Page 86 of Magical Melee

Keegan chuckled, the sound low and genuine. “Don’t get used to it.”

I laughed, the sound light and freeing. “Too late.”

As the laughter faded, I realized just how much I appreciated this moment. In a world full of mysteries and danger, it was nice to have someone like Keegan—a warlock with a sense of humor and a knack for keeping things interesting.

“Why didn’t you tell me some of this when I first came to Stonewick or back at the cottage?”

“Do you actually think you would have believed me?”

I laughed. “You’re right.”

A few seconds of silence sat between us.

“And thank you for the other night at the laundromat.”

“My pleasure.” His eyes stayed locked on mine. “I’ll always be there to protect you. I gave your father my word.”

Keegan’s words hit me hard, and as I looked at the boy I used to know, I believed it. I just prayed he never had to rise to the challenge.

Chapter Twenty-Two

I made my way back to the cottage. Frank trotted faithfully by my side. His little legs worked overtime to keep up from the car to the front door. The cool fall weather reminded me that winter was coming to Wisconsin.

My head was still spinning from everything I’d learned at the tea shop. Stella was a vampire. Nova was part-elf. Keegan was a warlock. And me? I was apparently a witch destined to fend off a centuries-old magical enemy.

No pressure.

As I rested my hand on the knob of the front door, something felt…off. I stopped myself from opening the door and stepped back to look at the cottage.

My eyes darted from tree to shrub, finally landing on the roof.

A gargoyle was missing.

“Frank,” I muttered, “am I seeing things, or is one of our stone sentinels on a coffee break?”

Frank gave a low grunt. His wrinkled face scrunched into what could only be described as bulldog skepticism.

I hesitated at the front steps, unsure of what I was about to walk into.

Twobble had already proven that unexpected visitors were par for the course here. But I wasn’t prepared for what greeted me when I opened the door.

“Maeve! Finally!” Twobble’s high-pitched voice greeted me the moment I stepped inside. He was perched on the arm of the couch with his big eyes practically radiating with excitement. “You’re late! We’ve been waiting.”

I set my bag down and raised an eyebrow. “We?”

“That’s right,” Twobble said with a grin, hopping down to the floor. “Allow me to introduce my good friend, Karvey.”

I followed his gesture, and my eyes landed on what could only be described as a gargoyle come to life. He was about four feet tall, with leathery gray skin, wings folded neatly against his back, and a face that was both intimidating and oddly endearing. His glowing yellow eyes locked onto mine, and he gave a polite nod right before a deep dimple appeared.

“You’re…a gargoyle,” I said, my voice tinged with disbelief. “An alive, living, breathing…gargoyle.”

Had I not just chatted with a vampire and elf earlier, I might have needed something to lean against.

“Correct,” Karvey replied, his voice deep and gravelly, like stones grinding together. “One of your roof’s finest at your service.”

Frank, who had been sniffing around the room, stopped in his tracks and let out a low growl. His little body tensed as he stared at Karvey.

“Easy, Frank,” I said, though I couldn’t blame him for being wary. “He’s, uh, a guest.”