Page 155 of Magical Melee

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why do you care so much about what I do?”

The figure remained silent for a moment, then slowly reached up and pulled back her hood. My breath caught in my throat.

My grandmother, Elira. I’d only seen her in photos.

Before me stood a woman with striking features—sharp cheekbones, piercing gray eyes that seemed to hold centuries of wisdom, and long silver hair that cascaded down her back.

She radiated an air of quiet authority, but a warmth in her eyes also felt achingly familiar.

“I’ve waited a long time to meet you, Maeve,” she said, her voice carrying a gentle lilt. “I am Elira, your grandmother.”

My heart stopped. “My—what?” I stammered, my mind struggling to catch up. “That’s not possible. My grandmother died before I was born.”

Elira’s expression softened, a hint of sadness flickering in her eyes. “That’s what your mother wanted you to believe. But I’ve been here, watching, waiting for the day you would find your way back to Stonewick.”

I shook my head, trying to process the revelation. “Why? Why would she keep this from me?”

“She believed she was protecting you,” Elira said gently. “Your mother wanted to shield you from the dangers of this world, from the responsibilities that come with our family’s legacy. Your family’s legacy.”

I felt a surge of conflicting emotions—anger, confusion, and a desperate longing for answers.

“And what legacy is that, exactly?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Why am I here? Why do I feel like this place is a part of me?”

Elira reached out, her hand brushing against my cheek. Her touch was sweet and grounding.

“Because it is a part of you,” she said. “Our family had been tied to the Academy for generations. We’ve been its caretakers, its teachers, and its protectors. The magic of Stonewick flows through your veins, Maeve.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “Then why did you stay here? Why didn’t you come back for us?”

Elira’s eyes darkened, a shadow passing over her face. “Because I couldn’t. When the curse fell upon Stonewick, it wasn’t just the town that suffered. The Academy was affected as well. I had to stay to ensure its magic remained intact. Miora…”

“She’s at the cottage.”

My grandma nodded. “She’s my older sister.”

Shock pummeled through me.

“The curse,” I said, the pieces slowly falling into place. “Keegan mentioned it. He said it severed ties with your allies.”

Elira nodded. “It did more than that. The curse was designed to isolate Stonewick, to weaken its defenses from within. It severed alliances, fractured trust, and made it nearly impossible for those outside our walls to return. It must have sensed that we were about to reopen.”

“The Academy was going to reopen forty years ago?”

She nodded. “But it sensed it was unsafe, and the curse has been cast.”

“Then how am I here?” I asked. “Why was I able to enter?”

“Because you carry the bloodline of the guardians,” Elira said, her gaze steady. “And because you chose loyalty over power. That choice, Maeve, broke through the curse’s first barrier. The Academy recognized your heart, and it welcomed you.”

I felt a lump rise in my throat, the weight of her words sinking in. “But I’m not ready for this,” I admitted. “I don’t even know where to begin.”

Elira smiled, her expression filled with quiet confidence. “No one is ever truly ready, Maeve. But you have already taken the first step. The rest will come in time.”

She reached into the folds of her cloak and produced a small, intricately carved pendant. It was shaped like a butterfly, its delicate wings etched with symbols I couldn’t decipher.

And then I remembered the moonstone Twobble had given me. I fished it out of my pocket and held it up.

“Twobble gave this to me.”