Page 52 of Big Witch Energy

“And yet, you stood on it for hours, helping your mom clean. Has anyone every told you that you have a little bit of a martyr complex?”

Caroline nodded grimly. “Yes, they have.”

“Also, we have plans with Riley?” Mina asked.

“Do you want to eat olive burgers?” Caroline asked.

Mina made a gagging face. “No, I do not.”

They walked along, Caroline gritting her teeth with every step. She distracted herself, saying, “So you’re taking this whole magic thing in stride, all things considered.”

“When I touched your hand, that first time, in the clinic,” Mina said. “I felt that weird electric zap. It was the same thing I felt when I stepped onto the island for the first time. Well, when we moved here. I don’t know what it felt like when we visited when we were babies. You know, before, when my grandparents were alive? My mom hated it. Didn’t like visiting when we couldn’t even enjoy ourselves like tourists. Anyway, I guess that was magic, from the start. Weird.”

“And you just accept it?” Caroline asked.

Mina gave her a look that was almost pitying. “My generation has dealt with the existence of the internet and the dwindling polar ice caps since birth. Why would magic be so out of the question?”

“Good point,” Caroline conceded.

“It’s different for Josh, and I’m worried about him,” Mina said. “I don’t think he likes being left behind. He likes being able to hear the ghosts, but it’s hard for him, seeing me doing more. I don’t want him to feel like he’s alone, you know?”

“Well, that’s what the coven is good for,” Caroline told her. “You never feel alone.”

“Have you heard anything from the purple-lady ghost lately?” Mina asked suddenly.

“No, she’s just lurking in corners. It feels like she’s sulking a little bit,” Caroline said.

“Me, too. Weird,” Mina mused.

“Most things are when it comes to ghosts,” Caroline told her.

When they reached Shaddow House, Josh burst out of the front door and bounded down the stairs to help Caroline up.

“I’m all right. I’m all right,” Caroline assured Josh as he hustled her up by her elbows.

“Yeah, but Dad’s inside and if he sees you limping like that and walking up the steps, you’re in for a forcible ice pack and a lecture,” Josh replied.

Caroline nodded quickly. “Good call.”

Ben was waiting inside, talking with Riley. While Riley seemed content, Plover was standing nearby, giving Ben a decided stink eye. Ben, however, seemed distracted, and a little agitated.

“Hi, Riley!” Mina called, coming into the house. She curtsied to the butler. “Mr. Plover.”

Plover bowed. “Miss Mina.”

“Everything OK?” Caroline asked.

“I was just explaining to Plover that while I respect the need for privacy and secrecy at Shaddow House, I am pretty firm on my plans to have a security camera pointing at your backyard,” Ben told her.

“I’m actually pretty excited about this plan. It would have been super helpful last year,” Riley said.

“I am still…unenthusiastic,” Plover said, frowning.

“And I understand that,” Ben replied. “But I have to put the needs of the living people I care about over the demands of the dead.”

Plover pinched his lips closed, though he was staring at Mina, Caroline, and Riley. “All right, then.”

“Good, then it’s settled.” Ben reached out to shake Plover’s hand. Realizing that was corporeally impossible, he frowned. “Sorry.”

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