Maisie twisted the silver chain around her neck nervously. "There's something else about the water that Ronald doesn't know---or at least, I don't think he knows."
Evangelina leaned forward, her centuries-old eyes sharpening with interest. "Go on."
"The falls water has to be freely given," Maisie explained, her voice growing more confident as she accessed a memory that had been clouded by Ronald's attempts at mind control. "I overheard some of his followers arguing with him about it. They had been researching magical waters and warned Ronald that trying to take the falls by force would render them useless."
"Did Ronald listen?" Honey asked.
Maisie gave a bitter laugh. "Ronald never listens to anyone. He dismissed it as 'negative thinking' and told them to be more 'tremendous' in their attitude."
Evangelina rushed to her desk and returned with the Falls journal. "This aligns with what I've read about Cauldron Falls' founding magic. The original witches built in protections---safeguards against those who would steal the water's power."
She found the page she was looking for and nodded in satisfaction. "Here---Everett Falls' journal mentions it specifically: 'The waters respond to intention. Force diminishes their power; freely given, they unlock their full potential.'"
"Ronald's plan has a fundamental flaw," Roam observed.
"One that his insider---whoever they are---either doesn't know about or is deliberately hiding from him," Evangelina agreed, her expression turning thoughtful. "This could be crucial to our defense."
She scribbled a note in her elegant handwriting: "Water must be freely given---potential strategy against vampire invasion."
"And what about my memories?" Maisie asked. "Why can't I remember everything clearly?"
"Ah, that's more complex," Evangelina said, consulting her notes. "It seems Ronald attempted vampire hypnosis on you repeatedly. The problem is, he's remarkably bad at it. Instead of creating clean memory blocks, he's created a sort of... mental static. Your memories are there, just scrambled."
"Like a badly tuned radio," Bartie offered helpfully.
"Exactly," Evangelina confirmed. "I also noticed something interesting. The constant exposure to vampire auras---even through that ridiculous spray---has given you some residual abilities. Can you sense when people are being dishonest?"
Maisie's eyes widened. "Yes! I thought I was imagining it. I can... smell when someone's lying. It's like they give off this sour odor."
"A useful skill," Evangelina noted. "Though probably not worth years of fashion shows and spray tan exposure."
"Definitely not," Maisie agreed.
"Then we need to prepare the town," Roam said decisively.
"Not so fast," Evangelina cautioned. "There's more I need to research. The Cauldron Falls Archives contain historical records of similar incidents. I should check them immediately."
"When will you know more?" Honey asked.
"Tonight," Evangelina replied. "Meanwhile, you should take Maisie somewhere safe to rest."
"FACTS & FIBS," Honey suggested. "It's protected by multiple wards."
Evangelina nodded approval. As they walked back into the front office, Evangelina cast a weary glance at the crowd of anxious townspeople outside her door. "Tiffany, tell them I'll be conducting research and can't see anyone else today. If they want protection, direct them to Gwen Lewis. She's selling thosecrystal amulets at her wand shop. They won't ward off vampires, but they'll make people feel better."
Tiffany smirked and nodded, clearly used to delivering disappointing news to clients. She opened the front door. A cacophony of voices immediately flooded in, all demanding protection, information, or confirmation of their vampire theories.
"Ms. Coal isn't seeing anyone else today!" Tiffany announced loudly. "She's conducting critical research to protect the town!"
The crowd erupted in protests, but Tiffany stood firm, one hand on her hip, the other pointing back toward town. "Gwen Lewis has protective crystal amulets. Ms. Coal will make an announcement when she has concrete findings." Closing the door, Tiffany flipped a switch on the wall, that illuminated a ‘Closed’ sign in the window.
As the crowd reluctantly dispersed, Roam, Honey, and Maisie prepared to leave through a side door to avoid attention. Evangelina was gathering books and notes into a large leather satchel.
"I'll contact you as soon as I have more information," she promised. "Be careful. If there are vampires watching the town, they may have allies helping them."
"You mean someone here is working with them?" Honey asked, alarmed.
"It wouldn't be unprecedented," Evangelina confirmed. "Vampires often recruit locals with promises of power or wealth. Keep your eyes open for anyone behaving oddly."
