Witch Without Magic

Westlyn Avery, a young witch in Manhattan, is marked by her lack of magic—a fact that makes her a target for ridicule and abuse at her magical academy. Her teachers urge her to be useful, perhaps by marrying into a mage family, but Westlyn's sense of worth is battered by her inability to cast spells. Her father is absent and unreliable, and her mother is dead. One night, after a humiliating class, Westlyn is ambushed by a group of mage boys who torment her, both physically and emotionally, leaving her feeling utterly powerless and alone. This formative trauma sets the stage for her lifelong struggle with shame, fear, and the desperate need to reclaim her agency.

Night of Betrayal

Dragged into an abandoned subway station, Westlyn is bound to the tracks by her tormentors, who attempt a dark ritual, cutting her and chanting to summon a demon. Their cruelty escalates until a train approaches, and in their panic, the boys flee, leaving her to die. Westlyn's terror and pain are overwhelming, but at the last moment, a trio of ravens appears, helping her escape her bonds just in time. She survives, but the scars—physical and emotional—are deep. This night cements her sense of isolation and betrayal, not only by her peers but by the adults and magical society that should have protected her.

Gargoyles in the Shadows

Years later, Westlyn's life collides with four cursed gargoyles—Draegan, Jude, Augustine, and Rook—who are both feared and revered in New York's supernatural underworld. Though monstrous in form, they offer her a sense of safety and belonging she's never known. As they work together to unravel the mysteries of her past and the curse binding them, Westlyn finds herself drawn into their world of secrets, violence, and forbidden desire. The gargoyles, each with their own wounds and loyalties, become her protectors, allies, and, eventually, something more intimate.

Scars and Confessions

Haunted by her past, Westlyn finally confides in Jude and Augustine, revealing the full horror of her childhood trauma and the word "WICKED" carved into her skin. The act of sharing her story is both terrifying and liberating, forging a deep bond of trust and vulnerability between her and the gargoyles. They respond not with pity, but with fierce protectiveness and love, helping her begin to shed the shame she's carried for so long. This moment marks a turning point, as Westlyn starts to believe she might be worthy of care and belonging.

Bonds Forged in Pain

The gargoyles, especially Jude and Augustine, are consumed by rage at Westlyn's abusers and vow to hunt them down. Their violent loyalty is both comforting and alarming to Westlyn, who is torn between wanting justice and fearing the darkness it might awaken in her. As the group investigates the shadow magic society's role in her suffering, they uncover connections to powerful mages, a stolen fae codex, and a web of conspiracies that reach into Westlyn's own family. The lines between vengeance and healing blur, and Westlyn must decide how far she's willing to go to reclaim her power.

The Curse and the Codex

The gargoyles' curse is tied to a fae artifact—the Cerridwen Codex—which may also hold the key to Westlyn's lost magic and the shadow society's plans. Rook, the scholar, and Westlyn work together to study the Codex, but it reacts violently to her presence, causing headaches and strange visions. The group suspects Westlyn's heritage is not purely witch but part fae, and that her lack of magic may be the result of a binding placed on her at birth. The Codex, the curse, and Westlyn's fate are inextricably linked, and the answers may be more dangerous than they realize.

Vengeance Unleashed

Jude and Augustine track down Westlyn's childhood tormentors—Jacob, Alonzo, and the mysterious "Full Metal Jacket"—and exact brutal, bloody revenge. Westlyn, initially hesitant, is drawn to the violence, feeling a dark satisfaction as her abusers suffer. In the slaughterhouse where the gargoyles mete out justice, Westlyn herself is overtaken by a strange force, carving glowing runes into the mages' flesh. The act is both cathartic and terrifying, awakening something ancient and hungry within her. The boundaries between victim and avenger, human and monster, begin to blur.

Blood and Moonlight

After the slaughter, Westlyn is left shaken and amnesiac, unable to recall the full extent of her actions. Augustine and Jude realize she was possessed by a force connected to the dark fae, as evidenced by the glowing runes and the cold, otherworldly energy that filled the room. The violence has not drained her, but instead left her feeling more alive, more powerful, and more insatiable than ever. The group is both awed and alarmed by the change, recognizing that Westlyn's connection to the fae—and to something darker—may be the key to everything.

