Donovan DeChance is a collector of ancient manuscripts and books, a practicing mage, and a private investigator. He is also a very private man, and he is in love. When he invites his partner and lover, Amethyst, for a quiet dinner, she has no idea of his true intention. Donovan has planned a sharing--a vision that will give her the keys to his early life--the origins of his power--and a lot more than she bargained for. The story leads to the town of Rookwood in 1842, an old wagon, a traveling charalatan, a cat, a horse, and a boy named Bones. It leads through the history of other stories, and back to Donovan's home, giving Amethyst, and fans of Donovan DeChance, a glimpse into the man, and his magic. Join young Donovan as he fights to keep his soul, save a town, and learn the roots of his teacher and guardian--and meet his familiar, Cleo. Magic, mayhem, and books--always the books. Welcome to the world of Donovan DeChance. This is the first novella in the DeChance Chronicles. Also included in this book are the novellas "The Preacher's Marsh," a historical dark fantasy set in the fictional town of Old Mill, North Carolina, and "The Not Quite Right Reverend Cletus J. Diggs & The Currently Accepted Habits of Nature," set in modern-day Old Mill. Both of these novellas provide background information useful in reading the next novel in this series, Kali's Tale, and also the novel Nevermore, A Novel of Love, Loss & Edgar Allan Poe.