Page 65 of Magical Melee

His piercing blue eyes seemed to catch the light, even in the gloom. He wore a long, tailored coat that flared slightly at the hem. A black wool scarf was draped loosely around his neck. He leaned casually against a lamppost.

“Maeve,” he said, his voice smooth and low, like the thrum of a cello. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

The magnetic quality to him frightened me. It was the kind of allure that made it hard to look away. Despite the cold, he exuded warmth, a kind of dangerous charm that set my nerves on edge.

“I don’t know you,” I said in my dream, my voice wary.

Though, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d seen him before.

His smile was slow and confident with only a slight curve of his lips. “Not yet. But you will.”

He walked toward me, his footsteps tapping on the cobblestones. “You’ve been searching for answers, haven’t you? About Stonewick. About your family. I can give you those. I can bring you peace. Closure.”

I took a step back, my instincts screaming at me to keep my distance.

But it was only a dream, right?

“Why would you want to help me?”

His smile widened, revealing perfect white teeth. “Because you’re special, Maeve. You’re meant for more than that sleepy little town can offer. Stonewick is holding you back, keeping you in the dark. But I can show you the truth. Instantly.”

He gestured to the foggy street behind him, where the dim outline of a grand house materialized in the distance. Its windows glowed faintly, and it felt like eyes watched us from the shadows.

The sight of it sent a chill down my spine.

“Come with me,” he said, extending his hand. His eyes softened, the flirtation giving way to something more earnest. “Let me show you what you’re capable of.”

I hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze and the odd pull of his words.

The fog closed in around us, muffling the world beyond and promising something I’d been craving.

Resolution.

And yet, there was something about him that felt wrong. The way his smile never quite reached his eyes or the way shadows hugged him with every movement, as if they were a part of him.

“What’s in it for you?” I asked.

Even in my dream, my voice was steady despite fear gripping my throat.

His smile faltered for a brief moment before returning, sharper this time. “Let’s just say we share a common goal. Stonewick has been a thorn in my side for far too long. It’s time for a change, and it’s time you stop getting pushed around by the people who live there.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You want to destroy it.”

“Not destroy,” he corrected, his tone casual. “Reclaim. Stonewick has power, Maeve. Power that’s been wasted for generations. With your help, we could change that. We could merge the strength of Shadowick with the past of Stonewick.”

His words suffocated me as I glanced around. Countless eyes watched from the shadows.

The fog seemed to pulse with life.

Shadowick.

“No,” I said firmly, stepping back. “Whatever you’re planning, I want no part of it.”

His expression darkened, and the charm tumbled away to reveal something more ominous.

“You’ll come around, Maeve,” he growled. “You can’t hide from who you are. And when you’re ready to embrace it, I’ll be waiting, and if you’re lucky, I’ll break the curse.”

The fog thickened, swallowing him whole.