Savannah threw her head back and cackled. “WINTER FROST MOUNTAIN.”

Cooper tried not to laugh and failed. “Do they mean . . . Everest?”

My cheeks burned from laughing. He continues—because this has to be a guy . . . “During your initiation you saw a bunch of symbols and runes for potions that each member of The Coven and company need . . . Time to make those potions. I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘how the hell do I know what those symbols mean?’, but sadly, Val won’t let me just tell you. Process and order and all that shit. Luckily, you’re in the right spot to get help with potions. Read some books and talk to some proper Cups—and no, the Bishop boys do not count for this⁠—”

“Rude.” Hunter chuckled. “But fair.”

“You’re gonna have to collect all your ingredients first. To finish this task, you’re gonna need a cheat sheet . . . and because I’m not allowed to just hand it over like a drug deal in an alley behind a gas station, I had to put it inside this puzzle box. Good luck with that, by the way. Anyhoo, no one expects you to figure these potions out all by your onesie, so seek help anywhere you can and then get help making them. In fact, I’d focus all your attention on Tegan’s potion and wake her devious ass up. She loves breaking rules and Valathame loves when she does it (but you didn’t hear that from me). SO, there you go. Make Tegan’s potion, have her do the rest. Boom. Done. Guess I could’ve just said that to start, eh? Whatevs. You’re welcome. Best to do it in a bit of a run if you’re nervous⁠—”

“This guy.” Easton laughed and slapped the table. “I wanna party with him.”

“Who is it from?”

“It’s signed, and I quote, ‘P.S. Let’s make this box a little more . . . appropriate. Ya girl, Leyka.”

The second I read that last sentence, the wooden box flashed with light. When it faded, gone was the brown square box. In its place sat a pale-tan pig with two black spots on its back. It still was made of wood and still had all kinds of levers and carvings around it, so I doubted it’d be any easier to solve this way.

Everyone else at the table turned to look at Myrtle with raised brows.

She grinned and shrugged, then turned her gaze back to my aunt and uncle. “We’re only half-siblings.”

Uncle Kyle threw his head back and cackled. Aunt Kimmy giggled and clapped her hands. And that did it, the rest of the table burst into laughter. I smiled along with them, but my heart was hammering too hard in my chest. Leyka’s tone may have been easy breezy and direct, which I very much appreciated, but there was still a whole lot to unpack there.