The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna
Contents
Chapter Twelve
Overview
During a Norwich bookshop visit, Rosetta bonds with peers over comics, but a flare of magic creates a small cyclone that shreds books. Meanwhile, Jamie secretly consults a solicitor about his father’s will. Mika promises not to tell her Society about the girls and discusses spring wards, deepening trust with Jamie.
The mishap becomes a measured success: Rosetta’s social breakthrough outweighs the damage, and Jamie’s acceptance signals growing confidence in Mika and the girls’ progress.
Summary
Mika, Jamie, Ian, and Rosetta arrive at a charming children’s bookshop in Norwich. While Ian browses romances and Rosetta eyes mysteries, Mika monitors the gold dust of Rosetta’s excited magic. Jamie asks to step out briefly, leaving Mika and Ian to watch Rosetta.
Encouraged by Mika, Rosetta starts chatting with two schoolboys, Zaf and Billy, about their favorite comics. As Rosetta warms up, Ian urges Mika to fetch Jamie so he can witness the breakthrough. Mika steps out and finds Jamie exiting a solicitor’s office; after a humorous misunderstanding about “murder,” Jamie admits he was asking about his father’s will.
Walking back, Jamie probes Mika’s loyalties. Mika promises she won’t inform her Society about the girls unless Lillian fails to return to recast the house wards in spring; she explains she can’t perform Lillian’s powerful wards alone. Jamie’s guarded reaction hints he imagines Mika staying through spring, then he grows protective, positioning himself against the wind as they return.
They discover Ian and Rosetta outside with torn books: during an animated debate, Rosetta lost her temper and a tiny cyclone shredded several titles. Ian has offered explanations and bought the damaged stock. Jamie checks the essentials—whether anyone was hurt and whether Rosetta had fun—and, satisfied by her joy, declares the mishap an acceptable price for her progress.
Who Appears
- Mika MoonWitch tutor; monitors Rosetta’s magic, fetches Jamie, promises secrecy from her Society, and discusses spring wards.
- Jamie KellyCaretaker; secretly visits a solicitor about his father’s will, probes Mika’s loyalty, protective yet warming, accepts Rosetta’s mishap.
- RosettaShy young witch; bonds with peers over comics, loses temper, triggers a tiny magical cyclone that shreds books.
- IanCaretaker; delights in the shop, nudges Rosetta to engage, manages fallout, buys the damaged books.
- ZafSchoolboy comic fan; pushes for spoilers, helps draw Rosetta into lively debate.
- BillySchoolboy comic reader; insists on no spoilers, unwittingly provokes Rosetta’s flare of magic.
- Bookshop cashierFriendly shop employee at the till; receives Ian’s explanations after the brief magical mishap.