Page 11 of Witchful Thinking

"Shield charm experiment," the student gasped."Fontina tried to modify it.It backfired."

Diana followed Alarick into the haze.They found a girl slumped against the far wall.Diana immediately began assessment spells while Alarick created a protective bubble around them.

"Magical shock and smoke inhalation," Diana reported."We need to get her to the temporary infirmary."

Alarick nodded, carefully lifting the student.His protective bubble maintained itself around them as they moved.The temporary infirmary was dark when they arrived, but lights immediately flickered on as they entered—one of Alarick's innovations that Diana had secretly appreciated.

He stood by, silently offering support and being there to hand her a potion or salve.When magical residue threatened to interfere with the healing process, Diana instinctively adjusted her approach to work within his protective field.

Finally, the student's condition stabilized.

"She'll need to stay overnight for observation," Diana said, adjusting the final healing charm."But she should make a full recovery."

"That was impressive work," Alarick said quietly, his eyes on Diana rather than the patient.

She looked up, suddenly aware of how closely they stood, the adrenaline of the emergency still coursing through her veins."We work well together," she admitted.

"Yes," he agreed."We do."

Something in his voice made her pulse quicken.Diana turned away, busying herself with monitoring charms."You should report this to Principal Starcatcher.I'll stay with the patient."

"I'm not leaving you alone," he said simply.

"I'm perfectly capable—"

"I know you are," he interrupted gently."That's not why I'm staying."

Diana met his eyes again, the unspoken tension between them almost palpable."Why are you staying, then?"

Before he could answer, the student stirred, groaning softly.Diana shifted her attention to her patient, grateful for the interruption yet somehow disappointed by it.

After checking the student's vitals and helping her take a sip of healing potion, Diana settled back into her chair.The girl had drifted off to sleep again, her breathing steady and even.

"You know," Alarick said quietly, pulling up a chair on the opposite side of the bed, "I've been wondering something."

"What's that?"Diana asked, adjusting the monitoring charm hovering above the patient.

"Is the thought of us—you and me—really so terrible?"His direct gaze made evasion impossible.

Diana looked down at her hands."It's complicated."

"Because of our age difference?"

"Partly," she admitted."But also because of our professional relationship."

"You think people would question your judgment.Your professionalism."

"Wouldn't they?The younger man, the older woman...you know how people talk."

"Anyone who's seen you work would never question your expertise," he said with quiet conviction."Besides, I've always had a thing for accomplished women who know what they're doing."

Diana's eyes widened."You're not helping your case."

His laugh was soft but genuine."My point is, I know what I want.And what I want is you, Diana.Not because you're older or despite it.Just because you're you."

The directness of his words left her momentarily speechless.Before she could formulate a response, the patient stirred again, murmuring something in her sleep.

Something shifted between them in that moment, a subtle but unmistakable change that made Diana's heart race.Alarick saw her not just as a healer but as a woman, and for the first time in years, Diana wasn't sure which frightened her more—the possibility that he might stop looking at her that way, or the possibility that he wouldn't.

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