Chapter Twenty-One
I swallowed hard as my mind spun from everything Keegan had told me. His family had walked away from the town and from him. The idea of being forgotten by the people who were supposed to love you unconditionally made my heart ache.
“I’m so sorry, Keegan,” I said softly. “I had no idea…”
He shrugged, and I thought he might brush it off the way he always did when things got too real. But instead, he just exhaled.
His fingers tapped idly against the arm of the chair.
“Yeah,” he said finally. “Most people don’t.”
I wanted to say more, to tell him how much my heart broke for him, how I couldn’t fathom the kind of abandonment he’d faced, but something about how he was sitting—so still, so contained—made me hesitate. Keegan had spent years carrying this, and he wasn’t the kind of person who wanted sympathy.
Even if he deserved it.
Instead, I shifted slightly, debating my next question.
It had lingered in my mind since I first saw him shift—since I saw the raw power in his animal form, the sheer strength coiled beneath the surface.
I hesitated, then finally asked, “Keegan… the shifting.”
His gaze flicked to mine, unreadable.
I swallowed. “Had you done it before the curse?”
His eyes darkened slightly, but he nodded. “Yeah.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “Both of my parents were shifters. It wasn’t exactly a surprise when I had my first change.”
I tilted my head. “When did it happen?”
His fingers tightened slightly on the arm of the chair. “The year before the curse fell upon us.”
I blinked, taking that in. “So you were… what? Eleven?”
“Twelve,” he corrected. His voice was quiet, but there was a weight to it.
I frowned, a knot tightening in my stomach.
Twelve was so young.
It was one thing to imagine a sixteen-year-old trying to figure it out, but twelve? That wasn’t even high school. That was barely anything. And then his family left the following year…
I swallowed. “Did they… help you?”
His silence was enough of an answer.
I exhaled sharply, my chest tightening. “Keegan…”
He shook his head quickly, waving me off. “It’s fine. It’s how the pack dynamics work. I’m expected to figure things out independently, and I did…on many levels.”
“It’s not fine,” I countered. “You were a kid.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I figured it out.”
I studied him for a long moment. “So, if you allow yourself to fully shift when the change starts at the ten-year mark of the curse, you…”
“Will die.” He finished for me and rubbed his jaw.
“With the curse, we’re essentially frozen in our state. Had I been in my wolf state at the time, I would have to resist going into my human form every decade.”
“But that change could kill you?”
“Only because it’s been placed unnaturally. Hundreds of years ago, the shifter clans created a set of rules that bound them together, and one of them was that if we shifted unnaturally or through a curse, we’d pass away.”
“Why?”
“To protect the clans, the packs…I suppose they were concerned that a mage or some other magical creature could force our change and use us to their advantage.”
“Kind of like what Gideon did.”
“Exactly, but I think he did it to end me.”
“So, since it’s like a frozen state, you can’t shift on your own.”
He shot me a dry look. “I wouldn’t want to. I like to stay in control. I’m not always in control if I’ve…”
I flushed slightly, remembering his sheer ferocity when he shifted, the way his power had crackled through the air like a living thing.
He was right.
He hadn’t been in control.
Not completely.
But then he was… He forced himself to stay human.
I bit my lip. “So… it’s dangerous when you’re a wolf?”
His eyes stayed fastened on mine. “It can be.”
That should have made me uneasy. It should have made me wary.
But it didn’t.
Because the thing was, I knew Keegan.
He might have been dangerous. He might have been barely in control sometimes. But he wasn’t a threat—not to me.
And I think, deep down, that terrified him more than anything.
“I hate that you went through all that alone,” I said quietly. “And I hate that your parents abandoned you.”
Keegan didn’t say anything. He just studied me with that quiet intensity of his.
Then, after a long pause, he sighed. “It’s done, Maeve.”
I shook my head. “That doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.”
Another beat of silence.
“I know," he said softly, his eyes revealing a hint of the pain he carried.
It wasn't an admission, exactly. But it was enough.
I exhaled slowly and leaned back against the cushion.
Watching him, I saw the shadows that still clung to him. And I realized something.
For all his sharp edges and gruff sarcasm, Keegan wasn’t just fighting for Stonewick.
