The Eastville Shadow

By Karen Beech

In the 1500's a witch came to Earth for an integral ingredient for a spell in Wild Ash. Unbeknownst to her, the fire breathing dragonfly required was protected and the guardian sent out a demon shadow to locate the missing artefact. Fast forward to today. Melanie Knight has found an amulet and her witch friends advises her that trapped inside is a good witch. Mel travels to the village of Eastville to find out the secrets of the amulet, and with a shock revelation to be announced by one of her friends, a mysterious person is abducting witches and the coven to which Mel belongs are approaching.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karen Beech
• Release date: Jan 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005117870

Karen Beech

I am from Staffordshire, and am a mother of one, grandmother of two. The Melanie Knight series will be 4 books long and will be released throughout this year.

Book preview

Melanie Knight Book 1.

The Eastville Shadow Karen Beech

All characters in this publication are fictitious, any resemblance to real persons living, or dead, is purely coincidental.

With Thanks;

The author would first like to thank Sammi Nash for editing this, and the subsequent stories, and also to Dan Lewis-Dayle for his guidance.

Models Vicky Mauchlen, Adam O’Rourke and cover design by Amy Birks Photography.

Also, to Chris, from Uttoxeter.

A dedication to my daughter Marie. You are stronger than you give yourself credit. Also, to Lily-Mae and Luna my wonderful babies.

One

Melanie Knight sighed as she dropped her plastic bags of shopping onto the kitchen table. She caught a glimpse of her golden hair in the mirror that hung loosely over the northern-most wall. She used her hand to brush it back a little, and for a brief moment she saw the old scar above her left eyebrow. She was grateful that thank you to modern day technology she could get rid of the horrible wine stain birthmark that saw her being bullied throughout her educational life.

Mel knew that she was adopted from a young age. Her parents Nathan and Joy Knight has fostered and adopted children for nearly twenty years, until tragedy took them both in a house fire three years ago. She felt a tear well up in her eye as she glanced at one of the many framed photographs of the caring parents that she had decorating her entire house. Her favourite picture was of all three of them and her sister Eloise at an airport which took pride of place above her bed.

Of course, she didn’t know anything of her birth parents. She had seen the television shows where she could track them down but deep inside, she believed that it was not her job to look for someone who willingly gave her up. Although she did wonder if she had any flesh and blood relatives out there in the world. However, she was truly happy with the extended family she knew and loved.

She pressed play on the answering machine near the spiral stairwell, and almost instantly regretted it as she heard her ex-boyfriend’s voice asking her once more for forgiveness.

At twenty-four she had already suffered enough in her life that losing Augusts’ love was probably the least of her worries.

She deleted his message without hesitation and started to put away her shopping whilst the next message played.

Mel She recognised it as her violin tutor Mimi Winchester by her distinct Yorkshire accent, With regards to the amulet you asked me to look at, I have managed to find the information you asked for and it’s an amazing opportunity. Can you call around on your way to work? It is very important

Well Stanley She smiled at her pet iguana as it licked it’s tongue out at her from his cage, I better see what the old witch wants

The Autumnal sunset created a beautiful and almost artificial auburn glow in the evening air as Melanie Knight quickly crossed the busy High Street of Cayton Lakes the village that she now called home. It was just an hour away from her parents’ old home, but after the house fire - she felt as though she could not live with the memories. Even though her sister Eloise had taken over the land and rebuilt the house, Mel often complained that the smell of smoke would make her nauseous. 

She made her way to the woodland that lay behind the fast-flowing traffic of the town. She did not care about the spiders’ web that brushed into her golden hair as she ducked beneath the low hanging limbs of the yew trees that disguised Mimi’s shack. Only a dozen or so people knew that Mimi lived here. To everybody else, they either simply did not or could not see the run-down home. 

