Magical Mischief (Stonewick Magical Midlife Witch Academy #3)

Chapter One

“Boy, this is one heck of a start to the new year, hey?” Twobble’s eyes gleamed with something that made me laugh despite the gravity of the situation.

“We haven’t even made it to the new year,” Nova pointed out.

“Let’s be a little sensitive here,” Stella warned. “Someone just lost their four-legged father, and we don’t know if we’ll actually be able to get him back.”

Keegan grimaced. “That might have been the least sensitive thing said so far.”

Twobble’s brows lifted. “He’s got a point.”

Stella’s gaze flew to mine. “Oh, darling. We’ll get the old codger back. Don’t worry.”

I smiled, nodding. “I know we will. He’s counting on it.”

As I looked at my expanded family, comfort and love surrounded me, and I knew we would somehow get my dad back to Stonewick, where he belonged.

The thought of him in Shadowick or anywhere else knotted my stomach.

To have gotten so close to having my father in my life and then having him stolen right out from under us was unfathomable.

Unthinkable.

But I remembered precisely what Keegan, Stella, Nova, Twobble, and Ember told me about not revealing that Frank was my father. They didn’t want me to become irrational or make decisions based on raw emotions.

And they were right.

At this particular moment, I was irrational and would burn Shadowick down to get him back.

When my friends finally revealed to me that Frank was, in fact, my dad, I couldn’t understand their line of thinking. Why wait to tell me my father was alive and following me everywhere around town? That he’d been by my side all that time. I missed out on so much.

But now I had my answer as to why they held back.

It would have colored my entrance into the magical world.

Because these emotions roiling through me were so raw and painful that I would do just about anything to get my father back and to make Gideon pay, and that would be precisely what Gideon would want.

For me to make mistakes…

Do things I couldn’t take back.

Stumble into Gideon’s plan and hand over Stonewick because of my weakness, my love for my father.

I turned back to look at the cottage as Miora continued to restack each stone and strengthen the Ward.

The cottage had become my home. The beacon of light that I could always fall into when my mind churned with uncertainty, or I craved a little magical normalcy…a little privacy for when fudge brownies explode from my feeble attempts at spell work.

And a thought occurred to me.

“How could a lone wolf do so much damage?” I asked anyone who could provide an answer.

I mean, the cottage withstood many creatures on the night during the small battle we encountered, but this was one wolf.

Not a pack.

Sure, he towered over most mortals and had the strength of something I hadn’t met before, but the question wouldn’t stop stirring.

Nova cleared her throat and glanced at Keegan. “It’s something we’ve never seen before.”

“How so?” I asked.

“Under normal circumstances, Malore wouldn’t have caused so much damage to the Ward.” Nova glanced at Keegan and then at me. “The Ward was busy protecting you . It wasn’t protecting itself or even the Academy. Its sole focus appeared to be keeping you out of harm’s way. Malore wouldn’t have inflicted so much damage if the cottage and everyone around it had focused on strengthening the Ward.”

A chill skated over me. “How is that possible?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Nova said softly as she looked at Twobble.

A faint blush ran across his green cheeks as I focused on him.

“And you? Aren’t you supposed to be more worried about the cottage than me? You were trying to protect me, trying to get me to flee to the Academy.”

“So, shoot me. I’ve grown fond of you.” His tiny arms flew into the air. “Besides, what good are the Wards or the Academy if we don’t have someone to run it?” He tapped his bony skull. “See? Always thinking ahead.”

I looked back at the cottage and felt a mix of hope and despair as I thought about my poor dad. He was so helpless in the state he was in.

But I would find him.

We would rescue him.

Not recklessly.

I let out a sigh and closed my eyes to center my world. So much had been thrown at me in a very short amount of time. I just needed a second.

“We do need to devise a plan,” Nova said quietly.

Keegan brushed a stray hair from my face, and I blinked my eyes open.

The gentle sweep of his touch surprised me.

“We’ll get my dad back,” I said more to myself than anyone.

Our new fox friend nodded as she stepped next to me.

“Yes, we will get him back.” Her eyes connected with mine and lent a smile. “And I feel like now is the time to introduce myself properly. I’m Bella Sandro.”

“Nice to meet you, Bella,” I said, glancing at Keegan, who slowly turned to look at her.

“That’s Keegan, Stella, Nova, Ember, and Miora inside.”

She tipped her head. “Nice to meet you all.”

“And you,” Nova said firmly.

A bit of dust rolled out of the cottage as Miora cast another strengthening spell, and I turned my attention to Keegan.

There were so many questions about him that I could barely focus on Bella. Keegan’s strength slowly returned from the fight with my grandfather’s decoy.

His broad shoulders were no longer hunched. His spine straightened…a smile touched his lips. It was difficult to reconcile that he’d turned so quickly, gracefully, and without hesitation when he had such a disdain for shifting.

