Page 33 of Hex Appeal

Before he could respond, the doors swung open with ominous precision.

Inside, thirteen board members sat around an enormous table that practically radiated authority.Magical ledgers floated at attention while self-writing quills stood ready to record the proceedings.Thorncraft occupied the chairman's seat like a king on his throne, his satisfaction barely concealed behind a mask of professional concern.

Notably absent was Headmistress Raven, whose seat at the right hand of the chairman remained conspicuously empty.

"Principal Starcatcher.Ms.Frostwind."Thorncraft's voice held manufactured disappointment."Please be seated."

Their chairs positioned themselves with military precision—notably far apart, as if proximity alone might trigger another scandal.Ceries lifted her chin defiantly as she sat.Malachai's posture remained impeccable, though his tie seemed to be attempting to strangle him.

"The board has convened," Thorncraft began with pompous formality, "to address serious concerns about professional conduct."He gestured, and a series of magical projections appeared in the air."These incidents have been documented thoroughly."

The first image showed them at The Enchanted Cork, heads close together over wine glasses.Another captured their dance at the Valentine's celebration.More followed: stolen moments in corridors, lingering looks during classes—all seemingly innocent separately, but damning when compiled.

"We have multiple witness accounts," Thorncraft continued with barely disguised satisfaction, "of inappropriate behavior between a principal and his subordinate.The romantic nature of their relationship has been observed by students, staff, and even school fixtures throughout the building."

Through the board room windows, several practice dummies peeked in with obvious concern before a stern suit of armor shooed them away.In the corner, a gargoyle that normally guarded the eastern entrance was pretending not to eavesdrop.

"Furthermore," Thorncraft gestured to a stack of floating reports, "Principal Starcatcher's judgment appears compromised by this relationship.His opposition to Ms.Frostwind's curriculum proposals, followed by their sudden approval after intimate encounters suggests serious ethical concerns."

"That's not true," Ceries interjected, unable to remain silent."He's been fighting me every step of the way on the advanced hexes.He's been nothing but professional about the curriculum."

"And yet here you are," Thorncraft's smile was cold as winter, "defending him rather passionately, I might add."

Malachai sat very still.Ceries felt sick as understanding dawned with terrible clarity.

"You hired me because of the Bewildering Fog Hex," she realized, the pieces finally clicking into place."You knew Malachai would oppose it.You wanted this conflict."

"I hired a promising young teacher with progressive ideas about defensive magic," Thorncraft corrected smoothly."That she and the principal would end up in such a compromising position was a disappointment."

The magical ledgers rustled disapprovingly while several board members exchanged shocked looks.Ceries met Thorncraft's gaze unflinchingly.

"This was your plan all along," Malachai said, his voice deadly quiet."Create a conflict over curriculum, then force me out."

"Nonsense.You've done this to yourself.The board has no choice but to act," Thorncraft declared with a well-rehearsed sigh."We cannot have a principal who's romantically involved with his staff.The potential for abuse of power—"

"The only abuse of power," Ceries interrupted, rising to her feet, "is you manipulating this situation for your own agenda.I quit."

The self-writing quills dropped in shock, splattering ink across the pristine reports.One particularly dramatic quill fainted into an inkwell.

"Ms.Frostwind," Thorncraft's voice hardened to granite."Your curriculum has been approved by the board.The students need your expertise.Unless you'd prefer I make it known throughout the magical education community that you engaged in an inappropriate relationship with your superior?"

Malachai straightened in his chair."I accept the termination of my position, effective immediately."His voice was formal, controlled, though his eyes held a storm."There's no need to threaten Ms.Frostwind's future career."

"Excellent," Thorncraft smiled like a cat with a canary."Ms.Frostwind, you'll continue with the approved curriculum."

"No.I meant what I said.I quit too."

"Don't be foolish.You fought for these reforms.The board approved your lesson plans.This is everything you wanted."

"Not like this."She looked at Malachai, at the man who'd finally trusted her with his deepest professional failure, who'd challenged her even as he'd fallen for her."Not at this cost."

"The cost?"Thorncraft laughed, the sound hollow and triumphant."You've been fighting him on this hex since day one.Now you can teach it exactly as you planned."

"I believed in my curriculum.I still do.But I won't be your pawn to force it through."She gathered her papers with dignity."Find someone else to teach your hexes."

A slow clap from the doorway cut through the tension like a knife.Every head turned to see Headmistress Raven standing in the entrance, her midnight-black robes billowing impressively despite the absence of wind.Her raven familiar, Edgar, perched on her shoulder, fixing Thorncraft with an unnervingly intelligent stare.

"How theatrical," the Headmistress observed dryly.

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