Page 28 of Magical Melee

Skye grinned at me and fished out two pairs of pajamas with witches. “I thought we needed matching jammies. You get the purple ones, and I get the black ones.”

“You are too sweet.” I snatched the pajamas and watched my friend wander toward the bathroom. I heard the sink turn on and quickly changed into my pajamas before finishing the cheese curds and pretzels.

Skye came back looking refreshed and ready for bed. “You want the television on or…”

I shook my head and stacked our empty plates. “I’m fine. I’ll just put this in the hallway.”

When I opened the door, I stopped to see Frank just like I’d left him. It looked like he’d drank some water, but everything else was unchanged.

“Frank, you’re a mystery.” I smiled at the English bulldog-turned-gargoyle and went back into my room.

Skye was already tucked under the sheets, and I flipped off the lights. Within minutes, my friend was out like a log.

Hours went by, and the noise from the busy streets quieted. The room was dark except for a silver ray of moonlight that streamed through the curtains. A ghostly shadow slowly bobbed against the wall whenever the curtain moved with the air from the heater.

Skye’s rhythmic breathing was a soft reminder of the day’s adventures and discoveries. The biggest one was that my friend would have another baby, possibly twins, if Nova was right.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

What had gotten into me?

This had to be a coincidence. People couldn’t look at cards and predict the future.

Could they?

I opened my eyes and lay on my bed with my gaze fixed on the ceiling as my mind raced. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something in Stonewick was calling to me. My dad’s face, his smile in that old photo, lingered in my mind, a gentle but persistent tug at something deep inside.

Turning to look at Skye, I chuckled. Her arm was flung over her face, her mouth open, and the long breaths edged on snoring. Her husband and she always had a dispute about whether or not she snored.

Judging by tonight, I’d say yes.

Against my better judgment, I slid out of bed, snuck over to my jacket, and pulled it on over my pajamas.

I hadn’t told Skye everything about what I’d felt in town today—the subtle whispers, the prickle at the back of my neck, the feeling that this place had somehow been waiting for me.

I almost didn’t believe it myself.

I tiptoed through the room and ran smack into the corner, banging my head on the wall with a hiss. I backed up and rubbed the sore spot as Skye snorted and turned over. Making my way to the door, I opened it slowly and closed it softly with a click.

Frank was right where I left him, but now, he stood. His eyes met mine, and I smiled as I started down the hall.

I heard a few pants and huffs and realized Frank was right on my tail.

I stopped.

He stopped.

I moved.

He moved.

“Oh, Frank. You are a kick.”

I crept down the grand staircase as the thick carpet muffled our steps. When we reached the lobby, I looked over to see Ember studying me.

“Couldn’t sleep?” she asked with a smile.

I shook my head. “No. Lots on my mind.”