Page 28 of Bearly Bewitched

The curse erupted with explosive force, shattering Daisy’s careful control. Dark energy crackled outward like lightning, jagged tendrils whipping through the air. Students dove for cover as magical backlash scorched the stone walls.

“Daisy!” Kaine lunged forward, but Vail was closer.

TWENTY-SIX

Without hesitation, Vail threw herself between Daisy and the violent surge of curse energy. Searing pain lanced through her shoulder as a dark tendril struck, but she maintained her shield of fire magic around the terrified girl.

“I can’t stop it!” Daisy’s voice cracked with panic. The curse fed off her fear, expanding like a storm cloud shot through with malevolent purple lightning. “Miss Vail, I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to?—“

“Look at me.” Despite the burning agony in her shoulder, Vail kept her voice steady. She caught Daisy’s tear-filled eyes. “You’re not alone in this. We’ve got you.”

The combination of his protective energy and her fire magic created a swirling dome of gold and amber light. But the curse fought back, battering their defenses with increasing fury.

“Vail.” Kaine’s voice carried equal measures of concern and warning. He’d spotted the growing stain of darkness spreading from her injured shoulder, curse energy trying to take root.

“I’m fine.” She gritted her teeth, strengthening her shield even as dark spots danced at the edges of her vision. “Daisy,honey, remember what we practiced. Don’t fight the magic—direct it.”

“But it hurts you?—“

“Never mind that.” Vail managed a smile despite the curse’s attempt to leech her strength. “Focus on my fire magic. Feel how it moves? Like a dance, remember?”

Tears streamed down Daisy’s cheeks, but she nodded. Her small hands shook as she tried to guide the wild energy rather than suppress it.

“That’s it.” Vail pushed more energy into her shield, sweat beading on her forehead. “Kaine, on my mark...”

The simple rightness of their combined strength helped Vail fight through the curse’s growing hold on her system.

“Now!”

They moved in perfect synchronization. Kaine’s bear energy provided an unshakeable foundation while Vail’s fire magic wove intricate channels through the chaos. Instead of containing the curse, they created paths for it to flow—like redirecting a river rather than damming it.

To their amazement, Daisy caught on instantly. Her unique magic began following the patterns they established, curse energy gradually shifting from violent purple to shimmering gold. The transformation rippled outward, wild power settling into something beautiful and controlled.

Where moments before destruction threatened, now silver and gold threads danced through the air like cosmic ribbons. The curse energy, rather than fighting their guidance, enhanced the display’s otherworldly beauty.

“Oh,” Daisy breathed, wonder replacing terror in her eyes. “It’s... dancing.”

Relief made Vail’s knees buckle. Only Kaine’s quick reflexes kept her upright as the last of her strength drained away. The curse wound in her shoulder pulsed with lingering darkness.

“I’ve got you.” His voice rumbled next to her ear as he took her weight. “Someone get Madame Zephyrine. Now!”

“Miss Vail?” Daisy’s small hand clutched hers. “You’re hurt. I’m so sorry?—“

“Not your fault.” Vail squeezed Daisy’s fingers despite the pain radiating down her arm. “I’m so proud of you. You didn’t let the curse control you. You learned to guide it instead.”

“But—“

“Listen to me.” Vail waited until Daisy met her gaze. “This is what teachers do. We protect our students, no matter what. I’d take that hit again in a heartbeat if it meant keeping you safe.”

Fresh tears spilled down Daisy’s cheeks, but these seemed different from her earlier panic. She threw her arms around Vail’s waist, careful to avoid the injured shoulder. “Thank you.”

Kaine’s arms tightened around them both.

Madame Zephyrine arrived in a swirl of healing energy, already muttering counter-curses. But Vail barely noticed. She was too focused on the way Kaine held her, on Daisy’s fierce hug, on the sense that something profound had shifted between them.

Let Ledger plot his schemes. Let the wards falter and ancient magic stir. They would protect what mattered—their students, their community, this precious new bond forming between them. They would face whatever came next together, stronger for having weathered this storm.

TWENTY-SEVEN

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