Page 1 of Witchful Thinking

Chapter 1

Diana Maelstrom hadtreated every magical malady imaginable in her fifteen years as head nurse at Grimm Mawr Academy for Witches and Warlocks.Boils that recited Shakespeare.Fevers that turned students into human thermometers.Even that memorable incident with the tap-dancing earwax.But nothing—absolutely nothing—had prepared her for Alarick Blackthorn strolling back into her infirmary as if he hadn't spent the last two months installing singing medicine cabinets and self-refilling potion dispensers before disappearing.

"Good morning, Diana," he said with that infuriating half-smile that did absolutely nothing to her pulse rate.Nothing at all.Certainly not making it skip like a freshman attempting a levitation charm."Ready for your upgrade?"

Diana straightened to her full height, which still left her looking up at him—a fact that irritated her almost as much as the way his dark hair curled slightly at the collar of his shirt.When had he gotten so...tall?And why did the universe insist on making her notice?

"Mr.Blackthorn.What an unexpected intrusion."She emphasized his surname like it was a particularly nasty potion ingredient."I wasn't aware we'd scheduled an apocalypse today."

"Not an apocalypse.Just a renovation."He unrolled blueprints across her treatment counter, his sleeves already rolled up to reveal forearms that should have required a warning label."Principal Starcatcher signed off on it last week."

Diana made a mental note to hex Malachai at the earliest opportunity.Perhaps something involving spontaneous hair loss in embarrassing patterns."There must be some mistake.We have forty students currently practicing experimental defensive magic this summer.This is literally the worst possible time—"

"Actually, it's perfect," Alarick countered, tapping the blueprints with a finger that should not have been so distracting."With all that experimental magic, you need updated protective wards.The current system was designed when the most dangerous thing students practiced was tickling charms."

A whimper from the corner interrupted their standoff.Diana glanced over to see Eliza Camembert clutching her arm with the dramatic flair only a fourteen-year-old can muster.

"Excuse me.I have a patient."Diana turned her back on him and focused on the girl's minor deflection burn."Almost done, Eliza.Just one more cooling charm."

She waved her wand in a precise figure-eight pattern, blue light settling over the reddened skin.The burn faded instantly.

"Thank you, Nurse Maelstrom."Eliza's attention immediately pivoted to Alarick with the radar-like precision teenagers reserve for attractive people within a fifty-foot radius."Um, is there going to be construction?Because I could totally help.I'm very good at, um, holding things."

Diana resisted the urge to roll her eyes into another dimension.Perfect.Another teenage girl succumbing to the Blackthorn Effect.

"That won't be necessary," Diana said firmly."Because there isn't going to be any construction.Not during summer program."

"I don't need help, but thanks for the offer," Alarick told the girl with a smile that made her blush furiously.Then, catching Diana's death glare, he added, "The construction zone will be strictly off-limits to students for safety reasons."

"Okay, but if you need anything—anything at all—I'm in the east dormitory.Room 304.For emergencies.Medical emergencies.Or construction emergencies.Or whatever."Eliza backed toward the door, nearly tripping over her own feet.

"Don't forget to reapply the cooling salve tonight," Diana called after her, wondering when exactly her infirmary had become a venue for teenage flirtation.

She turned back to face Alarick, arms crossed."I cannot have construction in my medical facility during the busiest training session of the year.And I cannot have you distracting my patients with your..."she waved a hand vaguely toward his entire person, "...contractor presence."

"My contractor presence?"Alarick's eyebrows rose."Is that a medical term?"

"It's somewhere between a workplace hazard and a public nuisance," she retorted.

A sharp knock interrupted them, and Headmistress Raven swept into the infirmary, midnight robes billowing despite the complete absence of wind.Edgar, her raven familiar, surveyed the room from her shoulder with unnervingly intelligent eyes.

"Nurse Maelstrom.Mr.Blackthorn."Raven nodded to each of them, her expression suggesting she'd rather be dealing with a troll rebellion than staff disagreements.

"Headmistress," Diana began, "there seems to be a misunderstanding—"

"The board approved these renovations six months ago," Raven cut in with the finality of someone who'd already won the argument before it started."They were specifically scheduled to coincide with Mr.Blackthorn's availability.A temporary medical station in the west corridor has been arranged."

Diana opened her mouth, then closed it.Arguing with Raven was like trying to convince water to flow uphill—technically possible with magic, but exhausting and ultimately pointless.

"Oh, and you'll need to work directly with Mr.Blackthorn to ensure proper calibration of the wards," Raven added, a glint in her eye that suggested she found this arrangement amusing.

"Work directly with—"

"Is that a problem?"Raven's arched eyebrow dared her to object.

"No, Headmistress."Diana forced her expression to remain neutral, though she could have sworn she saw Edgar wink at her.Ridiculous bird.

"Good.I expect your cooperation will make this project proceed smoothly."With that, Raven swept out, Edgar giving one last knowing look over his feathered shoulder.

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