He hesitated just long enough to make my stomach tighten.
“There’s a situation at the Inn,” he said.
I blinked. “Your hotel? It runs like clockwork.”
He nodded once. “One of the staff sent word. Something about a guest dispute. Ember’s here, or I’d have her tame down the unruly guest.”
“Unruly?” My eyebrows rose. “That’s… rare.”
“Exactly,” he said. “That’s why I’m going.”
I leaned against the end of the shelf, frowning. The boutique hotel was the quietest place in Stonewick. It was considered a safe haven for magical folk and had plenty of charm protections. If drama was happening there, it was usually over whether someone got the last piece of lemon cake.
“Did they say who the guest was?”
“Not a name I recognized. Just that someone’s causing a stir, and it’s magical in nature.”
“Magical,” I repeated slowly. “But still staying at the Inn?”
“For now. We’ll see if we can calm them down,” Keegan admitted. “Magical folk don’t usually stir up trouble where they sleep. Not unless they’re desperate. Or reckless.”
Or looking for a distraction.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ve got it. It’s probably nothing. Just… weird timing.”
Weird timing indeed.
First, Twobble spotted a shadow, and now, a dispute at the only magically neutral lodging in town?
I didn’t like the pattern, but I also knew it could be nothing at all.
Keegan must’ve caught the worry behind my eyes, because he stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“I’ll come straight back after. I’m sure it’s nothing.”
I gave him a wry look. “Let’s hope it’s just someone who didn’t like their pillow.”
He turned to go, but I reached out and caught his arm lightly.
“Be careful,” I said. “Please.”
He nodded, his expression softening. “Always.”
And then he was gone.
The door clicked shut behind him, and I was alone again with the library and my thoughts, neither of which had been particularly restful lately.
I stared after him for a moment longer, then forced myself to focus. Books still needed sorting. Students still needed guidance. The Academy didn’t pause just because something stirred outside its walls.
I made my way back toward the new arrivals section, which was steadily filling with requests. The book sprites zipped past me, occasionally dropping off books with a flourish.
I was halfway through reorganizing the table near the enchantment alcove when I heard voices.
Soft. Hushed.
Two students were just on the other side of the shelves.
