Page 5 of Hex Appeal

"Can we please not discuss last night?"Ceries yanked open another drawer, disturbing a family of dust bunnies that had evolved their own tiny civilization.

"But his tie, Ceries.The purse said it stayed perfectly straight even when—"

"We are not discussing his tie!"Her hair shifted to mortified magenta.

Her enchanted planner chose that moment to clear its throat loudly from the desk."Forty-seven minutes until your first day at your new teaching position," it announced with the prissy disapproval of a chaperone who'd caught students sneaking out after curfew."Which you'll be late for if you don't stop ransacking your apartment like a deranged raccoon on caffeine."

"I can't go without my bracelet."Ceries upended a potted plant.No bracelet, but the plant looked offended."It's my lucky charm."

"Oh, now you're worried about luck?"The mirror's tone could have frosted glass."Was that before or after you demonstrated advanced shield charms on his pillow?"

"That was different.I was making an educational point."

"Is that what they're calling it now?Because purse said—"

Ceries threw a sock at the mirror, which deflected it with a prissy little shimmer.The sock executed a perfect dive into her coffee cup, creating a tiny splash that somehow managed to look judgmental.

Most magical items developed personalities over time, absorbing ambient magic and their owners' emotions.But Ceries had always had particularly expressive accessories.Her mother claimed it was because she 'felt too much.'Whatever the reason, her possessions seemed determined to broadcast her feelings when she least wanted them known.

She supposed she could just pop back to Mal's apartment.Ten minutes, tops.Except...she was fuzzy on where his place actually was, having staggered there in a cherry bomb-induced haze of attraction and magical theory debates.Last night's teleportation home had been fueled by equal parts embarrassment and lingering tingles.

"Professional witches don't do the walk of shame," she told her reflection firmly."Especially not on their first day at a new job."

"If you say so," the mirror said doubtfully."But your hair is still the color of questionable life choices and morning regrets."

"I don't regret anything," she muttered, then immediately regretted saying it as her hair betrayed her with a dreamy rose-gold shimmer.

No.She was absolutely not thinking about last night.Or Mal's perfectly pressed shirt crumpled on the floor.Or how his impeccably straight tie had ended up hanging from a lampshade.Or the way he'd whispered magical theory into her ear like sweet nothings while his hands—

Nope.Professional thoughts only.

Her reflection smirked knowingly.

Forty-three minutes later, Ceries stood before the gates of Grimm Mawr Academy.Her hair had settled into a relatively professional shade of auburn, though occasional streaks of nervous lavender kept sneaking through like rebellious teenagers testing curfew.

The school was imposing in that way only magical institutions could manage—Gothic architecture with a hint of "we could turn you into something unpleasant if provoked."Gargoyles peered down from the roof, not decorative but actual sentient guardians who appeared to be judging her outfit.

"Ms.Frostwind?"

Ceries spun around, nearly colliding with a witch in practical green robes.The woman's shrewd eyes took in Ceries's color-shifting hair with the analytical precision of someone diagnosing an interesting rash.

"I'm Diana Maelstrom, the school nurse."Her handshake was firm, professional, and warm enough to be reassuring."Welcome to Grimm Mawr.I have to say, we were all quite surprised when Trustee Thorncraft hired you so quickly."

"Surprised?"Ceries's hair added a streak of uncertainty gray.

"Oh yes.Usually the principal handles all teaching appointments personally.But with him away at that conference..."Diana's tone suggested volumes of internal politics and staff room gossip."Well, I'm sure it will all work out.Headmistress Raven approved it, after all, though she did seem...intrigued by Thorncraft's insistence."

Diana's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she led Ceries through corridors that seemed designed by someone who'd taken "maze" as an architectural challenge rather than a warning.

"The assembly hall is just through here.I'm supposed to escort you to the faculty section.The other teachers are eager to meet you."

Ceries tried to concentrate on Diana's tour, but her mind kept wandering back to her missing bracelet.And the man she'd left it with.And the fact that she'd spent half the night arguing magical theory between kisses, demonstrating shield charms in increasingly creative ways, and now she'd probably never see him again because that's just how her luck went.

The assembly hall was already crowded with students in black and silver robes.Some looked bright-eyed and eager; others had the glazed expression of teenagers who'd been forced to wake up before noon.Diana steered her toward the faculty section, making introductions that Ceries immediately forgot because her brain had apparently decided to replay highlights from last night instead of processing new information.

"Good morning, everyone."The tall wizard with steel-gray hair and an expensive suit who had interviewed her took the podium."I'm Trustee Thorncraft, and I'm delighted to welcome you all to another year at Grimm Mawr Academy.We have several new faces to introduce, but first..."

Something caught Ceries's eye.Something silver, glinting at the end of a watch chain.Something that looked exactly like...

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