The Fae's Mark

Photographs from the night reveal a binding rune glowing at the base of Westlyn's neck, visible only in certain lights. Rook identifies it as a dark fae binding, likely placed on her at birth to suppress her magic or tie her to a greater purpose. The rune's presence explains her lifelong impotence and the Codex's violent reaction to her. The group speculates that Westlyn was never truly powerless—her magic was simply locked away, waiting for the right trigger. The rune, the Codex, and the shadow society's obsession with her all point to a destiny she never chose.

The Witch's Hunger

In the aftermath of violence, Westlyn is overcome by an insatiable hunger—not just for vengeance, but for pleasure, connection, and power. Her relationships with the gargoyles deepen, becoming more intimate and complex. Each of them—Jude's wildness, Augustine's tenderness, Rook's intellect, Draegan's dominance—draws out a different facet of her, and she finds herself craving all of them. The hunger is both a gift and a curse, a sign that the darkness within her is growing stronger, and that her fate is no longer entirely her own.

Secrets in Stone

As the group investigates further, they uncover evidence that Westlyn's stepmother, Eloise, orchestrated much of her suffering, hiring the mages to break her spirit and prepare her for a demonic binding. The shadow society's plans stretch back decades, possibly to Westlyn's birth and her mother's mysterious death. A series of clues left by her father—a gambler and a broken man—lead Westlyn to suspect he may have tried to protect her in his own flawed way. The search for answers becomes a quest for identity, as Westlyn seeks to reclaim her legacy from those who would use or destroy her.

The Bank's Hidden Key

A childhood photograph and a hidden key lead Westlyn and Draegan to a safe deposit box in a Manhattan bank. With the help of Draegan's underworld connections, they retrieve the box, which contains a fae-crafted protection amulet and a mysterious SSD card. The amulet pulses with magic attuned to Westlyn, confirming her fae heritage and her father's attempt to shield her from the forces arrayed against her. The SSD card, its contents unknown, promises further revelations about her past and the true nature of the curse binding her and the gargoyles.

Runes and Revelations

Back at Blackmoor, the group analyzes the runes, the amulet, and the SSD card, piecing together the threads of Westlyn's story. The runes are identified as moonlight-infused fae bindings, designed to contain or channel immense power. The Tarot reading Westlyn performed before the slaughter—Ace of Swords, The Tower, Death—proves prophetic, warning of upheaval, violence, and transformation. The group realizes that Westlyn is not just a pawn in the shadow society's game, but a potential weapon or vessel for something far greater and more dangerous.

The Heart's Awakening

As Westlyn's relationships with the gargoyles deepen, so do her fears and desires. She yearns for more than vengeance or survival—she wants love, belonging, and a future with those who have become her family. But the darkness within her, the hunger awakened by violence and fae magic, threatens to consume her and those she loves. Draegan, in particular, struggles with his feelings, torn between duty and desire, protection and possession. The group is united by love and loyalty, but haunted by the knowledge that their happiness may be fleeting.

The Road to Ruin

Armed with the amulet and the SSD card, Westlyn and Draegan set out to uncover the final secrets of her past. Their journey is fraught with tension, longing, and the ever-present threat of the shadow society and the demon Zorakkov. As they draw closer to the truth, the forces arrayed against them grow bolder, and the line between hunter and hunted blurs. Westlyn's dreams become more vivid and prophetic, warning of ruin, betrayal, and the destruction of everything she holds dear.

The Dream of Ruin

Westlyn dreams of a ruined Manhattan, her loved ones turned to stone or dust, and herself blamed for the devastation. The dream is filled with symbols—her father's horse, the fae, the demon—each pointing to a destiny she cannot escape. The nightmare leaves her shaken, convinced that the darkness within her may one day destroy not only her enemies, but everyone she loves. The dream is both a warning and a challenge: can she master the power within her, or will it master her?

