Page 89 of Magical Melee

Before he could answer, I saw it.

A flash of light in the forest darted from tree to tree, like a firefly on steroids. It was quick, almost too quick to follow, but it was there—a glowing streak of silver that wove through the bare branches like it had a purpose.

“Um,” I said, pointing toward the window. “Should I be concerned about that?”

Twobble hopped off the couch, his expression uncharacteristically serious. “Always.”

Karvey rose from the armchair. His wings unfolded slightly as he moved toward the door. “Stay inside, Maeve. This could be trouble.”

My heart thudded. “Trouble? What kind of trouble?”

Twobble grabbed a small pouch from his belt, muttering something under his breath as he followed Karvey to the door. “The usual kind. Mysterious lights-in-the-forest at night kind.”

“That doesn’t help!” I said, standing and crossing my arms. “You can’t just leave me here without an explanation.”

Karvey stopped at the door, turning to face me. “You want an explanation? Fine. There are things in the woods that don’t belong. That light? It’s either lost, or it’s looking for something—and neither option is good.”

“What am I supposed to do if it comes here?”

Twobble grinned, but there was no mischief in his expression this time. “Lock the door.”

I blinked. “You’re joking, right? You do realize a lock isn’t going to stop whatever’s out there. We’re in Stonewick. Magical things don’t care about deadbolts.”

Twobble shrugged, already halfway out the door. “Better safe than sorry.”

Karvey gave me a final nod before stepping outside. His stone frame disappeared into the night with wings flapping.

Twobble followed. His small figure practically vibrated with excitement as he clutched his pouch of who-knows-what.

“Stay put, Maeve!” he called over his shoulder. “And don’t open the door unless it’s us!”

The door clicked shut behind them, leaving me alone in the flickering glow of the fire. I did what he said and locked the door.

Frank returned to his spot by the window with his tense body, and his eyes fixed on the forest.

“A lock,” I muttered under my breath. “Yeah, that’ll do it. Nothing says ultimate protection like a latch from Home Depot.”

I sat back down on the couch as uneasiness grew. Glancing at Frank every few seconds didn’t help.

He hadn’t moved a muscle and looked ready to spring into action at any moment.

The forest outside was dark, the trees barely visible under the faint light of the crescent moon. But I could feel it—the same energy that had been crackling in the air since I arrived in Stonewick.

The woods were alive, watching, waiting.

The flash of light reappeared closer to the edge of the woods. My breath caught as it hovered for a moment, pulsing like a heartbeat before zipping out of sight.

“Frank,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “You’re seeing this too, right?”

Frank’s growl deepened as his body lowered to the ground like he was ready to pounce. I grabbed a throw pillow, holding it against my chest like it could somehow protect me.

Minutes passed, though it felt like hours.

The fire crackled, and the shadows danced as if warding off uninvited guests.

With each passing second, my nerves stretched thinner with the silence.

Suddenly, Frank barked—a loud, sharp sound that made me jump. He pressed his nose to the window, fogging up the glass with his breath.