When Keegan’s gaze landed on me, I felt a little flutter of something confusing. I turned to face him better and moved a little closer. My mouth nearly touched his ear as I leaned in and asked the question that had haunted me since I saw him change.

“How did you shift so easily, Keegan?” I whispered, the memory of our previous battle echoing in my mind. “You’re supposed to struggle with that… power.”

He gave me a small, wry smile as he moved closer.

“It isn’t about ease, Maeve. It’s about necessity. And sometimes, we have no choice. Every decade, I’m facing something that was cursed upon me. Not my choice.”

I nodded.

“But when I saw Malore, I knew the only thing that would stop him was…” He licked his lips slowly. “Me. And I wasn’t going to let anything happen to you .”

“You hate shifting and…”

“I hate what my family and countless other packs did and the cowardly way they handled Shadowick’s threats. I despise what they stood for.” He rubbed his jaw and shook his head. “But I realized that I couldn’t be so stubborn in my beliefs that I’m responsible for destroying Stonewick. I had the power to stop this attack, and I did.”

“So, you did it for the sake of Stonewick.”

His eyes stayed locked on mine. “I did it for your sake.”

Stella whistled and clapped her hands together. “Now, we’re getting somewhere.”

I scowled at her with a chuckle and realized it would be tough to ever have a romantic moment in this town.

Not that Keegan was trying to be romantic.

I was just a piece of the puzzle.

A tool to help open up what he prized the most.

The Academy.

Yet, out of nowhere, a thought occurred to me.

Would he find Bella attractive?

She was a shifter. He was a shifter.

A little prickle of jealousy sprang through me, and I quickly chopped it back.

Ridiculous.

He was a grown man.

We weren’t together.

The snow whipped around us, and I glanced at the nearly ruined cottage. It was a brief symbol of all we’d lost. But how mightily it was being rebuilt by a little bit of magic and a whole lot of hope made me realize just how mighty this little town was.

A pang of sorrow and a fierce determination to rebuild sprouted inside me. The Academy was on the verge of opening. The Wards needed fresh minds, new energy, and seasoned beings to keep the Academy safe.

And I had my first teacher.

“Do you need a place to stay?” I dragged my gaze from the cottage. “Not that I’m sure my cottage will be ready tonight.”

“Oh, the Academy ought to provide me with shelter.” She grinned mischievously, and I half expected her tail to sprout behind. Her resemblance to a fox was startling.

I chuckled and shook my head. “Right. That makes complete sense. I guess that’s something a headmistress should know.”

“I’ll be your guinea pig.” Bella smiled and shrugged.

“Pardon?”

“You know, I’ll be there for you to experiment on, so you look extra polished when the next teacher arrives.”

“You think more are coming?”

“I know more are coming.” She grinned wryly.

I turned my attention back to the cottage as her words settled around me.

Miora’s magic was rapidly restoring the cottage, and Karvey and the other gargoyles were lending their silent, stony support with the heavy lifting.

“Maeve.” Amid the bustling repair, Twobble’s voice cut through, dripping with his trademark sarcasm. “You really should head to the Academy with Bella. It’s safer there. I wouldn’t personally know since nobody ever lets me inside, but…” He shrugged. “It’s what I’ve heard.”

I chuckled. “You’ll get there soon enough.”

Keegan’s eyes narrowed in concern as he regarded me. “It’s a thought. It is the safest place to be.”

“Time slips away inside the Academy.” I shook my head. “That makes me nervous, and I doubt we have time on our side when dealing with Shadowick and getting my dad back.”

A tense silence fell.

Nova’s gaze shifted between us, and Stella patted my hand.

“Maybe the Academy can offer some insight,” Stella said in a voice that blended hope and sorrow as she looked at me.

I shook my head as a stray tear threatened my solvency.

“Oh, darling. We’ll get him back.” Stella pressed her lips into a thin line.

I never would have guessed a vampire carried so much empathy, but her kindness never failed to surprise me.

“Not if I go inside the Academy and come out three weeks later.” I shook my head. “That won’t be helpful at all. We could lose him.”

“There’s no losing Frank,” Stella said with a wink. “He’s a stubborn one. Kind of like you.”

I smiled, but I couldn’t shake the anxiety of the unknown.

If I stayed inside the Academy walls, who knew how much time would pass and what would happen to my dad while I’m exploring the aisles and gaining knowledge?

Amid this chaos, every second felt precious. The wind moaned as if carrying secrets, and I could see the cottage’s repair work in progress. The rebuild was a miraculous tapestry of magic and determination, and that same resolve needed to be given in the search for my dad.

Twobble’s voice, light and irreverent despite the gravity, rang out again. “Maeve, you’ve got to head to the Academy with Bella, get her settled, and come right out.”

“Have you ever known me to come right out of the Academy?” My brows lifted as I walked toward the cottage.

I ran my hand through my hair, frustration and fear mingling as I thought about what lay ahead when I heard a soft, deliberate shuffle behind me. I turned to see Karvey, his stony face carved with years of silent vigil, gliding slowly over a rugged piece of stone.

