“No. I’ve never really seen Declan make threats. He just acts. Oh, it always comes after he’s exhausted all other means of resolution because his aunt raised him to support his community, not hurt it,” Chris said. “I don’t like threats either, making them or especially receiving them. Your tone, Senator, has been, in my estimation, threatening.”

While Chris was talking, Stacia hopped lightly onto the side of the bed and began to cut up the ham, making a little pile of bite-sized pieces, which almost immediately began to float toward the hungry witch.

McCluskey opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, repeating this several times as he watched the telekinetic display.

“Maybe it’s time I was done with school anyway,” Declan said after swallowing his latest mouthful, looking at Chris and Stacia. “They also kind of have a point. With last night, that’s six times I’ve been involved in violent attacks here.”

Chris didn’t move for a moment, obviously thinking things through. Then finally he nodded.

“I’ll talk to Tanya. Maybe we’re all done with school.”

“What’s that mean?” Mayor Jordan asked, frowning.

“I mean that perhaps it’s time College Arcane moved locations,” Chris said.

The mayor took a breath and stared at him. “What? That’s not what we’re asking for. Not closing the school. Just, you know, making the city less of a target.”

“We put the school here mostly just for Declan. It’s worked out really well for all the young people involved. But if he’s not here, I don’t think we’re going to want to keep it going, at least not in its current form. We only set it up here because this was close to his home and checked off all the other requirements.”

“What about the monetary obligations to the colleges?” she asked.

“Obligations is a pretty strong word. We gave assurances, which in turn were based on our attendees’ experiences,” Chris said, then waved a hand at the four delegates. “You gotta admit, the current experience is not all that great. It’s been hard enough keeping him here as it is. Now that you’ve decided he’s not welcome, I can’t see why we would ask him to stay—or why we would stay at all.”

“So this seems a lot like you making a threat,” McCluskey said.

“Listen, the four of you, an official delegation, including law enforcement for emphasis, come in here and demand that the young man who you admit helped save your city, leave. He’s not the only potential target at Arcane, not by a long shot. My goddaughter lives there. We have students with incredible talents, any of who would be attractive to this world’s enemies. Why would you stop at just one young student?” Chris asked.