Page 83 of Magical Melee

“Fine,” she said, her voice calm but with a touch of dramatic flair. “Elfin lineage is on my father’s side.”

“Elfin?” I repeated, staring at her ears. “As in elf? Santa?”

Nova’s lips twitched with an unreadable expression. “Yes, Maeve. I carry the naughty-and-nice list at all times.”

“Sorry.” I shook my head. “But seriously… What does that mean, exactly? What about your mom? How does an elf and a mel get together?”

“Magic,” Nova replied simply, leaning back in her chair. “Elves are rare. Even more so for those who choose to live among humans. My father was one of them. They fell madly in love.”

“And your mother?” I asked.

“She never fully understood the magical side of our family, but she loved my father and me deeply. When he passed, she did her best to protect me from the more… dangerous aspects of our world.” She smiled. “She found out about Stonewick and moved us here for safety.”

“So, you’re a half-elf,” I said, still marveling at her pointed ears. “You’re considered a seer. Are there other things that being an elf includes?”

Nova gave me a look that could only be described aslong-suffering. “I’m a seer because I can feel deeply. It can be crippling, but I’ve used it to my advantage. Sometimes, the wind whispers secrets to me, and the vines keep me where I need to be.”

“That’s beautiful.” I thought back to the hidden garden’s vines and their ability to run over my feet.

Nova’s expression softened, and she rested her hands on the table. “I’m more attuned to the magical energies around us. I can sense things others might miss—shifts in the balance of power, hidden dangers, even emotions to some extent.” She shook her head slowly. “I saw Gideon coming, but I couldn’t get here fast enough.”

“Wait,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “You can sense emotions? Like a magical therapist?”

“Not exactly,” she said, a faint smile playing on her lips. “No. More like the energy people give off in the present. It helps when I’m doing readings or trying to understand someone’s intentions. For instance, I know that Skye cares about you deeply and would do anything for you.”

“I feel the same.”

She nodded. “I know you do.”

“And my mind…”

“That’s a special secret of mine. Thanks to Stonewick.” She glanced at Stella. “This village imparts gifts to those it feels are worthy. It’s why Stella isn’t only a vampire but can also harness magic from her previous life.”

“Wow. That explains a lot,” I said, nodding. “You always seem to know exactly what I’m thinking.”

Stella chimed in, her voice light. “Nova’s abilities have saved us more times than I can count. She’s our secret weapon when it comes to sniffing out trouble.”

Nova gave a modest shrug. “It’s not as glamorous as it sounds, and sometimes, the timing is off.”

“Are you immortal like Stella?”

“I age slower than humans, but I’m not immortal. Elves live longer lives, but we’re not invincible. I’ve been around for a while, but I’ll eventually grow old like anyone else.”

“How old is a while?” I asked, leaning forward with interest.

Nova smirked. “Let’s just say I’ve seen more than a few generations come and go.”

“Ah, the elusive answer,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Classic.”

Nova chuckled, and even Keegan looked faintly amused. Ember, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up.

“You know, Maeve,” Ember said, her tone dry, “for someone who just found out about vampires, ghosts, and elves, you’re taking this surprisingly well.”

“Honestly?” I said, glancing around the table. “At this point, finding out Frank is secretly a wizard wouldn’t even surprise me.”

Frank, at the mention of his name, let out a low grumble, his face a perfect picture of bulldog disapproval.

The air shifted in the room.