Eleanor opened the door herself, which was unusual. No formal greeting in the entrance hall, no carefully orchestrated arrival. Just Eleanor in a casual silk blouse and slacks, her hair pulled back simply, looking almost… normal.
“Ramona. Zara. Come in.” Eleanor stepped aside, gesturing them into the foyer. “Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for having us,” Zara said smoothly.
“Well, I was pleased to receive your message.” Eleanor led them through to the breakfast room — smaller than the formal dining room, with windows overlooking the garden. It felt like centuries since Ramona had grown up here, afraid to touch anything in her own home. She’d spent most of her time in her room studying, sitting in the garden, or outside of the main grounds, exploring the forests. She’d never felt like this home washersin any way, and it helped feeling detached now,knowing what she had to do. The betrayal of stealing from her own mother… She involuntarily shuddered just thinking about it, and Zara gave her a reassuring touch on the small of her back.
“Where’s Dad?” Ramona asked.
“Your father is away at a chess tournament — just spectating, he’s not competing at this one — so it’s just us this morning.”
“That’s fine,” Ramona managed. The house felt even larger without Thomas’s silent presence. Just the three of them. Intimate. Dangerous.
The table was set for three and notably casual — simple place settings, fresh scones, fruit, coffee. Eleanor poured without ceremony.
“So,” Eleanor said once they’d all settled. “What prompted the visit?”
“We wanted to see you,” Zara said before Ramona could speak. “After Imbolc, I thought it would be nice to check in. I didn’t want there to be any lingering… negativity.”
“I see.” Eleanor added cream to her coffee with precise movements. “Well, I’m glad you came.”
That was it? No interrogation about their motives, no pointed questions. Just… acceptance?
Ramona picked up her coffee, trying to process this slightly less sharp version of her mother.
“How is work?” Eleanor asked.
“It’s good. Zara’s consultancy has been a tremendous help,” Ramona said.
“That sounds promising.” Eleanor took a sip of coffee. “You’d be good at that if you’d only apply yourself.”
There it was — the little barb, the qualification. But softer than usual. The claws clipped, though not quite retracted.
They ate in relative peace. The conversation stayed surface level — Zara’s observations about Fernwick, updates about Iris’s girls, Eleanor’s mention of coven politics.
It was almost normal. Almost pleasant. Which made what Ramona was about to do feel infinitely worse.
“Your garden must be waking up,” Zara said as Eleanor refilled their coffee. “With the early spring we’ve been having.”
Eleanor paused, and something in her expression shifted. Brightened, just slightly. “Oh, yes. The crocuses are already blooming, and I have snowdrops by the greenhouse. The hellebores have been stunning this year. I planted new varieties last fall.”
“I’d love to see them, if you’ll show me,” Zara said, and her interest seemed genuine. “I don’t know much about gardening, but I’m trying to learn. Posey — one of Ramona’s roommates — has been teaching me about plants.”
“Would you like a quick tour?” Eleanor was already standing, more animated than Ramona had seen her all morning. “The greenhouse is heated, so I’ve been starting some summer plants already.”
“I’d love that,” Zara said. She glanced at Ramona. “Do you want to come?”
This was the opening. The moment they’d planned for.
“Actually, I think I left a book in my room last time I was here,” Ramona said, trying to sound casual. “I’ll just run up and grab it?”
“Of course,” Eleanor said, clearly distracted by the prospect of showing off her garden. “Take your time.”
They split up — Eleanor and Zara heading toward the back of the house, Ramona climbing the familiar stairs to the second floor.
Her heart was hammering. This was theft. This was?—
Necessary. She thought of the corrupted convergence point, the purification of demonic entanglements, the way her roommates had spent hours over the past two and a half weeks helping her.
