Page 143 of Magical Mission

Karvey ducked slightly at the doorway, his wings folding tight as he stepped through and positioned himself near the fireplace, standing still like a statue, only his glowing stone eyes betraying the fact that he was watching, alert.

And then—

A flicker in the corner of my vision.

Soft and shifting, like a trick of the light.

Only it wasn’t.

I turned slowly, breath catching.

She stood near the back of the room, just beyond the kitchen archway.

Miora.

Not quite solid. Not quite mist.

Her form shimmered faintly, like memory stitched to the edge of dream. Her simple dress was patterned with tiny suns and moons.

She looked… calm and was smiling as if she'd been waiting.

“Hello again,” she said, her voice quiet but firm.

Twobble jumped so hard he nearly knocked over a stool. “How do you always surprise me like that?”

“Miora.”

She tilted her head. “You have questions.”

I chuckled and shrugged. “I always do. I guess that’s what happens when magic has been hidden from a person all their life.”

“You’ll need tea first,” she said, moving toward the kitchen, though her hands never touched it. “Everything worth hearing starts with tea.”

I smiled, tears prickling my eyes.

Karvey gave a small approving grunt from the hearth before making his way to the door as the cottage hummed softly.

And in that moment, surrounded by magic, stone, ghosts, and a grumbling goblin, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.

The Academy would be fine on its own.

Chapter Thirty-Three

"A path appeared near the Butterfly Ward."

Miora froze.

Only for a heartbeat. But it was enough.

The way the flicker in her form stilled and the quiet hum of the cottage paused, just a little, told me everything I needed to know.

It was a calling path.

Even the fire in the hearth snapped louder than before.

"Golden and laced with mist. No one’s seen anything like it. Except…" I hesitated.

Miora didn't speak.