“I delayed in sharing this with you, Torin,” she began, “for two reasons. The first: I didn’t know if Jack would return to the mainland when I summoned him. The second: I didn’t know if what my father said was actually true. It seemed fanciful, and I wanted to see its proof before I gave you any hope.”

Torin scowled. “What are you speaking about, Adi?”

Adaira drew a deep breath. She looked at Jack, as if she needed reassurance from him. He gave her a faint nod.

She told her cousin the same story she had once told Jack, then told him about Jack singing up the spirits of the sea the night before, and what they had said.

Torin exhaled. His eyes seemed to burn in the dim light. “You called the folk to you?”

Adaira nodded. “Yes. Jack did. And we plan to do it again with the earth.”

Jack was staring at his lap, picking dirt from his nails until he felt Torin’s gaze.

“I want to be there when it happens,” Torin said.

“I’m sorry, cousin, but that won’t be possible,” Adaira replied. “It must be Jack and me, and us alone. I don’t think the spirits will manifest if they are being watched by anyone else.”

“Then I have questions I’d like for you to ask the earth,” Torin countered. “One—we know now it’s not the spirits stealing the lasses but a man. Who is this man? What is his name? Where does he reside? Is he working alone or does he have help? Second—where is he hiding the lasses, if they are still alive? And if they are dead . . .” Torin closed his eyes. “Then where are their bodies?”

Adaira and Jack were silent, listening to Torin rattle off queries. But when Jack shared a glance with her, he knew they were both thinking the same thing. The spirits of the sea hadn’t been forthcoming with their responses. What if the earth was no more helpful? Would Jack and Adaira be able to ask all of these questions?

“We’ll try our best to get the answers for you,” Adaira said.

“There is one more thing I’d like you to ask them,” Torin continued. “At the place where Catriona vanished, I found two red flowers lying in the grass. Shorn but unwilted, because they were enchanted. Strange, as I’ve never seen them grow in the east before. Sidra likewise didn’t recognize them, but I have a strong inkling they are being used by the culprit to either entice the girls or to pass unnoticed by us.”

Adaira frowned. “Where are these flowers at the moment?”

“With Sidra. She can give one to you, to show the spirits,” Torin said, turning his attention next to Jack. “How soon can you play?”