Mira moved toward the door. “I’m going in with air magick.” She meant projecting her consciousness from her body so she could travel incorporeally to another place. Strong air witches could do that. “I’ll try and find a crack in the warding around their headquarters in New York like I did when they were holding my aunt. Maybe I can find something out. Maybe they’re keeping the air witch Emily there.”

Thomas nodded. “Good. Let me know if you find something out.” He turned his attention to Sarafina. “Now we need to get you sorted out.”

Sarafina’s eyebrows rose. “I need sorting out?”

“You need instruction. Fire is a volatile element and you need to learn how to wield it with care. To boot, Theo tells me you have more power than most.”

Sarafina glanced at him and smiled a little. “I know you’re right. I mean, I saw firsthand what uncontrolled fire magick can do to a person.”

Thomas nodded as he shuffled some papers on his desk. “Claire and Adam have agreed to allow you to stay with them. They’ll train you. Adam is a fire witch, and Claire has control of all four elements. They’re the best equipped to help you.”

“No.”

Thomas jerked his gaze to Sarafina. Few witches talked to Thomas Monahan that way. There was a reason he headed the Coven; he had a way of compelling people to obey him.

Sarafina shifted, her hair moving over her shoulders. “Look, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be trouble, but I don’t want to be with anyone but Theo. He’s the only one I trust.”

Theo stiffened in surprise. Considering the way things had started out between them, that declaration was unexpected.

Sarafina glanced at Claire. “I mean, oh, God, I just stuck my foot in my mouth, didn’t I? You’ve all been nothing but kind to me, and I’m sure you’re all great teachers and wonderful, trustworthy people—”

Claire smiled and touched Sarafina’s arm. “It’s okay. You didn’t offend me. I totally understand and I’m sure Adam does, too.”

“Of course,” answered Adam from across the room. He grinned. “Go ahead, reject us.”

“Adam!” Claire shot him a mock glare. “He’s just kidding. Adam is almost always kidding.”

Sarafina looked at Theo and spread her hands. “It’s just, you know, he fought a demon in my bedroom and won. That’s sort of . . . endeared him to me.” She colored a little and glanced away.

Adam opened his mouth and Theo shot him a look that promised much pain if the words poised on his tongue made it into the air.