“It already is,” I said quietly.
Nova studied me more closely. “You’ve decided something.”
Keegan let out a breath. “She has.”
I didn’t look away from Nova.
“If they’re coming anyway, I don’t want them circling our borders in tension. I don’t want students watching treelines and imagining threats.”
“You want them visible,” Nova said.
“I want them integrated.”
Keegan made a low sound under his breath.
Nova didn’t react to him. Her eyes stayed on me. “That would alter the Academy.”
“Yes.”
“It would alter Stonewick.”
“Yes.”
She was silent for a few seconds, and then she nodded.
“The wolves will follow structure if it’s offered,” she said. “Chaos only rises when there is none.”
Keegan looked between us. “You’re both remarkably calm about this.”
Nova’s lips curved faintly. “Calm doesn’t mean unaware.”
“Well, just for the record, I’m absolutely not calm about any of this.” I wrapped my fingers around my teacup, though it had gone cold. “I just can’t let anyone see me sweat.”
Keegan smiled and shook his head. “You still amaze me.”
“Thank you. I amaze myself sometimes.”
Nova chuckled and nodded. “You’ve grown well into your role, Hedge Witch.”
“I think I’ve only scratched the surface.”
“Correct.”
“So how many total do you think will be arriving?” I asked.
“By the end of the week?” Nova said. “Perhaps fifty.”
The number landed softly.
Fifty.
It wasn’t an army, but it was enough to change the shape of things.
The Academy hummed again beneath us, and it didn’t resist; it just listened. And I knew that was answer enough.
Chapter Six
I needed quiet, and it wasn’t the kind where everyone leaves the room. It was the kind where the noise inside my head stopped arguing with itself long enough for a plan to take shape. More shifters would be here soon. Keegan’s inn was completely at capacity. And my job as Headmistress of Stonewick was to keep students safe and keep the magic humming along. I felt completely inadequate, yet oddly inspired because everywhere I looked, I saw glimpses of magic’s future.
