Orphaned Witch in Hiding

Stevie Milan, a young witch living in the Arizona desert, has spent years suppressing her magick after her parents' mysterious deaths. She runs her family's tea shop, Kettle Black, and tries to live a mundane life, haunted by her mother's warning: "Forget magick, Stevie. It's a curse." Her only solace is her best friend Jessa and the comfort of tea. But magick keeps finding her—Tarot cards appear in strange places, and her empathic gifts simmer beneath the surface. Stevie's world is small, safe, and lonely, but the universe is about to shatter her fragile peace.

Storm, Tarot, and Betrayal

During a climbing trip, Stevie is caught in a violent storm. A Tarot card—the Tower—appears, warning of disaster. As she descends, her old friend Luke, possessed by a dark mage, attacks her, demanding she use her magick. Forced to defend herself, Stevie unleashes a hidden power, manifesting a protective owl spirit that saves her but leaves Luke dead. The event is witnessed by no one, but the Tarot's warning has come true: Stevie is now entangled in a web of magick, murder, and betrayal.

Possessed Friend, Deadly Climb

Luke's possession and attack force Stevie to break her vow and use magick, resulting in his death. The authorities, already suspicious of witches, quickly blame Stevie. Her empathic abilities reveal the true darkness at play, but no one believes her. The Tarot's prophecies, her mother's cryptic warnings, and the sudden violence converge, marking Stevie as both victim and accused.

Magick Unleashed, Framed for Murder

Stevie's magickal outburst and Luke's death make her a target. The police arrest her for murder and illegal magick, ignoring her pleas of innocence. Her best friend Jessa is powerless to help. The magickal community is divided, and Stevie is branded a dangerous witch. Her only hope comes from an unexpected source: the Arcana Academy, which offers her a deal—help them decipher her mother's prophecies, or face execution.

Arrest, Injustice, and Escape

In prison, Stevie endures abuse and isolation, her magick suppressed. Dr. Cassius Devane, a powerful mage and professor from Arcana Academy, visits her with an ultimatum: enroll at the Academy and help unravel her mother's Tarot prophecies, or die. With no other options, Stevie agrees. Devane orchestrates a daring escape, faking her death and spiriting her away to the Academy's hidden world.

The Academy's Ultimatum

Devane and the Academy offer Stevie a stark choice: embrace her magick and her mother's legacy, or disappear forever. The Academy is both sanctuary and prison, a place of power and secrets. Stevie's arrival is met with suspicion and awe—her mother was once a legend here, now a heretic. The headmistress, Anna Trello, is both ally and adversary. Stevie's decision to stay is driven by a desire for answers, justice, and survival.

Lethal Prophecies and Old Wounds

The Academy believes Stevie's mother foresaw a coming darkness—murders, betrayals, and the rise of a magickal evil. Stevie is tasked with decoding her mother's cryptic Tarot-based research, which is written in a code only she can unlock. The work is dangerous, and the Academy's motives are not entirely pure. Stevie's own magick begins to awaken, revealing her as a rare "spirit-blessed" witch, connected to all four elements.

Crossing Over, New Beginnings

With Devane's guidance, Stevie crosses into the Academy's hidden realm, leaving her old life—and her best friend Jessa—behind. She is welcomed as both a prodigy and a pariah, her mother's reputation casting a long shadow. The Academy is a place of wonder, danger, and temptation. Stevie's suite is luxurious, her classes challenging, and her new friends (and rivals) both supportive and treacherous. She is drawn to several enigmatic mages—Kirin, Baz, Ani, and Devane—each with secrets of their own.

Arcana Academy Revealed

Arcana Academy is a gothic wonderland, divided into four houses based on the Tarot suits and elements. The school is a microcosm of the magickal world—full of rivalries, alliances, and ancient traditions. Stevie's rare spirit-blessed status makes her a target for both admiration and jealousy. She navigates mean-girl covens, secret societies, and the attention of powerful mages, all while trying to stay alive and solve the mystery of her mother's prophecies.

House Rivalries and Allies

Stevie befriends Isla and Nat, two first-year witches, and faces off against Carly and the Claires, a coven of privileged rivals. She is drawn into the orbit of Kirin (the gentle scholar), Baz (the dangerous bad boy), Ani (the golden-hearted friend), and Devane (the enigmatic professor). Romantic tension simmers, complicated by secrets and the Academy's strict rules. Stevie's empathic gifts reveal hidden motives, and her magickal power grows with each challenge.

