“You think any of those firefighters are immunes?”

“No, but can you imagine that envelope going unopened all those years or not being mentioned at all to Children’s Services?”

“I’m sure the envelope is enchanted so they wouldn’t give it away to just anyone, but they might be able to give it to someone they think is Owen.”

“If it’s as important as you think it is, then she’d have protected it to make sure it didn’t fall into the wrong hands. It’s not just a compulsion on the firefighters that keeps them from giving it to anyone but Owen. If she did the magic the right way, no one but Owen would be able to open the envelope or take it out of that fire station. If I tried to do it, it would only make the firefighters suspicious of you for bringing an imposter there. The spell could even have negative effects if the wrong person tried to take it. Remember, Mina Morgan was known for using dark magic. Owen was right to be cautious.”

My shoulders sagged into a slump as I sighed. “Oh well, it was worth a shot. But what else can I do?”

“Go home. Get some rest. Pray. Think. To be honest, I’m not sure there’s anything that you or I could do other than be there. This is a job for Merlin.”

“Merlin’s talking seriously with Sam about a jailbreak.”

Rod let out a low whistle. “That does not sound good.”

*

By the time I dragged myself into my apartment, I was ready for a long bath, a good book, and about a pound of chocolate. I’d thought Wednesday was bad, but this had been one of the longest days of my life. “Oh, there you are,” Gemma said as I headed for the bedroom I shared with Nita. “You’d better hurry and get changed.”

“Changed for what?” The only thing I felt like I might change into was a pumpkin.

“It’s Nita’s night out, remember? And I don’t think you want to go looking like that. Did someone try to drown you?”

“I got caught in the rain.” For a moment, I thought about finding an excuse to bow out, but Nita was currently the only normal thing in my life. It might be nice to spend a whole evening without discussing how to beat the bad guys or wondering whether my boyfriend was really the spawn of evil—or if he’d be convicted of it whether or not he was. It wasn’t as though I’d be doing anything to help Owen if I didn’t go. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes,” I promised.

I was glad I’d taken the time to change when Gemma, Marcia, and I met Nita in the lobby of the hotel where she worked because Nita had gone all-out with the glam. She wore a spangled camisole with dark, low-rise jeans and stiletto heels, and she had on more makeup than I’d ever seen her wear, even back in high school when she did her face in the school bathroom before class and then washed it off before going home. “What do you think?” she asked, giving a catwalk turn.

“Very hot,” I said. I felt like the country cousin in the simple sundress and flat sandals I’d thrown on.

“Yeah, you’ve already caught the fashion vibe,” Gemma said.

“And this is a really nice hotel,” Marcia added. I had to agree. It had the hushed elegance of a classy hotel lobby, with Art Deco furniture and a big chandelier overhead.

“I know! It’s a pretty far cry from the Cobb Motel. They may have been built around the same time, but it’s like they’re in totally different universes.” She jumped up and down and squealed. “I can’t believe I’m actually here! It’s so great!”

The hotel’s cocktail lounge turned out to attract more than just business travelers. It was a popular neighborhood post-work watering hole. “It’s just like on TV,” Nita said as we entered. “There are actual single young people here! And drinks in fancy glasses!”

Her enthusiasm was contagious enough to make me temporarily forget my worries. After we’d found a table and ordered drinks—Nita got a cosmopolitan, of course—Marcia asked, “How did your parents take the news about your move?”

Nita tossed back her hair. “Not well at first. There was some screaming and crying, but then my brother reminded them that I’m an adult, and if they took me home against my will, it would be kidnapping. Once I described the hotel, my dad got excited. Now he’s bursting with pride that his daughter works in such a fancy place. He’s convinced I’ll end up running it. Telling my mom about all the Indian men here worked on her. She thinks I’ll be married soon.” We all drank to parents realizing that their daughters had grown up.