He was fighting for himself.
For the boy he had been.
For the choice he’d never been given.
He wanted to ensure others had that choice someday.
And I would be damned if I let him do it alone.
It was starting to come together, but not in a way that made sense.
I pushed my fingers through my hair, shaking my head, feeling like I was circling something important but missing it.
“So,” I started, leaning forward, fixing my gaze on Keegan. “Gideon wanted to ensure the people of Stonewick felt isolated. That much is obvious.”
Keegan nodded, his expression reserved.
I tapped my fingers against my knee. “And he wanted the Academy to remain closed so that new magic folk couldn’t be trained. Which means… what? He’s afraid of what would happen if people got stronger?”
Keegan exhaled. “It’s possible. If the Academy had stayed open, there would have been teachers. Guardians. Leaders who knew how to fight back.”
I frowned. “Why go through all that effort to suffocate this place and not make a move for forty years?”
That was what I couldn’t figure out. There was no escalation. No additional moves. Just… a long, slow stagnation.
I shook my head again, staring at my hands.
A funny look crossed his expression. “Because of you, Maeve. You’re awakening the Academy. You’re the key to its opening.”
“But…” I stopped myself.
“He stayed away because nothing concerned him. He thought it was taken care of, no Academy, no new magic, no new witches. You’ve changed the course.”
“I—” My mouth snapped shut. “So, would it have been better if I stayed away?”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not. We can defeat Shadowick if we need to…if we have the Academy open, new students harnessing their power… because if not now, when?”
“True.” I swallowed hard, memories of that dream pressing in on me. The way Gideon beckoned me to Shadowick. He knew far before I did what the trajectory of my life was, which scared me more than most things. How could Gideon know so much?
“I remember the dream where I met Gideon. Everything is still so vivid, even the fog that curled around everything. It felt like I was inhaling it. But it was only a dream.”
Keegan’s expression was grave. “Then you were closer to it than you should have been.”
I shuddered, rubbing my arms. “It was like it wanted to pull me under. He wanted to pull me under.”
The weight of that realization sank into my bones.
“Stonewick is more than just a magical town, isn’t it?” I asked, my voice quiet. “The Academy… is the beating heart, and the village is the body that supports it.”
Keegan exhaled. “Exactly. It wasn’t just a school—it was a power center. Those who came out of that place weren’t just trained magic folk. They were leaders, scholars, and warriors. It would have been the greatest threat to Gideon and Shadowick if it had stayed open.”
I frowned, shaking my head. “So they didn’t destroy it. They just… made sure it stayed dormant.”
Keegan nodded. “Until now.”
A shiver ran through me.
“Because of me,” I murmured.
Keegan studied me. “Because the Academy let you in.”
I swallowed, feeling a strange pressure settle over me.
“But why me? I wasn’t even raised in Stonewick. I had no magic training. Why would the Academy recognize me?”
Keegan was quiet for a long moment before saying, “Because you’re connected to it, and you’ve had a lot of life experience. That is key.”
I shook my head, trying to put the words together.
“Gideon obviously knows the threat.” Keegan looked a little smug. “He’s worried.”
I swallowed. “And if we are a threat—if I really am the key to opening the Academy again—then that puts Shadowick at a disadvantage.”
Keegan exhaled sharply. “Which means they’re going to try to stop you before that happens.”
The words settled between us like a warning, like a weight neither of us could shake.
I wrapped my arms around myself, staring at the far wall. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Keegan let out a dry chuckle. “Well, that would be unfortunate. Because I don’t think you have much of a choice.”
I shot him a glare. “Helpful.”
His lips twitched. “I try.”
I laughed, rubbing my temples.
“If the Academy let me in, that means something, right? It means I can do this.”
Keegan nodded. “It means you’re meant to.”
I frowned, still turning over the information in my head. “But if Gideon sees me as a threat, why hasn’t he come after me directly?”
Keegan’s expression darkened. “Because he’s not done testing you yet. That battle was a teaser. Youprobably surprised him because you even knew how to use your wand.”
“I surprised myself.
Keegan tilted his head slightly and smiled.
A shiver ran down my spine. “So what do we do?”
“We figure out what Gideon’s next move is—before he makes it.”