From the overgrown footpath she smiled as she saw the remains of the old Winchester Mansion on the horizon. Growing up she’d learned of the Widow Winchester whose lost love had never returned from his tour of duty. Legend had it that she died of a broken heart, but her ghost still haunted their old home. Anyone who had ever dared to stay the night at the stately home met a sticky end within just a few days. So, it was said…

Only last year, three daredevils died in mysterious and horrific circumstances after staying in the Winchester home for a dare. The fourth victim a young girl from out of town had never been found. 

She loved that story and over the recent weeks since Augusts’ betrayal she felt as though she could associate with old Widow Winchester all the more. Although at her young age she had no plans of becoming a vindictive spinster. 

She had thought that she was in love with August. But she was 24 years young so her Mr. Right was out there somewhere. She knew it. 

Two

Mimi welcomed Melanie with a kiss on both cheeks as she opened the door, Come in!

Mel loved Mimi like a grandparent. They had known each other for as long as she could remember. When Mel was a child in Lancashire, Mimi would tell her stories about covens and enchantresses in her old home.  She had been introduced to the Wiccan lifestyle at a young age by one of her foster parents - before she had been adopted by Nathan and Joy - and she had often been caught in a trance within a circle but could never explain why. It was her second lesson when Mimi introduced her to tarot and Mel had picked up the talent easily. By the age of 16 Mel was one of the youngest witches to be initiated into the Balmorley Coven nearby thanks to Mimi’s teachings. 

Mimi had baked cookies and there was a pot of coffee ready to be served. 

Now your violin recital has been rescheduled for next month remember, Mimi smiled as she clicked her fingers, causing the chair to move out enough for Mel to sit. 

I know. Mel acknowledged, But your message said that you had some information on the amulet. 

Oh yes, Mimi’s eyes seemed to glow with pride, I knew it as soon as I saw it. She shuffled over to the opposite side of the table and produced a small golden pentacle that was attached to a silver chain from a wooden box. In the middle of the charm was a small mother-of-pearl orb which shone brightly in the dim light of the house. 

Tell me where you found it again? Mimi questioned. 

Eloise and I were cleaning up the mess from the fire at our parents’ house and right in the middle of the ashes was this beautiful little gem, Mel responded. 

Well, this is a ‘Soul Gem’. Which is what white witches of old would use to capture the spirit or essence of another at the point of death. Mimi explained as the orb throbbed with a brilliant light, The person inside must have been a very powerful witch indeed.

A good one or a bad one? Mel queried. 

The orb shines white which means that he or she must be good. If it was a blood red or a royal purple in colour, then it would insinuate that the witch inside would be dark and evil. Mimi continued. 

So, can we just break the orb to free them? Mel asked. 

If only it could be so simple. Mimi sighed, The only reason to hold the spirit in such a realm is because their death would have been caused by something extraordinarily powerful. The only way to release this witch is defeat the witch that could have caused such a tragedy. And this dear Melanie is where you come into play.

She turned over the pentacle and traced the message that was inscribed on the back. Mel had not seen it before because it was covered in ash and debris when she asked Mimi for help. 

"TJ loves JJ, Eastville, 1571.MK" 

Is that who I think it is? Mel enquired.

Mimi nodded, This is the amulet of Tuesday and Jacob Johansson

From that story you used to tell me when I was little, Mel gasped, I thought it was a fairy story?

My dear, the love story between Tuesday and Jacob is one that every witch tells their children, and one day you may even tell your own sons and daughters about the powerful wood nymph and the prince that united the world.

Mimi gestured towards the shelves, bringing forth a book which landed in front of her. She opened it up to an image of an attractive lady with waist length raven black hair.  She was holding a staff and a globe in her hands as she perched on a throne made of ivy. Next to her was a bearded Scandinavian looking man, wearing a silver crown, offering her a dragonfly. 

But why would it be at my adopted family’s home? Mel muttered, The amulet must be over 500 years old.

This amulet was sent to you. You are to rescue the witch inside, and in order for you to do that, you need to go to Eastville. Mimi smiled. 

"How can I