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"ILLUMINARE!" she practically shouted, her frustration mounting as she poured every ounce of magical energy she possessed into the simple spell.

The candle wobbled slightly on its holder. The wick produced a wisp of promising smoke. Then... nothing.

Tandy's shoulders slumped in defeat. Reaching into her desk drawer, she pulled out a book of matches and struck one with unnecessary force, lighting the candle the mundane way.

"Red-haired witches don't have to use matches," she muttered bitterly, thinking of Honey Hadwin and her effortless pink aura. "No wonder I went into real estate. At least houses don't care if your magic is pathetic."

She turned to the large mirror on her office wall, practicing her professional smile until no trace of the humiliation remained. But inside, the familiar ache of inadequacy burned far hotter than any flame she'd ever managed to conjure.

"When Ronald's resort is established," she promised her reflection, "I'll have access to the falls water. I'll enhance my powers, and they'll all see. No more 'Tandy Can't-Light-A-Candle Keyes.' They'll call me 'Minister Keyes' and ask for magical advice."

Tandy spun back around, an blew out the match-lit-candle, threw open a drawer, pulled out a compact mirror, and practiced her expressions.

"No! A vampire resort? How awful!" she gasped, then frowned at her reflection.

"No, needs more horror. A vampire resort?

How AWFUL!" she tried again, widening her eyes dramatically.

"Perfect. Totally believable." Each practiced lie came easier than the last---perhaps deception was the only magic she'd ever truly mastered.

A sharp knock at the door interrupted her rehearsal. Tandy quickly stashed the compact and arranged her features into a professional smile.

"Come in!" she called.

The door opened to reveal Mrs. Wilson, an elderly witch whose family had lived in Cauldron Falls for generations. Her silver hair was arranged in an immaculate bun, and her penetrating blue eyes missed nothing.

"Ms. Keyes," the old woman said firmly. "I'd like to know where you stand on this vampire business."

Tandy hadn't expected this direct confrontation. "Well, Mrs. Wilson, I---"

"Because I saw Marty Tuey leaving your place," Mrs. Wilson continued, her shrewd eyes fixed on Tandy's face. "Are you encouraging Marty to organize a protest? Or will you be siding with the traditionalists."

For a moment, Tandy faltered. This wasn't part of her plan---someone actually questioning her actions directly.

"I'm simply trying to maintain professional relationships with all groups," she recovered smoothly. "In real estate, one can't afford to alienate potential clients."

Mrs. Wilson's expression remained skeptical. "Hmm." Her gaze drifted to Tandy's wall, where the corner of her vision board was still visible behind the potted plant.

Tandy quickly moved to block her view. "Mrs. Wilson! Has anyone ever told you that you have the most discerning eye for community dynamics? You should have been a sociologist! Or a detective! Or a---"

"Spare me the flattery, Tandy," Mrs. Wilson cut her off. "My late husband always said, 'Those who stand in the middle of the road get hit from both directions.' Just something to consider."

Tandy's smile froze. "That's... very wise. Speaking of community dynamics, have you tried the new muffins at Tab's Café? Completely unrelated, but I just remembered them! They're doing a special on blueberry today."

Mrs. Wilson's eyes narrowed slightly. "My husband also used to say, 'When someone changes the subject that abruptly, they're usually hiding something.'"

"Your husband sounds like he was full of... wisdom," Tandy managed.

"Indeed." Mrs. Wilson moved toward the door. "I'll be watching closely how this vampire situation develops. And who stands to benefit from the chaos. We need to stand together, Tandy. Not divided." With that parting shot, she left, closing the door firmly behind her.

Tandy exhaled sharply, her composed facade crumbling momentarily. Mrs. Wilson was too observant for comfort. She would need to be more careful---and move more quickly.

Her phone rang---Ronald's special line. She answered with practiced confidence, though her hands trembled slightly after Mrs. Wilson's unexpected challenge.

"Everything's proceeding as planned," she reported. "The town is dividing exactly as you predicted."

"Beautiful, tremendous work," Ronald's voice boomed through the connection. "You're really the best, Tandy. The greatest real estate witch. Such talent."

Tandy winced at his volume, glancing nervously at her door. "I need to accelerate our timeline. There's one thing I forgot to mention earlier. We have a dark creatures expert here in town---Evangelina Coal---I’m pretty sure she’s going to examine the crazy witch today."

"That's not good, not good at all," Ronald responded, his tone darkening. "Experts are bad news, very bad. You'll need to deal with that situation, Tandy. I'm counting on you."

"I have a plan for Evangelina," Tandy assured him, twisting the gold bracelet on her wrist. "But I'll need that special formula you promised---the one that neutralizes magical defenses."

"Already delivered! The best anti-magic formula. Really tremendous stuff." Ronald's voice regained its bombastic quality. "Check the dead drop we discussed. You'll find everything you need to eliminate obstacles."

After ending the call, Tandy pulled out the Falls journal again, studying the underground water tunnels with renewed focus. Her eyes lingered on a passage: "The waters respond to intention. Force diminishes their power; freely given, they unlock their full potential."

This was the key---the town would need to grant access willingly.

She closed the journal and grabbed her coat. The dead drop Ronald mentioned would contain the tools she needed to remove Evangelina Coal---permanently. One strategic "accident," and the town's expert would be gone before she could mess up anything.

Tandy paused, practicing once more in her compact mirror: "What a terrible tragedy!

Poor Evangelina!" Then she smiled at her reflection and whispered, "When Ronald's resort is up and running, I'll finally get the respect I deserve.

Minister of Real Estate in the new vampire order has such a nice ring to it. "

As she left her office, she adjusted the small vampire-shaped brooch on her lapel, then thought better of it and removed it entirely. No need to give Mrs. Wilson more ammunition. The comical bauble---Ronald's idea of subtle solidarity---would have to wait until after the blood moon.

By then, Cauldron Falls would be under new management, and Tandy Keyes would finally have the client list she'd always dreamed of---one that would last for eternity.