“How did I not know that?” Declan asked, embarrassed, pushing the door open and holding it for his friend.

“Probably because you usually drive up. I’ve seen you running into the building at the last minute.” Justin grabbed the outer door and did the same thing for Declan.

“Oh, yeah. Parking is sometimes an issue, even with an all-lots pass. Hey, you can ride up with me when the weather gets cold—colder.”

“I’m a bear, Declan. I don’t really get cold.”

“True, true. Well anytime you need a ride, let me know.”

“You’re not driving today,” Justin pointed out. They were on the sidewalk headed uphill, and nowhere near the parking lot.

“Yeah, well I thought I’d give Beast a rest. Gas is kinda high right now and I can use the exercise,” Declan said.

“Good points. But you have money, and plus you’re acting like bait,” Justin added.

The kid was quiet but he didn’t seem to miss much, Declan thought.

“And you’re walking with me deliberately, aren’t you?” he asked back.

“Well your girlfriend is sleeping, so it’s not a bad idea for someone to watch your back,” Justin said, looking at the sidewalk ahead of them. “Plus, no offense, but you witches can’t smell for shit.”

Declan burst out with a short, sharp laugh, caught off guard again. “Would you know what a demon smelled like?”

Justin nodded. “You’ve come in from… excursions with Mr. Gordon and I’ve smelled them on your clothes. Pretty much the whole floor has smelled them. All the weres at Arcane are on the lookout for that kind of smell.”

There were over twenty weres, mostly wolves, at Arcane. They took classes at UVM, Champlain College, and some at Saint Michaels in Colchester. That was a lot of sensitive noses spread out around the Burlington area. Someone, sometime had to catch a whiff of that demon soon, Declan thought.

“Justin… thanks for having my back,” he said.

“Thanks for the introduction to the big bear. My brother is gonna flip out when he hears this.”

“Maybe you should wait and we’ll get a photo of you and him to send to Leonard,” Declan suggested.

Justin snapped around to look at the young witch, eyes searching to see if he was kidding. Then he lit up with a smile. “That would rock,” he said.

The witch and the werebear continued on up the hill.