"Gethin," I said. "What are you thinking?"

Before he could respond, Gideon cut in. "Before we do that," he said, turning to Gethin, "there's something you should know."

Gethin looked at him. "What is it?"

"I saw Fiona today," Gideon said. "At the town hall."

"Fiona?" Gethin said. "What was she doing there?"

Gideon shrugged. "Not sure," he said. "But she seemed to be in a bit of a hurry."

"What happened?" I asked Gideon.

He looked at me. "We had a bit of an argument," he said.

"About what?" I asked.

"About her magic use in her shop," Gideon said.

I frowned. I had seen Fiona levitating teacups and teapots. It was really cool to watch, but it hadn't occurred to me it was dark magic, but was it something else? Was she using arcanite? If she was, would she be putting us all in some kind of danger?

Gethin's face tightened. He was definitely not happy about this news.

"What's wrong, Gethin?" I asked, looking at his face.

Gethin rubbed his temples. "Fiona, she's a bit of a loose cannon. She doesn't play by the rules, if you know what I mean."

I nodded. Fiona danced to the beat of her own drum, but I didn't feel uneasy about her in the way that the guys clearly did.

"And now she's been at the town hall," Gethin said. "I can't help but worry about what she's up to."

"Why's that?" Gideon said.

Gethin turned to him. "The town hall is where we keep our records," he said. "Everything from land deeds to birth certificates. If Fiona's been in there..."

"Then maybe she's found something she shouldn't have," Gideon finished.

Gethin nodded. "Exactly."

We all fell silent, considering what this could mean. I'd only met Fiona once, and she was definitely weird, but would she really steal information? And what would she want with it?

"I don't get it," I said. "What would Fiona want with any of those records?"

Gethin leaned forward. "Fiona has a way of uncovering secrets," he said. "If she's in the town hall records, she's looking for something that could change the balance of power in Llyncroft."

I looked at him. "Like what?"

Gideon coughed. "Think about it, Evie," he said. "Land deeds, ownership rights. Those records tell you who controls what in this village."

I shivered. "You think she's looking for arcanite deposits?"

Gethin nodded. "It's a possibility," he said. "But there's another side to this."

"What side?" I asked.

"Clara Fairchild," Gethin said in a low voice.

I blinked. Clara Fairchild? I only knew her as a radio host. I had no idea she lived in Llyncroft. How did she fit into this?

"Clara's family has lived in Llyncroft for generations," Gethin said. "And they've always had a big stake in the village's land disputes."

"But Clara doesn't seem to be the type to do something shady," I said.

Gideon smirked. "Don't be fooled by her radio voice," he said. "She has a lot to lose."

"And if Fiona is looking for information in those records," Gethin said, "she might be looking for something that connects to Clara's family history or land ownership."

I tried to process this. Was Fiona trying to find something to use against Clara? Or was it something else?

"What are you saying?" I asked.

"I'm saying," Gethin said, "that Fiona might try to control or undermine Clara."

"Why?" I asked.

"Power," Gideon said. "If Fiona finds something incriminating or useful in those records, she could use it to control Clara or take control of some things, or maybe prevent Clara trying to control her."

I thought about it. What if Clara wasn't as perfect as she seemed on the radio? And what if Fiona will do anything to find out?

"We need to find out what Fiona is looking for in those records," Gethin said.

"And we need to do it quietly," Gideon added.

"Should we ask her?" Gideon said, but Gethin shook his head.

"Not yet," he said. "First, we need evidence."

I massaged my temples. I could feel a headache coming on. It was all too much to take in.

"So why were you at the town hall?" Gethin asked.

"I was researching the land Geraint and Alun were fighting over. Something something Agnes said about arcanite made me curious," I said. Gethin looked at me in surprise.

"Arcanite?" he repeated. "Why?"

I hesitated. I wasn't sure how much I should tell him. "Agnes said that Alun Davies might be interested in land because of it."

Gideon blinked. "Arcanite?" he echoed. Gethin looked thoughtful. "That might explain a few things," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Gethin looked at me. "Davies has been buying land around Llyncroft for years," he said. "No one knows why."

"Could it be because of the arcanite?" I asked.

"It's possible," Gethin said. "But without proof ..."

"We're back to square one," I finished.

Gideon folded his arms. "So what did you find out at the town hall?" he asked.

"Not much," I said. "I got distracted before I could check out the records."

"I found evidence that Davies has been buying land," Gideon said.

Gethin looked at me as if he could see the thoughts whirling behind my eyes. "You've got a curious streak in you, Evie," he said. "That's not always safe around here."

I met his piercing blue gaze. "Curiosity is part of who I am," I said. "I never thought it would lead me into, well, whatever this is."

Gethin's eyes narrowed as he looked down towards the village. He nodded his head as if he had decided. "I need your help, Evie, before you leave town and head up to the Miller's farm," he said, turning back to me. His voice was serious.

I crossed my arms. "With what?"

He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. "It's Fiona. She's like an oyster, which is hard to open. I think she's hiding something, well she's always hiding something. I think she hiding something different this time and it could be related to the death. There's no way she'll tell me."

"Why not?" I asked, curious about their history.

Gethin sighed. "Let's just say Fiona and I have had our differences in the past."

Gideon laughed, "that's one way to put it. This guy tried to get her to go out with her when he was a teenager."

I ignored Gideon, but made a note to ask him about it later. "So you think she'll talk to me? I don't see why."

"It's not about talking," Gethin said, leaning against the wall. "I think you might notice something we wouldn't. You're new here, you're likely to see things which are every day for us. You don't know old grudges and the politics of living in a small village. I guess I'm saying your perception isn't tainted."

"By years of rejections," muttered Gideon. Gethin shot him a look, telling him to be quiet. I nodded. He had a point. I saw the world differently since I'd moved to Llyncroft, so everything seemed a little strange.

"And," he continued, "Fiona seems to like you and you've spent more time with her than anyone of us recently."

How did he know that? "Have you been spying on me?" Gethin looked embarrassed. "It's not that. You're new to town, and everyone is gossiping about you."

"That's true," said Gideon. "Some people want to know what your favourite food is, other want to know why May left you the B&B, and there's also a bet on how long it will be before this one asks you out on a date, as he's dated everyone else."

"Stop," Gethin said with a growl. "Evie, do you think you could find out more abut Fiona?" I remembered the plant I'd revived in Fiona's shop. "You think she might let something slip around me?"

"It's possible," Gethin said. "Evie, your natural charm and innocence disarm people and I think she might talk to you."

I laughed. "Innocence? I've been accused of sticking my nose where it doesn't belong more times than I can count."

"That's why you're perfect," Gethin said, blushing.