Page 14 of Magical Melee (Stonewick Magical Midlife Witch Academy #1)

The bell above the door jingled as I stepped into the laundromat, and thelow whir of machines swallowed my entrance. The faint scent of detergent and fabric softener drifted through the air as Frank trotted beside me. His stubby legs worked overtime to keep up once I spotted an empty washer. He was still wearing his scooter outfit because he refused to let me remove it.

He gave the room a quick once-over with his squashed little face set in a serious expression before plopping down near my feet with a huff. His presence, as always, was a comfort, though I still couldn’t shake the surreal encounter with Twobble back at the cottage.

A goblin.

On my porch.

Offering up secrets for a price.

“Can I help you, dear?” a soft voice called from behind the counter.

I turned to see a woman stepping out from a small office tucked in the corner. She was in her late fifties, with kind brown eyes and a genuine smile. Her salt-and-pepper hair was pulled back into a loose bun, and she wore a warm-looking cardigan over a pink floral blouse. She had the air of someone who’d seen it all and wasn’t fazed by much.

“Oh, uh, I’m fine,” I said, trying to sound normal, like I hadn’t just had a conversation with a mythical creature. “Just here to do some laundry.”

She nodded, wiping her hands on a towel. “First time here?”

I nodded, glancing around at the rows of machines and thesmall seating area near the front window. “Yeah. I just moved into the cottage on the edge of town.”

“Charming little place.”

I nodded as I glanced at Frank and back to her.

“If you need anything, just holler. I’m Blair, by the way.”

“Maeve,” I replied with a small smile. “Thanks.”

Blair disappeared back into her office, leaving me alone with my thoughts—and Frank, who had settled into his favorite pastime of people-watching. I loaded the washer, my hands moving on autopilot as my mind spiraled.

Twobble.

A goblin named Twobble.

I kept replaying the encounter in my head, trying to make sense of it.

Could it have been some elaborate prank?

A local eccentric with a penchant for costumes? It would need to be a very small local.

But the way he’d spokenand vanished so quickly… it didn’t feel like a trick. And then there was that stone he’d given me that I still had tucked in my pocket. Its cool weight pressed against my hip, and I wondered if that was how I called him.

I glanced out the window, needing a distraction, and immediately spotted Keegan. He was leaning casually against a lamppost across the street, his dark coat blending into the shadows. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the street with a watchfulness that made my stomach twist. Was he… keeping an eye on me?

Frank let out a low grunt as if to say, Of course he was.

I sighed, giving Frank a quick scratch behind the ears.

The machine whirred to life, and I leaned against the folding table. My thoughts unraveled like an old spool of thread. Between the goblin, the floating sweater, an ancient garden vanishing, the tea, the reading…

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 of brash 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 his pockets, muttering something under his breath as he backed away toward the door.

“Let’s go,” one of his friends said, already halfway out the door.

They filed out quickly, the bell jingling behind them. The tension in the room eased, but my heart still pounded.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice softer now.

I nodded, letting out a shaky breath. “Yeah. Thanks for stepping in.”

He gave a small shrug as if it were nothing. “Seemed like they needed a reminder to mind their manners.”

Frank, now fully relaxed, waddled over to sniff at Keegan’s boots before giving an approving little grunt.

“Frank seems to think you did alright,” I said, managing a weak smile.

Keegan crouched down, scratching behind Frank’s ears. “High praise coming from him.”

We stood there in silence for a moment. The thrum of the machines filled the air. I couldn’t help but wonder how long Keegan had been watching and why he’d decided to step in when he did. Was it coincidence, or was he always this close, keeping an eye on things?

“Do you always patrol the streets of Stonewick or was this a special occasion?” I asked, crossing my arms.

Keegan chuckled, standing again. “Let’s just say I keep an eye out for trouble.”

“Is that part of your mysterious job description?” I pressed, trying to lighten the mood. “Hotel owner by day and security guard by night?”

He gave me that same infuriatingly cryptic smile. “Something like that.”

I shook my head and opened the washing machine.

Keegan’s smile faded slightly, but his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary.

“Stay safe, Maeve.”

My lips parted. I wanted to tell him about the goblin, but I knew better because I was certain he already knew.

With that, he turned and left, disappearing into the cold night.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever had just happened was only the beginning, but I didn’t know why I was suddenly a target.