“Willoughby? Edmund Willoughby, d’you mean?”

“There is not time to explain. Did you feel the presence of a Dark Spirit?”

He shakes his head. “No. There was a great deal of activity. I … I expected that, I suppose. You know I’ve never practiced Infernal Necromancy before, Lily. There was a lot going on, a commotion, spirits stirring…”

“But not a Dark Spirit, Louis. You would know the difference.”

“No. No, I’m certain of it. No Dark Spirit.”

I find I am able to breathe again properly, but my relief is short-lived when Bram says, “But, Lilith, Willoughby was here. After Stricklend left, you said you saw him, that he overheard … Don’t you remember?”

“Oh, yes! How could I have been so foolish? It is coming to me now. Bram, Stricklend never intended to kill you. He knew I wouldn’t reveal the Great Secret to him. He knew I would only tell it if I knew I was dying, to pass it on. Ordinarily, that would have been to the heir to my title, or at the very least to a senior witch. But there was none. Only you, my darling. Stricklend knew I would tell you, and he left Willoughby here to eavesdrop.”

“Lilith, you could not have known.” Bram does his best to comfort me. “It isn’t your fault…”

“It is my responsibility. The Great Secret is in the hands of the most wicked of men, a man who will use it for his own gain, his own power, not caring how many people he harms. Stricklend has what he needs to wreak havoc, and I gave it to him.” I shake my head slowly. “Which means, I must be the one to take it from him again.”

“Lily…?” Louis shakes his head.

“What do you mean?” Bram is anxious. “What do you plan to do?”

I hold up my hand and close my eyes. I call to my spirit guardians.

Where has he gone, my captains? Where is Stricklend now?

Two of us stayed with you, mistress. The third followed the sorcerer. He tells us the villain is in a graveyard. He stands close by a giant cedar tree.

“My father’s grave,” I tell Bram and Louis. “He has gone to Papa’s grave.”

Bram is puzzled. “Why? Why would he go there? Why now?”

Louis knows. “What better place is there than a cemetery if one wishes to raise the dead?”

“I must stop him.” I stride toward the stairs. “He must not be allowed to use the Elixir!”

“Lily, you can’t go alone,” says Louis.

“He’s right. We will come with you.”

“No! It’s too dangerous.”

Louis overtakes me on the staircase calling back over his shoulder, “We can take my motorcar. I am a witch, Lily, do you really think I would allow you to do this unsupported? I can be of use.”