Page 13 of Magical Mission
Twobble’s mood lifted instantly. “Ooh.Legends of the Lesser-Known Moon Wars.Nowthat’swhat I call enrichment.”
I laughed, the sound easing something tight in my chest. “See? The library likes you.”
“Course it does. I’m very likable.”
I tousled his hat, and for a few blissful moments, everything felt… right.
Cozy.
Safe.
Ours.
But the moment shattered like glass when the visitor summons echoed through the hallway.
It was soft at first, a low chime, like distant bells.
Then louder.
The notes drifted down the stone corridors, pulsing through the air, wrapping around us like a spectral thread.
Twobble froze, the book sliding from his lap.
I felt my stomach drop.
Again?
I exchanged glances with my grandmother, who had drifted back to us when she heard the summons.
Her face was calm, too calm.
But I knew that look.
Underneath the serenity was a current of concern.
“It’s probably nothing,” she said softly.
But my gut churned.
My mind couldn’t stop going there.
Gideon.
Had he come back?
Was he testing the Wards again?
Had the Academy’s sudden stirring drawn more attention than I realized?
“Stay here,” I told Twobble, pushing up from my chair, forcing my legs to move even though they felt like jelly. “I’ll check.”
“I’m coming,” Twobble said immediately, sliding off the chair.
“No, you’re not. You’re safe here. The Academy’ll keep you safe.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but something in my tone must have made him pause.
Twobble nodded reluctantly, curling back into the chair, blanket wrapped tight around him like armor.
