"No," all three of them said in unison.
The mayor cleared his throat and presented Delilah with a badge that shimmered and shifted before her eyes. One moment it read "Special Investigator," then "Magical Crisis Manager," before changing to "Please Don't Tell Anyone What You're Actually Doing."
"The town council has authorized you to investigate these magical thefts," he said. "Discretion is paramount."
As he turned to leave, Zelda squinted at his retreating figure. For just a moment, his shadow seemed to elongate, as if someone stood directly behind him. She blinked, and it was gone.
"Did you see—" she began.
"Your begonias are giving me the finger," Mayor Grimble called back, hurrying toward his car.
The badge in Delilah's hand pulsed with a faint blue glow as Zelda closed the door behind the departing mayor.
"I don't like this," Zelda muttered, her eyes still fixed on the spot where the mayor's shadow had stretched unnaturally. "Something feels off."
Fat Bastard jumped onto the windowsill. "Bird lady needs wolf man."
Delilah frowned. "What did he just?—"
"Nothing," Zelda said quickly, grabbing a worn leather-bound book from a nearby shelf. "But that cat might be onto something. We need more muscle for this investigation."
She tossed herbs into her cauldron—rosemary, sage, and something that smelled suspiciously like wet dog. The mixture bubbled an alarming shade of purple.
"Zelda, what exactly are you doing?" Delilah backed away as the concoction sparked.
"Sending an invitation that can't be ignored." Zelda winked, stirring three times clockwise, then twice counterclockwise. "To those who seek what's been concealed, your presence here is now revealed!"
The cauldron emitted a puff of silver smoke that slithered out the window like a serpent.
Delilah's eyes widened. "Please tell me you didn't just?—"
A thunderous knock rattled the door.
"That was fast," Zelda grinned.
When she opened the door, Sam Wolfe stood on the threshold, his expression stormy. Behind him, Mac offered an apologetic smile, his large frame nearly filling the doorway.
"Your spell interrupted my shower," Sam growled, droplets of water still clinging to his hair. "This better be important."
His gaze landed on Delilah, and his scowl deepened. "You."
"Lovely to see you too," Delilah replied, crossing her arms. "How are those card-playing skills coming along?"
Mac stepped between them. "Let's all take a breath. Zelda, honey, your summoning spell was a bit... aggressive. I was in the middle of making the twins' pancakes."
"Priorities, Mac," Zelda patted his cheek. "The town's magical artifacts are disappearing, and we need a team with complementary skills."
Sam's eyes narrowed at Delilah. "I don't need a clairvoyant who attracts trouble faster than a moth to a magical flame."
"Well, the trouble's already here, and you clearly need something since your stakeout was a disaster," Zelda countered, hands on hips. "Besides, the mayor made it official." She nodded toward Delilah's badge, which now read "Supernatural Snooper."
"Work together," Zelda commanded. "Shake hands and let's get started."
Delilah extended her hand reluctantly. Sam hesitated before clasping it.
The moment their palms touched, electric blue sparks erupted between them, shooting in all directions. Sam jerked back with singed eyebrows while Jinxie, who had been watching from atop a bookshelf, yowled as her calico fur turned a brilliant shade of blue.
"What the hell was that?" Sam demanded, patting his smoking eyebrows.
