Page 32 of Magical Melee

She smiled coyly. “If that’s what you believe, why are you here?”

“Because I couldn’t sleep.”

“And why is that?”

Her eyes stayed locked on mine.

“Because I wanted answers.”

“Because you knew there was more to this town than meets the eye.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked, looking back at Nova. “Why now?”

“If not now, when?” She gave me a sad smile. “Because you’re ready to hear it. Regardless of what Keegan says, I have a duty.”

I straightened and stared at Nova. “What does Keegan say?”

“He’s a bit of a control freak.” She chuckled. “He felt strongly that I overstepped my bounds with Skye and that I might influence you too much…before you’re ready.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Ready for what?”

“All in good time.”

Frowning, I glanced down at Frank before looking back at Nova.

“So, you’ll tell me a little of something but not much ofanything?”

“You wouldn’t believe it if I told you. Strange things have been happening in our village, and the guardians have always played a role in keeping Stonewick safe.”

I glanced around the garden, feeling the pull of the place as though the very ground beneath my feet was asking something of me.

“I don’t know the first thing about being a guardian,” I said, my voice wavering. A lush vine slowly edged over my foot, and panic set in. If I didn’t know better, I was about to be tied up by a wandering plant.

“You wouldn’t. That’s not your role.”

“My role?” The vine slowly fell away, and my pulse slowed.

“We all have a role to play.”

I bit my lip and glanced down at Frank, and then it hit me.

“Is this like a job interview?”

She chuckled. “Of sorts.”

It never occurred to me that I could work at Stonewick, but I bet it would be a lot of fun. “What kind of openings are there? Do they pay well?”

Nova smiled and shook her head. “It’s not quite like that, Maeve.”

I let out a sigh. “That’s too bad because I’m kind of looking for a new career. You know, the divorce and all.”

Nova looked as if she were keeping something from me.

“So, if I were to play along…”

Her brows raised. “Yes?”

“There’s a role of a guardian, but what are you?”