Page 22 of Hex Appeal

Of course.Because the universe had a wicked sense of humor.Sprawled inelegantly on the floor, wrestling a squirming, croaking locker, she looked up to find Malachai standing over her.One perfect eyebrow arched in that infuriatingly attractive way that made her simultaneously want to hex him and kiss him senseless.

"Would you believe me if I said this was a practical lesson in improvised spell reversal?"She tightened her grip as the toad-locker attempted to demonstrate its bass range.

The corner of his mouth twitched—that tiny almost-smile that did ridiculous things to her pulse rate."Given that young Mr.Percutchon is hiding behind that plant trying to become invisible, I suspect not."

The freshman in question emerged from behind a fern with a guilty squeak, looking like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole."I'm sorry, Principal Starcatcher.I just wanted to organize my locker and the spell got out of control."

Malachai sighed, rolling up his sleeves in a gesture that should not have been attractive but somehow revealed just enough forearm to be distracting."Miss Frostwind, shall we?"

Working side by side to corral the escaping amphibians created an unexpected intimacy.Every time they moved close, the air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken tension.The toads, apparently sensing this, abruptly switched their repertoire from the school anthem to what sounded suspiciously like romantic ballads.

By the time they managed to reverse the hex, Malachai's typically pristine tie had developed a distinctly musical croak whenever he moved.

"Well," he said, straightening the rebellious neckwear with as much dignity as one could muster after chasing singing toads, "that was..."

"Ribbiting?"Ceries suggested, unable to resist.

His attempt at a stern glare was undermined by the slight quirk of his lips."That was terrible."

"Toadally."

"Please stop."

His barely suppressed smile only encouraged her.For a moment, it was just the two of them, covered in magical residue and trying not to laugh—no curriculum disputes, no professional boundaries, just shared amusement at the absurdity of their magical lives. Then another emergency called him away and she walked to her next class feeling dreamy.

"They're definitely into each other,” Ceries overheard a student whisper as she passed a group in the corridor.

“Duh,” another replied.'My enchanted mood diary keeps writing 'unresolved tension' whenever they're in the same room.”

“My older sister says Principal Starcatcher used to be different,” a third student added.'Like, before Windermoore.She says he was actually fun and experimental until something went really wrong.'"

Windermoore again.

***

BY WEDNESDAY, CERIEShad almost convinced herself that Monday's amphibian choir would be the week's biggest challenge.Then Pave Cabrales decided to demonstrate a color change hex on her rat familiar.

The pink were-poodle that resulted wouldn't have been so bad if it hadn't immediately started converting everything else in the classroom to match.Desk-poodles chased chalk-poodles while the bookshelf-poodle attempted to terrorize smaller book-poodles.It was chaos, but at least it was color-coordinated chaos.

Naturally, this was the exact moment Malachai chose for his scheduled classroom observation.

He managed one dignified "Professor Frostw—" before the were-poodle's hex caught him full in the face.The sight of Grimm Mawr's strait-laced principal sporting perfectly coiffed poodle ears sent Ceries into a fit of barely contained laughter.

"Don't," he warned, but the humor fighting through his stern expression only made it funnier.

"I wouldn't dream of commenting on your new look," she said, biting her lip to keep from laughing outright."Though I must say, the curl really brings out your eyes."

Their combined casting to reverse the poodle plague had unexpected side effects.The transformed items, before returning to normal, arranged themselves into suspiciously heart-shaped formations.Somewhere, inexplicably, mood music began to play, as if the classroom itself was trying to set a romantic scene.

"Well handled," he said afterward, his voice softer than usual, a slight flush visible at his collar."Though perhaps we should review safety protocols for transformative hexes."

"Over dinner?"The words slipped out before she could stop them.

His eyes darkened with something that definitely wasn't professional interest."Professor Frostwind..."

"Right.Professional distance.Sorry."But the way he was looking at her suggested he was finding that distance as difficult to maintain as she was.

***

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