Ethan shrugged. “In that case, time is running out,” he said, “Are we doing this?”

  “Yes!” Tessa and I said in unison. The Gallagher twins ignored us.

  “Fine,” Ada said, mimicking her brother’s shrug. “I guess I’ll have to call Lily. They took the body this morning to prepare it for the funeral.”

  “Good luck,” Ethan muttered. Ada shook her head, got out her phone, and stepped into an empty holding area, closing the door behind her. We couldn’t hear what she was saying, but from the way she started pacing and glowering in front of the window we suspected that it wasn’t going well.

  “Can I get you some coffee? Maybe a donut?” Ethan suggested, gesturing toward the break room.

  “Donut?” Tessa gasped. “Where did you get donuts? There isn’t a single bakery around here that makes them.”

  “Oh, no I didn’t buy them,” Ethan said, looking sheepish for some reason. “I made them.”

  “You make donuts?” Tessa said, her eyes narrowing. “You make donuts?”

  “I think he gets that you’re a bit skeptical,” I told her. Detective Gallagher, I would like very much to try one of your donuts.”

  “Great!” Ethan brightened, starting toward the break room, “I’ve been making them fresh every Friday morning for a few years now. I lost a bet one time at our old station and had to bring donuts in for everyone the next day...but money was tight so I looked up a recipe and made them instead. Everybody at the station loved them...so I just kept doing it. It became kind of a tradition.”

  We entered the break room and were greeted by a heaping plate of plump, golden donuts. Each was perfectly round and encased by a gleaming layer of glaze.

  “My goodness,” Tessa whispered raptly. “I haven’t had a decent donut since moving back to town. I go back and forth about adding them to the bakery menu...but they’re just so much trouble.”

  “They’re not so bad,” Ethan laughed, “but they do make a mess. And Ada gets cranky because they make the whole apartment smell like frying oil.”

  Tessa reached out and picked out a donut, holding it with the tips of her fingers, as if afraid it would break. She took a bite.

  “Ohfmygad!” she moaned around a mouthful of donut, eyes wide, “Dish ish shooo good. Sham. Sham you haff to try deesh.”

  “If you insist,” I laughed, picking up my own donut. Tessa wasn’t overreacting—they were just that good. Sugary-sweet on the outside, airy and rich on the inside.

  “Thank you, Detective Gallagher,” I said. “These are delightful.”

  “Dat’sh an understatement.” Tessa mumbled, holding up a second donut for inspection.

  “Yeah?” Ethan asked, beaming. Tessa nodded solemnly.

  The sound of a door slamming behind us made all three of us jump. Ada stalked out of the holding room, looking peeved.

  “Miss Windermere is refusing to release the body for screening. She says it’s too soon before the funeral.”

  “Can’t she reschedule?” Ethan asked, incredulous. “I know it’s a hassle, but this could be the key to finding her aunt’s murderer...” he trailed off, seeing the look on his sister’s face.

  “She won’t even consider it,” Ada replied. “Apparently ‘everyone who’s anyone’ is going to be there and I guess rich, important folk can’t be inconvenienced over a little thing like a homicide investigation.”

  “Classic Windermere move,” Tessa muttered.

  “What now?” I asked.

  “Now,” Ada said, “I think it’s time we put that warrant we got to use. What do you think, Ethan?”

  “I think that’s where we’re at,” he sighed. “I didn’t want to trouble the family, but if Lily won’t cooperate then I think the Manor is the best place to start looking. That is where the victim was seen last. Maybe whatever she took or was given is there.”

  “You have a warrant to search Windermere manor?” I asked. “Why on earth haven’t you used it until now?”

  “Well, first of all,” Ada explained, “we just got it through yesterday. Things here move very slow. And, secondly, everyone was being cooperative and forthcoming up to this point.”

  “Oh,” I said, feeling a bit sheepish. “Yes, that makes sense.”

  “You certainly have an interest in all this, don’t you?” Ada asked, a smile twitching at the corner of her mouth. “Ever thought of unplugging the blender and becoming a full-time crime fighter?”

