As my aunts continued to discuss all the ways they could go about cleaning up the mess I had made, the reality of what I had done settled in. What had I been thinking challenging Liz like that? Or accusing Rip without evidence? And then there was everything I had been keeping from my aunts. It wasn’t as though I hadn’t had warning my magic was out of control, but I lied to them about it. Repeatedly. I had lied to myself.

“I am so sorry.”

“What’s that, darling?” Izzy asked, looking over at me.

I hadn’t even realized I’d said the words out loud, but they were worth repeating. “I’m sorry.”

She waited for me to go on.

“You’re right. I put us all in danger tonight.” I felt my cheeks burn as I met her eye and then Nora’s. “Actually, you’ve both been right about a lot of things.”

“I love how this is going so far,” Nora said with a happy shrug.

“And I know I need to explain, but I can’t. Not really. The way I lost control tonight was inexcusable.” I picked at my fingers. “There have been a few other instances where my magic has gotten away from me. But I swear to you both, I didn’t know. Not for sure. My connection to my magic, it doesn’t feel the way it used to.”

Izzy stepped toward me, but I put a hand up to stop her.

“I should have told you both everything. But I was afraid.” I met Nora’s eyes. “I know you don’t support my decision to give up magic. And truthfully, I’m questioning whether it’s what I want.” I took a shaky breath. I wasn’t sure if I was explaining any of this properly, but it was too late to stop. “But it hurts. Practicing magic hurts. And I know what it is you want me to do to try to fix things, but I don’t think I’m strong enough.” I could barely speak past the tightness in my throat. “I don’t think I’ll ever be strong enough to have Adam’s funeral.”

“Brynn,” Nora began, but I waved her off.

“I thought I could help find out what really happened to Constance without using my powers, but I messed everything up tonight, and now things are even worse than they were before.”

I jumped as a loud knock ripped through the parlor.

“Who could that be at this hour?” Izzy asked. She hurried over to the door, then swung it open.

On the other side stood a man in a suit, with two officers in uniform behind him.

“Isabel Warren. Evanora Warren. We’d like you to come with us.”

• • •

It had all happened so fast.

The police hadn’t arrested my aunts, but they did take them in for questioning. Beatty apparently had found a lawyer who was already waiting for them at the station. And no, the police did not want me coming along, but they did recommend I keep myself available for questioning at a later date.