Page 135 of Magical Mischief

My eyes flicked downward, uneasy at the weight of all this responsibility. “I don’t want to screw this up.”

Ardetia’s expression softened. “Mistakes are part of the journey. Believe me, I’ve made plenty. But if we let fear keep us from acting, Stonewick remains divided. The Academy stays closed, new magic goes untrained, and Gideon, or anyone like him, can keep meddling.”

“Anyone like him?” I echoed. “You think there’s more trouble out there?”

She pursed her lips. “I think Gideon isn’t the only one who wants the Academy sealed. He may be the face of the curse, but curses often have multiple beneficiaries.”

I shuddered at the thought. “So even if we deal with Gideon, others might come after me, after the Academy?”

Ardetia nodded, gaze unwavering. “Yes. Which is why we need to do this thoroughly and with unity. Not just Stonewick, but all who believe in what it once stood for.”

I inhaled deeply, trying to steady the swirl of emotions. Fear, excitement, hope, dread… they all tumbled in my stomach like a chaotic recipe. Bella came to my side, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“I know it’s overwhelming,” she said gently. “But you’re not alone. I’m here, Stella, Twobble, Nova, and Keegan.”

Ardetia flashed a smile. “I’m here too. And soon, others will answer the call—new students, teachers, guardians. The Academy’s heartsong is growing louder, Maeve.”

Heartsong. The word struck me as strangely beautiful. “And you said you had a dream that showed you the halls, that showed you me?”

Ardetia laughed softly, but her eyes were serious. “I dreamt of these corridors and your face, yes. In many dreams,you stood right here, at the heart of the Academy, light pouring through the windows as you extended a hand to me. That’s when I knew I had to come. And when I arrived, the Wards parted like a veil. It felt like coming home.”

A shiver worked its way through my spine. I tried to imagine what that must have been like, crossing realms or traveling for days, led by a feeling. Led by a dream.

Although I’d had something similar…

I reached for a stray lock of hair at my temple, tucking it back.

“I’ve had dreams like that too,” I admitted quietly, feeling a tiny twinge of vulnerability. “Dreams so real I can still taste the air when I wake up. Dreams of corridors and Wards and flickering lights. Dreams of lost words and people I shouldn’t encounter—” I paused, blinking. “I guess none of it was random.”

Ardetia’s lips curved in understanding. “No, it wasn’t. Dreams are how magic speaks to us sometimes, especially for those who walk between worlds.”

“Between worlds,” I repeated. Something about the phrase resonated deep in my bones.

Bella’s eyes brightened. “You do seem to do that more times than not.”

Ardetia nodded, a knowing sparkle in her eyes. “Well, it makes sense. You’re a—”

I stiffened, heart pounding, half expecting her to say something about me being chosen again or being some anomaly. But she paused, as if searching for the right words.

Finally, she settled on them with surprising gentleness. “A hedge witch.”

The finality of her tone sent a jolt through me. Bella’s lips parted in a silent gasp, but no one spoke. The words hung in the hush of the Academy’s hall, as weighty as any revelation I’d faced.

Hedge witch.

I swallowed, uncertain how to respond, uncertain what this truly meant for me or my future.

“Me?” I whispered. “A hedge witch?”

Ardetia’s smile was tender, understanding. She let out a soft laugh. “Well, of course you are.” She paused, her gaze never leaving mine. “You’re a hedge witch.”

“Wow,” I whispered, nodding. “But what’s a hedge witch?”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Bella stood to my right, quiet for once, her arms folded tight against her chest like she didn’t trust her thoughts to stay put.

I glanced at her, searching for something in her expression…answers, maybe, or at least a sign that I wasn’t the only one reeling. But she didn’t look at me. Her eyes were fixed on the figure in front of us, standing in the soft circle of light filtered down through the Academy’s high windows.