Chapter Five

Mika arrives early at Nowhere House, greeted by Ian, Lucie, Ken, and the eager Rosetta and Altamira. Terracotta and Jamie are conspicuously absent. Mika breaks the ice through Circe, then impresses everyone by magically unpacking an improbable haul, including a pond and a pop-up greenhouse, signaling the scale and confidence of her magic.

Inside, the girls lead Mika through the cozy, lived-in house. Family photos abound, but Lillian is barely present and often blurred or on the margins, highlighting her distance. Upstairs, the girls show Mika their rooms and reveal that Terracotta refused to meet her, which Mika accepts without offense.

Mika is assigned a freshly prepared attic room with a balcony and sea view, which she loves. As she admires it, she finds Altamira unintentionally levitating. Recognizing the risk, Mika calmly redirects the moment into a lesson: spells need intent and a clear “how,” and magic, like a mischievous puppy, must be firmly guided.

When Altamira cannot lower herself, Mika subtly reins in the surrounding magic and brings the child safely down, then explains the danger of floating outdoors where wards could be breached and witnesses alerted. Rosetta engages eagerly with Mika’s explanations, while Altamira’s curiosity and energy remain high.

Rosetta admits she advocated for the attic because Mika might crave open air, and Mika confirms it suits her. As they head to fetch more belongings, Mika reflects that the household is steeped in magic, the girls need structured guidance, Lillian remains absent, Terracotta is resistant, and Ian seems to know more about witches than he should.