The Spirit-Blessed Witch

A magickal test reveals Stevie is "spirit-blessed"—she possesses all four elemental affinities, a rarity that marks her as a potential savior or destroyer. The Tarot Princesses appear to her in visions, granting their blessing. Her magick is wild, unpredictable, and coveted by many. The Academy's leaders watch her closely, some with hope, others with fear. Stevie's connection to the Tarot deepens, and her mother's legacy becomes both a gift and a curse.

Secrets, Societies, and Seduction

Stevie uncovers the existence of the Keepers of the Grave, a secret brotherhood sworn to protect magick's greatest secrets. Kirin, Baz, Ani, and Devane are all members, each embodying a major Tarot archetype. Romantic entanglements intensify—Stevie is torn between Kirin's tenderness, Baz's passion, and Devane's authority. Trust is fragile; secrets abound. Stevie's visions grow darker, hinting at a coming apocalypse.

The Dark Magician Rises

Stevie's research reveals the legend of the Dark Magician—the vengeful son of the First Fool, seeking to reclaim magick's source and unleash destruction. Murders and attacks on witches escalate worldwide, blamed on magickal citizens but orchestrated by a hidden enemy. The Book of Shadow and Mists, a legendary spellbook, is the key to finding the sacred objects that control magick itself. Stevie's mother's prophecies point to a coming war.

Blood, Betrayal, and Survival

Professor Phaines, once a trusted ally, is revealed as a traitor and servant of the Dark Magician. He kidnaps Stevie, tortures her for the spell translations, and attempts a blood ritual to steal her power. Stevie uses her wits and empathic magick to manipulate his fear, buying time until her friends—guided by her owl familiar—rescue her. The betrayal shakes Stevie's faith in everyone, but also steels her resolve.

The Keepers of the Grave

Kirin, Baz, Ani, and Devane reveal themselves as incarnations of the Tarot's major arcana—The Tower, The Devil, The Sun, and The Moon—sworn to protect magick and the sacred objects. Stevie is the Star, her mother was The World. Together, they are the Keepers of the Grave, bound by blood and destiny. The brotherhood's ritual binds Stevie to their cause, and she must decide whether to embrace her role or walk away.

The Prophecy's Hidden Code

Stevie discovers the Book of Shadow and Mists is not one book, but two—her mother's grimoire and an ancient tome. Only she can read the hidden spells when the books are combined. The code reveals the locations of the sacred objects and the means to stop the Dark Magician. But Phaines has stolen the books, and the race is on to find the objects before the enemy does.

The Star's Destiny Awakened

With her friends and brotherhood by her side, Stevie embraces her destiny as the Star. She is no longer just a pawn in others' games, but a leader in the fight against darkness. The Academy is no longer a prison, but a home. The hunt for the sacred objects—and for Stevie's heart—has begun. The future is uncertain, but Stevie is ready to face it, armed with magick, love, and the unbreakable bonds of her chosen family.

Characters

Stevie Milan

Stevie is a young witch marked by trauma, loss, and a deep longing for belonging. Orphaned after her parents' mysterious deaths, she suppresses her magick, believing it a curse. Her empathic gifts make her both vulnerable and uniquely powerful—she can sense and manipulate emotions, heal quickly, and eventually channel all four elements. Stevie is fiercely loyal, witty, and stubborn, with a tendency to self-sabotage in love. Her journey is one of self-acceptance, as she moves from hiding to embracing her destiny as the Star, a rare spirit-blessed witch and the key to stopping the coming darkness. Her relationships—with Jessa, her best friend; with Kirin, Baz, Ani, and Devane—are central to her growth, forcing her to confront trust, vulnerability, and the true meaning of family.

Kirin Weber

Kirin is a brilliant, introverted mage with a deep love of books, research, and quiet strength. He is Stevie's first real friend at the Academy, and their connection is immediate and profound. Kirin is a member of the Keepers of the Grave, embodying the Tower—change, upheaval, and revelation. He struggles with guilt, self-doubt, and the fear of destroying what he loves. His relationship with Stevie is tender, intellectual, and emotionally charged, complicated by secrets and the burdens of destiny. Kirin's arc is one of learning to risk vulnerability and to fight for love, even when it terrifies him.