  “Don’t even joke about that,” Ethan scolded. “You haven’t tried her smoothies. There’s something magical about them.”

  Tessa coughed and I tried to look casual as I carefully avoided their eyes.

  “We should be off,” Ada said, nudging Ethan. “We don’t want to end up searching the place in the middle of the ‘funerary event of the year’.” She rolled her eyes.

  “She didn’t say that,” Tessa gasped.

  “Sure did,” Ada replied. “Let’s get going. Ladies, you’ll have to see yourselves out.”

  “Not a problem,” Tessa said brightly, stacking donuts on the palm of her left hand, “I’ll just take a few of these for the road.”

  Chapter 17

  “Quiet!” Mara whispered, hands clapped over her ears, “I’m trying to listen!”

  Tessa, Allie, and myself were all huddled around the coffee table in my living room, watching Mara intently. We may have also gotten into a tiny, hushed debate about what to order in for lunch, breaking Mara’s concentration. She was seated on the floor, in the center of a makeshift casting circle, trying to hear what was happening at Windermere Manor.

  “Sorry,” I said. “Have you picked up anything yet?”

  Mara shook her head. “Not a thing. I should be...but it’s like there’s something in the way...I’m going to need some help with this one.”

  Tessa and I exchanged a glance and then wordlessly slid off the couch to join Mara on the floor.

  “It won’t be easy without a water-witch,” Tessa said. “Less obnoxious, but not easy.”

  “Can I help?” Allie said hopefully, scooting to sit on the edge of the couch.

  “Sure, kiddo,” Tessa said, patting the floor between her and I. Allie let out a tiny whoop and practically fell off the couch in her eagerness to join the circle.

  Tessa, Allie, Mara, and I joined hands.

  “Keep calm,” Tessa instructed Allie. “There'll already be an imbalance with two fire-witches. Any flare-ups in your magic could cost us the spell.”

  Allie nodded, suddenly serious. Beads of sweat began to form on her forehead.

  “You’ll do great,” I said, giving her hand a squeeze.

  “Alright y’all,” Mara said, shrugging her shoulders to loosen them. “I’m ready.”

  “I’ll go first,” I said. “I’ve got a good one, I think.”

  I closed my eyes and reached out to the earth around me—the rich soil of the orchard, the thick braids of vines that clung to the outside of my house, the delicate roots of my vegetable garden...

  “Rock and dirt, hickory and spruce,

  Herbs for health and fruit for juice,

  I call on you to be of use...

  Give this gal a magic boost!”

  The scent of earth magic, heady and full like a freshly-tilled field in a summer storm, filled the room. Mara chuckled.

  “That was good,” she said. “And I’ve got the shivers now so it’s working.”

  The Tempering Spell is sort of like a cup of coffee for a witch’s magic. With our combined powers, we could all lend a bit of our magic to another. When done right, this enhances the recipient’s abilities for a few hours, while the magic donors are temporarily weakened.

  “Listen carefully,” Tessa instructed Allie, “and make sure you follow the rhyme scheme Aunt Sam established.”

  She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled a stream of thin, white smoke. The air around us began to feel hot and dry.

  “Ancient flame of hope and fear,

  Simmer, boil, sizzle, and sear,

  I summon you, where all can hear,

  Help that witch to overhear!”

  “Very nice,” I coughed, looking around the now smoke-filled room. Mara nodded.

  “Whew!” she said. “I’m definitely going to be able to do this now. Let’s finish up!”

  Allie peered around nervously, drew in a shuddering breath, and closed her eyes,

  “Um...fire is hot, fire is bright,

  Fire also gives off light?

  Fire that helps us see at night...

  Make her magic...more than alright!”

  The smokey air popped and sparked. A small patch of my rug caught fire. I stamped a foot on it quickly before anyone could see.

  “That did it!” Mara said brightly. “I can hear clear to Savannah! Ooh the chef’s special at The Olde Pink House sounds wild...”

  “Great job, sweetheart,” Tessa said, leaning over to give Allie a quick hug. “We need to work on your improvisation, though...”

