Authenticity

“Authenticity” is a novelette published in the collection *Life in Shadows* in 2015. Molly and Onyx receive an inheritance and gain some enemies.

## Warning

“Autenthicity” contains explicit violence, profanity, assault, murder, breaking and entering, belligerent urban wildlife, attempted robbery, punching, kicking, shooting, name-calling, poseurs, destruction of private property, elitism, and fantasy depictions of witchcraft and paganism.

## Synopsis

Molly and Onyx attended the reading of Elizabeth’s will, organised by Kate and Jin. They met other Practitioners in and around Seattle. Onyx was antagonised by Archimedes and Hypatia as she investigated a gargoyle statue. Molly learned to know Hector.

Elizabeth’s magical belongings were divided throughout Seattle’s Practitioner community. Archimedes and Hypatia received the gargoyle. The most important piece, Elizabeth’s Book of Shadows, was bequeathed to Molly. After the reading of the will, Victor Saxon invited the participants to become members of the Brotherhood of Apollo, but was met with resistance and suspicion by most other people present.

After the reading, Victor expressed interest in the Book of Shadows. As Molly and Onyx were given the Book of Shadows, they were warned by Kate and Jin that there might be dangers leaving the reading. As they moved to their car, they were followed and accosted. They were first attacked by the gargoyle statue and then by Archimedes’s and Hypatia’s driver. They defeated both before confronting and defeating Archimedes and Hypatia. However, Saxon arrived to defend Archimedes and Hypatia, saying that he was bound to come to the help of prospective members. Hector had however shadowed Saxon and killed him.

### Characters

* Onyx
* Hypatia
* Archimedes
* Kate Oakwood, of the Native circle
* Molly
* Hector Kingston
* Chen Jin, of the International circle
* Victor Saxon, of the Brotherhood of Apollo
* Mr. Gold, ditto
* A driver (for Archimedes and Hypatia, unnamed)
* Steve the snake
	+ Angelo, Steve’s owner (mentioned only)
* Elizabeth van Dalen (mentioned only)
* Harold Weiss (bookstore proprietor; mentioned only)
* Kevin Murray (unnamed, mentioned only)
* and many crows, a pair of raccoons, unnamed Practitioners and some muscle

### Locations & organizations

* Seattle
	+ Ballard
	+ Shoreline (Molly’s and Onyx’s home)
	+ Native circle
	+ International circle
	+ Brotherhood of Apollo
	+ Circle’s End bookstore (mentioned only)

### Items

* Elizabeth’s gargoyle
* Elizabeth’s Book of Shadows

## Continuity

“Authenticity” is set in Spring before the start of *Good Intentions*. Chronologically, it is the first independent story in the Good Intentions Series.

## Theories

It is implied but not stated outright that Archimedes and Hypatia had just asked to join the Brotherhood, and were given the task of claiming the Book of Shadows as a test for initiation.

It is probable that Victor Saxon and Mr. Gold helped Archimedes and Hypatia make the gargoyle move. Since the Family had contacts in Seattle and also had moving gargoyles, it is possible that their knowledge in this came from or through the Family.⁠⁠

## References

1. ↑  *Past Due*, chapter 15
2. ↑  *Past Due*, chapter 18