Page 31 of Magical Melee (Stonewick Magical Midlife Witch Academy #1)

The Academy at night was a sight that not only defied ordinary description but also defied all logic.

The building stood like a watchman of ancient wisdom. The walls were draped in shimmering vines that clung to the ancient stone like living lace. These were no ordinary plants; their leaves sparkled with tiny motes of light as if dusted with stardust.

The vines swayed gently in a breeze that didn’t exist, their motion rhythmic, almost as if breathing in harmony with the Academy itself. Occasionally, the vines would shift colors—from a soft emerald to a deep, enchanting violet and then to a silvery blue, bathing the surrounding grounds in a soft, magical glow. It reminded me of the goblin’s gold I’d only just learned about.

The thought of this new world made me feel alive with something I didn’t understand.

Tall, arched windows were filled with stained glass that depicted vibrant scenes of magical history: witches and warlocks standing shoulder to shoulder, elemental forces spiraling through the air, and celestial figures guiding the flow of ancient knowledge.

By day, these windows would catch the sunlight and scatter rainbows across the interior. By night, they seemed to reverse their purpose, glowing softly from within. It was as if the very essence of the Academy was illuminating them.

A soft energy strum emanated from the building, filling the air with an almost musical vibration. It was not a sound, exactly, but a feeling.

The undercurrent of power and serenity resonated in my chest and buzzed at my fingertips. The kind of sensation made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, not out of fear, but reverence.

Around the base of the Academy, tiny orbs of light floated lazily above the ground. They danced and twirled. Their glow was reminiscent of fireflies but steadier and with more purpose. These orbs would occasionally dart up to the vines in a playful mood.

The pull was undeniable now. My feet moved independently, carrying me toward the broad stone steps leading to the massive doors. With every step, the moment's weight settled deeper into my chest. This wasn’t just a building; it was a test, a living entity evaluating my every move.

Maybe the Academy was waiting for the moment I screamed and ran back to Twobble.

As I stood closer to the door, I saw carvings deep into the dark wood that seemed impervious to time. My fingers traced the runes in the wood, and a comfort fell over me.

The realization hit me like a cold splash of water. I was still standing, still breathing, and very much intact. Whatever power the Academy wielded, whatever force guarded its sacred grounds, had deemed me worthy—or at least not a threat.

For now.

I took another step, then another.

Each one felt like a small victory.

Take that, Alex.

A bitter taste flooded my mouth, and I chuckled, remembering the spell I’d done with Stella.

Would she even believe this was happening?

The Academy allowed me here. The vines started slipping back from where they came from before pushing toward me.

At first, they moved like curious tendrils. Their glowing leaves brushed against the ground as they reached for my feet. I froze as they coiled gently around my boots. Their touch was surprisingly gentle.

They weren’t aggressive. The vines didn’t pull or restrict my movement. Instead, they seemed to be studying me just like I was examining the door in front of me. Their glowing tendrils wrapped loosely around my ankles as if testing my resolve. I could feel a faint pulse through the vines, a rhythm that matched the hum in the air and the pounding of my heart.

I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm.

“Uh-oh.” Twobble’s voice echoed into the air.

I smiled, knowing he probably hadn’t emerged from the tunnel.

My hand hovered just inches from the latch on the door. The hum in the air grew louder, and for a moment, I felt as though the entire Academy was holding its breath, waiting for my next move.

Slowly, I pressed my palm against the cool wood again.

The symbols beneath my hand flared to life. Their glow intensified until it felt like the door was burning with energy. The sound shifted, becoming a low, rich tone that vibrated through my entire body. A dull ache surfaced along my birthmark.

The vines around my feet pulsed in time with the hum. It was as if the Academy was reading me, searching for something deep within.

My mind raced with questions.

Was I ready for this?

Was I worthy?

Or was I about to be thrown back down the steps in a blaze of magical rejection?

But the rejection never came.

Instead, the vines around my ankles began to loosen. They slowly uncoiled and retreated back toward the walls. Their glow dimmed slightly, their colors returning to a more subdued shimmer. The hum in the air softened, settling into a gentle, almost soothing vibration.

I pulled my hand away from the door, and without warning, the massive doors began to shift.

The hinges groaned softly as they parted, opening just wide enough to reveal a glimpse of the space beyond. The light from inside was soft and inviting, but I stepped back, half expecting the doors to close again.

But they remained open.

For a long moment, I stood there, my mind racing. The pull that had brought me here was stronger than ever, and the energy urged me to step through those doors and into the unknown.

But now that I was here, the reality of what lay beyond was almost overwhelming. I thought of Celeste and Skye.

I didn’t want to leave anyone behind.

Glancing back down the steps, the safety of what I knew was just a few steps away.

But this was…exciting.

New.

Me.

Taking a deep breath, I turned back to the entrance.

My heart pounded in my chest.

My resolve was firm.

I had to do this.

