Page 147 of Magical Melee

My cup nearly flew out of my hands in surprise. “I didn’t know you were here,” I said with a pounding heart.

“I’m a sneaky little bugger.” He winked. “And to the best feast I’ve had since… well, ever.”

Laughter rippled around the table.

This holiday was a welcome break from the weight of everything we’d been facing.

For a while, we could let ourselves enjoy the meal, putting everything else out of our minds.

Frank sat happily under the table, his stubby tail wagging in anticipation of any scraps that might fall.

As the meal wound down, we migrated to the sitting area near the fireplace. Frank claimed his spot on the rug by the fireplace, his snoring quickly filling the room as we all settled into a comfortable quiet. Stella stood and clapped her hands, her eyes twinkling.

“Maeve,” she said, beckoning me toward the fireplace. “Time for a little lesson.”

I raised an eyebrow, curious. “What kind of lesson?”

She showed me the last long wooden match in the box and tossed it in the neatly stacked logs in the fireplace. “No match required.”

“I hope you’re right because that was the last match.” I knelt by the hearth.

Stella smiled and stood behind me. “Just focus. Think of the fire as a living thing, something you’re inviting to join us. When you’re ready, you can snap your fingers or blink. Really anything that lets the fire know that its company is appreciated.”

“Okay.” I nodded, trying to imagine flames as a wild and dancing creature, feeling the heat bouncing off my body. With a flick of my fingers, I snapped them together and fresh flames hungrily licked at the wood.

I squealed and jumped up with delight as Nova nodded with approval.

“Well done.”

“Perfect,” Stella said, her voice filled with quiet agreement. “The fireplace isn’t just for warmth. It’s a symbol of protection,a reminder that no matter how dark it gets, we’ll always have light.”

I stood, the fire’s warmth seeping into my skin. It was a simple act, but it felt deeply grounding.

Keegan leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. His gaze lingered on me, and I felt that same spark between us. An unspoken connection had been growing stronger with each passing day, but I knew I wasn’t ready.

Far from it.

But I couldn’t help but admit that it was both thrilling and unsettling.

“So,” I said, breaking the quiet, “what’s next?”

Keegan’s expression darkened slightly. “We prepare and wait.”

“For what?” I asked, frowning.

“For Gideon’s next move,” Nova said, her tone even but resolute. “Shadowick doesn’t strike without a strategy. They’ll come again when they think they have the upper hand.”

“And we’ll be ready,” Stella added, though her voice carried a hint of weariness.

The idea of waiting, of sitting in this cozy bubble while danger loomed, didn’t sit well with me.

My mind wandered back to the Academy. Its ancient halls were filled with untapped power and knowledge that I had the chance to learn. The thought of what I could acquire there tugged at something deep inside.

I felt someone watching me and looked up to see Miora’s gaze fastened on mine.

It was hard to believe that she’d been here since I moved in.

I didn’t say anything, though. Not yet. The others were focused on the immediate threat, on reinforcing the wards and fortifying Stonewick’s defenses.