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“We were going over some new information,” Sloane says.

I don’t have to push my magic far to pick up the hostility in her energy. It mingles with frustration, hurt, and fear. My sister has always looked out for me. I know that’s all she’s trying to do now, but I need her to trust me sometimes too.

“Where have you been, sweetie?” Celeste asks as Rowan joins us.

He places a hand on Sloane’s shoulder when he leans over and sets a fresh drink in front of her. The energy she projects shifts to something softer, more vulnerable.

“Was clearing my head.” Rowan rubs a thumb tenderly over my sister before stepping away. “How’s your injury healing?” I ask Sloane.

Celeste squeezes Sloane’s hand, wearing a soft smile. “Thanks to the potion and Rowan’s companionship, it’s healing quickly.”

“That’s good.”

“Yes. I’m glad we caught you. I saw my friend, Tahlia, today. Her family has lived near Hemlock for decades. We already know Theodora was a local healer. As it turns out, she was one of the original witches in this area, integral to protecting her coven from a great threat many moons ago. Her bloodline helped create a curse on one of the high demon lords.”

“Why have we never heard of her before?”

“She was very private; all the witches were at that time. With no relatives, other than a son no one can find, her stories died along with her. There was, however, one legend Tahlia remembers her grandmother sharing.”

I pull out the chair, eagerly dropping into it as I lean across the table. “About Theodora?”

Celeste nods. “A demon named Catori was on a rampage, decimating towns. He was too strong to vanquish, but he was also loosing a lot of his warriors. Theodora offered him an exchange: the covens would stop coming for him, and he’d do the same. She and Catori made a blood oath to uphold the deal. It was enough to trick him into sharing his blood so the covens could banish him to Hell. It was powerful, he could still send his demons, but Catori himself was unable to cross between the realms. It wasn’t enough to protect them from Catori indefinitely.”

“The witches knew this and created another spell. A back-up.” Sloane stirs a straw through her drink without looking up at me. “A leader from each of the seven covens in the area swore an oath upon a talisman. When the time was right, a daughter born from Theodora’s bloodline would be able call forth all the powers of the Seven Sisters and vanquish him.”

“So we still need a link to Theodora’s bloodline and whatever this talisman was?” I ask.

“Seems that way.” Celeste looks to Sloane. “Everything hinges on finding her bloodline. Hopefully this destined witch already has the item, even if she doesn’t realize it. Talismans can be anything. It could have been Theodora’s reading glasses for all we know.”

“Kleo called me earlier,” Sloane says. “They finished going through their security footage and found exactly what the hunter was searching for in that book.”

“What was it?”

Sloane slides a piece of paper across the table to me. A photocopy from the book details a sketch of a dagger.

My heart beats hard and sluggish. “We’re after the same thing.” The hilt is almost as long as the blade itself. An ornate silver handle with an inlaid pattern and a dark stone.

“Is it possible the hunter is connected to Theodora Solomon? Maybe she’s trying to take out Catori?” I ask.

“At the very least, I think it’s safe to assume this Catori creature is bad news, but yes, I think starting with her would be a good idea,” Celeste says.

I stare at the picture again. “Who is he, anyway? Catori.”

Sloane pushes another printout toward me. “High Lord of War and Chaos. One of the eight princes of Hell.”

War and chaos? That’s who Nix said he served under. Surely there’s more than just one demon who claims to rule that particular dominion, right? But he and his brothers arrived in Hemlock around the same time my dreams started. Are they looking for the lost witch line too? Are they trying to break Catori’s bind to Hell?

No, I know evil, and that’s not Nix. Do I know him well enough to stake my life, the lives of my loved ones on it? My gut is resolute that Nix means something more to me than a target.

“What’s our next steps?” I ask.

“Tracking down the hunter,” Celeste says. “We thought you could revisit Wild Moon and force a vision. We also need to go back to the library and piece more of Theodora’s life together, and I want to meet this Freddie you two have told me about.”

“Okay. I’ll do that.” I stand, pushing the chair back under the table. “You guys look into Theodora.”

“I’ll come with you. Your car’s still out of action, and I’m waiting for the local garage to get a part for me.” Sloane offers, looking me in the eye for the first time since I walked in.

“No need, it’s a one-person job. It’s better if two people are looking into Theodora.”