Page 37 of Magical Moonbeam

“Impossible. We’re linked enough that I would know.” Twobble threw Skonk a withering look. “I may not want to break bread with my cousin, but I do know he is firmly on the side of the light.”

“You're linked to him?” My head tilted slightly.

“There is a lot you still have to learn about goblin families,” Twobble huffed. “But I don’t have the time to teach you at the moment.”

I chuckled. “No, I get it. I get it.”

“Does this mean I’ve passed the test?” Skonk looked amused.

“Because you threw pebbles at me on our first encounter, I don’t exactly feel great about you wandering around the Academy alone.”

Skonk groaned. “You’re putting Twiblet on chaperone duty?”

I nodded and realized my mistake. “I mean, no. His name isn’t Twiblet. Twobble will guide you.”

Twobble’s eyes narrowed. “If youeventry to hex a single cat or whisper at a charm, I will fill your pillow with whisper-bees.”

I had no idea what those were, but they didn’t sound good.

“I’d expect no less,” Skonk said with a flourishing bow. “You always did know how to make a guest feelwelcome.”

“Don’t push your luck.” He eyed his cousin.

I turned back to the corridor and led them both toward the small sitting chamber just off the main hall.

I tried not to think about how my morning had turned into a goblin cousin rivalry showdown.

Shadowick was calling, the Moonbeam was coming, and like it or not… this circus was going with me.

We had barely made it into the sitting room when the first few students began to shuffle by, casting curious glances through the open archway.

Twobble was still glaring at Skonk like he was trying to manifest a slow-acting hex with the sheer force of will alone. Skonk, meanwhile, had draped himself across an armchair like a lounging cat who’d just broken into the cream cabinet, legs crossed, fingers idly tossing one of his gleaming pebbles into the air.

The tension was simmering, and now, students were circling.

I caught one of them, a tall fae with silver-dusted freckles, whispering animatedly to a classmate near the staircase. One glance in their direction, and they scattered like enchanted pigeons.

“This is going to turn into a scene,” I muttered.

“It alreadyisone,” Twobble huffed. “And he’s the lead actor.”

Skonk gave a pleased sigh. “If the shoe fits, sparkle it.”

“Enough,” I said. “We need quiet. Privacy. Somewhere less visible. This is not the kind of thing that should be shared by word of mouth before I’ve had a chance to make a single decision.”

Too late.

The corridor outside was now actively murmuring, a low buzz of excitement building. I spotted another pair of students practically vibrating with curiosity near the base of the stairs. One of them had pulled out a parchment notebook and was already sketching Skonk with alarming accuracy. He struck a pose, of course.

I squinted my eyes shut, and that was when I felt Ember show up.

She ducked into the sitting chamber with her usual blaze of wind-warm energy, hair tied in a messy braid, cheeks flushed, clothes fit for another era.

“Whatisgoing on?” she demanded, looking between the two goblins. “There’s a rumor you’re hosting dueling goblins. Is thattrue?Because Ilovethat.”

Twobble groaned and melted halfway off the couch.

“Just a disagreement,” I said quickly. “Resolved. Mostly.”