I let out a dry laugh. “Oh, great. That sounds so easy.”
Keegan smirked. “Simple. Not easy.”
I groaned, leaning back against the couch. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
His smirk widened. “What can I say? I like a good challenge.”
“I think I better get back to the Academy in case there's something there that’s helpful.”
Keegan arched a brow. “Eager?”
I shot him a look. “You just said they’re not done testing me. I’d rather not wait for the next pop quiz if that's true. The more I can read and absorb, the better. It’s like the Wards. I don’t even know what they’re all about.”
Keegan chuckled. “Fair enough.”
I exhaled, rubbing my arms again. “Besides… if we don’t figure out how to break this curse soon, we might not get another chance.”
Keegan nodded, his expression turning serious again. “Then we better make this one count.”
I swallowed hard, my resolve settling like iron in my chest.
A knock was so faint I almost thought I’d imagined it.
I glanced at Keegan, who gave me a wary look like he’d heard it too, and then we moved toward the door.
When I pulled it open, I found myself staring down at Twobble.
His large eyes blinked at me expectantly, his stubby arms crossed over his chest.
“Why,” he said, tilting his head, “are you not back at the cottage?”
I blinked. “Twobble, how did you—?”
“I have my ways.” He waggled his eyebrows, then looked past me into the room. His nose crinkled. “And you’ve brought him here?”
Before I could respond, Keegan stepped up behind me, crossing his arms.
“Gideon was watching her when she went to visit her daughter.” His voice was firm, matter-of-fact. “I thought a change of scenery would be good.”
Twobble made a scandalized sound, his hands flying to his chest.
“So you don’t think I can keep her safe? Me?” He let out a dramatic gasp, eyes wide. “Not to mention the gargoyles? Karvey will be positively offended when he hears about this.”
I sighed. “Twobble, it’s not about—”
But Twobble wasn’t listening.
Instead, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
Then, slowly, a mischievous glint crept into them.
“Ohhh,” he said, drawing the word out. His lips stretched into a knowing grin, his whole demeanor shifting instantly. “I see what’s happening here.”
Keegan let out a sharp breath. “What?”
Twobble tapped the side of his head.
“It’s finally happening, isn’t it? A little sneaky hotel rendezvous. A bit of, ah…” He wiggled his stubby fingers in the air, grinning wickedly. “Nooky.”
My entire body seized up. “Twobble, no.”
Keegan groaned. “Oh, for the love of—”
But Twobble wasn’t done.
“I mean, you could have just returned to the cottage,” he mused, rubbing his chin. “But no. You had to check in here. A hotel. With a luxurious suite. I bet there’s a balcony, too.” He gasped, his grin widening. “Maybe even a hot tub?”
I laughed despite myself as Twobble continued his ridiculous little theory.
Meanwhile, Frank, lying on the floor, let out a long, deeply suffering sigh, flopping dramatically onto his side as if the conversation had physically drained him.
Keegan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Maeve. Control your goblin.”
“I’m offended.” Twobble frowned.
I wiped my eyes, still giggling. “Twobble, I promise you that is not what’s happening.”
He winked. “Sure. Sure.”
Keegan let out a low growl. “We’re leaving.”
Twobble grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “Ah, yes. Enjoy your lonely suite, Maeve.”
I snorted. “Goodbye, Twobble.”
With that, Keegan opened the door, ushering Twobble out before he could make any more inappropriate comments.
“I can’t believe Twobble would say something like that.” I shook my head. “Especially around someone with such tender ears.”
I glanced at my bulldog to find he wasn’t listening. Instead, he was asleep.
I sank into the plush hotel bed, the thick comforter swallowing me in a cocoon of happiness. Food didn’t sound appealing, just sleep.
Frank snored softly at the foot of the bed, his stubby legs twitching occasionally like he was chasing something in his dreams.
Probably Twobble.
The quiet of the room should have been comforting and lulled me into sleep, but my mind wouldn’t cooperate.
I debated ordering room service, my fingers tapping against the menu on my nightstand. A slice of warm apple pie and tea sounded the perfect way to end the night. But something caught my eye when I turned my head toward the window.
The Ward.
And it looked different.
Very different.