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“Is your aunt a witch too?” asked Uther.

August was massaging his temples. “Are you sure it’s not in there?”

Meg snapped, sending the book careening at him. August caught it just before it could smash into his nose.

“Check for yourself. It’s gone and we need it. Talk to your aunt or get someone to do it for you. I don’t care. But we need that spell, and she’s the only one that had access to it.”

Esther was still piecing everything together. “If you have weird unofficial territory disputes with the vampires, why is Ashley over at your place all the time?”

Everyone turned to August.

“Esther.” He hissed her name like this conversation might still be a secret. “Could we please talk about this later?”

“You let a vampire in your house?” Meg had the same laser-focused expression her dog was wearing earlier. “You invited her in?”

“August.” Gwen’s voice was gentle and motherly, despite her appearing to be around the same age as them. “You know that’s not a safe thing to do.”

“It’s fine!” August snapped. “She’s not going to do anything while living under Hannah’s roof. I can take care of myself.”

“Wait.Ashley?” Uther turned to Esther, his voice soft and vulnerable. “And you knew? This whole time?”

“I…” Esther couldn’t do this. She thought she could do a deep and meaningful friendship, but she was already failing. Instead of answering his question, she turned to Meg and changed the subject. “Why do you need the missing page?”

The three witches exchanged looks, none of them willing to speak, and that was what finally broke her patience.

“I have homework to do!” Esther got up from the table, mid-speech, like her studies were calling to her this very moment. “I was perfectly happy not knowing any of this. I could be home, being productive with my own things, and not here, gettingsucked into whatever paranormal drama is starting. And you decide now—now—is the time to be cryptic? Keep your witchy secrets. I’m done here.”

Esther wished she had her bag or something to dramatically gather to emphasize how much she was leaving, but she hadn’t even taken off her coat. She hesitated, doing her best to school her expression, but while the conclusion of her speech meant she was leaving, she hadn’t driven herself here and, therefore, had no ride.

Gwen broke the silence first. “Would you like a tour? Meg, dear. You could show them the garden.”

Esther did not want a tour. She wanted answers.

But actually, no. Her wants were all flipped around. She didn’t want answers. She wanted to go home and mind her own business. Not following her supposed friend on his date with a bunch of witches while they hunted some spell in an old book she’d found for them. She was already more involved than she’d intended. She’d let her inclination to observe situations get away from her.

“Fine.” Meg shoved her chair from the table and walked to the back door, not waiting for anyone’s answer.

“Are we meant to follow her?” Uther sounded just as unsure as Esther felt.

Gwen approached Esther, placing a warm hand at her elbow. “Some of this is easier to show than explain. I’m sorry that it’s a lot, but…well, it’s a lot.”

“All right.” Uther stood and walked to the door. “I came here to see a garden, and a garden I shall see.”

The door closed behind Uther, Gwen following behind him, and the conversation was over. Her big speech about leaving was ignored. Esther was a joke.

“Esther.” August bit his lip and tugged at the ring in his ear. “You should know. It’s not…Whatever they show you, I knowAshley is off-limits, okay? So, don’t freak out or anything. I mean, she’s in Hannah’s Family for starters, so she’s off-limits anyway. But I know… Well, I get she means something to you, so I thought I’d let you know.”

Off-limits from what? Did Uther say something to him?

“What are you talking about?” Esther asked.

There was a thwack from outside and an alarmed squeak from Uther.

August’s gaze cut to the door and back at her. “Esther?—”

But Esther was not interested in whatever vague thing August was talking about. She wrenched open the door everyone else had gone through. Her first thought was there was no garden out here.

Her next wasThat’s a crossbow Meg’s shouldering.