Nora draws a deep, deliberate breath. As if I’m the difficult one. “Your sister has multiple guest readings today. She doesn’t have time for chores right now.”

Right. Because the rest of my family can entertain guests and make money with their abilities, and I can’t, so who better to do all the chores?

“I think I’ll be Cinderella for Samhain this year,” I say. “Or maybe a redheaded stepchild.”

She doesn’t laugh. “Come on, Anna. That isn’t fair. Is it really such a big deal to feed Max?”

Arguing with Nora is like asking a river to move out of your way, and this is an argument we’ve had too many times already. Though I can’t help hoping someday she’ll say, You’re right, Anna. Today you can meet with guests and Kara will do all the chores.

“Whatever.”

Ignoring Nora’s look of disproval, I leave through the side door onto the wide wraparound porch. The auburn wood is warm under my bare feet, the last bits of mist persisting in the late-afternoon light. The house lets out a long, settling sigh, all its mismatched architecture and uneven floors relaxing in the warm sun.

Someone’s already begun putting up decorations for Samhain. A fall wreath of tiny white pumpkins, brown autumn leaves, and sunflowers hangs on the white kitchen door, and faerie lights wind along the wrought-iron deck railing. Gran says they’re powered by real faerie dust. Crush one, and you’ll be granted a wish, but only something small, such as finding a lost sock or summoning a lump of sugar for your tea.

It doesn’t do chores, though—I’ve tried.

A few months ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about doing my chores. I love living at the inn; I even love working here with my family. But now that I have my powers, I want to do something more useful, to actually be a part of Ravenfall, not just another set of hands. But to do that, I have to somehow prove my powers can be useful.

Maybe I can help the boy who opened the motel room door. The fuzziness of the vision kept me from seeing his face, but if I can find out more about the people who died, maybe I can find the boy too. Then I can finally put my powers to use and help them, and Nora will see I can do more for the family than just chores.

A ball of light bobs past my head.

The wisp stops, bright as a glowing headlight, and circles around me once, before zipping off into Hollowthorn Woods.

I watch it go with a frown.