“I’m sure he does. I’ve been thinking of that, too.” I paused as he snagged my arm, stopping me as someone cut directly in front of me, rushing into a convenience store. “But the school is still full of ghosts, wraiths and Shadow People. Actually, there are probably more there now than there were before.”

“But the difference this time is that I can see them. It won’t just be you that has to keep an eye on them,” he pointed out.

I thought that over as our steps slowed and we neared several stone, abstract shapes that I was guessing were supposed to be artwork at an entrance to a city park. “That school is the last place I want to visit. It gives even me the creeps,” I admitted. “But we may have more luck doing something like that than aimlessly roaming the streets.” Stopping near a stone that looked like an oval doughnut, I looked up at Zayne. “Especially when Gabriel has to know that you aren’t dead.”

“And now a new and improved version,” he added.

I cracked a grin. “And if the demons at Roth’s place sensed Lucifer, then I imagine the ones who have been working with Gabriel also have sensed his arrival.”

“Not to mention his fire display last night.”

I nodded, surprised that was last night. It felt like a week ago. “He’s probably going to be more careful.”

“It’s a plan.” Zayne crossed his arms. “Better than you being bait and letting yourself get caught.”

“That isn’t a bad idea and it’s still not off the table,” I replied, watching Zayne’s jaw harden in the glow of the streetlamp. “I know you don’t like it, but if we can’t get him or Bael to come out by going to the school, we need to try that. I don’t want to wait until we’re days away from the Transfiguration to try to stop him. That’s cutting it too close and that’s—” I stopped as a small group of people crossed the intersection. They were too far away and there wasn’t enough light for me to see their features, but goose bumps spread across my arms as I watched them.

Three of them were talking and laughing among each other, but there was someone behind them—someone whose shadow didn’t look right to me.

Zayne followed my gaze. The group passed under the light spilling out from the park. Three continued on. One didn’t.

I squinted as the person walking behind them stopped and looked over at us.

“Holy shit,” Zayne whispered.

I took a step forward and then another so I could see better.

And immediately wished I hadn’t.

Only half of the man’s head looked right. The other side was misshapen, caved in and, from what I could see, a bloody mess.

I recognized him.

Senator Fisher.

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