Page 19 of Magical Melee

“No pun intended.” She chuckled. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist. You know, Stonewick Inn.”

“Yeah. I got it.” I smiled and followed my friend up the stairs, wishing she’d slow down a bit to take it all in.

The wood creaked underfoot with each step as a reminder of the building’s age and charm. Above us hung portraits of stern-faced men and women in Victorian garb watching our every move.

A shiver ran through me, but I wanted more. Their piercing gazes were somehow inviting. It felt like they’d seen a lot over the years.

I chuckled to myself, realizing I’d gone off the deep end. These were nothing more than paintings and portraits.

For all I knew, they could be Keegan’s old ancestors.

Who knew?

But I couldn’t shake the fact that they didn’t feel entirely earthly.

When we reached our floor, she turned around and huffed. “Maybe we should have taken the elevator.”

“But then we would have missed the window and all the sconces and carvings and…”

Her eyes widened as she caught her breath. “You are really getting into this.”

I laughed and glanced down the long hallway filled with rooms.

“I think I’m rebelling against Alex.” I shrugged playfully.

She nodded with a wry smile. “I believe it. I mean, who doesn’t love a little theme town?”

“Right?”

Skye pulled out two cards from her purse. “A key for you and a key for me. We’re in room 201.”

“Ah, my birthday.”

She cocked her head slightly. “Yeah. I guess so.”

I started behind her as she glanced at each room number. “Come on. You can’t miss the coincidence. My birthday is February 1, so it is the second month and the first day. 201.”

She glanced behind her. “No. I got ya. That’s pretty cool.”

I snickered, knowing she probably didn’t actually get me, but Skye was a good friend and would humor me.

But I knew in my heart that this room number and my birthdate weren’t coincidences, and that’s all that mattered.

“Maybe this place is about to unravel some dark family curse or accidentally summon a long-lost ancestor,” I suggested, wiggling my brows.

“Right. Totally normal thoughts.” She chuckled, stopped in front of the door, and flashed her card onto the reader until we heard the magical click.

Skye pushed open the door and gasped. “Wow. This is gorgeous.”

I stood on my toes to look over her shoulder, and my eyes widened in amazement.

“With the way the rest of the hotel was decorated, I thought our room might look like we’re supposed to hold a midnight séance or something.” She stepped aside to let me in and shook her head. “But this is…”

“Enchanting?”

“Yes. Perfectly so.”

Unlike the dark, gothic rooms in the rest of the hotel, this suite was a breath of fresh air. Moonlight streamed in through the large, arched windows.