Page 110 of Magical Melee

Stella hummed softly as she wiped down the counter. Her shimmering blouse caught the light with every movement, and her signature bright red lipstick had been recently reapplied.

It had been a long day, but the quiet rhythm of the shop had been a welcome distraction from the looming worries of Shadowick and Gideon.

I’d finally understood the importance of the cryptic answers and vague acknowledgments. What was going on was far bigger than anything just one of us could solve. Too much information, and I could become dangerous to the one thing I wanted to save, and too little information, and I wouldn’t understand why trust mattered.

But a thought had occurred to me: What if I needed to do it alone? Without Keegan.

I owed myself that much.

Frank sauntered over to where I folded the town’s newspaper and placed it in the recycle bin.

“Alright, buddy,” I whispered, scratching behind his ears. “One more whirl.”

“I’ll be right back,” I hollered to Stella.

She popped out from the back room and waved. “Don’t get into too much trouble.”

I chuckled and stepped outside with Frank. The streets of Stonewick were eerily quiet. It reminded me of the night with Nova. I made my way back to the tall building, my footsteps echoing against the cobblestones. I rested my hands on the lock and silently recited the chant.

But I didn’t feel a thing. It was just like before. Disappointment wedged its way inside, but I refused to believe this was it for the day.

I turned and slowly walked toward the hidden alley with Frank. As we approached the brick building, I realized it was as tight as always—no larger gap, no tiny alleyway. I closed my eyes and heaved as I placed my hands on the building’s cold brick.

“Please,” I whispered. “Let me in.”

The pull was far too great. I knew where I belonged, and I was trying to be patient, but I didn’t want to miss an opportunity either.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, just as I was about to step back, I felt a faint warmth beneath my palms.I opened my eyes to see the bricks shimmering slightly, their surface rippling like water.

Frank barked softly, and I glanced down at him. “You see that too, right?”

He wiggled his short tail as his body tensed with eagerness.

The ripple faded, and the bricks returned to their solid state

“Why won’t you open?” I murmured.

And then I felt it again—that prickling sensation. I spun around, but the streets were empty, with only the flickering lanterns lighting the sidewalks.

But I knew someone—or something—was there.

“I know you’re watching,” I said, my voice steady despite the unease curling in my stomach. “And I’ve already managed to leave a broken marriage with my head held high. Whatever you are, you don’t worry me.”

The silence was deafening, but I refused to back down. I turned back to the wall, placing my hands on it once more.

“Please,” I whispered again. “Let me in.”

This time, the wall seemed to sway beneath my touch as a deep sound moved through my body.

The bricks shimmered again. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw the alley start to unfold a dark path winding toward the garden.

But then the shimmer faded, and the wall returned to its unyielding state.

I let out a shaky breath and stepped back. The pull was stronger than ever, but it seemed the Academy wasn’t ready to let me in.

Not yet.

Frank nudged my leg and looked at me with his kind and reassuring gaze.