I crept up the stairs, my hand trailing along the polished banister. The morning light streamed in through the stained glass panels of the landing window. I'd insisted Agnes spend the night in one of the family rooms.

She explained she was so in tune with the land that it had been causing her physical pain. I can't imagine what she must have felt at the moment the arcanite was ripped from the soil.

I pushed the bedroom door open to find Agnes sitting up in bed with a book in her lap. Her silver curls were a little tousled, but the spark I associated with Agnes was back in her eyes. It had concerned me last night when it was missing..

"Morning, Agnes."

She bookmarked the page and closed the book, meeting my gaze with her warm smile. "Good morning, Evie. How did you sleep?"

"Better than I thought I would. And you? How are you feeling?"

Agnes stretched, wincing slightly. "Much better this morning, thank you. The land has eased. It's not screaming, but whispering. It's still in pain, but it's bearable."

I sat down next to her. "That's a relief," I said. "And Gethin? How long did he stay with you? Did he get any rest?"

"He must have left after I fell asleep in the early hours of the morning. Did he go home?"

"No, I prepared the other family room across the hall. I think he stayed, but I haven't seen him."

Agnes looked out of the window at a robin perched on the sill, its red breast puffed out against the chilly morning.

"Evie," Agnes said, her tone serious. "There's a lot we need to talk about with what's happening with the land."

I felt a knot form in my stomach. It had been exciting to discover my connection to the earth. I had always just thought I had green fingers, but it was something more. That I could work out and cure what was hurting it was something else. Maybe that was the role of an Earth Elemental, though.

"We'll fix it," I said, more confidently than I felt. "We have to."

Agnes reached out and took my hand. "We will," she said.

Gethin strode into Agnes's room. He looked like he had showered. His wet hair was slicked back from his face, making his appearance more intense. He must have thrown his clothes on in a hurry because his shirt was damp and clung to his skin, revealing the breadth of his chest and the definition of his muscles.

"I heard a noise," he said. "Is everything ok?"

Agnes and I exchanged a look before she replied. "We're fine, Gethin. We were just talking."

He nodded, but his eyes lingered on mine for a moment longer than necessary. I felt my cheeks redden. The room felt suddenly smaller with Gethin in it.

I stood up to centre myself. "I was just checking in on Agnes before setting up breakfast this morning."

"Can I help you with that?" Gethin offered, following me downstairs.

The morning light streamed through the windows of the conservatory, announcing a beautiful spring day. Gethin and I worked easily as a team, setting everything up for breakfast.

The Pembrookes came down for their last breakfast at Willow Grove before they had to leave. Oli and Bella helping themselves to fresh scones and jam whilst Henry read the paper and Margaret pour herself some tea.

"Our stay has been eventful to say the least," said Margaret, "between the local lore, unexplained phenomena and a wonderful house warming it will be a holiday to remember."

"Dad says it's our last day here but I want to stay," Oli said chomping into his scone. "He says we've got to head back first thing. I bet we could stay if you had the space."

Bella nodded in agreement, "this place is so cool. I don't want to go back to school."

"I'm sorry. All the rooms are booked next week. We've got guests for the flower festival arriving." I said. "It will be a busy day after you leave cleaning the room for them. And you, Mr Greystone, what are your plans?" I asked Elias, who joined us and sat quietly at the end of the table with his own pot of tea and a book opened beside him.

"As you know, I have another week here at your lovely inn," he replied without looking up from his text. "There's much research yet to do in the library and I'm looking forward to the flower festival. I make sure I come every year."

"It will be good to have you here," I said. Elias looked up from his book. He nodded once before returning to his reading.

"Gethin, what are you going to be doing today?" Margaret asked. Her eyes were curious, and I wondered how much of a gossip she was back home. At least she didn't ask about why he stayed the night.

Gethin paused, a spoon halfway to his mouth. "I have a few things to follow up in the village," he said. "And I'm waiting for the autopsy report to come back today." He spoke matter-of-factly. He looked at Oliver and Bella as he finished.

Their faces lit up. I could almost see their minds racing.

"Can we come with you?" Oliver asked. Bella nodded enthusiastically.

Gethin looked momentarily taken aback. The lines around his eyes tightened as he realised he'd spoken too freely in front of the children.

"I don't think it's suitable for kids," he said, trying to let them down gently. "Police work can be dull."

Oliver wasn't having any of it. "We can be really quiet! You won't even know we're there," he said.

Bella added her own persuasion. "Please, Captain Wolfhart. We'll be super helpful!"

I watched Gethin struggle for a moment. He had to maintain his stern exterior, but the pleading looks from the two adventurous kids were hard to resist.

He cleared his throat. "Oliver, Bella," he said, his tone authoritative but softening as it met their gaze. "There are rules I have to follow, and I need to do this on my own."

Their shoulders slumped. It was a reminder of how deeply children could feel the thrill of discovery and the disappointment when it was just out of reach.

"Maybe when I'm finished with my work this morning, we can all go up to Old Man Miller's farm. He's got some new foals you might like to see," Gethin said.

The children's faces brightened. "Really?" Bella asked. "Centaur foals. I bet they are super cute."

Gethin nodded. "Really. Would you come with me to the station, Evie?"

Gethin's suggestion caught me off guard. "You want me to go with you to the police station?" I asked, not sure I'd heard him right over the clatter of cutlery and tea pouring.

He nodded. "Yes, Evie. There's something there that I think you might need to see."

I chewed my lip, looking to Agnes for support. She smiled back at me. If Agnes thought it was a good idea, then maybe it was.

"What about breakfast? And the guests?" I asked, suddenly aware of my responsibilities at the inn.

"The guests are all sorted," Gethin said, gesturing around the conservatory. "And you don't need to worry about lunch. You've been working hard since dawn. It's time for a break."

A break? What could be at the police station that required my presence? My connection to the earth? Something else?

"Okay," I said after a moment. "I'll come with you."

Gethin smiled. "Great. We'll go as soon as you're ready."

I nodded and excused myself from the table, heading upstairs to get my coat and bag. What was waiting for me at the police station?