Page 30 of Witchful Thinking

"Professor Ellwood," Raven's voice cracked like a whip."Step away from the control stone immediately."

Ellwood turned, his eyes glowing with the same unhealthy green light."Too late, Headmistress.The enhancement is already integrated.Adelweiss will be pleased."

"What exactly is he doing?"Diana demanded, her diagnostic magic already assessing the damage.

"Ensuring Grimm Mawr will be forced to purchase Adelweiss's 'safety equipment' after this unfortunate incident," Ellwood smiled coldly."The practice dummies will keep absorbing spell energy and growing stronger.By the time you realize the full extent, every school will be clamoring for our protective gear."

Alarick was already moving, his hands tracing complex patterns."He's introduced an absorption enhancement," he reported."The dummies are designed to feed on offensive magic—the more spells cast against them, the stronger they become."

Diana looked to Raven."Can it be reversed?"

"That depends," Raven replied, her gaze shifting to Alarick."Mr.Blackthorn?"

"Yes, but it won't be easy," he said, beginning a counter-spell."I need to sever the connection between the dummies and the control stone without triggering their defense mechanisms.Like disarming multiple explosive devices simultaneously."

"I can help with that," Diana stepped forward.

Their eyes met, understanding passing between them.This would require their connection at its strongest—a complete merging of their complementary abilities.

As Raven secured Ellwood with binding spells, Diana and Alarick approached the control stone together.Their hands joined, golden light immediately flaring between their palms, growing brighter as they focused.

"I'll target the individual connections," Diana murmured."You neutralize the master control."

Alarick nodded, and together they reached toward the corrupted stone.The moment they touched it, Diana felt the malevolent magic trying to latch onto them, to draw their power just as it was drawing from the students' spells.

But their fusion created a barrier it couldn't penetrate.The golden light of their combined power surrounded the corruption, containing it, systematically severing the connections between the master stone and each practice dummy.

For what seemed like hours but might have been minutes, they worked in perfect harmony, Diana's precise magical surgery cutting the energy tendrils while Alarick's protective spells prevented the backlash that would have triggered catastrophic detonation.The golden threads of their fusion grew so bright that Raven shielded her eyes, watching in amazement as the sickly green light gradually faded from each practice dummy.

With a final surge of combined power, they neutralized the master control stone.The last dummy shuddered and fell inert, the green glow dissipating like smoke in wind.

"It's done," Alarick said, voice ragged with exhaustion."The system is clean, though the dummies are fried.They'll need complete replacement."

Diana swayed slightly, magical exertion catching up with her.Alarick caught her arm, his own face pale with fatigue but his eyes shining with something that made her heart race despite her exhaustion.

"That was..."she began, unable to find words for what they'd just experienced.

"I know," he said softly."For me too."

Raven cleared her throat, reminding them of her presence."Excellent work, both of you.I believe this concludes any debate about the value of your...magical collaboration."

Diana felt herself blush, but couldn't find it in herself to be truly embarrassed.What they'd just accomplished went beyond professional achievement or personal relationship—it was a perfect fusion of both.

"Nurse Maelstrom, Mr.Blackthorn," Raven continued, "you're both relieved of duties for the remainder of the day to recover your magical strength.I suggest you make good use of that time."The slight arch of her eyebrow made it clear she wasn't just talking about rest.

As they made their way back to Diana's quarters, leaning on each other for support, Alarick's arm around her waist, Diana thought this was what she wanted. Not the magical disasters and being overworked to the point of exhaustion, but being next to Alarick.

"Alarick," she said as her door closed behind them."I have to tell you something.”

"Me first.”

“Okay, go ahead.”She laughed.

“I’m falling in love with you.

“The golden threads of their fusion, though dimmed by fatigue, still connected them, responding to the truth of his words.Diana felt the last of her reservations dissolving in its warm light.

"You took the words right out of my mouth."

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