I felt my mouth drop open, but no words came out.

“That’s when Constance changed her will. Three years ago. She made sure we all got copies.”

I shot a look at Roxie, who was suddenly looking as ill as her brother.

“No, no. Constance saw Beatty just a couple of weeks ago.”

“That may very well be the case, but it wasn’t about her will.”

This could not be happening. I could feel the eyes of the town on me, waiting, but I already knew it was too late. I had lost them. It didn’t matter if Rip still had designs on getting Graves House or not. I had gone after him without having all the facts. No one would believe me now.

A strange noise filtered into my consciousness despite my swirling thoughts.

What was that?

Rattling. Like glasses or dishes knocking together. Just like when Nora and I had been arguing in the dining room.

No. Not now.

I looked over at the treat table. It was very slight, but all of the cups, plates, and silverware were trembling.

“Brynn,” Nora hissed under her breath. “Get ahold of yourself.”

“Does anyone feel that?” Birdie Cline called out in a panicked voice. “What’s happening? Is it an earthquake?”

“Brynn,” Izzy whispered. “Stop it.”

“I’m trying. I can’t.”

“You said you were in control.”

I thought I was.

Suddenly people were pushing back their chairs and getting to their feet as Liz Coleman shouted out, “Funny how these things always seem to happen when the Warren women are around.”

Whispers ran through the crowd. Even though I shouldn’t have been able to hear them, every one reached my ears.

Strange things always happen in that part of town.

I’ve always wondered if there wasn’t something a little odd about that family.

Back in school, Nora was always a little peculiar.

“Everyone? Everyone!” Williams shouted. “Let’s all exit the building in an orderly fashion. I’m sure it’s just a tremor.”

The rest of what she had to say was drowned out by the crowd.

Izzy grabbed me with one hand and Nora with the other. “You two out first.”

Both Nora and I tried to speak but Izzy wasn’t having any of it.

“Not one word,” she snapped. “From either of you. I’ve had it. We’ll talk about this when we get home.”

Chapter 31

It took a lot for Izzy to get angry. But when she did? It was a little scary.

Nora and I watched her stride through the front doors of Ivywood Hollow and head directly for the fireplace. She shot out her hand and flames swelled up over the logs waiting in the hearth. She then whirled around and pinned us with a ferocious look. “Well, that was a disaster.”

I cleared my throat. “Izzy, I’m so sorry.”

“No, I don’t want to hear from you right now,” she said with a point. “There will be time for your apologies later. You promised me everything was fine. How could you lose control of your powers like that? In front of the town?” She shook her head, then turned on her sister. “You. You start talking.”