“Weak? Some of the most powerful witches ever to live kept their distance from demons,” he replied. “Or in some cases, kept control of a demon or two.”

“Oh? That what your mommy taught you?” she said snidely. The confused kids now looked almost sick, but again, most of the class stayed frozen.

“Sure, among other sources,” he said easily, not rising to her taunt.

She raised her eyebrows. “Sources, O’Carroll? You’ve got sources?”

“Yeah, the Book of Darkest Sorrow had whole chapters devoted to the stuff, Professor Lilt… or is it Lilith?” he asked.

“Oh, class, look how smart he is. He’s read a book, maybe two. Learned some kid stories from his mommy. And good guess, O’Carroll. Spot on, although I only gave you the biggest hint possible.”

One of the confused kids, the one who had spoken up first, shoved his computer in his bag and started to stand up, obviously ready to get the hell out.

“Sit down!” she said, voice firm but not overly loud.

The kid kept packing, his hands shaking, until the student next to him and the one behind him grabbed his arms and shoulders and shoved him forcefully back into his chair. Declan noticed that both of them had copper bracelets on their left wrists.

“Move again, kid, and I’ll rip your arms out and write on the walls with them,” Lilith said. “But at least now, I can drop this ugly form.” She shook her hair and it blackened to a glossy wave, even as her body straightened and grew several inches taller. Her face became younger, beautiful and exotic, as her figure changed and filled out, the baggy dress getting shorter as her legs grew and her bust filled out the front.

“Ah, that’s better. The old crone look is tedious. Useful but so, so boring. Better to take my rightful form,” she said, smiling, eyes still locked on Declan.

“Fake form. Maybe your first mimic of a human, way back when Mesopotamia was young, but still fake,” Declan said.

Her smile disappeared. “My true form is accounted beautiful too. More than your tiny brain could handle, baby witch.”

“Whatever,” he said, waving away her words. “Listen, I can see you’ve been busy handing out your little mind control bracelets and all, but you can’t think that’s going to make much of a difference, can you?”

“Depends. How much damage are you willing to do to your classmates?” Lilith said. As if on cue, most of the class turned in their seats and stared at him with cold, hard eyes.

“Creepy,” he said with a theatrical shudder. “Perhaps they should catch up on their sleep?” He waved a hand at the girls in front of him, both sporting bracelets and killer stares. Nothing happened. He frowned.