“It’s Gideon,” I said finally, my voice low. “He was in my dream last night. Or… I think he was. I can’t remember it exactly. Just the way it made me feel.”
“Like something was pressing against the window?” she asked.
I looked at her sharply. “Yes. How did you know?”
She nodded slowly. “You’re not the only one who’s felt it in life. And you have a look on your face of…violation mixed with worry.”
That startled me. “You’ve experienced that?”
“Not in dream form,” she said. “But I’ve been watched, hunted, preyed upon. It does something to the psyche.”
I sat back, the mug warming my hands as I stared at the table.
“I hope he’s not hunting me. I’ve been trying to pretend it’s just nerves,” I admitted. “But I know it’s about the dream.”
“Gideon hasn’t let go from the moment since he first felt you,” Stella said softly. “And I’m afraid it’s not merely the Academy he’s interested in.”
My chest tightened.
“That’s been my worry, too.” I cleared my throat. “But I can’t worry about everything all at once. Today is the first day of classes and new responsibilities, with all these students trusting me to… I don’t know. Build something for them.”
“You are building something,” she said, firmly. “And they’re here because of you. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be worried. Especially abouthim.”
I looked into her face, which held the familiar, kind, and honest expression I’d come to love. She didn’t hand out platitudes or forced optimism. She was a solid sounding board.
“Do you think he’s trying to find a way in?” I asked finally.
Stella was quiet for a moment.
“I think he’s beenlookingfor one,” she said softly. “And now that the Academy is open, it’s visible again. Alive again. Which means it’s vulnerable in a way it hasn’t been in decades. Even an old wrinklebutt like me can walk in.”
I chuckled, but a chill ran down my arms, despite the tea and laughter.
She leaned in. “You can’t stop him from trying. But youcanprepare.”
I exhaled slowly. “The Wards are holding. For now. But if he finds a crack…”
“Then we plug it before it widens. All these minds will only strengthen the Wards in time.”
“Time.” I gave a weak laugh. “Just like that, huh?”
“Maeve,” she said gently. “You’ve got teachers. Guardians. Students.”
My eyes flicked to her, and she reached across the table and squeezed my hand.
“I can’t promise he won’t come back. But I can promise you won’t be alone when he does.”
I nodded, throat too tight to speak for a moment.
And there, in the quiet morning glow, surrounded by schedules, magical notes, and a Dad who snored louder than a storm cloud, I let myself believe that maybe, even with Gideon out there, we still stood a chance.
Especially if we stood together.
Chapter Eleven
The grand foyer had never felt grander.
It buzzed with that odd kind of excitement that only happens at the start of something. Nervous chatter, shoes scuffing polished stone, the occasional magical spark floating off a shoulder or bag. And it was all held together with joyous laughter.
