Page 20 of Hex Appeal

"You lost that option when you went to Thorncraft."But even as he said it, he knew he was being unfair.He hadn't given her much choice.

"What choice did I have?You won't even explain why you're so against this.Twenty-three students.Windermoore Academy.What happened?Why won't you tell me?"

"That's not relevant to this discussion."The lie tasted bitter.

"It's completely relevant.Something made you this afraid of hexes."

"Afraid?"His perfect control cracked like ice in spring, emotions he'd kept carefully frozen breaking through."You think this is about fear?This is about a hex that can spiral out of control in seconds.About students who think they know better than safety protocols.About—" He cut himself off, hands clenched on his desk until his knuckles turned white.

Her hair shifted to sympathy-silver, softening along with her expression.She moved toward him, but he stepped back, unable to handle her compassion on top of everything else.

"Mal..."Her voice gentled, reaching for him where her hand couldn't."Whatever happened..."

"Principal Starcatcher," he corrected coldly, retreating behind formality like a shield charm."Since we're being so professional about going through proper channels."

Her hair flinched to hurt-gray, as if he'd physically struck her."I was trying to do the right thing for our students."

"By betraying my trust?"

"I didn't—" Her words cut off as Thorncraft swept in without knocking, his timing so perfect it was suspicious.

"Ah, discussing the new curriculum?"His smile held triumph barely disguised as professional interest."I trust you're being supportive of Ms.Frostwind's innovative methods, Principal Starcatcher?"

Malachai's tie went rigid enough to stand at attention."Ms.Frostwind and I were just discussing proper procedures for curriculum changes."

"Excellent.Though I remind you that all staffing decisions, including disciplinary actions, require board approval."Thorncraft's benevolent smile didn't reach his eyes, which remained calculating and cold."We wouldn't want to lose such a promising young teacher or a venerable principal over procedural disagreements."

The threat was clear as enchanted crystal.Magical objects throughout the office seemed to hold their breath, inkwells freezing mid-bubble.

"Now," Thorncraft continued, clearly enjoying his power play, "I believe you both have more productive things to do.I look forward to seeing the Bewildering Fog Hex properly incorporated into our defensive magic curriculum."

He swept out, robes billowing importantly, leaving them in crackling silence filled with unspoken words and wounded feelings.Ceries's hair cycled through regret-blue and determination-gold, unable to settle on a single emotion.

"I wasn't trying to betray your trust," she said quietly, sincerity evident in every syllable."I just want to protect our students."

"Understood."His voice was pure principal again, all personal feelings buried under professional distance."Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

She left, closing the door with a gentleness that somehow hurt more than if she'd slammed it.The soft click felt like an ending.

Malachai slumped in his chair, tie finally loosening its death grip on his neck.They were in even more trouble than before.Because despite her going behind his back, despite the professional boundaries she'd crossed, despite everything...

He still wanted to argue magical theory with her until her hair turned that perfect shade of passionate conviction.Still wanted to kiss that stubborn determination right off her face.Still found himself admiring her courage in fighting for what she believed was right.

Worse, part of him wondered if she was right about the hex.About giving students real defensive options.About preparing them for a world that wouldn't wait for them to master basic theory before throwing dangerous situations their way.

His watch chain drooped mournfully, pointing toward the door she'd just exited like a compass that had lost its true north.

Even his magical accessories were taking her side.

A soft knock interrupted his brooding.'Enter,' he called, expecting it to be a student.Instead, Headmistress Raven's raven familiar flew in, dropped a sealed note on his desk, and departed without waiting for a response.The note simply read:Be patient.Not all is as it seems.-R

She was so mysterious.

Through the window, he could see Ceries crossing the courtyard, her back straight but her hair still cycling through shades of regret and resolve.A group of students immediately surrounded her, faces eager as they asked questions.Even from this distance, he could see how she lit up when teaching, how her entire being focused on helping them learn.

Just like he used to be.Before Windermoore.Before twenty-three students ended up in the hospital wing because he'd been too confident, too willing to push boundaries.

Before he'd lost his nerve along with his passion.

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