Page 39 of Magical Melee (Stonewick Magical Midlife Witch Academy #1)

The snow had turned slippery as I approached the gate with the engraved candle and wick. The chill of the evening air bit my cheeks, but a quiet determination kept me moving forward.

After my unsettling encounter with Gideon, I couldn’t shake the feeling that time was slipping through my fingers.

I had to push forward if I was ever going to understand my place in all this. And that meant returning to the Academy.

I stood before the iron gate, the emblem of a candle and wick etched into its center. The design was deceptively simple, but I knew better. This wasn’t just a gate—it was a test, a threshold, and maybe even a guardian in its own right.

My hand hovered over the cold metal before I pressed my palm against it. The last time I’d been here, the gate had remained stubbornly closed as if it knew I wasn’t ready.

But tonight, as my skin met the iron, a gentle warmth spread through my fingertips, traveling up my arm and into my chest.

I gasped softly, the sensation both surprising and comforting. It felt like an invitation, a silent acknowledgment that I was meant to be here. I scurried to the two buildings, and the alleyway unfurled itself.

The cobblestones beneath my feet seemed to surge with a subtle energy, guiding me forward. Each step felt purposeful as if I were walking along a path waiting for me all along.

When I reached the end of the alley, the familiar sight of the butterfly gate came into view. Its intricate design was even more mesmerizing under the faint moonlight, the delicate wings appearing to flutter ever so slightly. This time, as I approached, I felt a new sensation—a gentle warmth spreading from my stomach, radiating outward from my birthmark.

I pulled my coat tighter, and my excitement brewed over as I pressed my hand to the butterfly gate. The warmth intensified, wrapping around me like a satisfying embrace. The gate swung open silently, revealing the garden beyond.

When I stepped into the garden, I felt awe. The last time I’d been there, it had been beautiful, but tonight, it felt alive. The snow-covered ground sparkled faintly, and the plants, though dormant in the cold, seemed to pulse with quiet, magical energy.

My birthmark continued to tingle, and the warmth constantly reminded me of my connection to this place.

I couldn’t help but smile as I walked deeper into the garden, the cobblestone path winding through archways of vines and clusters of ancient trees. The air was crisp but not biting, and the faint glow of magical lanterns illuminated the way.

As I walked, my excitement grew. The sense of belonging and purpose was undeniable. Every step felt like I was reclaiming a part of myself, a piece of my history hidden for far too long.

Not to mention, I wasn’t getting blasted clear across town. The Academy was welcoming me.

Right?

The pathway finally opened into a clearing, and there it stood—the Academy.

Its towering stone walls loomed in the distance. The grand building was both imposing and inviting. The snow clung to its rooftops, and shimmering vines of silvery light crawled up its ancient facade.

I paused, taking in the breathtaking sight.

With all its mystery and power, this place held the answers I had been seeking. It was where I would learn, grow, and discover what it truly meant to be a part of Stonewick’s legacy.

The warmth from my birthmark pulsed again, urging me forward.

I stepped off the cobblestone path and onto the snow-covered lawn, my eyes locked on the grand doors of the Academy.

As I drew closer, the weight of the moment settled over me.

This wasn’t just a visit—this was a commitment, a decision to embrace the unknown.

When I reached the base of the steps leading to the entrance, I hesitated momentarily.

My breath puffed out in small clouds as I steadied myself, the reality of what I was about to do sinking in.

There was no turning back now.

With renewed determination, I climbed the steps.

The cold snow was solid beneath my boots, each step bringing me closer to the massive doors that loomed above.

The intricate carvings on the wood seemed to shift and shimmer in the light, depicting scenes of ancient battles, arcane rituals, and moments of profound discovery.

When I reached the top, I touched the door’s cool surface. The warmth from my birthmark surged again, and the door responded, creaking open just enough for me to step inside.

The air inside was warmer, filled with the faint scent of aged parchment and herbs.

The foyer was grander than I remembered.

Its gold pillars gleamed softly in the light of floating orbs that hovered high above.

Vigorous, vibrant plants sprouted from large pots and their leaves were a deep emerald green despite the season.

I walked further in, and my footsteps echoed faintly into the air.

The sense of wonder I felt was overwhelming.

The Academy wasn’t just a building—it was a living entity, a repository of knowledge and magic that thrummed with life.

Everyone had been right.

My birthmark’s warmth began to fade as I stopped in the center of the room, looking up at the grand staircase that spiraled upward.

My heart swelled with a mix of anticipation and awe.

I had made it.

I was here.

A sudden realization struck me. I was no longer just someone fumbling through the world of magic. I was a part of this now, a thread in the intricate tapestry of Stonewick’s legacy.

I couldn’t wait to see where this journey would take me.

The warmth of the Academy’s foyer wrapped around me like a cocoon, but I barely noticed it.

The sheer magnitude of the place left me breathless.

The gold pillars, the intricate carvings on the walls, the gentle glow of magical orbs—it all felt like a dream.

I stepped forward, each footfall echoing softly against the floor.

As I reached the center of the room, a familiar presence sent a shiver down my spine. I turned quickly with my wand instinctively tightening in my hand.

Emerging from the shadows was the robed figure I’d seen before—the same one who had guided me during my previous visit.

