The ringing of the phone echoed in the sea can as Trevor called the mystery person on speakerphone. In the half hour since he agreed to call, I'd cloaked him and we'd already spoken to Astrid. As much as I hated to agree with Trevor, I had to admit he was right about her being a one-track-mind bitch.

Not once did she ask if I was okay or where we were or if Trevor was up to helping. She paid for something and expected results. It was all about my extra land and how she needed it for her materialistic vision for an expansion on her home next door. Astrid went as far as saying she gave Trevor's number to someone willing to provide additional incentive, and she didn't care about me so long as she got her due first.

Trevor got as far as saying he'd moved me, but I ended the call before he asked for more. Aside from her annoying voice, Astrid was useless. She didn't even realize she was being manipulated because she was so selfish.

Now we were tackling the real threat—the unknown.

"They aren't answering," Trevor said on the fifth ring.

"It hasn't gone to voice mail," I said, keeping the phone held up. "Just wait—"

"Hello?"

My stomach jumped into my chest, and I stood straighter. The voice was deep and not one I recalled hearing before. I wanted to hold my breath so I could listen without any other sound interfering in making a connection to someone I knew. As it was, I was pretty sure everyone in the dining room was doing the same so they could hear.

"Hi! Uh, sir..." Trevor stuttered.

"Is she awake?"

"Uh, no. Not at the moment," Trevor said.

"Then why are you call—"

"She was," Trevor rushed. "She was awake."

"What's the update?"

I looked at Aiden, my brows furrowed, and he shook his head. Obviously, he didn't know the voice either. It was so deep, reminding me of when someone impersonated the lowest note in music. Maybe that's what it was. An impersonation or... I didn't know. An app on the phone to augment their voice? For someone to answer expecting to use it would mean they knew Trevor's number or had a throw-away only Trevor called. Why go through all the trouble?

"I've been thinking about your offer," Trevor said. "It's generous, but I want more."

"I've offered enough. Tell me where to meet for our exchange."

"I never had to negotiate, which means you're willing to give me more if I'm smart enough to ask."

"No, it means I didn't want to waste energy finding you, which I am still more than capable of doing if you insist on being greedy."

"To be greedy, I'd have to ask for more than something is worth. I know the value of what you want, and it made me think."

"I assume that was difficult for you?"

"No. It was quite easy, actually," Trevor said. "When Nora woke, she was more than willing to use her skills to ensure you can't locate us. Since you couldn't get her yourself, I assume she's strong enough to do it? I mean, that's why you want her, right? With her abilities, you don't need any others."

"I don't believe you."

"It's true."

"She's capable, but over the last twenty-four hours it's not possible."

"You can do it, so why can't she?"

"Because nobody could use magic until a couple hours ago. What do you know about that?"

"I—nothing." Trevor looked at me and I avoided him and Aiden. "But Nora did it an hour ago, so your logic doesn't apply."

The man sighed. "What do you want?"

"For one? Another ten thousand."

"There's a list?"

"Of course."

"Continue."

"You said I could be given abilities. I want to know my options and be able to choose which I get," Trevor said, and I nearly gasped. "The money is great, but I want this to secure my future."

"Fine."

"One more thing," Trevor said. "I want answers."

"To what?"

"What you plan for Nora."

"I pay for no interference."

"You can't avoid a conscience."

"You have one?"

"Like I said when we first talked, there are things that mean more than money. I want to make sure she isn't hurt and won't be able to come after me."

"You'll know all you need when you receive your money and abilities."

"I want to know first so I know I'm making the right decision. Besides, I want to ensure you don't renege your end once you have Nora. Transfer half the money now, give me a list of the names of people and their powers you took so I can research the validity of what you offer, and explain how and where your ritual works."

"What assurances will you give to never divulge this information?"

"Does it matter? I have Nora, and that's my deal. We are at a new location, hidden by Nora. You can't get her through locating me or connecting to those charms."

"You know not everyone survives the ritual and you can't hide forever."

Trevor's voice shook with the implication. No matter how mad I was, murder was too far. I was scared Trevor would crack, but the possibility of my abilities being stronger—and that I was actually here—made him stay on script. "Deal or not?"

"You have enough supply to keep Nora from being an issue for another day or two?"

"I do." Trevor nodded.

"I'll get back to you tomorrow with a decision. I warn you, it would not be wise to try deceive me."

"You may think I'm greedy, but I'm not stupid."

I didn't wait for a response and disconnected the call. My gaze moved from Trevor to Aiden, and I exhaled. My arm dropped to my side. A moment later, I held it out again to give Aiden Trevor's phone.

"I can't stay and wait for whoever that is to call back. Are you able to deal with it and let me know?"

"Where are you going?" Aiden asked, taking the cell and putting it in his pocket.

"I came here on a journey, remember? I haven't finished it and promised to be somewhere—this actually pulled me away from something."

"What about me?" Trevor asked. "You promised to keep me hidden!"

"I have," I said between clenched teeth, staying focused on Aiden. "Trevor has been cloaked so that he is tied to the electricity. If anyone tries to locate him—no matter where he is located—that person will feel shocked. Literally. He should be able to tell if someone is looking for him."

"I'm going to get shocked?"

"No, though that is a great idea." I rolled my eyes. "You'll feel like you have a shiver or something. So long as you are somewhere with electricity, you won't be located, but you have to be moved from here. The charms around the house can be tracked."

"Where do you think we should take him?"

"Not anyone's home. It's obvious."

"A motel?"

"Can't explain why someone is being held against their will." I shook my head. "Take him to my mother's shop. It's been closed but still has power, right? Nobody would question why they can't see inside."

"How long will you be gone?" Aiden asked, nodding towards the door.

