Grease, Grit, and Good People: Inside Aeron’s Sanctuary
Welcome to the world of The Assassin’s Legacy! Let’s talk about Ernie’s Garage, Aeron’s sanctuary that becomes such an important part of the books. For this we are focusing just on book one—when we meet them. We do have a an Aeron short story that shows how Aeron ends up at Ernie’s—if you are curious.
Ernie’s place is a small-town mechanic’s shop in Connecticut, a little gritty but gives Aeron a taste of the normalcy she’s been craving. In the original draft, Ernie didn’t even exist, but by 2014, I realized Aeron needed a place to just be, a place that wasn’t Gillard Falls (what’s this?? Check the OG manuscipts out!) or a world of endless danger. Ernie’s garage was born, bringing with it new faces and a different kind of normal.
Because let’s be real: Ernie’s not your typical small-town mechanic. He’s got some Underworld business of his own, running jobs (of the grand-theft-auto variety), and even though Aeron’s not required to help, she’s all in. Why? Well, a drama-free life would probably make her brain implode. Sure, she doesn’t want constant danger, but the garage’s lighter chaos scratches that itch for adventure without spiraling into full-on violence. And that’s what makes Ernie’s Garage so special: it’s chaos-light, comfort-heavy.
Meet Ernie: Muscle, Mystery, and Mentorship
The first time we meet Ernie in the books, it’s clear he’s both intimidating and oddly comforting. He scoops Aeron into the biggest bear hug, and then tends to her wounds like a worried parent. Ernie’s a mountain of a man, covered in enough tattoos to start his own art exhibit, and he’s got a heart that might just be bigger than his biceps. When Aeron stumbles into his garage, battered and bruised, he doesn’t pry into her problems. He’s there to help her unpack her baggage, no questions asked. Well, almost no questions.
Naturally, when he sees Aeron’s bruises, Ernie jumps to conclusions. Domestic issues? Sure, that’s what he assumes. The truth—a brutal assassin lifestyle—is far from his mind. And if that doesn’t already make us love him, then his refusal to let Aeron’s terrifying father drag her back to that life certainly does. In his plaid shirt and oil-stained jeans, Ernie becomes her real dad-in-all-but-name, protector and confidant. He’s got her back, wrench in hand, ready to go to battle if he has to.
Rita’s Diner: Cooking up Comfort and Connection
Now, let’s talk about Rita, Ernie’s wife and the beating heart of the garage. Rita is as much a staple as the engine grease. She runs Rita’s Diner (Aeron’s absolute favorite spot), and keeps Ernie’s crew fed and in line–with kindness.
For Aeron, Rita is like that mom everyone wants. She’s the “welcome home” Aeron never had, especially after losing her guardian, Sarah. The quiet warmth Rita brings makes Aeron feel like she truly belongs, without anyone expecting her to swing a weapon. Her presence shows Aeron that not every adult is out to shape her into a weapon. Sometimes, they just want to feed you a good meal and remind you that life can be sweet—if you let it.
Tommy: The Gruff Yet Caring Pain in the Ass
Ah, Tommy. Every group needs a Tommy—the grumpy friend with a secret heart of gold. He’s the guy who’s either fixing something or griping about it, and if he’s not rolling his eyes at Aeron, he’s probably laughing at her expense. Tommy’s as harmless as they come in Aeron’s world, but he thinks he’s the toughest guy around, which makes their dynamic all the more fun. And while their bickering feels constant, there’s a quiet loyalty under it all.
When Aeron’s father shows up, Tommy steps up, showing that behind the sarcasm and snark, he genuinely cares. Their banter isn’t laced with ulterior motives or manipulative agendas—just some classic, grease-stained camaraderie. With Tommy, she gets to be a regular (if slightly annoyed) teenager, not an assassin on high alert.
The Garage
As it turns out, Ernie’s Garage isn’t just a place to fix cars. It’s a therapy center, a crash course in belonging, and maybe, just maybe, Aeron’s one place of peace. Each rev of an engine, every warm meal shared, every side-eye from Tommy, becomes a part of Aeron’s healing. Here, she’s not just a weapon or a pawn. She’s Aeron, a young woman discovering she has choices beyond her family’s blood-soaked legacy.
Working at the garage lets Aeron feel capable of something that doesn’t involve violence. No one’s counting on her for survival, and she can take pride in skills that are hers alone. She doesn’t have to look over her shoulder or measure her value in lives saved or ended. It’s here, among wrenches and warmth, that she begins to question the path her family set her on and imagine a life that isn’t all about survival.
Ernie, Rita, and Tommy offer Aeron a different kind of strength at the beginning of the series. The garage becomes her touchstone, the place that reminds her that there’s more to life than just staying alive—there’s living, too. And in this small-town garage, Aeron realizes that maybe, just maybe, she’s worth more than her skills as an assassin.
So, while Ernie, Rita, and Tommy might seem like background characters in the world of assassins, they’re anything but. They’re the family Aeron chooses, the warmth she craves, and the reminder that there’s still good worth fighting for. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just the assassin who survives the battles—it’s the girl who’s searching for her own worth outside the family legacy.