“Fine. Where are they?”

That was a good question. Isaura's sensing abilities were limited and rudimentary. There might well be spells for tracking people, but she didn't know them. On the other hand, her eldritch sight had proven useful on several occasions. If someone performed magic within her line of sight, she could spot the glow.

It was a long shot, but better than fueling Chloe's doubts.

“Give me a moment.”

Chloe stepped behind Isaura. The young witch heard the artificial clicks of Chloe's mobile. Isaura walked out onto the grass and scanned the horizon. There! A light, rather faint, but distinctly red -- and higher than she'd expected.

“I see something. It's on that slope out there. Looks like a couple of hundred feet up.”

Chloe touched her shoulder as she pressed her ear to Isaura's. Isaura stiffened, then relaxed. She caught a whiff of perfume.

“Just trying to keep your eyeline,” Chloe murmured. “Didn't mean to startle you. Straight ahead?”

“Yes. Straight ahead and up.” Isaura held out her arm and stuck her thumb up. The red glow hovered just above her digit.

“I don't see anything.”

“I know. It's the glow of magic. It stands out to adepts if they're looking for it.”

Chloe stepped back. “If you want to go out there, I want my proof. We're alone—clearly isolated. Show me now.”

“Fine.” Isaura raised her hands to waist-level. “Something impossible. Not levitation, because obviously that happens to you every day. Well, I don't know about you, Chloe, but I don't know anyone who isn't an adept that can do this!”

Electricity arced between Isaura's fingers, tiny strokes of lightning that danced around her hand. Staccato thunderclaps echoed around the two girls.

Chloe's jaw dropped.