And she was the one who would have to be eliminated first.

As the crow fluttered into a nearby tree to rest, Elizabeth went up the steps, noting the slight reverberations around her as she did so; the usual wards and charms were in place, but nothing else. Elizabeth expected no response when she rang the doorbell, as it was the middle of the day—but then heavy footsteps came close, and a man in his forties opened the door. He was tan-skinned, dark-haired, pleasant despite the rolled-up sleeves and absent expression that suggested he’d been working. “Can I help you?”

“Are you Nadia’s father?” Elizabeth gave him her most endearing smile. “I’m a new friend of hers. From school. Elizabeth Pike.”

“Shouldn’t you be in—” The question died on his lips as she brought him into her spell; from now on, Mr. Caldani would be no more likely than anyone else to question where she went, or when, or why. Nadia might be immune to that glamour, like other witches, but no one else could be. He grinned easily. “I’m glad to see that Nadia’s met so many people right away.”

“Captive’s Sound is a really friendly town. Can I come in?”

He didn’t ask why. Didn’t wonder why. He only stepped aside and let Elizabeth walk right in.

Immediately she could tell that most of the spellcasting happened above her head—the attic, no doubt. Good. If the mother were up there, she wouldn’t be able to get past Elizabeth. She was enclosed. Trapped. Tilting her head, smiling sweetly at Mr. Caldani, she said, “Is your wife at home?”

His face fell. For a moment he struggled to find words. “She … Nadia’s mother and I recently divorced. She lives in Chicago.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” Elizabeth made sure her expression appeared sympathetic. It was best to give people the occasional real memory of her behaving in a thoughtful way; such memories reinforced her illusions. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

“It was a natural question. You didn’t know. But don’t talk about—no. I won’t say that. If you and Nadia talk about it, be careful. Obviously it’s a painful subject for all of us.”

“You want to protect her,” Elizabeth said. “Of course.” He was a kind man, and a sensitive one. She could use that, if it came to it.

But she didn’t think it would. Without a mother to guide her, Nadia was all power, no progress. She would never be a serious threat to Elizabeth’s plans.

Peculiar that the mother would leave at the most sensitive part of the daughter’s training—but most people were shortsighted. Elizabeth didn’t suffer from that particular handicap, not any longer.

It would be simple now to go up to the attic and take Nadia’s Book of Shadows, all her ingredients, everything, but what would be the point? Best to go. “I stopped by hoping Nadia was home,” Elizabeth said. Mr. Caldani would never ask her, or himself, why Elizabeth would expect Nadia to be at her house during school hours, any more than he would again ask why Elizabeth was here herself. “I should go. Let you get back to work.”