Page 56 of Witch’s Ruin

“That listening is for people who haven’t got things to say.”

“That is not—”

“Yes, yes, I know,” Anne groused.

Mina watched the two bicker, a smile pulling at her lips. “Well then,” Mina said when they’d calmed down. “I don’t have any solid proof. I’ve considered the possibilities. It seems the most plausible. Unless there’s a rift hiding somewhere, but that seems less likely because we’ve searched and found nothing. A rift is a permanent scourge on the land, a star can be moved, recast.”

He rubbed at his chin, fingers scraping against the growing stubble, as he watched Mina work.

“Summoning stars would allow someone to pull demons within the city’s walls.” Elianna mused. “But…how would the demons get free of the stars, after they’re summoned?”

“Stars can be broken—from the outside.” Both witches narrowed their eyes, looking at Mina. “I only know as of recently, and only because an ex-council witch gave me a lesson.”

Elianna crossed her arms. “Is that so?”

Mina lifted her chin but didn’t defend herself.

Anne said, “So…if it’s happening, one of our witches could be summoning them? Breaking the circles, letting them out into the city?”

Elianna snorted, even though a knowing gleam lit her brown eyes. “You didn’t pull us out here to accuse us, did you?” Mina shook her head. “I should have known. You want us to do a little sleuthing?”

They’d watched the inn without finding anything. Mina’s tactics were changing. She wanted someone on the inside.

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble? If one of our witches is doing it, I doubt they’re doing it here, out in plain sight. But you know them better than I do.”

“They’d find somewhere else unnoticed,” Elianna concluded. Mina nodded.

“So we keep an eye on comings and goings? And follow them when we can?” Anne piped up. “I like it. True detective work. I’m in.”

Elianna sighed, eying Anne fondly. “As if that’s a surprise.”

“Oh, come on, Eli! We’ve been so bored. This could be fun.”

“Be careful,” Mina cautioned. “This could be very dangerous. If it is a witch and you’re caught…”

“We will be careful,” Elianna confirmed.

“Good. Well, then. Take care of yourselves.” Mina hesitated, then stepped forward, giving them hugs. Rixon hid his surprise at her show of affection.

“You be careful as well,” Elianna said, before nodding at Rixon. “Take care of her.”

“I always do,” he replied, his voice low and full of meaning.

* * *

It took over an hour to navigate their way back through the tunnels. They found the stone passage using the marks Mina had made. Rixon took the lead, holding his torch aloft.

The first set of bars were locked. Mina took a hairpin from her chignon, then glanced at him. “What?”

“Nothing, Lady Witch.” The corner of his mouth twitched.

“No, really. What is that look for? You expect me to break it open with my magic? You do realize that would blow the gate off its hinges. It would cause quite a ruckus.”

“I never said that.”

“Okay…?”

When she still stared accusingly, he sighed and said, “Was merely wondering what made you so confident at picking locks.”