Page 56 of Magical Melee

Keegan’s cryptic warnings, and this strange pull I felt toward Stonewick, I was starting to feel like I’d stepped into a different world. And maybe I had. The town seemed to hum quietly as if it were alive and watching.

The problem was that I was practical. All of these things should be ushering me right out of town.

But they didn’t.

The doorbell jingled again, and my thoughts snapped back to the present.

A group of young men—three of them, maybe in their early twenties—sauntered in, their laughter loud and grating against the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. They wore dark hoodies and jeans. Their faces flushed from the cold as they carried an air ofbrash confidence that immediately put me on edge. The taller one glanced at me, and a chill skittered over my skin.

Frank lifted his head, his small body going tense as he tracked their movements.

“Hey, what’s up?” one of them said, his voice too loud for the small space. He glanced around before his eyes landed on me. “Doing laundry alone? That’s no fun.”

I stiffened, keeping my gaze on the washing machine.

Ignore them,I told myself.They’ll get bored and move on.

“Nice dog,” another one said, his tone mocking. “What’s his name? Killer? Love the outfit, by the way.”

Frank let out a low growl as his little body bristled, but he shifted closer to my feet.

I took offense on his behalf. No one made fun of my dog.

I reached down to give him a reassuring pat, even though mypulse was already quickening.

The third guy leaned against the folding table, far too close for comfort.

“Hey, no need to be shy,” he said, flashing a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “We’re just being friendly.”

“Friendly?” I said, finally looking up. “That’s what you call it?”

The grin faltered, but only slightly. “Hey, no need to get defensive. We’re just trying to liven up the place.”

“I think we’re fine without your help,” I said, forcing a calm I didn’t feel.

They exchanged glances, their laughter quieter now but no less unnerving. One of them forced open a vending machine,pulling out a bag of chips as if he owned the place. Blair was still in the back, oblivious to what was happening.

I glanced out the window again, hoping Keegan was still there. He hadn’t moved from his spot, but now his eyes were locked on the laundromat. His expressionwas unreadable.

One of the guys touched my empty laundry basket and shook it with a laugh.

“Looks like you’ve got some extra time on your hands.” His dark eyes locked on mine, and a chill flittered through me.

The guy swept the empty basket away and smiled as he leaned against the folding table.

The doorbell jingled again, and Keegan stepped inside. He moved with a deliberate slowness that sent a ripple of relief through me. The same calm, aloof, and deliberate energy that I usually found annoying rolled off him as he stood by the door, folding his arms across his chest.

Keegan’s eyes flicked over the group of men, and the tension in the room shifted instantly.

“Hey,” Keegan said, his voice low and steady as he approached. “Everything alright here?”

The guy leaning against the table straightened, his bravado faltering under Keegan’s intense gaze. “Yeah. Just talking.”

Keegan didn’t smile. He didn’t need to. The weight of his presence was enough to make the air feel heavier.

“Funny,” he said, his tone laced with quiet authority. “It looked more like harassment.”

The leader of the trio opened his mouth, but whatever comeback he had died on his lips. He shoved his hands in hispockets, muttering something under his breath as he backed away toward the door.