“No, no, no,” I said, feeling my face twist. “We can’t say for sure Rip is the murderer. Other people could have used that soap.”

Nora narrowed her eyes. “And how exactly do you know his wife uses it?”

“I ran into her today. She smelled of it.” I didn’t want to lie, but I knew if I told her about the letter, she’d take it from me in a heartbeat, and I wasn’t sure that was something I wanted to be responsible for.

“Well,” Nora said matter-of-factly, “given how things have turned out, I believe it’s fortuitous I gave the girl the black quartz flower. It has provided us with a clue.”

“And would you like to say something to me?” Izzy asked.

Nora sighed. “I suppose you could make an argument for an apology,” she said slowly before quickly adding, “but truly, out of all the warding spells, Izzy.”

“You never stop,” I said.

“Excuse me,” Nora replied, flashing me her haughtiest look. “I came to this dinner under the pretense I would be the one receiving an apology, and here you are throwing accusations at me. And for what? Dabbling in homemade cosmetics?”

“That is not what I’m upset about, and you know it,” I said firmly. “While it is concerning this Nixie seems to know more than she should about us, that’s not the problem. The issue is you’re keeping secrets. Nixie isn’t the only person I ran into today. Mary Coleman had some interesting things to say about you.”

“Oh, ho, ho, I’m keeping secrets,” Nora said, placing her hand on her chest, completely disregarding the part about Mary. “Me? What about you, dear niece? You don’t think it might have been a good idea to mention you were no longer practicing magic to your coven? To your family? To me?”

I couldn’t ignore the hurt in her voice. “You’re right. I do owe you an apology. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth about what was going on with me, but—”

“But?” Nora blinked. “It looks like I’m not the only one who’s failing at the apologies.”

“But you don’t exactly make it easy. You can be a little bossy at times.”

“That is true,” Izzy said, wrinkling her nose.

“Bossy? Bossy! You two are infuriating! The house could be on fire, but neither one of you would mention it for fear of hurting someone’s feelings.” Nora rose to her feet. “Do you not see what is at stake? How many times do I have to say it? Brynn, what you are going through is temporary, but the consequences of your actions may well be permanent.”

“Temporary?” Suddenly the dishes on the table began rattling. “You think the loss of my husband is temporary?”

“Maybe we should all take a breath,” Izzy said, putting her hands up.

“I thought you were in control of your powers,” Nora said, looking over the dinner table.

“I am,” I replied tightly. “Are you?”

“I don’t care who’s doing it,” Izzy said, “but given that the dishes are Mother’s, could you both please stop? Now, Brynn, I think what Nora was trying to say is—”