Page 107 of Magical Melee

I spotted Keegan walking toward the shop and shrugged. “What can I say? Maybe he’s warming up to me.”

“If only it were that simple,” Stella said, shaking her head.

I wanted to ask what she meant, but Keegan opened the door before I had a chance.

“Evening, Stella.”

“Evening to you,” Stella said, smiling.

“I’ll be back,” I promised and walked out the door with Keegan.

The late afternoon sun dipped low in the sky. Keegan and I went through Stonewick’s winding streets as dark shadows lingered along the sidewalks. Darkness was minutes away, but the quiet buzz of the town felt different today. If I didn’t know better, it was like the air itself waited for the next move.

Keegan walked a few paces ahead, his usual brooding expression in place. I followed closely, but my heart raced with anticipation. Part of me wondered if he regretted this arrangement, but it was too late now. He’d committed, and I was pretty sure Keegan was always a man of his word.

We stopped in front of the tall building with the iron gate I’d seen during my late-night wanderings. Its worn facade and intricate carvings of candles and wicks still gave off an air of quiet authority, as if it had been standing watch over the town for centuries.

“Nova told me this was a ward, and I’ve read so much on so many things, but not much is ever written about wards,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Keegan gave a curt nod. “They’re one of our main defenses, so we say little about them.”

“Okay. Well, what goes on inside?”

“You’ll have to go in someday to find out.”

I smiled. “Today, possibly?”

He laughed and shook his head. “You’re like a kid in a candy store.”

“Is this the Flame Ward?” I asked.

Surprise darted through his gaze as a smirk surfaced on his lips. “Yeah. Yeah, it is.”

“Awesome. That just leaves me to find out about the Maple one since I’m pretty certain the Butterfly Ward is the secret garden I saw.”

His left brow lifted as he shook his head.

“I know. I know. Okay, one step at a time. So, what do we do to make this puppy reveal for me?” I asked, sliding my hands together before blowing into my palms. I didn’t realize it would snow, or I would have brought gloves.

“Well, let’s just see if it responds to you again,” he offered.

“All I saw Nova do was trace the image. I tried that the other day, and nothing happened.”

He nodded. “Correct.”

“Correct, that’s all I had to do, or correct nothing would happen?”

The familiar smirk ran across his features, and he reached for my hand. I was surprised by the gesture but let him loop his fingers through mine. His touch was nice, and for a brief second, I let my mind wander to something I shouldn’t.

He cleared his throat. “Close your eyes.”

I obeyed, and my mind went blank right before words flashed briefly.

Guardians of Stonewick, steadfast and wise,

Through courage and knowledge, our spirits shall rise.

My eyes blinked open to see Keegan studying me.