Page 103 of Magical Melee
I snorted, reaching for another box. “Weapons? So, you don’t have much faith in my magical abilities?”
“Of course I do, honey.” She set one on the shelf and unpacked another one. “But it takes time, and we should never underestimate the power of a well-placed teapot to the temple. Plus, iron has certain... deterrent properties to some magical folk.”
“I read something about that.”
She nodded. “It doesn’t necessarily kill them, but it certainly can slow them down.”
“What about for our own magical folk?”
“It’s all about the intention. For instance, Nova could pour herself a cup of tea from one of the iron pots without ill effect. However, say one of Shadowick’s elves plows in here and tries to cause harm.” She looked at me to make sure I was following. “We take one of these puppies and aim it just right, and it will freeze him. Darkness rarely prevails in the natural world, so the natural elements in our earth will always help our cause, not hurt it.”
“Interesting.”
“All about intention. Now, if you take an iron stake and put it through their chest, that’s an entirely different scenario. That’s just a dunzo type of deal.”
I laughed and shook my head. “I’m sure it is. Would be for most.”
The image lingered in my mind, and I couldn’t believe that, at my age, I was entertaining these thoughts. No, I wasn’t entertaining them. I was welcoming them.
“Do you have any weaknesses?” I asked.
“Many.” But she didn’t elaborate.
I turned back to wiping down the teapots, but I couldn’t shake my growing restlessness.
The Academy.
The gardens.
The cottage.
Each place crept into my thoughts. Stonewick wasn’t just curiosity anymore; it was a pull, a sense of unfinished business.
By the time lunch rolled around, I’d made up my mind. I needed to talk to Keegan.
“I’m taking my lunch break now if that’s okay,” I said, slipping out of my apron and grabbing my coat.
“Of course.” She nodded with a wicked smile.
“Back in a bit.” I waved and started to the door.
“Tell Keegan I said hi,” Stella called after me.
I paused and turned back to look at her. “How did you—”
She just winked and turned her attention back to her teapots while I walked out the door. I glanced up and down the sidewalk, only seeing a few wandering tourists. It was Monday, and I’d learned a lull tended to happen about this time.
I walked into the hotel's grand lobby and saw Ember. “Hey, Ember.” I smiled and glanced around the lobby. I still loved everything about this space. “Have you seen Keegan today?”
“Sure have. He’s grabbing some lunch at the restaurant. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Is he happy to see anyone?”
Her smile only widened as I wandered down the hall to the large entrance to the inn’s restaurant.
I spotted Keegan immediately poring over a book near the window. His brow furrowed in concentration. Intensity was a good look on the guy. I couldn’t deny it.
“Hey, Keegan.”
