ʺAngels! Angels, protect us,ʺ she prayed, hoping the prayer was not too late.

KELSEY RUSHED FOR THE WALL SWITCH. THE moment after she flicked on the light, they were plunged into darkness again. Rain beat against the windows.

A downdraft through the fireplace brought in a burning smell.

Hand trembling, Dhanya tried to reignite the blown‐out tea lights. Kelsey grabbed the lighter from Dhanya and finished the candles. ʺAnybody home?ʺ a male voice called. Ivy breathed a sigh of relief. ʺWill, weʹre in here. Our powerʹs out. What happened?ʺ she asked as he entered the kitchen. ʺWhat was that crash?ʺ

ʺThe cat, I think. I was headed here when the storm broke. Just as I reached the cottage, the front door blew open. I rushed in, and Dusty came flying in with me.ʺ

The girls picked up the candles and carried them into the living room. The large orange cat cowered in the corner.

ʺYou big wuss!ʺ Kelsey said to Dusty. ʺLook at the mess you made.ʺ

A lamp, several dirty glasses, and a pile of seashells lay on the floor next to the sofaʹs end table. Kelsey lifted up the lamp and tried to straighten its shade. Will picked up the largest shards of the shattered glass.

“Iʹll get a broom,ʺ Beth said, speaking for the first time since she had shouted at them to end the séance.

“Careful,ʺ Ivy warned Will when he tried to pick up the smaller fragments.

He turned to look at her for a moment, his dark hair tousled by the storm, his brown eyes shining softly in the candlelight Dhanya sat on the sofa, her hands clenched in her lap. Ivy was tempted to put an arm around her but didnʹt know if she would welcome it ʺThe stormʹs already letting up,ʺ Ivy said reassuringly.

Dhanya nodded. Ivy fetched the cat and carried him back to the sofa. He was more than twenty pounds of feline, a Maine coon, with creamy tufts of fur tipping his ears. Ivy scratched Dustyʹs chin, then buried her fingertips in the lion-like ruff around his neck. Dhanya glanced at the cat, but didnʹt seem inclined to pet him.