“To get my dad back, we have to go after Gideon,” I said. “We can’t let him win...not on this. He’s already controlled too much of Stonewick for too long.”
Keegan glanced around the circle.
“Then we plan carefully. With the Academy starting to awaken, we have a chance,” he said gruffly.
I looked down at the old tome. The letters still glowed faintly, and I gently closed its cover. The incantation had given me a glimpse of a path of sorts.
But it also revealed Gideon’s watchful eye.
Stepping foot into Shadowick came with immense risk, but I would do anything to get him back.
Stella brushed a stray tear from my cheek. It had slipped down without me knowing it.
“We’re with you, Maeve.”
Twobble regained some of his bravado and puffed out his chest. “I, for one, can’t wait to teach that smug Gideon a lesson.”
I let out a shaky laugh as my entire body still tingled with the residual magic.
Keegan’s supportive hand on my elbow reminded me I wasn’t alone, and I mustered the last of my strength to stand.
I knew the path forward would be more dangerous than anything we’d faced.
But I clung to hope and the unwavering love that had guided me even in the darkest realms. My dad was alive, and by some miracle, we had glimpsed where Gideon had hidden him.
And if Gideon saw me and realized I’d invaded his turf, then so be it.
I refused to cower in fear. Midlife magic, or whatever power surged through me, was enough to fight for my father, Stonewick, and the future we all deserved.
The curse had to be broken, but first, I had to get my dad back. He didn’t deserve any of this.
Somewhere outside, the wind wailed an echo of the dark domain I’d just escaped. But I lifted my chin, grateful for the warmth of companionship and the promise of justice.
Gideon won’t win. Not this time.
Keegan touched my arm gently, and I looked into his eyes, feeling a mixture of worry and resignation.
“We’ll prepare. We’ll put out a call to what allies we have. But first, you need rest.” Keegan’s gaze lingered on mine. “I mean it, Maeve. You just went through something that would knock most witches out for weeks.”
Stella walked over slowly. Her red lipstick neatly outlined as she clung to a teacup, releasing steam in little puffs.
“For you, dear. You need this to calm your nerves and stay hydrated.”
I reached for the cup of tea and placed the warm porcelain rim against my lips, smelling the sweet scent of vanilla and orange.
“You really need to rest your body,” Keegan tried again.
“Do you ever take your own advice?” I asked, chuckling.
He didn’t take much of a rest when a shifting event nearly killed him.
“It’s different.”
My brows lifted. “How so?”
“I know what to expect. All of this is new for you.”
I wanted to protest, but exhaustion nearly toppled me over. Nodding in reluctant agreement, I sank onto a chair, the old spell book clutched to my chest like a talisman.
