Marigold leaned back, a cookie in one hand. “Do we have any idea what Lila really wants this feather for?”

“Yes.” Pandora pulled Gerty’s book from her purse, laid it on the table and opened it to the chapter titled “Cautions.” Then she turned it so her mother and sisters could read it and pointed out the line about the bonding spell. “I’m sure she plans on using it to force a bond with Cole.”

Charisma tapped her delicately manicured index finger on the table. “The ACW needs to know about this.”

Corette cleared her throat softly. “I talked to one of my friends there, and they said they need some kind of proof. All we have right now are suspicions and hunches.”

Marigold threw her hands up, sending cookie crumbs flying. “We’re witches! We’re all about suspicions and hunches.”

Corette nodded. “I understand that, dear, but the ACW isn’t going to strip a witch of her magic just because we say she’s up to no good. Let’s not forget how the Salem trials began.”

“Yeah, I get it.” Marigold ate the last half of her cookie. “But we have to do something. We can’t let this trollop steal Cole away from Pandy.”

“Or,” Charisma added, “turn Cole into her personal slave.”

“That too,” Marigold agreed.

“Exactly.” Pandora held up a finger. “Which is why I have a plan.”

Marigold smirked. “Is it to sleep with him and get the bonding over with before Lila has a crack at it?”

“Elizabeth Marigold Williams,” Corette said.

“Just kidding, Mom,” Marigold said as she shook her head to say she really wasn’t.

“My immediate plan does not include that,” Pandora said. “But if you can hold your comments for a moment, I’ll tell you.”

Charisma and Marigold leaned in, while Corette smiled like she already knew what it was.

Pandora waited a beat for effect. “We’re going to set up a sting.”

“Ooo,” Marigold cooed. “I love it.”

“What parts do we play?” Charisma asked.

“Well, about that…” Pandora shrugged. “You guys don’t play that big of a part in the actual sting. I was thinking I’d get Sheriff Merrow to do the takedown and—”

“Why can’t we help?” Marigold looked miffed.

“Dear,” Corette started. “The three of us are not exactly impartial. We need someone to act as a witness who the ACW will have no reason to question. Sheriff Merrow is perfect. Witches and shifters have always dealt very well with one another.”

“What Mom said.” Pandora flattened her hand on the table. “But I will need you guys at Cole’s. You’ll have to be ready with a containment spell, because I’m sure she’ll try to use magic to get away. You just can’t be seen until everything goes down.”

Charisma glanced at Marigold, both of their expressions deadly serious but slightly excited. It wasn’t often witches got to bring out the big spells. “We can do that.”

Corette sipped her tea. “I think I can guess, but what sort of sting do you have in mind, dear?”

“If Kaley agrees to this, because this is her mother we’re talking about and I need her to be cool with this, then…” Pandora smiled. “I’m going to give Kaley a safe feather and have her give it to Lila with the story that she found it in the house. Then Cole will tell Lila that she can’t visit Kaley that night because she’s working on a school project at a friend’s house. Which is totally true, by the way. Speaking of what’s true and what’s not, Charisma, you see auras some. Can you tell if someone’s lying?”

Charisma pursed her lips. “Not lying, exactly, but I can tell when something’s off with them. How well can Lila see them? Are you concerned that Cole’s aura will tip her off?”

“I don’t know. And yes.”

Charisma wound a strand of brunette hair around one finger, then quickly let it go like she’d forgotten herself. “Putting a stabilizing spell on his aura probably wouldn’t work, either, because Lila could pick up on the magic. I think the best bet is for him to play it as cool as he can.”

“Okay, I’ll tell him.”

Marigold helped herself to another cookie. “When do you think this will all go down?”

“As soon as possible. The longer we wait, the more danger Cole and Kaley are in. Tomorrow, I’m going to talk to the sheriff, then I’m going to Cole’s to get the feather—”

“Wait a moment,” Corette said. “I thought you weren’t using one of his.”

“I’m not, but that attic is chock full of Gertrude’s supplies. I’m sure there’s a substitute feather up there. I just have to find it. Or ask her.”

Marigold put her cookie down. “Ask her?”

Pandora laughed. “Didn’t I mention Gertrude’s ghost is still hanging around in the attic?”

“No,” her sisters said in unison.

Pandora looked at her mother. “I guess you don’t tell them everything.”

Cole met Pandora outside the sheriff station at nine sharp the next morning. She looked gorgeous and dressed for business, as usual, but this morning there was something intoxicatingly powerful about seeing the woman he was crazy about dressed in a sleek black suit, crisp white shirt and glossy black heels. She was clearly here to get something accomplished. The fact that it was on his behalf was not lost on him.