Without a word, he extended a heavy, comforting arm, guiding me gently into the cottage’s doorway.

Miora snapped her fingers, and a flame filled the hearth that once again stood strong as it had for ages. My little haunt worked her magic like no other.

I followed Karvey and trailed my fingers along the cool, rugged surface of the stone.

For a moment, the chaos of our situation faded into the background.

The firelight danced off his chiseled features. He was more than just a guardian. He was a steadfast friend, a reminder that even in darkness, warmth and protection existed in the most unexpected places.

“I’m sorry we didn’t do more,” he said gruffly.

“What are you talking about? We’re all safe. The cottage is almost back to its perfect imperfections. You did exactly what you’re supposed to do.”

“But your safety was compromised...”

“Because I chose to stay.” I studied Karvey. “If it hadn’t been for you and the others, I wouldn’t have felt safe enough to stand up to Malore. I needed to do that. I needed to see who he was and what he was capable of, and I could only do that because I knew I had you on my side.”

“I see.”

“Sometimes,” I said softly, “safety is found in the smallest gestures.”

“There’s something more going on here, Maeve. I’ve never seen Twobble care about who’s living inside the cottage. His sole mission has always been to care for the Ward, not the inhabitants.”

“I’m both honored and worried about that shift,” I confided.

“And I’ve certainly never seen the cottage offer itself up to be worn down in place of the target.” He cleared his gravelly throat. “And I’ve seen a lot of battles over the years. The cottage has housed many magical folk, and I have never seen the cottage try to protect the soul who lives here.”

“I’ve made good friends here. Maybe the Ward knows how much you all mean to me. And to say I’m grateful is an understatement. I don’t ever want to become in the way.”

“Maybe. Maybe that’s it.” Karvey’s expression softened, acknowledging my unspoken gratitude as we walked outside.

“Thank you, Karvey. Please thank the rest, too. I know they’re busy with the cottage.” Before I could finish, the atmosphere shifted.

Miora’s magic pulsed around the cottage's exterior, reinforcing the Ward with a bright, steady glow, while Stella and Nova exchanged glances that voiced unspoken plans.

In that charged second, I looked into Keegan’s eyes. His concern was deep, his resolve unwavering.

“I want to start looking for my dad right now,” I declared, voice trembling with determination. “He’s counting on me.”

“The Academy might have something to offer,” Twobble tried again.

Stella and Ember looked at each other, and even Twobble’s sarcastic smirk had softened into something earnest.

“I don’t think I should go in. It would be better to try to piece together where Gideon has my dad.”

Keegan looked at me, eyes heavy with concern, then sighed.

“I might have a reason for you to go inside.” He paused as if weighing his words carefully. “There’s a passage in the old texts…a spell, a way to trace the lingering magic of a shifter who’s been taken. If we can channel that, we might be able to track your father’s essence. But it’ll require all of us to work together and a trip to the library for you.”

My heart pounded anew. “Really?”

He nodded slowly. “Yes. But it means leaving now. The Academy awaits your questions, but so does Gideon’s shadow.”

I took a deep breath, my mind racing through all the possibilities, the dangers, and the desperate need to rescue my father.

But if there was a text to track him down, a few words to guide us…

“Then I’m going. I’ll introduce Bella to my grandma, look up the spell, and Bella can ensure I leave right away.”

Bella Sandro smiled a mischievous, confident smile that set my nerves on edge.

I studied her, but a question still burned inside me.

Who exactly was this mischievous fox, and had the Academy truly called her?

She had been let onto the grounds, so that was saying something.

“I’ll be right by your side, Maeve. And I promise we’ll figure this out. Together.” Her eyes landed on me, and only kindness filled her gaze.

The wind howled louder, scattering the last remnants of hope and despair in equal measure, and I stepped toward the cottage as Miora mended the front stones with a flick of her wrist, and I let the weight of everyone’s observations settle on me.

The Ward changed its course and tried to protect…

Me.

Not the Academy. Not itself.

But was that at the Academy’s request, or were these living Wards starting to make their own decisions?

“Nova will wait in the Butterfly Ward for you,” Keegan instructed.

I nodded and felt hope swell inside my chest as images of my dad flooded my mind.

Everything happened so quickly I couldn’t…I wouldn’t let myself mourn my father because we would get him back.

“I’ll go in quickly. Get the needed answers and meet you as soon as possible.”

“You’ll find your answer in there,” Nova assured me.

Bella smiled encouragingly. “Sometimes, though, a headmistress must be patient. I’ll be there to remind you of your time inside the walls, but I won’t rush you.”

But as the wind blew outside, and snowflakes drifted, shadows deepened, and a final, chilling sound cut through the air.

A low, mocking laugh echoed from the darkness, and my blood ran cold.

Gideon was sending a message.

And by the looks of it, nobody else heard it.

I closed my eyes, and in that breathless moment, I knew my dad was still alive.

But I didn’t know for how long.