“Banquet hall,” I said, offering a smile. “Dinner’s still going. If you’re going to be here, I want you to behere. Among the others. You don’t have to hide in corners anymore.”
Stella was already waiting near the archway, hands on her hips, eyes sharp but kind.
“We put out fresh trays of meat and roasted veggies just in case,” she said, glancing at the two women. “I felt something stir in the air and figured it might mean extra mouths would show up.”
I nodded. “They could use a little kindness tonight.”
“Then they came to the right place,” she said, and turned on her heel. “Come on, you two. The girls from the Great Lakes brought their special wine. Just don’t tell the sprites. Oh, and someone made the cheese wheel vanish, but I can promise hot cider and pudding with nutmeg.”
I glanced at Twobble at the mention of the cheese wheel, and he just suspiciously eyed the ceiling.
Krina and Mys hesitated a beat longer, then followed Stella down the hall.
I lingered behind them, watching them go. Their shoulders stayed stiff, their steps cautious. But they were walking toward something, not away from it.
That was something.
And then I felt him.
Before he stepped into view, Keegan’s presence came like a pulse.
He rounded the corner in long strides with a tight jaw and eyes scanning.
“You called,” he said with a smirk.
“I did.”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Nova said it was urgent.”
“It is,” I said. “And strange.”
“Also, your specialty,” he murmured.
I motioned for him to follow, keeping my voice low. “I think the unruly guest at the inn is here for one of our students, possibly an ex. Krina is her name.”
“Krina?”
I nodded. “Shadow master ex-husband. She’s here to escape. He might be trying to drag her back. He’s not subtle, but heispoking around the wrong places.”
“Or the right ones,” Keegan said grimly.
“I want to keep an eye on him,” I said. “But I don’t want to panic the town.”
“We need to lock down the Academy quietly. Start by adding layers and strengthening the Wards. I’ll talk with Ember.”
“Thank you. I really hope it’s only the ex.” I pressed my lips together and took in a breath before sighing.
His eyes met mine, and he nodded. “Me too. Hey, I heard what happened with the chandelier and what you…did.”
“I wish I could truly say I did it, but the power came from nowhere.”
He smiled and shook his head. “Magic always comes from somewhere. It’s just our job to find the source and embrace it.”
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“For what?”
“Always believing in me.”
