Page 206 of Magical Maelstrom
His fingers found the edge of the cloak and shifted it away as he lifted the hem of the turtleneck. Twobble, Skonk, and Nova came over as Ardetia and Bella walled off the Priestess’ view.
“Oh, my heavens,” Twobble said with his eyes widening. “What does that mean?”
“What doeswhatmean?” I asked, feeling my pulse skyrocket as everyone stared at me.
“Does it hurt?” Keegan asked.
“Yes, my entire side hurts from my hip to my shoulder.” I grimaced as he raised the shirt higher.
The Priestess’ wicked laughter echoed through the room.
“Maeve, the shadow mark on your shoulder combined with your birthmark.” His fingertips ran along my flesh, instantly cooling it.
“It’s as if you’re the connection between the two Academies,” Nova whispered. “You’re the bridge.”
I shook my head as the distance between Stonewick and Shadowick stretched painfully tight, like an invisible thread finally pulled to its limit.
The giant iron gates surrounding Shadowick Academy creaked inward with a scream of rusted metal, opening inch by inch all on their own.
The Priestess lifted her head slowly, smiling through the shadows restraining her as if she could already hear footsteps none of us could.
My birthmark flared again.
Far away, beyond the hills and forests separating the two Academies, I felt Stonewick answer. It wasn’t with fear but awareness.
The ground beneath us trembled hard enough to crack stone, but the Academy remained strong.
But something ancient was coming, and somehow, deep in my bones, I realized Gideon hadn’t disappeared to run away from us.
He’d disappeared to claim what he said was his, and I finally understood the terrifying truth.
This was never just about a curse.
It was about the return of something ancient and unfinished.
The two Academies had heard each other.
But whatever came next…
Would change magic forever.
***
