Not great.
Not even remotely fine.
But I swallowed it back with practiced ease and offered him a small smile.
“I’ve survived worse mornings.”
His eyes narrowed just a fraction, like he didn’t believe me for a second.
Twobble clambered up onto a low table, loosening his arms to let them dangle at his sides.
“Okay, here’s the thing. We keep dancing around this Gideon issue like it’s polite conversation, or we hit it head-on, and I’m done being polite. The circle needs to be closed.”
Bella’s ears flicked. Her fox betraying human form for a heartbeat. “You’re sure so soon?”
“I’m goblin-sure,” he said firmly. “Which is stronger than human-sure and only slightly weaker than a vampire’s sure.”
Stella sniffed and smiled fondly at Twobble. “Accurate.”
Ardetia stepped closer, hands folded loosely. “Closing the circle will draw the attention of the Priestess, and we’ve barely regrouped since the attack.”
“That’s the point,” Twobble said. “Right now, Gideon is sniffing. Poking. Seeing what wiggles. I’d rather slam a very clear, very magical door in his face. He vowed to help us, so do it and then be on your way. No more snooping around my village.”
Nova nodded once. “The Academy is already shifting. The Wards are compensating. If we don’t choose the shape of that change, it will choose for us.”
Everyone looked at me because, of course, they did.
I became acutely aware of how the floor felt beneath my shoes. Ever since riding the broom back and forth between my grandmother’s house and Stonewick, the world had felt… skewed. Like my balance was just a hair off, like something inside me hadn’t quite landed where it belonged.
The broom had flown true, was smooth, and was somewhat obedient.
But it felt like I’d brought something more with me than Gideon.
Every time I closed my eyes, there was a moment of weightlessness I couldn’t shake, but it wasn’t dizziness.
It felt like…displacement.
“I don’t love that you’re all staring at me,” I said lightly with a smile.
Keegan’s hand brushed the back of mine as if to anchor me.
“Maeve,” Nova said gently, “tell us what you’re feeling.”
I opened my mouth to deflect.
Instead, the truth slipped through the crack.
“Unsettled,” I admitted. “Ever since the broom trip to my grandmother’s place, I’ve felt…off. I can’t explain it, but it’s like something followed me back. Not Shadowick itself, but something… older and quieter.”
The hall went very still.
“That would track,” Stella said calmly, as if I’d just mentioned the weather. “The Priestess doesn’t strike me as the sort to ignore an invitation once she senses an open channel. She probably left residue for you to unknowingly pick up along with Gideon.”
“I’m not silly putty with an open channel,” I muttered.
Ardetia’s gaze softened. “You’re a crossroads.”
That didn't help.