"Just because I'm leaving doesn't mean I can't be back quickly or help from afar," I said to Trevor, stepping backwards as I followed Aiden. "Seriously. Be good."

I turned and walked into the hallway, shutting the door behind me. Aiden narrowed his eyes. I nodded to keep going. If I had to rationalize my journey without disclosing details, I only wanted to do it once, preferably with Islene there for support.

When we entered the dining room, everyone sat at the table with a cup in front of them. Two spots were open, both with a steaming mug, which I hoped was Islene's hot chocolate. Every time she made it, it did whatever I needed—keep me awake, make me sleepy... It was magic.

"So, did anyone recognize the voice?" I asked and took a seat, wrapping my hands around the mug. I blew on it, then took a sip, happy my wish came true with calming hot chocolate. "I have no clue who it is, but I'm pretty sure they know me in more than just passing."

"Not a clue."

"No."

"I don't recognize it."

"I agree with Nora," Islene said. "I couldn't tell who it was, but there was something familiar, and they definitely know Nora."

"I think it's someone I know but they've augmented their voice to avoid recognition."

"Why do that with Trevor? He doesn't know your friends," Aiden said.

"Or family," I added, hoping my suspicions were wrong. "I think it's someone close to me."

I glanced around, taking a sip of my hot chocolate as I watched everyone look down, contemplating who the person could be. As far as I was concerned, only the people here were exempt as suspects. Duvessa, Julian, Devland... Nolyn or even Luna.

Could I trust anyone?

A ball of fear lodged in my throat and I once again glanced away when Calin gave me a sharp look. Having already burned my tongue, I chugged the last two swallows of my drink and stood.

"You're leaving?" Nancy asked, narrowing her eyes on me.

"You said I don't need to be here, Nance."

"I know, but—"

"Nora still has part of her discovery to fulfill," Islene said, and her and Calin stood.

"Aiden will move Trevor and tell me about the call tomorrow." I shrugged. "I have something I have to do."

"But—"

"I'll be back, Nancy. I promise. I just need a few more days."

"Fine." Nancy sighed and stood to face me with her arms outstretched. "At least say a proper goodbye."

"Goodbye, Nancy," I said, giving in, and whispered in her ear, "I'll miss you and try to text, okay?"

Nancy nodded and squeezed me tight before letting me go. I quickly hugged Aubrey-Lynn and Aiden, and left. This time, Islene came with us, though nobody said a word. As we left, I finally looked at the exterior of the house.

Nothing to fear.

*****

Everyone remained quiet. When we reached my house, I mumbled something about space and rushed to the library to validate what Zach said and avoid answering questions I didn't yet know how to answer. Not that I was avoid it. I just... needed a minute. I'd rested, yeah, but that was before Zach returned, I traveled through a portal to a realm my family called home and could apparently 'make me whole', and I interrogated Trevor to learn abut the mystery person out to get me to steal my abilities.

After everything had been set on a crawling pace, it was hard to keep up with the accelerated speed things had begun clicking.

It was overwhelming to think of it all, so I focused on the main things everything fell under: I'd learn if my mother's death was an accident, I'd learn the secrets I'd been kept from and how whatever superpowers I had worked, and I may find a way to deal with the corruption and restore the magic to those who had it stolen if I figured out who wanted me and a way to reverse the ritual once it was shared with Trevor.

The door opened with such force, I barely caught it before it hit the wall. Quietly, I closed it, one hand on the knob and the other palm against the wood. I leaned my forehead against it and exhaled as it clicked, closing my eyes.

What should I say to Calin so he'd understand and not be hurt when he was excluded?

Hopefully, he'd accept I had to go alone and trust me to explain after. He'd already done it so often, I didn't know if he could, no matter that we were soulmates—it didn't come with an unlimited pass. I mean, my grandfather was prepared to walk away from my grandmother, essentially forcing her to tell him her secrets in order for them to stay together.

I sucked in a deep breath and stood straight, letting go of the door. Regardless if Calin accepted it, I had to go. There were too many answers to lose if I didn't. Plus, my grandfather accepted my grandmother when she left and returned. Calin would do the same... I hoped.

The door didn't have answers, and I didn't have time to waste spacing out.

Turning my head, I opened my eyes and looked at the desk. It wasn't necessary after using fire and cloaking Trevor, but I had to be certain. If the flame burned, I wouldn't return to Zach and hurt Calin. If not, I'd go.

From here, I couldn't see any fire.

I crossed the room and stood over the desk to look down. A mixture of anxiety and relief hit me. More than that, a sudden wave of fear shook my limbs. Feeling weak, I sat in the chair. My breath came quick, never feeling like enough air.

Inside, the bowl was empty.

It didn't even have ashes—no embers, no flame, no magic. The only evidence that it had ever held anything hot was the soot just below the chrome rim.

How had another place undone my magic?

Did it have its own abilities?

Oh. God.

How was it possible?

I placed my head on my arms on the desk and closed my eyes.

What do I do?

What do I do?

What do I do?

I sucked in a deep breath and sat straight, forcing myself to calm. I can do this. I just have to find the right words to explain to Calin the importance of what I was doing—that everything else would finally make sense if I did. If I couldn't say it, I could write it. Wasn't that how my family operated? Only I'd draft a letter he could read rather than a journal entry I'd have to hide. In it, I could tell Calin I was going to where my grandfather wrote about in the final journal.

I grabbed a pen and paper from the drawer and hunched over, hoping I had the time before I was checked on.

A/N: I'm so proud to have updated on time :) :) :) I apologize if updates are delayed by a day or two sometimes - I am completely wrapped up in the story! I just began chapter twenty, so it's almost halfway complete. (I do think it will be a tad bit longer than the other instalments as it wraps up, but I will start editing the fluff once the story is complete.)

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think (please).