Page 26 of Magical Mischief

“It’s the only way.”

He stopped mid-pace and turned to face me. “You’re not bait. I made a vow to your father and…”

“And I made one to my dad.” I swallowed, keeping my voice steady despite the tremor in my gut. “We need something that’ll work, Keegan. And this time, I know Gideon will come if I let him think I’m open to… negotiation.”

Keegan’s eyes blazed with immediate refusal. “This is too dangerous, Maeve.”

A flush of heat crept up my neck.

“I’m not a helpless novice, Keegan.”

His brow lifted with a slight curl of his lip.

“Okay, I might be a novice, but I’m not helpless.” I chuckled. “I’m doing this for my dad, remember? We might never get him back if we wait around and try to pin down some imaginary location. Gideon can move him whenever he wants.”

Keegan opened his mouth to protest but hesitated, conflict warring in his gaze.

He hated this idea.

I could see it in the tightness around his jaw. But he couldn’t deny that getting Gideon to walk into the center of Stonewick on his own free will would be…difficult.

I let out a trembling breath.

“I won’t do it without backup. And I’m not going to let Gideon walk away with me. But if he shows up, we can corner him and force a trade…” My voice trailed off.

“Force a trade?” Keegan echoed, disbelief mingling with reluctant acceptance. “You think that’ll work?”

I met his gaze levelly, ignoring the swirl of fear in my stomach.

“It has to,” I whispered. “For my dad’s sake. I won’t let Gideon keep him.”

Keegan nodded slowly, jaw set. The lines of tension on his face made my chest twist with gratitude and guilt. Neither of us said it aloud, but we knew what this meant. We were about to dangle me like a prize Gideon couldn’t resist.

And all the while, I couldn’t shake Gideon’s final words in my dream.

“Why, it’s you I want, Maeve. All of you.”

The memory smoldered in the back of my mind, fueling determination and dread.

My eyes fastened on Keegan’s, and I drew a deep breath, letting the air energize every part of my body before I spoke.

“Besides, I already invited him.”

“What?” Alarm darted through Keegan’s gaze. “When?”

“The final day of Yule. Eleven.” I cleared my throat. “It seemed fitting, ending the year with him out of our lives and my dad back in our lives.”

“Then we better prepare ourselves for one hell of a fight.” Keegan nodded, and if I didn’t know better, I thought I caught a hint of a smile.

Chapter Seven

“Good morning, Stella.” I stepped into the tea shop and let the warmth and familiar aromas wash over me.

The wall sconces illuminated the cozy interior and danced across rows of glass jars crammed with colorful tea blends.

This was my happy place. Between the cottage and the tea shop, I could just bounce between them all day and feel like the world's problems didn’t exist.

I couldn’t help but smile at the shop's comfortable, lived-in feel. A scattering of tables, colorful chairs, and plush cushions provided little corners for customers to enjoy steaming mugs of tea.