As we progress through the Redcliffe novels and learn about Jessica
Stone’s hidden heritage as a witch, we begin to learn more about her new
position in the world, and what it means as she fights to maintain a relationship
with her vampire lover. It is a very passionate embrace with Jack one
night that brings forward Jessica’s animal Familiar, Suri, an ancient
and magical snow tiger.
Traditionally, animal familiars are believed to be in the spirit of the
domestic black cat, but I believe this may be a very old literary invention,
although I cannot be sure. Anyway, I had always believed that a witch’s
familiar was a physical, living animal. I now know that is far from the truth.
A familiar can also be a spirit animal, a ghost-like creature that is
intelligent and powerful, and that lives in an ethereal other world accessed
directly by the witch. Perhaps they take the physical form of their animal kin
on occasion, and perhaps this will happen with Suri at some point, but I am
still getting to know Jessica’s animal familiar, and she is an unpredictable
and proud creature.
Jessica finds it hard to believe that a being as powerful as Suri could
have remained hidden and undiscovered for nearly thirty years, but perhaps she
will find the answers as we continue reading about her adventures. Certainly,
book 4 in the series, my current work in progress, Eye of the Tiger (A
Redcliffe Novel), is all about the snow tiger and her power games with
Jessica’s boyfriend and his brother. Suri is excited to be free after such a
long imprisonment. She is full of energy, and she wants to cause mischief in
the Redcliffe wolf pack.
If you are interested in seeing other participants for the #AtoZChallenge,
check them out on the official website. We have everything from book
stuff, to cooking, to photography, to travel, and a whole lot more. Happy
April!
*Witch and her familiar image found on Pinterest
