Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
V ail paused in Arcane Academy’s quiet foyer, taking a moment to appreciate how the morning sun transformed the normally austere space into something almost ethereal. Her fingers traced through a particularly vibrant ray of light, and her fire magic responded instinctively, making the colors ripple and dance like the Aurora Borealis.
The simple meditation did little to settle her racing thoughts. Every time she closed her eyes, she relived last night’s kiss with Kaine. His fingers had traced her cheek with surprising gentleness for such powerful hands, the magnetic pull between them that had nothing to do with supernatural energy and everything to do with attraction.
“Not helping,” she muttered, smoothing her navy blazer for the tenth time. The silver buttons caught the light, reminding her of the gold flecks in Kaine’s eyes. She groaned. “Really not helping.”
Focus on the lesson plan. The hybrid magic tutorials needed structure, clear objectives, measurable progress markers. She could do this. She was a professional, after all. The fact that her magic sparked and danced at the mere thought of working closely with Kaine again meant nothing. Absolutely nothing.
The ward stones near the entrance suddenly pulsed with golden light, matching her treacherously quick heartbeat. A familiar warmth spread through her magical core, recognition flooding her system moments before a deep voice filled the foyer.
“Morning, Headmistress.”
The way he said her title shouldn’t affect her so strongly. It definitely shouldn’t make her magic surge enough to set the crystal chandelier chiming overhead. Vail turned, hoping her expression appeared more composed than she felt.
Kaine filled the doorway like some ancient guardian statue come to life, dawn light catching the strong lines of his jaw and the gold in his eyes. His charcoal shirt stretched across broad shoulders that somehow managed to look both intimidating and inviting. The contrast between his imposing presence and the gentle way he steadied Daisy beside him made something in Vail’s chest squeeze tight.
“Hi, Headmistress Vail!” Daisy beamed, her entire being radiating excitement. “Uncle Kaine said we’re doing special magic practice today. He talked about it all through breakfast. Well, he tried to talk about other stuff, too, but he kept coming back to?—“
“The tutorial room’s ready,” Vail cut in quickly, not missing how Kaine’s ears reddened slightly. “We should head over before the other students arrive.” She gestured toward the east wing, pretending not to notice how her magic reached for his automatically, creating little sparks of gold where their auras overlapped.
“About last night,” Kaine started, his voice pitched low enough that only she could hear. “I wanted to?—“
“Later?” Vail wasn’t proud of how breathless she sounded. “We should really focus on?—“
“The lesson. Right.” His mouth quirked up at one corner, that subtle almost-smile that made her pulse skip. “Though we will need to discuss?—“
“Uncle Kaine!” Daisy tugged at his sleeve. “You promised to show me that grounding skill. You said it would help with the...” she glanced around conspiratorially before whispering, “you know, the curse stuff.”
The mention of Daisy’s curse sobered them both instantly. Vail watched how Kaine’s entire demeanor shifted, protective instincts rising to the surface as he guided his niece toward the practice room. The way he balanced strength with tenderness, fierce protection with gentle encouragement – it stirred something deep in Vail’s chest that she wasn’t ready to examine too closely.
The practice space slowly filled with young witches and shifters, their excited chatter echoing off ancient stone walls lined with enchanted tapestries. Vail moved among them, demonstrating proper hybrid magic form while trying not to be hyperaware of Kaine’s presence across the room.
Near the window, a young wolf shifter named Beck struggled visibly with a basic merging exercise. His moon-aligned magic kept slipping sideways instead of weaving properly with the witch elements, frustration evident in the set of his shoulders.
“Having trouble?” Vail asked, keeping her voice gentle as she approached. Up close, she could see how his hands trembled slightly with effort.
“It won’t work.” Beck’s words came out clipped, anger barely masking embarrassment. “The energies keep fighting each other. Maybe some of us aren’t meant to?—“