Mary drops the spell ingredients on the floor of the spare bedroom, and Elijah blinks out.

“Whoever messed with that painting probably knows their spell worked,” Alice says.

“Whoever messed with that painting is alive,” I say. “Spirits can’t do spells. But I also think they might have needed a spirit to help. It’s too risky otherwise and too easy to get caught.”

“Also, a spirit most likely delivered those packages and left that key on my nightstand,” Alice says.

Mary frowns. “Did you ever find out if it was your dad who moved the painting to the attic?”

I shake my head. “So then we agree it’s possible a person is doing spells and somehow using a spirit to help?”

“Agreed,” Susannah says. “Which makes figuring out who it is a million times harder.”

Alice rubs her eye. “Redd was right to warn us. What did we get ourselves into, you guys?”

We’re all quiet for a second.

“In that first dream I had, the one that was the warning, there were three objects—the painting, the dress, and a little silver book. We still haven’t seen that book,” I say.

“No, we haven’t,” Susannah says.

“And speaking of which, we need to do that memory spell,” Alice says.

Mary grabs the spell book off the bed. “I hate the thought of Sam visiting the Titanic not knowing who she is, especially after tonight.”

“You and me both,” I say.

“I think we should stay up,” Susannah says. “In case we need to wake you. We can take shifts.” She places the black candles on the floor and relights them. “The only time you couldn’t be woken up was when you had that dress on, right?”

I sit cross-legged on the floor next to Susannah. “Every other time I’ve been woken by something normal like an alarm, so I don’t think I’m being held there. Even with the dress, once it was off, Elijah could wake me up.” I pause. “You don’t think I could be held there, right?”

Alice turns out the light and joins us around the candles.

“I sure as hell hope not,” Mary says, handing me the spell book.

I flip open the worn leather cover and read. “For stronger potency, mix a potion…” I skim down the page until I find the section I’m looking for. “If a potion cannot be mixed, a less potent alternative for memory enhancement is possible. Begin by forming a circle.”

“Done,” Alice says.

“Join hands,” I read, and we do. Susannah and Alice lean closer and read along with me.

I close my eyes for a few seconds and focus on my house, on my dad, on the breakfasts I eat every morning with the Meriwethers. My name is Samantha Mather. I live in Salem, I say three times in my head, and reopen my eyes. “Make bright the memories I wish to see, so I may hold them close to me. If they wander, bring them back. Dispel all doubts and clear my path,” I say.

Susannah turns to me. “I see you. May you also see.” She runs her fingers through the top of the candle flame and lightly touches my forehead between my eyes.

“I hear you. May you also hear,” Mary says. She runs her fingertips through the flame and touches my ear.

“I know you. May you also know.” Alice runs her fingers through the flame and touches my heart.

“Through my sisters’ eyes and my own, the seed of memory is firmly sown.” I run my hands over the flame and then over the top of my head.

For a few seconds everyone silently watches the candles burn.

Susannah stands and turns the light back on. “Do you feel anything?”

“No. But I’m not sure I would yet.”

Mary blows out the candles.

Elijah blinks in. “I will keep watch over you tonight. I do not require sleep like they do.”

I consider arguing with him, but the truth is, it makes way more sense for him to stay up than for the girls. And he’s the only one who will see if that object-delivering spirit tries to do anything. I fill the girls in.

“Can he wake us, though, if something happens?” Alice asks, climbing into bed next to Mary. “Break a glass or bang a pot if he has to?”

I nod. I don’t need to ask Elijah. I know he can. I pull the covers up under my arms and avoid looking at him. Jaxon’s being a crap friend, Elijah is un-gone, and I’m part of a magic circle? Everything is upside down. Elijah turns off the light and Mary gasps. Something fuzzy pushes against my hand. Broome.