Page 5 of Bearly Bewitched

The other professor straightened, her smile returning. “Thank you, Headmistress. I’ve discovered several historical precedents for witch-shifter collaborative magic that could?—“

“If you’ll excuse me,” Felicity interrupted, each word sharp as icicles, “traditional methods exist for good reason. Experimenting with untested combinations of witch and shifter magic could have... unfortunate consequences.”

“Interesting perspective.” Vail met Felicity’s gaze steadily, power humming in her veins. “Though I seem to recall the Founding Mothers themselves worked closely with shifter allies. In fact—“ She gestured to the ancient tapestries lining the walls, her fire magic making the enchanted threads glow softly. “These very halls celebrate that cooperation.”

Two more teachers passed by, heads bent together in excited discussion about modified protection spells. Their voices carried clearly in the stone corridor.

“Did you see the new training room setup? The way they’ve merged the casting circles with shifter energy fields?—“

“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I never thought of using transformation magic to enhance traditional wards?—“

Felicity’s jaw tightened. “Time-honored methods have served the academy well,” she emphasized, each word brittle as frozen glass.

“They have,” Vail agreed, her tone firm but kind. “Which is why we’re building upon that foundation, not demolishing it. Professor Changly, why don’t you join us? I believe your research could provide valuable insight into how we might honor our traditions while embracing new possibilities.”

She turned back to Felicity, maintaining eye contact. “Your experience here is invaluable, Professor Hawthorne. I hope you’ll be part of this evolution. The academy needs all of us working together—just as it did in the days of the Founding Mothers.”

Behind her, Vail sensed her great-aunts exchanging approving looks. Sabine’s intertwined threads of shifter instinct and witch-born power stirred in response to her authority, a subtle reminder that change, while sometimes uncomfortable, was as natural as the turning of seasons.

Something flickered in Felicity’s expression—pain? Resentment? But she smoothed it away quickly, like ripples vanishing from a frozen pond. “Perhaps later. I have preparations to complete before term begins.”

As Felicity departed, her gloom was palpable. Even the portraits on the walls seemed to lean away from her passing, whispering among themselves. Vail made a mental note to findways to include the older professor in the academy’s evolution, to help her see that change didn’t have to mean erasure.

“Well!” Madame Zephyrine’s bright voice dispersed the lingering tension like sunlight breaking through clouds. “Shall we continue the tour? I’m particularly interested in seeing how you’ve had the enchanted greenhouse modified. I heard rumors about singing violets.”

“And carnivorous roses that only eat homework excuses,” Romi added with a grin.

“It’s a work in progress,” Clover added. “And they only ate the really terrible excuses. Like ‘my dragon ate it’ or ‘it spontaneously transformed into a flock of doves.’”

The tour concluded at Vail’s office, an impressive corner room with tall windows that filled the space with afternoon light. Bookshelves lined the walls, already organized with her extensive collection of magical texts. A massive desk of polished oak dominated one end, while comfortable seating areas invited more casual conversations.

“The plants are settling in nicely,” Clover noted, touching a pot of witch’s bells that chimed softly at her touch. “Though that venomous vine looks a bit peaky.”

“Probably just needs time to adjust to the magical currents,” Sabine said, then checked her enchanted pocket watch. “Speaking of time, I should get these artifacts properly stored before that drum decides to teach the entire academy ancient war songs.”

Romi bounced on her toes. “Don’t forget—tomorrow night’s pizza and wine at my place. Xabir’s been asking when we’re scheduling the spa day at the hotel.”

“As if I could forget all of Clover’s wedding plans,” Vail laughed. “You’ve only been messaging us about color schemes three times a day.”

“Four times, actually,” Clover corrected with a grin. “You missed this morning’s debate about enchanted versus regular roses for the centerpieces.”

“I’ll be there,” Vail promised, hugging each of her friends good-bye. “With bells on—non-enchanted ones, after that incident at your engagement party.”

Madame Zephyrine and Neve exchanged knowing looks before embracing their great-niece. “You’re exactly what this academy needs,” Neve whispered.

“Even if you think you don’t need what the academy might bring you,” Zephyrine added with a wink that made Vail groan.

Left alone in her office, Vail felt the academy’s magic settle around her like a comfortable shawl. Warm currents swirled through the room, making the enchanted ceiling shift to display a sweep of stars despite the afternoon sun still shining. A single shooting star streaked across the magical sky, leaving a trail of golden sparks that scattered like promises waiting to be kept.

She had work to do—ward inspections to complete, curriculum changes to finalize, bridges to build between tradition and progress. But watching those magical stars dance above her desk, Vail couldn’t help smiling. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them with strength, determination, and the support of people who understood both her power and her heart.

One magical crisis at a time.

FIVE

Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Urso & Co., catching dust motes that danced above handcrafted furniture. Kaine stood at the conference table, his massive frame casting a shadow across projected sales figures. A half-empty coffee mug sat forgotten beside him—his third of the morning, though it might as well have been his first for all the effect caffeine had on his bear-shifter metabolism.

“The rustic-chic line exceeded projections by thirty percent.” Burke flipped through spreadsheets on his tablet, his steady voice a counterpoint to the restless energy radiating from his alpha. “Though I suspect it has less to do with our marketing and more to do with the magical resonance our craftsmen leave in the wood.”

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