“This is going to sound like an accusation, which is not my intention, but are you sure it’s not your work de-stabilizing the rift?” Jillian asked.

Dani shook her head. “I think it might be that other energy witch in town, Maureen Sherman? She’s the only person I can imagine would be capable of doing this kind of damage. But I’ve never stayed at the site while she was working, so I can’t say what she’s been doing.”

“What? Why would the League send another consultant to work on the rift?” Zed asked, turning to Jillian.

“Maureen Sherman?” Jillian shook her head, a line of confusion crinkling her eyebrows. “I don’t know who that is.”

“Maureen Sherman?” Dani repeated. “She got to town about two weeks after I did?”

Jillian’s expression was equal parts confusion and alarm. “I haven’t met her, Dani. I swear, I’ve never even heard the name.”

“But when I was asking you about League contracts, you told me you were sorry about the redhead horning in on my territory!”

Jillian’s jaw dropped. “I meant your office space. I was talking about the redheaded socioeconomics guy who thinks that no one can smell him microwaving fish if he vents the window.”

Dani’s face scrunched into a shape of “instant regret.” Her legs seemed to sag under her. Zed stood and caught her elbow, supporting her weight. “Oh my God, I just ended the conversation as quickly as possible because I didn’t want to endanger my job by complaining about a coworker. I needed the money so badly that I just wanted to do my work and get paid.”

“Oh, shit,” Jillian said through gritted teeth, leaning back in her chair.

“I’m so sorry, Jillian,” said Dani.

“It’s not entirely your fault.” Jillian turned to Bael and Zed. “Guys, how could we not notice a stranger wandering around town, poking around in the rift?”

Bael shrugged. “There have been so many strangers moving through town with the League, it wouldn’t seem strange to see unfamiliar faces.”

“Is it possible the League sent someone to Mystic Bayou without telling you?” Dani asked.

“It doesn’t seem likely,” said Jillian. “But we’re talking about the same people who have had garden gnome spies in the White House for ten administrations and counting.”

Jillian pulled her cell phone from her pocket and said, “Siri, call Goddess of Secrets.” She kept it on speakerphone while Siri dialed, propping it up on Zed’s desk.

A melodic alto filled the office. “Sweetie! Is this a work call or a ‘you missed me so much because I’m amazing’ call?”

“A little of both, Sonja,” replied Jillian. “I’ve got Bael, Zed, and Dani here with me on speakerphone, just as a warning.”

“I always appreciate your dedication to speakerphone etiquette. What’s up?” Sonja asked.