The Doorway Opens

As Westlyn and Draegan return from the bank, their car is struck in a violent crash. In the moments before darkness claims her, Westlyn reflects on the journey that has brought her here—the pain, the love, the hunger, the hope. The voice of the fae echoes in her mind, promising that everything is unfolding as it should. The story ends on a cliffhanger, with Westlyn's fate—and the fate of her found family—hanging in the balance, the doorway to her true destiny finally opening.

Characters

Westlyn Avery

Westlyn is a young witch born without magic, a fact that has defined her life with shame, isolation, and abuse. Scarred by childhood trauma and betrayal, she is both fiercely vulnerable and stubbornly resilient. Her relationships with her absent father and manipulative stepmother have left her with deep trust issues, but also a desperate longing for belonging and love. As she becomes entangled with the cursed gargoyles, Westlyn's sense of self shifts—she is no longer just a victim, but a survivor, an avenger, and a woman awakening to her own power and desires. The discovery of her fae heritage and the binding rune on her neck reveal that her impotence was never natural, but imposed, and that she may be the key to breaking ancient curses and defeating the shadow society. Her journey is one of reclaiming agency, embracing darkness, and learning to love herself and others, even as she fears the monster within.

Draegan Caldwell

Draegan is the de facto leader of the gargoyles, a figure of authority, control, and deep-seated pain. Cursed by the fae, he is both protector and jailer, struggling to balance his responsibilities with his growing feelings for Westlyn. His past is marked by loss and sacrifice, and he is haunted by the knowledge that love is both forbidden and dangerous for his kind. Draegan's relationship with Westlyn is fraught with tension—he is drawn to her strength and vulnerability, but fears that giving in to desire will endanger them both. His need to protect often manifests as harshness or distance, but beneath the surface lies a heart capable of fierce, selfless love. Draegan's arc is one of learning to trust, to let go of control, and to accept that vulnerability is not weakness.

Jude Hendrix

Jude is the gargoyle most comfortable with his monstrous side—a violent, unhinged enforcer who delights in bloodshed and vengeance. Yet beneath his savage exterior lies a deep well of loyalty, humor, and surprising tenderness, especially toward Westlyn. Her pain awakens his protective instincts, and he is the first to promise—and deliver—bloody retribution against her abusers. Jude's relationship with Westlyn is primal and passionate, but also healing; she grounds him, and he gives her permission to embrace her own darkness. His journey is one of channeling violence into justice, and learning that love can be as fierce as any battle.

Augustine Lamont (Auggie)

Augustine is the most nurturing of the gargoyles, a photographer and chef who uses art and care to soothe the wounds of his found family. He is sensitive, intuitive, and deeply empathetic, often serving as the emotional anchor for the group. Auggie's connection with Westlyn is built on trust, comfort, and mutual healing; he helps her process trauma and rediscover joy, while she inspires him to embrace his own desires and darkness. His arc is about finding balance—between gentleness and strength, pleasure and pain, light and shadow.

Rook Van Doren

Rook is the intellectual heart of the gargoyles, a master of lore, technology, and research. He is methodical, rational, and often reserved, but his curiosity and kindness make him a steady presence in Westlyn's life. Rook's fascination with the Codex and the runes is matched only by his growing affection for Westlyn, which challenges his self-imposed emotional distance. His journey is one of opening up to love, embracing the messiness of emotion, and using knowledge as a tool for both protection and connection.

Eloise DeFoe

Eloise is Westlyn's stepmother and a high-ranking member of the shadow magic society. Cold, calculating, and ruthless, she orchestrates much of Westlyn's suffering, hiring mages to break her spirit and preparing her for a demonic binding. Eloise's motivations are rooted in ambition and fear—she sees Westlyn as both a threat and a tool, and will stop at nothing to control her. She embodies the dangers of power wielded without empathy, and her actions set much of the plot in motion.

Brian Avery

Westlyn's father is a gambler, a failure, and a man crushed by loss and guilt. His inability to protect or love his daughter leaves her vulnerable to abuse, but clues left behind suggest he may have tried, in his own flawed way, to shield her from the worst of the shadow society's plans. His legacy is one of absence and ambiguity, forcing Westlyn to grapple with questions of forgiveness, inheritance, and the meaning of family.

