_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Emma is from the leading family in Highbury, living alone with her widowed father at Hartfield. She loves to play matchmaker, feeling her skills quite superior after her friend's marriage went exactly as she hoped. Now Emma has set her sights on Harriet, a young woman of unknown parentage whom Emma wishes to match with the local vicar. The book is a comedy of misunderstandings and secrets. People often don't talk about how they really feel, leaving things up for interpretation, and often misinterpretation.I really enjoyed Emma. The prose is very simple, making it an easy read. I like that Emma herself is a flawed character who comes to recognize her flaws and works to correct them. Not everyone in the story is as self-aware as she is, and that's part of the fun. Austen created a cast of characters here whom you could easily recognize in real life. (How many of us know a talkative Miss Bates?) It's a romantic comedy where the matchmaker lead has no desire for marriage herself, which is perhaps unusual in this genre (and also serves to make the story more interesting). I wholeheartedly recommend reading Emma. It's a fun, low-stakes comedy, with lovable characters and a happy ending.

[amaliagavea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I must begin by stating that I may be utterly biased here. Emma is the novel that introduced me to the treasure that are Jane Austen's masterpieces. I read it when I was fourteen, and fell in love with it right there and then. People often tend to mention that Emma Woodhouse is the least likeable heroine Jane Austen has created. It may be so, since she is rather headstrong, spoiled and with a strong tendency to plan other people's lives, without giving a second thought to all possible consequences, secluded in the protection of Hartfield, her house, her bubble. It may be so but we should not forget that she has no siblings, and an onlychild, more often than not, believes that the world probably revolves around him/her. And I am an onlychild, so don't judge me... :)I recently revisited Emma's world for a group discussion, and I once again found myself utterly charmed by Jane Austen's creation. In this novel, she presents all the vices of the aristocracy, all the possible ways the high and mighty use to look down on those who are less fortunate, and she does so with style and elegance, and her unique satire. Yes, Emma is a difficult character, but I think we must regard her the way we do with a younger sister or a younger cousin who has yet to experience the difficulties of the ''real'' world ''out there''. Emma is a charming character, for all her faults. Frankly, I find her a bit more realistic than the other iconic heroines, the ever - perfect Elizabeth, the always - sensible and cautious Eleanor, or the ever - waiting, passive Anne. Emma makes many mistakes and regrets, but her heart is kind. After all, don't we become a little stupid when we fall in love? (view spoiler)The rest of the characters are all iconic as well. Mr .Knightley is sensible, gentle, gallant, the true voice of reason. I highly prefer him compared to Mr. Darcy. Frank Churchill joins Sense and Sensibility's John Willoughby as the two most unsympathetic young suitors in Jane Austen's works, Harriet is well...Harriet, and Miss Taylor is a lady that I believe all of us would want as a close friend and adviser.Emma is a wonderful journey, full of satire, lively, realistic characters and the beautiful descriptions of a tiny English town. It is small wonder that there have been so many adaptations in all media, the big screen, TV and in theatre. The best adaptation, in my opinion, is the 2009 BBC TV series, with Romola Garai as Emma and Jonny Lee Miller as a dreamy Mr. Knightley.

[borrows0n0wants · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Emma is a fun read. I picked this book up because I had heard that it was the inspiration for the movie Clueless. Once you begin reading it, you see the parallels immediately. A smart, sassy novel.

[bookomaniac-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Andermaal is het hoofdthema: misleiding, niets is wat het lijkt. Andermaal happy end. De hoofdfiguur Emma is eigenlijk niet echt sympathiek, eerder meelijwekkend.Wel weer mooi societyportret en vooral enorme psychologische diepgang (in dit opzicht is Austen zelfs een voorloper van Dostojevski). Vlotte dialogen afgewisseld met beschrijving en introspectie. Vormelijk toch wel minder dan P&P, met soms langdradige stukken.

[leslie398 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nadia May does a marvelous narration for this classic. While it is not my favorite Austen, it is still a wonderful book.

[rosalita_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emma Woodhouse is one of Jane Austen's most infuriating heroines. She is rich, spoiled, and as prone to meddling in the lives of others as she is to neglecting her own self-improvement. She should be insufferable, and the fact that she is not is a credit to Austen's clear-eyed ability to create three-dimensional characters, put them into situations where they do not shine, and then redeem them in the end.Really, Emma's problem is that there is no one who is both her age and her social status in the small English country town where she lives with her widowed father, who is a study in self-centered spoiling himself. Even as she is doing things that make the reader want to slap her, Austen gives us insight into Emma's thoughts that show she is not wholly unaware of where her faults lie and her sincere desire to overcome them, even if she isn't quite sure how to accomplish that.Many years ago, I read a biography of Rex Stout, who created the ineffable private detectives Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. When biographer John McAleer asked Rex in the final days of his life what Wolfe was doing at that moment, Rex said, "He's re-reading Emma ." Indeed, Stout had that famous misogynist detective declare in more than one book that Austen was his favorite writer, and Emma the perfect novel. I wouldn't call it perfect, and I'm not sure it's even my favorite Austen, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[valnewhope · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

It didn't stand up to rereading. Unlikeable characters leading vapid lives.

