And then it was just us, Stella, Gideon, the goblins, and Keegan.
Stella moved through the shop with practiced efficiency, collecting cups and stacking saucers, and blowing out candles one by one.
The room dimmed slowly.
Outside, the town had gone quiet.
Keegan rose from his chair, stretching his shoulders once like a man who had been sitting longer than he liked. Gideon stood a few feet away near the door, watching the whole scene with an expression I still couldn’t quite read.
Finally, Stella wiped her hands on a towel and nodded toward the door.
“Alright,” she announced. “Out you all go. Even magical crises need to respect business hours.”
Twobble jerked awake.
“I was meditating,” he said immediately.
“You were snoring.”
“Deep meditation.”
Skonk snorted.
We shuffled toward the door together.
The cool night air felt good after the warmth of the shop. The streetlamps glowed softly, throwing golden light across the cobblestones. Stonewick looked peaceful again.
Which still felt strange.
Keegan turned toward Gideon.
“The inn’s open,” he said simply. “You can take a room there tonight. Tell Ember I said it was fine. There are a few reserved for unexpected visitors.”
I blinked.
That hadn’t been the response I expected.
“I suppose I would qualify.”
Keegan nodded. “Indeed.”
Apparently, Gideon hadn’t expected it either, because one of his eyebrows lifted slightly.
“That’s generous,” he said.
“It’s practical,” Keegan replied. “You’re not wandering the town all night.”
Gideon studied him for a second longer and nodded.
“Thanks.”
And just like that, it was settled.
Stella locked the door behind us with a firm click. The vampire ladies disappeared down the street, shawls pulled tight around their shoulders.
Nova and Ardetia headed toward the opposite end of town.
The group dissolved the way it always did in Stonewick—quietly, naturally, like everyone knew where they belonged.
