Keegan shifted closer and bent down to my ear. “You don’t have to carry this alone.”
“I know,” I said quickly, too quickly. “I just don’t want anyone worrying when we already have enough to manage.”
Twobble snorted. “Too late. I started worrying the moment you opened the cottage door to greet me.”
I chuckled despite myself. “Good to know.”
Bella smiled. “If Gideon or the headmistress thinks you’re alone in this, they’ve miscalculated. The circle must close with his help. He already made the vow, and we’re all here to ensurehe keeps it. And your grandmother will receive that message loud and clear.”
“The sooner the better,” I muttered, realizing that there would be no rest until this was complete and Gideon was on his way.
“We prepare. We close the circle on our terms. Carefully. Together.” Nova lifted her staff, the crystal at its tip catching the light.
The Academy hummed in agreement, and I felt marginally better.
“We’ve got you,” Keegan said softly. “Always.”
I nodded, even as that unsettled feeling curled deeper, like a secret that wasn’t done unfolding.
Because whatever had shifted when I took to the air on that broom with Gideon…whatever had seen me between places…
It hadn’t let go yet, and that worried me.
Twobble clapped his hands together.
“Right. Since we’re all standing around vibrating with destiny and unresolved dread, I feel it’s my civic duty to providegood news.Or at least news that is good-adjacent.”
Stella arched a perfectly groomed brow. “This should be fascinating.”
“Oh, it will be,” Twobble promised. “Because Skonk, may his crumbs always be plentiful, has officially delegated himself as our inside man.”
Bella blinked. “Delegated?”
“Yes. To himself. Very official. There was a speech. A lot of pointing. I was the only one in the room, so it felt a tadawkward.” Twobble grimaced. “He’s currently positioned near Main Street, pretending to be extremely busy while watching for Gideon-shaped disturbances.”
Nova’s lips twitched. “And how reliable is this arrangement?”
Twobble hesitated. “Well, that depends.”
On cue, the faint echo of Skonk’s voice drifted through the hallway.
“—and if anyone sees my meat pie, I swear—”
Twobble winced. “He’s supposed to be in Stonewick.”
Stella sighed fondly. “His hunger will sabotage him.”
“Exactly,” Twobble said, nodding. “We’ve got a solid window. Somewhere between ‘focused and noble’ and ‘completely distracted by a sandwich.’ After that, all bets are off. He’ll forget why he’s lurking, start a snack exchange, and possibly invite Gideon to lunch.”
Bella groaned. “That’s… not ideal.”
“No, but it’s the goblin way.” Twobble frowned.
The Academy hummed again, softer this time.
“It just confirms that the longer we have Gideon floating around town, the more opportunities there will be for things to go wrong or for distractions to arise,” I said, glancing at Keegan.
“I believe there’s no point in waiting,” Nova agreed. “We just need plenty of patience.”
