Page 116 of Magical Melee

His expression shifted into a disgruntled expression.

“Maeve, I know I joke around a lot, but I wouldn’t lead you into something dangerous. Not without a good reason, anyway. You’ve got this pull to the Academy, and I get it. I’m just trying to help with nothing more than a shortcut. My job is to watch over this cottage. This cottage’s job is to be a strong ward protecting Stonewick. Stonewick is waiting for the Academy to open. Andby all accounts, you seem to have something to do with all the above. So, I’ll do my best when I can.”

I studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. “Alright. Let’s do it.”

Twobble beamed, clapping his hands together. “Excellent choice! Follow me, adventurer. The secret tunnel awaits!”

I slid off the roof with my feet dangling and plopped to the land below.

With a mix of nerves and excitement, I hoped I hadn’t just signed up for a one-way trip to disaster.

Twobble led the way across the moonlit yard. His small frame darted through the shadows with an energy that seemed boundless.

I followed close behind, but my nerves singed with anticipation. We stopped before a garden shed, and I glanced around the woods. The weathered wood glowed faintly under the soft light of the crescent moon.

“This,” Twobble said, gesturing dramatically to the shed, “is our gateway to greatness.”

“Looks like a regular old shed to me,” I said, raising an eyebrow.

He grinned. “That’s the beauty of it. The best secrets hide in plain sight.”

Twobble pulled open the creaky door. The cluttered interior, packed with garden tools, bags of soil, and a rusty wheelbarrow, made me feel even less certain about this bright idea. He stepped inside, waving me in. “Come on, don’t be shy.”

I hesitated for a moment and went for it. The smell of earth and old wood surrounded me as Twobble began shufflingthrough the clutter. With surprising strength for his size, he dragged a heavy bag of mulch aside, then carefully moved a collection of rakes and shovels.

“There we go,” he said, dusting off his hands. “Behold!”

Nestled beneath the tools was a small iron hatch. It was round, with intricate carvings etched around the edges, faintly glowing in the dim light.

“A hatch?” I asked, tilting my head. “You’re full of surprises, Twobble.”

“Only the best kind,” he said with a wink. He grabbed the handle and gave it a firm tug, revealing a dark tunnel that stretched downward.

“After you,” he said, gesturing with a flourish. “But remember, goblin gold isn’t to be trifled with.”

I froze and glanced at him. “How will I know what it looks like?”

His little hands waved in the air. “Can’t miss it.”

I peered into the opening, a mix of excitement and apprehension churning in my stomach. Just as I placed a foot on the ladder's first rung, a familiar voice rang out behind me.

“And here I thought I was the adventurous one.”

I stilled, glancing up to see Stella standing at the edge of the shed, her sparkly coat catching the moonlight. She was beaming, hands on her hips, looking every bit like she’d caught us sneaking out past curfew.

“Stella,” I said, my voice tinged with guilt. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” she said, crossing her arms. “But I’m guessing it involves that little hatch there.”

Twobble cleared his throat, stepping in. “Now, Stella, before you get any ideas, this is strictly a two-person operation.”

Stella raised an eyebrow. “Oh, don’t worry. I wouldn’t want to cramp your style. Besides,” she added with a wink, “someone’s got to stay behind to save your butts if you get into trouble. Do you know what Keegan would do if he swung by and you were missing, Maeve?”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “You’re really okay with this?”

“Darling, if I weren’t, you wouldn’t have made it halfway across the yard,” Stella said, leaning against the shed. “Just promise me one thing: no touching glowing moss.”

“Is that the goblin’s gold?” I asked with wide eyes.