Page 4 of Bearly Bewitched

“Like having a certain tigress-shifter with centuries of witch knowledge teach History of Shifter Magic?” Romi suggested innocently.

Sabine rolled her eyes, but Vail caught her small smile. “Speaking of which—“ She gestured to the cart of antiques she’d been levitating. “Where should I put these? Some of them are getting a bit rowdy.”

As if to prove her point, something in one of the boxes emitted a musical chime followed by what sounded like a hiccup.

Before Vail could answer, a nearby gargoyle—one of many that patrolled the corridors at night—stirred unexpectedly. It fixed stone eyes on Sabine’s cart and emitted a low growl that echoed off the walls.

“Oh, honestly.” Sabine’s eyes flashed golden as she partially shifted, her tigress nature emerging. She bared slightly elongated teeth at the gargoyle. “These are approved deliveries, you overgrown garden ornament. Stand down before I use you as a scratching post.”

The gargoyle growled again, louder this time. Sabine growled back, the sound rumbling deep in her chest. Behind them, Romi unsuccessfully tried to smother her giggles while Clover pressed her lips together, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

Vail bit her lip, trying not to laugh as the standoff between shifter and statue continued. The gargoyle puffed up its stone chest, wings spreading in what was probably meant to be an intimidating display. Unfortunately, one wing had gotten tangled in a hanging tapestry, somewhat ruining the effect.

“Now look what you’ve done,” Sabine scolded, still in her half-shifted state. “You’re going to tear the fabric, and then Vail will have to explain to the Magic Council why a thousand-year-old tapestry got shredded on her first day.”

The gargoyle had the grace to look abashed, though it maintained its suspicious glare at the cart of artifacts.

“That’s enough, both of you.” Vail stepped forward, unable to keep the amusement from her voice as she cast a gentle calming spell over the scene. Golden light settled around them like falling leaves, making the gargoyle’s stone feathers ripple. “Though we definitely need to adjust the guard-gargoyles’ friend-or-foe recognition. Sabine, would you be willing to help with that?”

“Using my unique talents already?” Sabine’s features shifted fully human again as she smirked. “And here I haven’t even accepted the teaching position.”

“Yet,” Romi chimed in. “Haven’t acceptedyet.”

“Speaking of unique talents,” Clover interjected smoothly, “have you considered having shifter representatives on the curriculum advisory board? It would help ensure all new programs serve both communities.”

“Already in progress,” Vail confirmed, leading them past the now-sulking gargoyle. “I spoke with Ren about setting up specialized dragon-fire wards around the perimeter. And Burke’s agreed to consult on protective magic from a bear-shifter perspective.”

“Dragon-fire wards?” Madame Zephyrine’s eyebrows rose. “Ambitious.”

“And necessary,” Neve added thoughtfully. “Especially given these ward fluctuations you’ve noticed.”

Something in one of Sabine’s boxes chose that moment to emit a musical trill, followed by a tiny sneeze. Sparks of golden light escaped through the air holes.

“What exactlyisin these artifacts you’re delivering?” Vail asked, eyeing the boxes with renewed interest.

“Oh, just a few enchanted instruments from the Third Age.” Sabine’s casual tone didn’t quite hide her excitement. “Including a self-playing harp that only performs during full moons and a drum that teaches ancient war rhythms to anyone with shifter blood.

“The drum’s been a bit temperamental lately,” she added as another sneeze-like sound emerged. “Keeps trying to teach battle songs to random passers-by. Nearly gave the mailman a heart attack yesterday when it started the Call to Arms.”

The corridor’s cheerful atmosphere suddenly chilled as clicking heels announced a new arrival. Felicity Hawthorne stood rigid in the archway, her academy robes adorned with senior staff emblems that caught the light like accusing stars.Her dark hair was pulled back severely, emphasizing the tight set of her jaw.

Her gaze swept over the gathered group, lingering briefly on Madame Zephyrine and Neve before settling on Vail. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees.

“I see you have arrived safely, Headmistress Kessler.” Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I suppose the academy welcomes new leadership in... interesting ways.”

“Professor Hawthorne.” Vail kept her tone professional but warm, refusing to let the older woman’s frost dampen her spirits. “Thank you for maintaining things until my arrival. I look forward to working together.”

In the background, the troublesome drum chose that exact moment to begin a muffled drumroll. Sabine hastily stuffed a silencing charm into the box.

Felicity clasped her hands behind her back, spine straight as a ruler. “The Founding Mothers established very specific protocols for a reason, Headmistress Kessler. The positioning of the altars, for instance—they must face true north to properly channel elemental energies.”

A young professor hurried past, arms full of books about shifter magic. Her eyes lit up when she spotted Vail. “Headmistress! I’ve been researching those integration techniques you mentioned. The possibilities are incredible?—“

“Professor Changly.” Felicity’s sharp voice cut through the other woman’s enthusiasm. “Surely, you have preparations to attend to?”

FOUR

Vail’s fire magic stirred beneath her skin as Professor Changly’s shoulders drooped. “Actually, Professor Changly,” Vail said, her voice carrying the quiet authority that had earned her this position, “I’d love to hear more about your research. The integration of different magical traditions is exactly what we’re striving for here.”

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