72

How can you just stand quietly by when something like this is happening right on your doorstep? How can you even see a single shred of evidence that there's another Witch in town and not want to do everything possible to find out who they are? The mystery of the tree is intriguing enough on its own, but knowing there's a magical solution is just irresistible. Whatever the outcome, you have to know the truth about what's going on.

You step back as you continue to reel from this revelation, hoping that Marlowe hasn't noticed anything weird about how you're acting. You try to keep your expression as neutral as possible, going through all the possibilities in your head and finding none that explains exactly when or why this tree was brought here or by whom. All you know for sure is that it's magic; and since it wasn't you, it must have been somebody else with the same abilities. You have no idea who it could possibly be, of course—but from what you know about Witches, they're likely to be independent—reclusive maybe, or just secretive—and they would probably have an animal nearby.

Taking a steadying breath, you remind yourself that there's not much else you can figure out right now. If you want to find out the truth, you'll just have to keep an eye out for it.

"I'd better get back. My roommate's expecting me," Marlowe says after a pause. But even then, they don't move right away. You get the impression that they're thinking something over.

Eventually, they give you a questioning look. "So this is kind of a long shot, but—there's this concert I'm reviewing tomorrow night, and I got two free tickets. I'm not sure what the band's like yet, but…I guess that's the fun part! If you're not busy, would you maybe want to come?"

For a moment, you're not sure what to say—especially since you've never been in this situation before.