Page 111 of Magical Melee

“It’s okay,” I said, scratching his head. “We’ll try again. When the time is right.”

As we turned to leave, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the unseen watcher was still there, lurking in the shadows. Stonewick was keeping its secrets from more than just me, but I knew it was only a matter of time before the Academy revealed itself again.

And when it did, I would be ready.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“You ready to head back?” Stella asked, tossing the cleaning rag into a bin with a practiced flick of her wrist.

“Yeah,” I said, pulling on my coat. “It’s your turn to babysit me, after all.”

Stella laughed, locking the register with a softclick. “Don’t sell yourself short, darling. You’re hardly a chore to look after. Besides, you’ve got a charming little cottage, and Frank is excellent company.”

“Frank does have a certain grumpy charm,” I agreed as we stepped out into the cool night air.

Frank trotted ahead, his little bulldog legs moving with surprising determination.

The drive back to the cottage was peaceful. The streets of Stonewick fell quiet under the light of a quarter moon.

By the time we reached the property, I felt more relaxed than I had in days. I was finally getting into a new routine, not just here in Stonewick but also for my post-divorce life.

I was alone.

But not really.

And I was okay with it.

We walked toward the cottage with Frank by our side. The gargoyles watched over us, and I got the impression that some other guardians were in the woods.

When I reached the door, I pushed my key into the lock and gave it a simple twist.

Everything inside was just as we’d left it. The fire had burned low but still glowed warmly in the hearth. Frank gave the room a cursory sniff before plopping down on his favorite spot near the fireplace.

Stella shrugged off her coat and hung it by the door. “Well, everything seems calm. That’s a nice change.”

“For now,” I said, though I couldn’t help but smile.

The cottage did feel a bit like a safe haven. Even better, it was starting to feel like home.

I needed to make my way to the storage unit to pick up some more of my personal belongings, but I had everything I needed here.

As I headed into the kitchen, Stella followed. She had a goofy look on her face.

“You know,” she said, leaning against the counter, “since we’ve got a quiet night ahead, how about I teach you a few spells?”

I paused, turning to her. “Really? You’re offering to teach me magic?”

“Of course,” she said with a grin. “You’ve been carrying the world's weight on your shoulders since Gideon showed up. It’s time for a little fun. Besides,” she added, “it’s good practice.”

Before I could respond, Stella opened the large hutch against the kitchen wall.

I’d always assumed it was just for storing dishes, but she pulled open a hidden compartment, revealing rows of neatly labeled jars, vials, and bundles of dried herbs.

My eyes widened. “You’ve been holding out on me.”

“More like the cottage.” Stella chuckled. “But I do like to keep a few tricks up my sleeve. Now, let’s start with something light.” She reached for a jar filled with tiny, shimmering sand and set it on the counter. “This one’s for a bit of harmless fun.”

I leaned closer, unable to hide my intrigue.