Hunter Forsythe / Zorakkov

Hunter is the son of the Archmage and Westlyn's intended groom, but he is also the vessel for the demon Zorakkov. His body and will are subsumed by the demon's presence, making him both victim and threat. Zorakkov's goal is to manifest fully in the earthly realm, using Westlyn as a key. Hunter's fate is a warning about the dangers of power without agency, and the ways in which individuals can be used as pawns in larger, darker games.

Lucinda, Huxley, and Jean-Pierre

These three ravens are Westlyn's loyal companions, first appearing to save her from death on the subway tracks. They serve as both protectors and omens, guiding her through danger and reminding her of the power of unlikely allies. Their presence is a constant thread of hope and resilience, and they symbolize the possibility of transformation and rebirth.

The Shadow Magic Society

This secretive organization is the engine behind much of the book's conflict, manipulating events from the shadows to serve their own ends. They are responsible for the curse on the gargoyles, the binding of Westlyn, and the summoning of Zorakkov. Their power is rooted in secrecy, tradition, and the willingness to sacrifice individuals for the sake of the collective. They represent the dangers of unchecked authority and the need for rebellion.

Plot Devices

Trauma as Catalyst for Power

Westlyn's journey is shaped by trauma—her lack of magic, her abuse, and her betrayal by those meant to protect her. Rather than breaking her, these experiences become the crucible in which her true power is forged. The narrative uses trauma not as a source of weakness, but as the catalyst for agency, vengeance, and self-discovery. The scars she bears are both literal and symbolic, marking her as someone who has survived and is now capable of wielding power in her own right.

The Found Family Trope

The gargoyles and Westlyn form a found family, united not by blood but by shared pain, loyalty, and love. This device allows the narrative to explore themes of belonging, trust, and the healing power of connection. Each character brings their own wounds and strengths, and together they create a space where vulnerability is possible and transformation can occur.

The Curse and the Codex

The gargoyles' curse and the fae Codex serve as central mysteries, driving the plot and linking the characters' fates. The Codex is both a literal object of power and a metaphor for the secrets that bind and divide the group. Its resistance to Westlyn, and the runes that appear in moments of violence, foreshadow her true heritage and the role she will play in breaking or perpetuating the curse.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

Westlyn's Tarot readings, prophetic dreams, and the appearance of runes all serve as foreshadowing devices, warning of coming upheaval, violence, and transformation. These elements create a sense of inevitability and tension, as the characters struggle to interpret and respond to the signs. The use of prophecy also raises questions about fate, free will, and the possibility of changing one's destiny.

The Hunger Motif

Westlyn's awakening hunger—for vengeance, pleasure, and power—is a recurring motif, symbolizing both her liberation and the dangers of unchecked desire. The narrative uses hunger to explore the intersections of trauma, healing, and monstrosity, blurring the lines between victim and avenger, human and monster. The motif also serves as a metaphor for the costs and rewards of embracing one's true self.

Cliffhanger Structure

The book ends on a dramatic cliffhanger—a car crash, a prophetic voice, and the promise that everything is unfolding as it should. This device maintains narrative momentum, ensuring that the story's central mysteries and emotional arcs remain unresolved, compelling readers to continue the journey in the next installment.

Analysis

is a dark, sensual, and emotionally charged exploration of trauma, power, and the search for belonging. At its core, the novel asks what it means to be powerless in a world obsessed with strength, and how one can reclaim agency in the face of overwhelming odds. Westlyn's journey—from abused, magicless outcast to a woman awakening to her own darkness and desire—mirrors the struggles of many who have been marginalized or wounded by systems of power. The gargoyles, each marked by their own curses and regrets, offer a vision of found family as both sanctuary and crucible, where healing and transformation are possible but never easy. The book's use of violence, hunger, and prophecy blurs the lines between victim and monster, suggesting that true power comes not from denying one's scars, but from embracing them. In a modern context, Wicked Awakening