  “Focus, Mara!” I urged. “What’s going on at Windermere Manor?”

  “Right!” Mara cupped her hands around her ears. “Let’s see...sounds like those detectives are there...oh, she sounds mad.”

  “Who, Ada?” I asked, “The female detective?”

  Mara shook her head.

  “No...” her face scrunched in concentration. “Lily. She’s telling them to get out.”

  “Should have cooperated when you had the chance,” Tessa said lightly.

  “There’s clicking...” Mara continued. “They’re taking pictures. Boy, Lily sure is hollering now. The gentleman detective is telling the lady detective to make sure she gets the herbs in the photo...”

  “The hemlock!” I whispered. “Yes, Detective Gallaghers!”

  Mara continued to narrate the scene as the Gallaghers went from room to room, taking pictures and taking note of their findings. Lily was incensed, following them around the house and demanding that they leave.

  “They’re in the office!” Mara announced after relaying a few minutes of the detectives’ search of the cigar lounge. “They’re looking around! The lady detective just told Lily to step back or she would put her under arrest.”

  “I’m liking these Gallaghers more and more,” Tessa mused.

  “It sounds like they’re moving things around,” Mara spoke quickly. “They found the safe! They want Lily to open it. She doesn’t know the combo.”

  “Good,” I said. “None of them are equipped to deal with whatever’s in there. We’ll have to go take care of that eventually...”

  Tessa and Mara nodded their agreement.

  “They found something else,” Mara continued after a moment. “In one of the books...Scarlett...it’s some letters...” Mara gasped.

  “What?” Tessa, Allie, and I shouted at the same time.

  “More letters from Ronald Williams!” Mara exclaimed. “They’re taking them as evidence. Lily is definitely not happy about that. Like, she is...wait...”

  Mara’s eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. She lifted her head and looked around at us, looking stunned.

  “Mara?” I asked, putting a hand on her shoulder, “Are you okay?”

  “Lily is casting a spell,” she said softly.

  “She’s WHAT?” Tessa shouted, getting to her feet. “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. It’s water magic, I’m sure of it.”

  “She shouldn’t know how to do that,” I said slowly.

  “Darn right she shouldn’t,” Tessa said. “Since when is she a witch?”

  “Quiet, y’all!” Mara cried. “This doesn’t sound good. Whatever she’s doing...I don’t hear the police officers anymore.”

  My mind raced. Lily Windermere, doing magic? Had she found some of her aunt’s spell books? Had Amelia secretly trained her? Teaching magic without the coven’s knowledge is strictly against the rules...but this wouldn’t be the first time Amelia’s ignored our code...

  “Tessa. Mara.” I said, “We have to go there. Now.”

  I strode over to the broom closet. It wasn’t my favorite mode of transportation, but flying would get us to Windermere Manor much sooner than taking Tessa’s car. I grabbed three brooms and started tossing them across the room. They weren’t what you’d think when you imagine witches streaking across the sky...these were just your average, everyday flat brush indoor brooms. One of them still had a dustpan attached when I threw it to Tessa.

  “I’ll go in wild form,” Mara said, setting her broom down. “I can scout out the area. With my enhanced magic, shifting back out shouldn’t be a problem. What I’m worried about is you two. Are you feeling up to it? Your magic must be all but depleted.”

  Tessa shrugged. “We got this.”

  Allie made to pick up Mara’s discarded broom, but Tessa stopped her.

  “Not a chance, kiddo,” she said. “You’re going to stay here behind Granny Greene’s hedge circle.”

  Allie looked like she was about to protest but stopped when she saw her mother’s scowl.

  “Fine,” she pouted, sitting back down on the couch.

  “I love you, too,” Tessa replied.

  “Alright,” I said, trying to stop my voice from shaking and betraying my nerves. “Mara, you go on ahead. Tessa and I will be right behind you.”

  “Got it,” Mara nodded. “Let me take care of those brooms for you first. You save your energy.”

  She put her lips together and blew a gust of cool wind across my broom, then Tessa’s. I felt the handle begin to quiver in my hand.

