This was the building where both Arcane students were ostensibly headed. Declan grabbed the College Street entrance door and Justin pushed past him to enter first. With a frown, Declan followed.

Stacia was out of the car as soon as the pair of students had disappeared around the corner of the big building, moving before Chris could more than blink. He hit the back tailgate control, then stepped out of the driver’s door. The huge wolf that flowed out of the rear of the SUV bounded exactly twice, putting him alongside the blonde, who never even looked around. Chris was forced to speed up in order to catch the other two.

“Subtle,” he said.

“Like she doesn’t already know he’s usually surrounded,” Stacia growled. “You don’t want her to panic. I want her to run away.”

“An individual matching the body type and general appearance of Professor Lilt is leaving a newer model Subaru Impreza approximately one hundred thirty-two yards ahead of you, parked directly behind the administration building. Veer left behind those trees now,” Omega instructed.

Instantly, all three turned right, moving behind a strategically placed set of maple trees occupying green space between car lots. They slowed and peered through gaps in the crimson and orange foliage. Ahead of them, a gray head moved slowly toward the rear of Waterman, a thick leather portfolio clutched under the woman’s left arm.

A few moments later, she stiffly entered the building, the heavy door closing behind her.

“That was an incarnate demon?” Stacia asked, eyes wide.

“It’s a deadly disguise. Add in a first-hand knowledge of human nature and you have an interesting way to get close to an intelligent young student.”

“I was expecting some super babe. That’s somehow worse than I thought,” she said, stepping out from behind the trees and moving purposefully toward the building.

Inside the Waterman Building, Declan said goodbye to Justin, who didn’t seem ready to go into his own classroom quite yet. The young witch, however, felt a need to get into the room and confront his own demon—literally.

The room was two-thirds full and still filling up, but there was no professor yet as he circled along the side wall and then across the back, pausing periodically, setting down his bag as if to take a seat. Then, perhaps changing his mind, he moved on, doing this three times before he ended up in the back, where he had been last class.

“Hey Declan,” Alli greeted him. He froze, studying her so intently that she drew back and asked, “What? What’s the matter?”

“You need to get out of here,” he whispered, leaning down close so the people around them couldn’t hear.

“What? Why?”

He shook his head. “Just get your stuff and leave—now.”