It is part of witch lore that they are all orphans, and parent death is mentioned in passing throughout. Main female character has had people (former caregivers and a boyfriend) take advantage of her witchy skills in toxic ways. Main male character experienced physical abuse as a child at the hands of his brothers after his father died. A secondary character has a natural death pre-narrative, but there is discussion of burying her, unburying her, and animating her bones. A minor character is locked in a tool shed and has his memories modified.