  “Be safe,” Mara said before vanishing into a puff of feathers.

  Mara the barn swallow flapped her wings and made her way to the window, chirping incessantly. Allie unlatched the window and let it swing open. She ducked out and soared into the open sky.

  “Well then,” Tessa said, touching my arm. “Shall we?”

  “I have no idea what we’re going to fly into,” I said, “but yes.

  “Be safe,” Tessa told Allie, mounting her broom—which had begun to hover a few feet off the ground. “Call Mara’s mom and tell her what’s going on. Do whatever Missus Gale tells you to, no questions and absolutely no sass. If I hear that you were talking back to her—”

  “Tessa,” I said gently, “let’s go.”

  We kicked off from the ground and flew out through the open window, ducking to avoid hitting the frame.

  Tessa and I flew high above the patched roof of my old house, soaring into the layer of gray gloom that had hung over the town all summer.

  Chapter 18

  We flew in the direction of the lake, careful to stay above the cloud layer so as not to be seen by anyone down below. Usually, when we fly (which is rare because cars and bikes usually do the job just fine and without the bombardment of flying insects) we do so in the cover of night. Being out in the open air during the day felt awkward and dangerous.

  “Did you have any theories,” I called to Tessa, almost choking as hair flew into my open mouth, “about what could be going on?”

  “No idea!” Tessa yelled back. “But I’m not going to lie...I’ve wanted to kick some Windermere butt for years.”

  “Don’t overextend yourself,” I warned. “We used up a lot of magic for that Tempering Spell. And there’s no need for butt-kicking of any sort right now. We don’t know the who, what, or anything else of this mess.”

  “Well we know the who,” Tessa grinned, squinting against the sunlight and wind. “And we know the what is unauthorized magic...probably black magic. And what is it that Granny Greene says we do to wicked witches?”

  “We kick their butts.” I said reluctantly, “But—”

  “That’s right!” Tessa laughed, zooming ahead of me.

  “You are way too excited about this,” I muttered. I could feel the pulse of my magic, usually strong and steady, shudder like leaves on a wind-blown aspen. It didn’t help that I was hundreds of feet from the ground, with no earth or plants to draw from for strength. I doubted I could hold my own against another witch in this state, if it came to it.

  I watched Tessa dip down below the clouds for the briefest of moments before reappearing.

  “Almost there,” she said. “We’re just above the lake.”

  We continued onward for a moment, until a quick peek below confirmed that we were hovering directly over Windermere Manor.

  “Let’s descend into the gardens,” I said. “The walls are high enough to hide us. Let’s hope no one happens to be looking out the back windows.”

  “Sounds good,” Tessa nodded, “and we should keep an eye out for Mara...she should be around here somewhere.”

  “If we want to avoid being seen, we’ll have to go fast,” I said. “Really fast. On the count of three?”

  “Yes!” Tessa said eagerly, her hands white-knuckled on her broom. “One.”

  “Two.”

  “Three!”

  We pointed the handles of our brooms downward and sped toward the ground. The clouds broke, revealing the verdant forest, inky lake, and spired mansion below. I clung close to my broom, urging it down faster. The ground rushed toward me and I angled slightly, aiming for the tiny square of garden I saw below. From the corner of my eye I saw Tessa streaking downward beside me, her black hair whipping in the wind.

  We plummeted toward the earth, flying so close we nearly bumped into each other a few times. Just as we were about to clear the walls of the garden, I yanked my broom handle backwards. It slowed my descent, but not by enough. I hit the ground and tumbled into a carrot patch.

  “Ouch!” I groaned, rolling out of a pile of broken carrot greens and moist earth.

  “Yeah,” Tessa wheezed. She was splayed out among the melon vines, her broom stuck handle-first into the dirt.

  I got to my feet, wobbling a bit on an aching knee that I sincerely hoped wasn’t seriously injured, and went to help her up.

  “Hey,” she grunted, taking my offered hand and pulling herself up. “I have an idea for your next smoothie special.”

  “Yeah?” I asked, brushing dirt and bits of vine from her back.

 

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