Book excerpt: A familiar is a special magical creature that is summoned by a witch or wizard when they turn fourteen years of age. This connection is the most important relationship that a magic user will ever have. The familiars are from a realm where they are chosen for the witch or wizard who are destined to bring them into their world. On her fourteenth birthday, April Alexandrite Wolfsteller summons a black cat named Asriel Mords. After she calls him, she starts to have visions of someone that seems awfully familiar. Could the old hag’s tale of black cats being a misfortune omen be true? With midterms fast approaching and these premonitions, our heroine has a tremendous amount of pressure on her plate.