Page 137 of Magical Melee

I spotted a pair of women moving in perfect unison. Their hands wove together, glistening threads forming protective barriers around our allies.

And then I saw her.

The woman from the knitting store—the one who had helped me pick out yarn for Celeste’s scarf. She emerged from the trees with her hair pinned back under a practical wool cap.

In her hands, she carried several skeins of shimmering, enchanted yarn. She moved quickly and efficiently, tying the yarn around trees and bushes in intricate web-like patterns.

As I watched, one of the shadowy figures stepped into the yarn’s path and immediately found itself entangled. The enchanted yarn tightened around it like a snare, and with a quick tug, the woman pulled the figure to the ground, immobilizing the creature completely.

I couldn’t help but laugh, a mix of shock and admiration bubbling up inside me. “Magical yarn traps. Of course.”

The woman caught my eye and gave me a quick nod before moving on to set another trap. Her calm, determined presence filled me with a renewed sense of hope.

The battle surged around us, but for the first time, I felt a flicker of confidence. We weren’t alone in this fight.

Stonewick’s residents had answered the call, bringing their unique talents and magic to protect their home.

Our home.

As I sent another bolt of energy toward an advancing Shadowick wizard, I felt a strange sense of peace settle over me. This was where I was meant to be—not hidden away in the Academy, but here, standing with my friends and the people of Stonewick.

Keegan glanced at me between strikes, his dark eyes filled with an intensity that made my breath catch. “You okay?”

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips despite the chaos. “Better than okay.”

He raised an eyebrow, his expression softening for a brief moment. “Good. Stay with me, Maeve. We’re going to get through this.”

The words sent a surge of warmth through me, grounding me even as the battle raged on.

I took a deep breath, my grip on the wand steady.

Whatever came next, I was ready to face it head-on.

Together, we would protect Stonewick—no matter the cost.

Chapter Thirty-Five

A chaotic symphony of light, sound, and energy popped through the air.

Keegan fought beside me. His glowing sword with an unearthly green light brought me calm as he moved with precision, each strike purposeful and deadly.

A Shadowick mage appeared from the treeline. His long robe billowed as he conjured a swirling mass of dark energy.

With a guttural chant, he heaved the evil toward us.

I barely had time to react, raising my wand and releasing a burst of blue light. The two spells collided mid-air, sending a shockwave that knocked me back a step.

Keegan was already moving. He charged forward with his sword, cutting through the dissipating energy as he closed the distance between himself and the mage.

The Shadowick wizard raised his hands to cast again, but Keegan was faster. With a swift, upward slash, his blade cut through their protective barrier, the mage collapsing with a flash of dark light.

“Maeve, behind you!” Keegan’s shout snapped me back to attention.

I spun around just in time to see another mage step out of the shadows. His hands glowed with a fiery red light.

Without hesitation, I thrust my wand forward, the vibration of its power surging through my arm. A bolt of electric blue shot from the tip, striking the mage square in the chest. He stumbled as his spell faltered, and I followed up with another blast, sending him sprawling into the underbrush.

Keegan smirked as he stepped back to my side. “Not bad.”