“Back again, Maeve,” the figure said, her voice calm and measured. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t stay away for long.”

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. “I had to come back. There’s too much I don’t understand.”

The figure nodded, her hood obscuring her face. “You made a difficult choice, leaving this building to protect your friends. The safety it offered. Few would have the courage to walk away from power for loyalty.”

“I didn’t really see it as a choice,” I admitted. “They’re my family now. I couldn’t abandon them.”

“And that,” the figure said, her voice softening, “is precisely why the Academy needs you.”

I blinked, confused. “Needs me? What are you talking about?”

The figure took a step closer, her presence both imposing and oddly encouraging. “The Academy doesn’t just seek those with power or potential. It seeks those with the purest hearts, those who act not out of ambition or fear but out of love and loyalty. Stonewick is on the brink, Maeve. The magic here is strong, but it requires guardians who understand the true cost of their choices. It requires students who thirst for the magical ways and leaders who have hearts with pure intent.”

The words resonated deeply, stirring something I couldn’t quite explain. I took a step closer, my curiosity outweighed my apprehension.

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why do you care so much about what I do?”

The figure remained silent for a moment, then slowly reached up and pulled back her hood. My breath caught in my throat.

My grandmother, Elira. I’d only seen her in photos.

Before me stood a woman with striking features—sharp cheekbones, piercing gray eyes that seemed to hold centuries of wisdom, and long silver hair that cascaded down her back.

She radiated an air of quiet authority, but a warmth in her eyes also felt achingly familiar.

“I’ve waited a long time to meet you, Maeve,” she said, her voice carrying a gentle lilt. “I am Elira, your grandmother.”

My heart stopped. “My—what?” I stammered, my mind struggling to catch up. “That’s not possible. My grandmother died before I was born.”

Elira’s expression softened, a hint of sadness flickering in her eyes. “That’s what your mother wanted you to believe. But I’ve been here, watching, waiting for the day you would find your way back to Stonewick.”

I shook my head, trying to process the revelation. “Why? Why would she keep this from me?”

“She believed she was protecting you,” Elira said gently. “Your mother wanted to shield you from the dangers of this world, from the responsibilities that come with our family’s legacy. Your family’s legacy.”

I felt a surge of conflicting emotions—anger, confusion, and a desperate longing for answers.

“And what legacy is that, exactly?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Why am I here? Why do I feel like this place is a part of me?”

Elira reached out, her hand brushing against my cheek. Her touch was sweet and grounding.

“Because it is a part of you,” she said. “Our family had been tied to the Academy for generations. We’ve been its caretakers, its teachers, and its protectors. The magic of Stonewick flows through your veins, Maeve.”

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. “Then why did you stay here? Why didn’t you come back for us?”

Elira’s eyes darkened, a shadow passing over her face. “Because I couldn’t. When the curse fell upon Stonewick, it wasn’t just the town that suffered. The Academy was affected as well. I had to stay to ensure its magic remained intact. Miora…”

“She’s at the cottage.”

My grandma nodded. “She’s my older sister.”

Shock pummeled through me.

“The curse,” I said, the pieces slowly falling into place. “Keegan mentioned it. He said it severed ties with your allies.”

Elira nodded. “It did more than that. The curse was designed to isolate Stonewick, to weaken its defenses from within. It severed alliances, fractured trust, and made it nearly impossible for those outside our walls to return. It must have sensed that we were about to reopen.”

“The Academy was going to reopen forty years ago?”

She nodded. “But it sensed it was unsafe, and the curse has been cast.”

“Then how am I here?” I asked. “Why was I able to enter?”

“Because you carry the bloodline of the guardians,” Elira said, her gaze steady. “And because you chose loyalty over power. That choice, Maeve, broke through the curse’s first barrier. The Academy recognized your heart, and it welcomed you.”

I felt a lump rise in my throat, the weight of her words sinking in. “But I’m not ready for this,” I admitted. “I don’t even know where to begin.”

Elira smiled, her expression filled with quiet confidence. “No one is ever truly ready, Maeve. But you have already taken the first step. The rest will come in time.”

She reached into the folds of her cloak and produced a small, intricately carved pendant. It was shaped like a butterfly, its delicate wings etched with symbols I couldn’t decipher.

And then I remembered the moonstone Twobble had given me. I fished it out of my pocket and held it up.

“Twobble gave this to me.”

She smiled and nodded. “Indeed, he did.”

“This now belongs to you,” she said, placing it in my hand. “It will help guide you on your journey.”

I stared at the pendant, its weight calming in my palm.

“Flip it over.”

I did as she told me and noticed the shape that matched the moonstone from Twobble.

“Is it a locket?” I asked.

“Of sorts.” She nodded. “Go ahead. Insert the moonstone.”

I obeyed, and the pendant glowed in my hand as heat radiated through my body.

“What do I do now?” I asked, looking up at her.

“Put it on.” Elira’s smile deepened. “Trust yourself and trust the Academy. It will show you the way.”

The warmth in her eyes filled me with a renewed sense of purpose. I didn’t have all the answers, but for the first time, I felt like I was on the right path. I was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

“Now, come with me. I must show you the library.”