Page 35 of Witchful Thinking

They dressed reluctantly, stealing glances and touches that sent shimmers of gold dancing between them.Two days had passed since their confrontation with Professor Ellwood and the corrupted practice dummies, and life had settled into a sweet rhythm—working together during the day, returning to her quarters in the evenings.

"The tournament starts at ten," Alarick reminded her, rolling up his sleeves in that maddeningly attractive way."I need to do one final inspection of the replacement equipment."

Diana groaned dramatically."I still don't understand why I need to be there for equipment checks."

"Because," he replied, cupping her face and stealing a quick kiss, "I managed to convince the Magical Sports Federation to require a medical expert to certify all tournament gear after the Ellwood incident.You're the best there is."

"Flattery will get you everywhere," she sighed despite the smile tugging at her lips.

The walk to the dueling arena was filled with playful banter and casual touches, each sending ripples of golden light between them.Diana couldn't remember feeling this complete—as though her magic had found its perfect dance partner.

Griggs, a stocky wizard with perpetual worry lines, was already inspecting a collection of gleaming wands and shields when they arrived.Their fusion hummed with mutual professional pride as they joined him, creating a soft glow where their hands brushed over the equipment.

"These replacement wands are first-rate," Griggs commented."After that disaster with the Adelweiss gear, I wasn't sure we'd find alternatives in time."

"The Federation came through," Alarick said, checking the safety charms on a shield."Though I'm still examining every piece myself."

Diana was testing a wand's magical feedback limits when Ceries burst into the room, her usually perfect rose-gold hair disheveled, eyes wide with alarm.

"There you are!Raven needs you both immediately."She glanced nervously at the equipment."Adelweiss has been spotted on campus."

The playful mood evaporated instantly.Diana felt Alarick's magic pulse with shock through their fusion.

"What?How?"Alarick demanded."After what his agent did—"

"Diplomatic immunity," Ceries explained grimly."His position on the International Confederation of Wizards grants him sanctuary until formal charges are filed.And the Magical Justice Department is still 'reviewing evidence.'"

"Politics," Diana spat, already heading for the door."Where is he?"

"That's the problem," Ceries said, hurrying to keep up."He requested a meeting with Raven, but never showed.Campus security can't locate him."

They rushed to Headmistress Raven's office, their fusion humming with shared tension.Raven looked up as they entered, Edgar fixing them with his unsettling stare.

"We have a situation," Raven stated flatly."Adelweiss requested a meeting, claiming he wanted to 'clear up misunderstandings' about Professor Ellwood's actions.He then vanished from his escort near the east wing."

"The tournament arena," Alarick realized, face paling."The equipment—"

"Is secured," Raven assured him."But there are other vulnerabilities.The tournament draws magical energy from Grimm Mawr's ley line nexus to power the protective barriers."

A terrible suspicion formed in Diana's mind."If someone wanted to siphon magical energy on a massive scale..."

"The control room during tournament initialization would be ideal," Alarick finished."When hundreds of young mages begin casting simultaneously."

They split up to search, Diana and Alarick taking the arena's underground levels while Raven and Malachai checked the upper sections.Their fusion allowed them to sense magical disturbances more acutely, guiding them through the labyrinthine maintenance tunnels.

"There," Diana whispered, pointing to a faint green glow emanating from beneath a heavy oak door."The ley line access chamber."

They approached cautiously, their fusion dampened to avoid detection.Through the partially open door, they could see Adelweiss hunched over an ancient control stone, murmuring incantations as he placed small crystalline devices at specific points.

"Energy siphons," Alarick breathed, recognition dawning."Like the ones in the practice dummies, but more sophisticated."

"What's he doing?"Diana asked, watching as Adelweiss connected the crystals with threads of sickly green magic.

"Creating a bypass," Alarick explained, tension evident in his voice."When the tournament begins and the ley lines activate to power the arena's protections, his devices will redirect a portion of that energy."

"For what purpose?"

"Nothing good," he replied grimly."That much raw power could fuel rituals that have been forbidden for centuries."

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