Page 142 of Magical Moonbeam

Chapter Thirty-Five

There was no time for a homecoming.

The shadows moved too fast for that. They didn’t wait for explanations or heartfelt reunions. They twisted and poured like smoke slipping from a cursed lantern, spilling across the cracked stones of Shadowick in long, reaching tendrils. Their bodies weren’t fully formed. They were fluid, flickering shapes barely held together by spite and magic, but their intent was clear.

Attack.

Celeste’s hand slipped into mine, her fingers trembling as her gaze darted to the shapes forming in the street. “Mom… what are they?”

“Stay behind me,” I said, tightening my grip.

They moved without sound. There were no footsteps and no growls, just a rising pressure in the air like the whole world was holding its breath.

One of the shadow dancers slithered up the side of a building, then flung itself down, landing in the street without a sound. Its limbs cracked at odd angles, too long for a human body, too fluid for a beast.

I threw up a barrier spell out of instinct, more reflex than thought, and the shadow slammed into it, rebounding like water against rock.

“Whoa,” Celeste hissed.

The shadow slithered to the ground.

For now.

But they were gathering.

Dozens of them.

Maybe more.

My skin crawled as I pulled Celeste behind a fountain, the crumbling marble long since overtaken by moss and soot. The shadows circled, testing my charms, flickering in and out of view.

I was certain the charm Nova gave me was telling her not only was I alive, but my heart was pumping faster than it ever had before.

“Where’s Darren?” Celeste whispered.

I didn’t answer. I didn’t care.

I needed to protect her. To make a plan. I wished I could call Keegan, tuck her behind him, and say, 'Keep her safe,' but that would give away his location. And Frank’s. And if Gideon was bluffing when he said he knew where everyone was, revealing anyone now would hand him what he wanted.

I had to trust that they were still in place and that everyone remembered the plan, even though it had changed drastically.

A shadow lunged again, but this time at Celeste.

I reacted on instinct, whispering a command under my breath. The earth cracked and shot up like a shield of stone androots. The dancer whistled—not with breath, but with a vibration that buzzed in my ears. Another one followed, sliding low across the ground like ink poured into rainwater. It darted toward my legs, fast.

I swept my arm in a wide arc, channeling the heat that had been brewing in my core since Celeste showed up.

The fear, rage, andlovesent a blaze of golden light toward the street. The shadows shrieked and flung themselves back, edges curling like burning paper.

Theycouldbe hurt.

Not killed. Not yet. But slowed.

Celeste gasped behind me. “That… was that magic?”

“Yes,” I said. “Yours too, someday. But not now. Stay close.”

We darted for cover between two buildings, my breath ragged. The lights in the shop windows flickered as if the town itself had begun to glitch. Shadows clung to the doorways and eaves, writhing like parasites.