“He’s … he’s so sweet. Innocent, kind of. Like when he experiences stuff, it’s for the first time. But then, there’s a part of him that’s all been-there-done-that.” She shrugged. “He’s a bit of a mystery. I’ve never even been to his house.”

“But you like him?”

Her mouth twisted up at one corner. “Well. He’s hot as hell, so how could I not?”

“It’s more than that.”

I felt her quiet burst of laughter on the back of my neck. Most of my hair was piled on top of my head in what she called “a messy updo.” It was organized chaos, but she insisted it looked good. She slid in a final hairpin and stepped back. “It’s a lot more than that,” she agreed. “But we’re taking it slow.”

I couldn’t hide my surprise. She saw the look on my face and slapped my arm. “I’m not a slut. Jeez. But also, he’s kind of old-fashioned. He said we should make sure what we have is ‘real’ before we … he said this was important to him. Too important to rush.” With a hopeful smile, she turned her face away. “We’ll see what happens tonight.”

Indeed we would. Right now, Jim and Malachi were probably strapping weapons to their battle-hard bodies, getting ready to defend the senior class from Mazikin attack. I glanced over at my backpack. Time to add a few critical finishing touches to my own outfit.

I stood up. “I’d better get changed, I guess.”

“Go ahead. Greg said they’d get here at seven.”

I grabbed my backpack and went into Tegan’s enormous bathroom, all marble and brushed nickel. The mirror reflected a stranger, a shimmery-lipped, bronze-cheeked girl. Apart from the scars, a pretty girl.

A girl who would kick serious ass if anyone threatened the people she cared about.

My fist tightened over the strap of my backpack. I pulled out my phone and called Raphael, who answered before the phone had a chance to ring.

“They didn’t possess him,” he said to me by way of greeting. “Henry is himself.”

I exhaled with relief. “How is he?”

“They hurt him very badly. Tortured him, by the looks of it. I’m impersonating a doctor here at the hospital this afternoon, so I’m healing him in spurts. I’ll remove him from their custody later, once I’m sure he won’t die while I’m moving him from place to place.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

“Enjoy your evening,” he said, his tone changing completely, turning bright and casual, sending a chill down my back. “I’ll call you if anything changes. Be careful tonight.” He hung up.