Page 35 of Magical Mayhem

“I can’t.” My voice cracked. I swallowed hard, starting again. “I can’t stay in there and pretend this is enough. Not when…”

Bella tilted her head, her fox-senses sharp. “Not when what, Maeve?”

I closed my eyes, gathering the pieces of courage left in me, and whispered, “He’s in the Wilds.”

Her brows knit. “Who?”

My voice faltered, but I forced it out. “Gideon.”

Silence dropped between us, and it was heavier than anything in Keegan’s room.

Bella blinked, her golden eyes narrowing. Then she let out a breathy laugh.

“No. No, Maeve, that’s the mushrooms. You breathed in spores, and they twisted your fears. Nova told you what they do.”

I shook my head fiercely, my voice trembling but sure. “I avoided them this time. I didn’t breathe them in. That voice yesterday, it was real. And I found him.”

Bella stepped closer, her gaze fierce and searching. “You’re telling me you went into the Wilds alone and found Gideon just lying there? The Gideon? The one who’s spent years trying to tear down everything we stand for?”

“Yes,” I whispered, gripping the stone wall to steady myself. “Slumped, fading, broken. I couldn’t move him. But he’s there. And if we don’t help him, Keegan will…” My voice caught. “Keegan will follow.”

Her expression softened and flickered into something raw. She didn’t need me to say the rest.

“The Academy can’t hold without all of us,” I pressed on. “Stonewick can’t hold. Not unless we all stand together—Keegan, my father, me… and Gideon. The Hunger Path calls for nothing less.”

At that, Bella stilled.

She crossed her arms, amber eyes sharp. “The Hunger Path is not to be trifled with, Maeve. It demands sacrifice. Unity. Choice. You’re asking me to believe Gideon, of all people, would choose to stand willingly with us.”

“I know how it sounds, and maybe he won’t,” I whispered. My throat burned, my chest tight. “But I saw him. He’s weak. Diminished. He’s not the monster he was, not anymore. And even if he doesn’t want to stand… we need him. Without him, the circle breaks before it’s ever formed. Our first step is to get him back to health and hope he chooses wisely.”

Bella’s gaze lingered on me, nearly unreadable, but I caught the flicker there.

I spotted a faint glimmer of belief. Or maybe just the echo of what she’d seen in Keegan’s failing strength.

“If you’re wrong…” she said slowly, “it will destroy us. We’re bringing the monster into a village that is finally thriving again.”

“Minus the shadows above,” I corrected.

“But we’ve become united, the stores are bustling with magical folk, the sidewalks are busy with witches filled with hope, and…” She stopped.

“If I’m wrong, we’re destroyed anyway,” I said, my voice breaking. “Keegan won’t last. The Wards won’t hold. The Academy will collapse. And Stonewick.” My breath shook. “Stonewick will fall.”

Her eyes softened at last, the sharpness fading into resignation. “You’re asking me to gamble everything on trust. On you.”

“Yes,” I whispered.

The corridor held its breath, and so did I.

Finally, Bella gave a small nod. “Then I’ll help you.”

Relief surged so hot my knees nearly buckled again. I grasped her hand and clutched it tightly. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” she muttered. “We’ll need a plan. Keegan must be protected, even if Gideon joins the circle. And if it comes to choosing between them…” She trailed off, her eyes flicking back toward the chamber. “

I nodded, swallowing hard.

The corridor’s hush broke suddenly with the clatter of feet. Twobble bounded around the corner, jelly smeared across his chin, his vest dusted with hay. His grin was wide and goofy, while his eyes shone with mischief.