Twobble followed me out onto the small path leading away from the Academy, his shorter steps quick to keep up with mine.
“Maeve,” he said, softer now. “What if she doesn’t know?”
I didn’t slow down. “Then we keep looking.”
“And if Gideon doesn’t want to be found?”
I let out a quiet breath, the weight of that question settling deep in my chest.
“Then we find him anyway,” I said. “He has something he shouldn’t.”
“But do you actually want it?”
I didn’t answer.
The alley toward town was dimly lit, as Stonewick settled into its evening rhythm, shops closing, voices fading, magic quieting just enough to let the night take hold.
But even with all of that, something felt… off.
The shadow mark stirred again, that cold sensation threading through me in a way that made my steps falter for just a second before I pushed through it.
Twobble noticed because, of course, he did. He was my sidekick.
“You felt that,” he said.
“I’m fine,” I replied quickly.
“You’re not fine.”
“I don’t have time not to be fine.”
He didn’t respond right away, and when I glanced down at him, his expression had shifted into something more serious than I’d seen from him in a while.
“You’re going to push yourself too far,” he said.
“Probably,” I admitted. “But not tonight.”
We reached the village center with the familiar storefronts coming into view, and I felt a small, strange sense of relief when I spotted the warm glow spilling from Luna’s shop window.
At least something was still open.
At least something was still normal.
I slowed as we approached, my hand hovering for just a second before I pushed the door open, the soft chime above it ringing out into the quiet space.
The scent of wool and lavender wrapped around me immediately, warm and steadying in a way that made my shoulders drop just slightly despite everything pressing in on me.
Luna looked up from behind the counter, her needles stilling mid-motion as her gaze landed on me.
“Maeve,” she said, her tone gentle but knowing. “I was wondering when you’d come by.”
I blinked. “You were?”
She smiled faintly, setting her knitting aside. “You’ve got that look.”
Twobble leaned in close to me. “You do have a look.”
I ignored him and stepped further inside, letting the door fall shut behind us.