Baz Redgrave

Baz is the Academy's resident rebel—sexy, sarcastic, and haunted by darkness. He is both a temptation and a warning, drawing Stevie into a world of passion and risk. As The Devil, he embodies both the allure and the danger of unchecked desire, but also the power of breaking chains. Baz's tough exterior hides deep wounds and a fierce loyalty to his chosen family. His relationship with Stevie is electric, physical, and surprisingly tender, challenging both to confront their fears of intimacy and loss. Baz's journey is about redemption, trust, and the courage to love.

Dr. Cassius Devane

Devane is a powerful mage, professor of mental magicks, and the de facto leader of the Keepers of the Grave. He is authoritative, disciplined, and deeply ethical, but haunted by past failures and the weight of responsibility. As The Moon, he represents intuition, secrets, and the shadow self. His connection with Stevie is complex—mentor, protector, and potential lover—marked by forbidden attraction and mutual respect. Devane's arc is about balancing duty and desire, and learning to trust others with the truth.

Ansel "Ani" McCauley

Ani is the light of the group—optimistic, warm, and endlessly supportive. As The Sun, he brings joy, hope, and healing to those around him. He is Stevie's confidant and cheerleader, always ready with a joke or a shoulder to cry on. Ani's role is to remind the group of the importance of friendship, laughter, and resilience in the face of darkness. His own feelings for Stevie are complicated by his loyalty to the brotherhood and his desire to keep the peace.

Anna Trello

Anna is the formidable headmistress of Arcana Academy, a woman of power, secrets, and shifting loyalties. She was once Stevie's mother's mentor, but also played a role in her downfall. Anna is both protector and manipulator, driven by a desire to preserve the Academy and magickal society at any cost. Her relationship with Stevie is fraught with guilt, regret, and the hope for redemption.

Professor Phaines

Phaines is the kindly librarian and mentor who is ultimately revealed as a traitor, servant of the Dark Magician, and the corrupted Hierophant. His betrayal is a devastating blow to Stevie and the Academy, embodying the danger of misplaced trust and the seductive power of ambition. Phaines's arc is a cautionary tale about the cost of serving darkness.

Jessa Velasquez

Jessa is Stevie's non-magickal best friend, surrogate sister, and emotional anchor. She is fiercely protective, practical, and unafraid to call Stevie out on her bullshit. Jessa's unwavering support and love are crucial to Stevie's survival and growth, reminding her of her roots and the importance of chosen family.

Carly Kirkpatrick

Carly is the leader of the Claires, a privileged coven of first-year witches. She is both a rival and a mirror for Stevie—ambitious, insecure, and desperate for connection. Carly's antagonism masks her own pain and longing for acceptance. Her arc hints at possible redemption and the dangers of unchecked power.

The Dark Magician

The Dark Magician is the legendary villain at the heart of the prophecies—a vengeful son seeking to reclaim magick's source and unleash destruction. He is both myth and reality, orchestrating attacks on witches and mages, manipulating events from the shadows. His rise threatens to plunge the magickal and mundane worlds into chaos, and only Stevie and the Keepers of the Grave stand in his way.

Plot Devices

Tarot as Magickal Structure

The Tarot is not just a divinatory tool but the very structure of magickal society. Each suit and major arcana corresponds to elemental powers, houses, and personal destinies. The Tarot's imagery, symbolism, and prophecies drive the plot, with Stevie's rare "spirit-blessed" status marking her as a nexus of all four elements. Tarot cards appear as omens, warnings, and keys to unlocking hidden knowledge, blurring the line between fate and free will.

Prophecy and Coded Language

Stevie's mother's prophecies, written in a code only Stevie can unlock, are central to the plot. The prophecies foreshadow coming disasters, betrayals, and the rise of the Dark Magician. The coded language, requiring both blood and intuition to decipher, creates a sense of urgency and mystery. The quest to decode the prophecies is both a literal and metaphorical journey of self-discovery.

Secret Societies and Hidden Identities

The existence of the Keepers of the Grave—a secret brotherhood embodying the major arcana—adds layers of intrigue, loyalty, and betrayal. The revelation that Stevie and her friends are incarnations of the Tarot's most powerful archetypes raises the stakes and blurs the line between legend and reality. Hidden identities, secret rituals, and the threat of corruption (the "dark arcana") create tension and drive character development.

Romantic Tension and Found Family

Romantic tension is a key engine of the story

Last updated: May 7, 2025