"Could it just be random failure?"Maisie asked.
"Always possible," Evangelina admitted with a shrug."Sometimes magic fails for absolutely no reason whatsoever.The universe has a sense of humor, and it's usually at our expense."
The salon fell quiet as the realization sank in—their town's safety might depend on factors completely beyond their control.
"So, you're saying Sean's spray might not work?"Honey asked.
"I'm saying we shouldn't count on it," Evangelina replied."Especially if whatever caused the original breach is still unknown."
Uma felt the weight of the flask in her jacket pocket."That's all the more reason to help Evelyn.If this situation could get crazy…”
"We need to help our sisters, always," Dottie agreed firmly, her hands never pausing in their work despite the serious turn of the conversation.
Uma joined the circle, her expression serious."That's what I want to talk to you all about.Evelyn—Cornelius's assistant.I’m sure she's being terrorized him.When we spoke to her, she was terrified, crying, afraid to even talk to us without his permission."
"Yes.It’s horrible," Maisie said, setting down the sweater and moving closer to the group."No one should have to live like that—or exist like that, in her case."
"The way she flinched when we mentioned his name," Honey added sadly."It reminded me of...well, of you Maisie.When you first came to us.You'd been hurt for so long, you didn't know how to trust anyone."
Gloria's expression grew fierce."And to think I admired him!His books made him seem so romantic, so charming.But seeing him dismiss us like we were nothing today… it all makes sense now."
Her disillusionment was complete, the fantasy of the gallant romantic hero replaced by the reality of someone who viewed other people as nothing more than obstacles or opportunities.
"People like that are experts at hiding their true nature," Dottie observed, putting down her styling tools."They can be captivating when it serves their purposes and cruel when they think no one's watching."
"Well, we were watching," Honey said firmly."And we all saw how he treated that poor ghost."
Uma touched the flask in her jacket pocket."I want to help her.I think...I think I might have something that could work."
"What kind of something?"Maisie asked, her water witch instincts picking up on the strange energy emanating from Uma.
"A potion my father and I made.It's...special.Ancient magic that's supposed to help the innocent and reveal the true nature of souls."
The women exchanged glances, understanding passing between them without words.
“Do we dare ask what kind of potion?”Honey smiled at her best friend.
Uma just shook her head and sighed.Each woman recognized a look of gravity in Uma they had only seen in the most serious of times.It was a stare that said everything.She was proposing she do something with consequences far beyond normal, especially if things went wrong.But they’d been there before.Together.And would always and for eternity go there again, and again.Always in support of one another.
"Then you have to get it to her," Honey said simply.
"Agreed," Gloria added, speaking for the group."Whatever that monster is doing to her, it has to stop."
"I'll go to the convention," Uma decided."Find her and give her the potion.But I might need backup."
"You'll have it," Dottie promised."All of us.If that Cornelius fellow thinks he can terrorize someone in our town..."
"He's got another think coming," Darlene finished with uncharacteristic steel in her voice.
“I’ve got no time to waste.Wish me luck.”Uma stood, feeling the support of her chosen sisters surrounding her.The weight of responsibility was heavy, but it was balanced by the knowledge that she wasn't facing it alone.
They all hugged promising to keep their eyes and ears open to any sign of trouble before Uma tepped outside the salon and summoned a glistening magical bubble around herself.The translucent sphere lifted her gently into the evening air, carrying her swiftly toward the sacred grove.
As she traveled through the darkening sky, Uma could see the ghost convention transformed for its grand finale.Twinkle lights stretched between the ancient trees like captured stars, and the central stage was alive with music as legendary spirits filled the grove with sounds that made time stand still.The ghosts themselves glowed with ethereal luminosity, dancing and laughing with the joy of souls celebrating their continued existence.
Uma's bubble settled gently at the edge of the festivities, and she stepped out into the Ghost Prom with determination in her heart and a flask in her pocket.Somewhere in this celebration of the afterlife, a terrified spirit needed her help.
And Uma intended to make sure she got it.