Whatever lay beyond those doors, it was time to find out. With one final glance at the moonlit sky, I stepped forward and crossed the threshold into the Academy.

The figure from outside appeared in front of me. The hood draped over her head as her slender finger pointed toward me.

The stillness of the Academy’s grand foyer wrapped around us. The gentle bubbling of a central fountain calmed my nerves only slightly.

Despite the awe-inspiring beauty of the place, a sudden weight settled in my chest.

“There is trouble back at the cottage,” the woman said.

Her voice was smooth but grave.

I froze. “Trouble? What kind of trouble?”

My entire body flamed with heat at the thought of what I’d left behind.

The figure’s hands motioned in the air. “Shadowick has penetrated the grounds. Gideon is there.”

“The cottage?” A chill ran down my spine at the mention of Gideon’s name. My mind raced, picturing the hulking, menacing figure who had stepped into the tea shop only days ago, bringing an overwhelming sense of dread with him.

“What’s happening to my friends?” I demanded, my voice sharper now. “Who’s there?”

“Keegan, Stella, and Nova,” the figure replied. “They are holding him off, but Gideon has brought his own forces. He is willing to destroy them all to achieve his goal.”

My heart clenched.

Images of Keegan’s brooding intensity and steady strength flashed through my mind. He wasn’t just my friend. He had become my lifeline in this strange, magical world. And now he was in danger, along with Stella and Nova…

And Frank.

Nothing could happen to him.

I stepped forward, the pluck of magic in the air growing louder as my emotions surged. “Then why am I here? Why did the Academy let me in if this is happening right now? My friends need me.”

“Because you stand at a crossroads, Maeve. The Academy has long awaited your arrival, and its doors have opened to you at a critical moment. You have a choice to make.”

“What choice?” I asked, though I already feared the answer.

“You can stay here,” the figure said, her voice calm but firm. “Within these walls, you will be safe. Time will stand still. You will learn the ways of magic, unlocking the power that has always been within you. The Academy can guide you, teach you to harness your abilities, and prepare you for the battles to come.”

“Or?”

“Or you can return to the cottage, to your friends. To the fight.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “If I go back, can I help them? Can I stop Gideon?”

The figure inclined her head slightly as the hood drooped slightly. “Perhaps. But know this. Gideon is powerful, and he will not be easily defeated. Your decision carries great risk for both yourself and those you seek to protect.”

My mind whirled.

With all its wonder and promise, the Academy stretched out before me—a place where I could finally understand the magic I had only begun to glimpse. But the thought of Keegan, Stella, and Nova standing alone against Gideon and his forces sent a pang of fear and guilt through me.

“What happens if I stay?” I asked quietly.

The figure’s tone softened, though her words carried the weight of inevitability. “If you stay, the Academy will protect you. You will grow stronger, learning from its vast knowledge. But your friends… their fate will rest in their own hands. Shadowick’s grip will tighten, and Gideon will not stop until he has what he seeks.”

“And what does he seek?” I pressed, my voice shaking.

“You.” The figure hesitated with a stoic expression. “Gideon seeks to harness the magic that binds Stonewick to this Academy. He wants to corrupt it and bend it to his will. The Academy is a part of that magic, as are you. If he cannot control it, he will destroy it. He will destroy you.”

“I don’t know if I’m strong enough,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

The figure took a step closer. Her presence was commanding yet strangely reassuring, strangely familiar.

“Strength is not only measured by power, Maeve. It is also measured by the choices you make, the risks you are willing to take, and the people you are willing to stand beside. Your path is your own. Just like it was for your father. There are no guarantees that the Academy will have a use for you if you leave, but we will understand.”

Her words gutted me. Had he faced this same choice?

Was that why he was no longer here?

I stared at the fountain. Its shimmering waters reflected the golden light of the foyer. The pull of the Academy was strong but so was the pull of my friends.

These were the people who dared to show me the illogical and impractical.

Finally, I looked back at the figure as I made my decision.

“How do I get back to the cottage?”

The figure inclined her head, and a faint smile played on her lips as if she had anticipated my choice. “The Academy will guide you. Follow the path you took to enter, and the way will reveal itself.”

She raised her hand once more, and the soft hum of magic filled the air as fear filled my soul.

I turned to leave but paused, looking back at the figure. “Will I see you again?”

“Perhaps,” she said. “The Academy has many guardians, and its wisdom takes many forms. Trust in yourself, Maeve. Your journey has only just begun.”

With a nod, I turned and walked toward the doors. They swung open silently as I approached, revealing the moonlit garden beyond. The vines parted for me, their soft glow lighting the way back to the tunnel.

As I stepped outside, the icy night air filled my lungs, but a renewed sense of purpose steadied my nerves. The Academy had offered me sanctuary and knowledge, but my place—at least for now—was with my friends.

I hurried down the steps and through the garden. The urgency of the moment drove me forward. Whatever awaited me back at the cottage, I would face it head-on. Gideon would not take the cottage without a fight.