[john257hopper · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This started off quite well, and the constant misunderstandings by Emma Woodhouse of the romantic intentions of others quite comical. However, I found too many of the characters difficult to distinguish in my mind (my favourite was probably Emma's hapless, hypochondriac father), and they lacked the colourful nature of the more eclectic cast of characters in Mansfield Park. So it was a bit of a struggle in places.

[aeolvey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Love it, love it, love it!

[rainpebble_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emma by Jane Austen; (4 1/2*)Austen's prediction that her Emma was not a person many people would like certainly came to fruition. In point of fact Emma is one of the least likable characters in British literature. She comes across as a snob. She is a rich and manipulative character whom I found to be rather despicable throughout the novel. But for this reader, Emma came to be a character I loved to hate, so to speak. The novel is quite funny and the characterizations I found to be well rounded, not flat, and I could easily identify with most all of them. There were the irritating Bates', the hypochondriac Father, the dashing, the elegant neighbor & brother in law, the accomplished Jane Fairfax of whom Emma is fiercely jealous, and the fawning lower class friend Emma wants to 'match up' with someone of a higher class.The comic exchanges between characters, the complexity of the plot and the witty conversations/bickerings between the characters makes reading Emma a great deal of fun indeed. The reader has no need to like or agree with Emma in order to enjoy this great piece of literature. If not for Jane Austen's brilliant use of the English language, which pulls the reader right in and holds one captive for the duration, I could have never gotten through this book with so much joy and entertainment.But it is exactly the author's control of language which makes the novel the masterpiece it is and why we still enjoy it some 200 years later. Emma is filled with complexity and interesting, funny interludes. The dialogue between the characters is quite brilliant. Emma is highly enjoyable to read and to re-read. I highly recommend this novel.

[katherinegregg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Emma is a lively young girl who has taken on match making but finds that she's not quite a good at it as she supposes when it backfires on her. The characters are memorable and Jane Austen is expert at social satire and highlighting the customs and manners of the times. The move Clueless is based on this book.

[marthajeanne · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Jane Austen threw all the most irritating people she could imagine (I hope she didn't actually know them!) together into a disfunctional community. I'll stick to the books of hers that I really enjoy from now on. This one doesn't do it for me.

[krystlelow · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can say that I'm very glad to have finished this book. Before reading it, I've heard praises of it being 'Jane's best work' and so I guess I should be forgiven if I began reading it with extremely high hopes, being a fan of Jane's work.
However, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed. Sure, I sort of had a liking to Mr Knightley, (as probably was to be expected), but I felt that the storyline dragged on a bit. Though I must say I prefer Emma to Wuthering Heights due to the surprises towards the end.
On a more personal note, (*RANT ALERT*) I think I've finally found why I like classics so much. Other than the obvious of the men being gentlemen, I think it's the fact that courtship was so simple back then. When you fall in love with someone, you pursued them. If affections were returned, the next step would be to plan marriage; and cheating was an abomination. In a world and time where cheating (not just physically, but mentally and emotionally) is so common that it's considered 'normal' today, I find solace in classics. Or maybe I'm just a bitter bitch because I get cheated on so often for being too nice and too understanding. Ah well.

[boredness-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think this was the first Jane Austen book that I have read. I had no idea what the story was going to be about before reading but I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to read about a match maker who has been setting up her friends. Emma reminded me of someone I could have known in my real life. She's not perfect although she thinks we has a great knack for setting people up. I thought it was interesting how she ended up getting married herself. I didn't really see her as a good match for her future husband. It seems like that part of the story wasn't planned out before the book started to be written. But all in all, I did enjoy this book and would love to read more by this author.

[magadri-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Emma is a fun read. I picked this book up because I had heard that it was the inspiration for the movie Clueless. Once you begin reading it, you see the parallels immediately. A smart, sassy novel.

