We part ways to get ready, though not before I make sure Colin’s okay to be alone. Aunt Elaine’s séance raised more questions than it answered, and he looked so overwhelmed. Liam isn’t even my brother and my heart is still in my throat, the images of his spirit flashing in my mind. But Colin had clung to Aunt Elaine’s suspicion that Liam is alive, and I hadn’t wanted to say anything that might change that.

I return to my room and take a shower. Diffusing my hair takes its usual half hour, but by the time I’m done, it’s curlier than ever and I love it.

I end up deciding on an asymmetrical black dress with one sleeve down to the elbow. A thin Gothic lace traces the chest and hem. The pin-on cat tail blends perfectly with the material. A pair of soft black shoes finishes it all off.

For a moment I look at myself in the mirror, my stomach a jumble of knots in anticipation. There will be something much more dangerous than a wraith in the house tonight, and I’m supposed to find him. I want so badly to prove that my powers are useful, but I can’t hide the fact that I’m scared.

I sense my mother in my doorway before I see her in the mirror. Her smile is gentle and knowing, and I’m in her arms before either of us can speak.

She rubs circles on my back. “You don’t have to do this, Anna,” she says softly. “We can find another way.”

I’m already shaking my head before she finishes. “No, I can’t. I…I have to.”

I pull away and drop onto my bed. Nora joins me, her arm coming around my shoulders. I start to protest—I don’t need a hug to fix everything—but it feels nice, so I let her do it.

“Why do you have to?” Nora asks.

I twist my blanket in my fingers, fighting the words into existence. I’ve never said them to her before. “Because I can be useful for more than chores and errands. My powers can be useful.”

Saying it aloud unlocks something inside me. All this time, I thought helping Colin and stopping Fin would prove that my powers are worth something, but I’ve known all along they are: I just needed everyone else to see it too.

Now I know that I don’t need that either. I helped Colin settle into Ravenfall. I connected the dots between him and Fin. I discovered what was wrong with Gran and helped save her in time to get to Colin.

And I’d done it all without my powers.