Page 13 of Magical Moonbeam

Bella stepped closer to the tree, brushing her fingers over a low-hanging leaf. “So you think there’s a way to change the past?”

“Not the past,” I said softly. “But the direction the shadows want to pull us now. If we step in at the right moment… we might shift the whole story.”

Stella raised her teacup. “Well. If we’re rewriting stories, I do hope I get a more sparkly wardrobe.”

Keegan smiled faintly, but his eyes were on me. “You’ve got a plan then.”

“No. Not really,” I said, turning to them with a smile. “But the beginning of something. And that’s enough to start. I need your help. You all have such amazing expertise in areas that my mind has not even yet dared to dream, and we need to tap into those skills and memories and create a plan that will build back the good, but not just here.”

“I always enjoy beginnings rather than endings,” Ardetia said, twirling a maple leaf around her finger.

My heart skipped a beat when Keegan’s eyes remained on mine. “Tell us, Maeve. What makes you so sure that Shadowick is worth saving?”

His words hit me in the gut, but he was right. They’d done so much damage. Gideon had made his choice, but did that mean the rest of Shadowick was destined to darkness and living in theshadows? The thought pulled at my chest. What if Celeste had been born into that life instead of this one? What if I had been?

I let out a sigh and nodded. “I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve been reading some of Shadowick’s history, and it wasn’t always based in darkness. What if we managed to use the Moonbeam opening, not only to break the curse but to give Shadowick a second chance? What if we step into the rays of the Moonbeam and search for the light, even in the darkest of shadows?”

Nova and Ardetia traded glances.

“That’s a lofty goal, but I don’t even know if that’s possible at this point,” Bella said softly.

“But if we don’t have hope, what do we have?” I shrugged. “I refuse to believe that everyone in Shadowick enjoys living the way they do.”

Nova cleared her throat. “Reversed tower.”

I shook my head and looked at Nova. “What?”

“That was the card I’d pulled right before you walked into my classroom.”

I looked at Nova. “And what does that mean?”

She let out a slow and steady breath. “I choose to look at it as if we will be experiencing rebuilding.”

Ardetia studied her, and I knew she was wondering the same thing as me.

“But the card can represent…” My voice trailed off, hoping for an answer.

“Rebuilding or… a reckoning.” Nova’s jaw tightened at her admission.

My chest tightened at her words.Reckoningsounded so final. So sharp. I wasn’t sure if I had the kind of magic or courage for that. That word could go both ways.

“I like rebuilding much better.” I grimaced. “Thank you for sharing that alternative first.”

Nova chuckled and nodded. “I figured as much.”

“I think we all do,” Keegan agreed.

The thought of Stonewick facing yet another event, a reckoning, gutted me. I rather liked the idea of Shadowick facing a reckoning, but that kind of cockiness could get me in trouble.

The moment stretched... heavy with possibilities we couldn’t name yet.

Then…

Twobbleburstinto the Maple Ward, arms flailing for drama. “A reckoning? Heck, yeah. Gideon doesn’t know what’s about to hit him.” He smacked his fist into his palm with gusto. “I’m game. When are we leaving?”

I chuckled, realizing he was exactly what I needed.

Maybe it wasn’t Stonewick that would face the reckoning.