[mrsrj-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The fourth, longest and last of Jane Austen's books to appear in print during her lifetime, Emma is considered a classic romantic comedy and was first published in 1816. Written almost 200 year ago, it's inevitable that the dialogue may feel a bit stilted at times. However, this adds dimension and depth to the story which focuses on 19th century social hierarchies and the interaction between various social classes. Miss Emma Woodhouse is a shining example of a 19th century socialite. Beautiful, clever and wealthy, she fancies herself a master-matchmaker and sets in motion a laundry list of schemes to pair off the Highbury residents. Convinced a make-over would elevate her new friend Harriet's social standing and thus her marriage potential, Emma, fueled by her feeling of superiority, plotted and planned, all to no avail. Failing to realize the extent of her shortcomings and the consequences of such hurtful behavior, Emma was finally confronted by Mr. Knightley. Afterwards, embarrassed and ashamed, she reevaluated her life and began to make amends, in hopes of becoming a better person. Emma is a beautifully written, classic, laced with wit and sarcasm. Through a vastly differing cast of characters, each delightfully inspiring in his or her own way, Austen vividly captured the heart of a community. Everything is neatly tied up at the conclusion, as things literally come full circle...ending much the way it began.A sublte, yet very significant messege is hidden just below the surface--the beginning and the ending are just definitive points in the journey, in between is where we write our definition of happiness. There's a depth and sincere honesty written into the very fabric of this story- that must be recognized to fully appreciate the artistic genius of Jane Austen. Like a vintage automobile, Emma is a slow, leisurely read, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

[maxernst11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Andermaal is het hoofdthema: misleiding, niets is wat het lijkt. Andermaal happy end. De hoofdfiguur Emma is eigenlijk niet echt sympathiek, eerder meelijwekkend.Wel weer mooi societyportret en vooral enorme psychologische diepgang (in dit opzicht is Austen zelfs een voorloper van Dostojevski). Vlotte dialogen afgewisseld met beschrijving en introspectie. Vormelijk toch wel minder dan P&P, met soms langdradige stukken.

[mrsbaty · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I recieved this book through a GoodReads giveaway. Thank you to Goodreads and the author for making this possible!

This is the first book I've read by Sarah Graves so I have no history with this series but I enjoyed it very much! I'm sure there were things I didn't catch since this is pretty far along in a series but whatever they were, they didn't change my enjoyment of the book.

This book falls into the genre I think of as Contemporary American Cozies, my favorite genre! It's not as soft as some, it does have a few hard edges, but it's definitely still comfort food for the cozy reader. It's set in Maine, which is always a great setting for mysteries, and has a female sleuth with a distinct identity as a home repair addict.

There were a lot of characters and a lot of intertwining story lines. In fact, that's the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars. It jumped from story line and POV to story line and POV a little more often than I was completely comfortable with but that was a minor distraction.

The race to the finish at the end where all the story lines are tied up was great! It was definitely a page-turner and impossible to put down. A very fun read. I'll be going to back and starting at the beginning with this series!

[liciasings · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A lovely read. I found some parts (especially about mothers and motherhood) particularly spot-on and powerful. A bit heart-breaking, and altogether a beautiful story. The writing is not great literature, but is a much higher standard than most chick lit. You can really feel that it has been written by a mother with a lot of love in her heart, a good deal of experience understanding people, and with a lot to say. I am glad that I read it.

[lclc2u · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I felt the author's point was to move slowly through the life of a family with their daughter, a budding tennis player. There is a tension which hovers as opposed to gripping your throat leaving you gasping for air. However; the tension remains, it is very present or is it? You are left questioning to the very end.

[maowangvater · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with little to distress or vex her.” That is, until she tries her hand at matchmaking. The results are both disappointingly unsuccessful and hilarious as Emma misreads the cues, makes some false assumptions, and unintentionally offers less than helpful advice. Fortunately, it all turns out all right in the end in this romantic comedy of manners.

[annawaffles · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I feel like the first 3/4 of this book took forEVER to get going, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. I'm actually looking forward to reading it again soon!

[justagirlwithabook · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

My gosh, this one took much too long to read. Here are the basics: Emma lives with her dad and loves to play matchmaker for everyone living within her general vicinity. The first handful of chapters were as slow as molasses and a million characters were introduced. (There were lots of notes taken.) And then the chaos began: Emma setting up this person with that person, then changing her mind and encouraging a different match, then being surprised about people's feelings for each other because, though she's clever about some things, she's also entirely daft about others. A little more than halfway through I decided this story could've been told in a significantly shorter form and I just wanted it all to be over. I have a great nostalgic love for Pride & Prejudice and Jane Austen, but man, this one was brutal. I've not seen any adaptations yet but I've already decided I'll enjoy them immensely more than the book.