“What happened to Mr. Jenkins and Principal Ollie?” asked a human student. “I saw them both this morning.”

“They, along with Zane, your crossing guard, are away doing important work,” she explained.

“What important work?” asked another kid.

“Enough questions!” Miss Ida said as she turned to the whiteboard and erased Shangó’s theories on dark energy. “Today’s lesson will be a refresher on cells and cell structure.”

“What makes her qualified to teach science?” Winston whispered to Tay.

“For your information, I hold twelve separate advanced degrees, three of which are relevant to this class. Any further outbursts will result in extra homework for the winter break and detention for a month.”

That’s if the Lord of Shadows doesn’t destroy our world by then, I thought.

Winston groaned, but he kept his mouth shut for the rest of the period. I couldn’t say I was paying attention, nor were any of the godlings. We all looked dejected. Sure, the school nurse had healed any visible injuries from the battle, but not all injuries could be seen. We were hurting, licking our wounds. The Lord of Shadows had made his move, and we were caught unprepared.

Miss Ida was halfway through her lesson when the school intercom sparked to life with Miss Lucille’s voice. “Hello, JMS students! Today there will be a special assembly in the gym at noon. Bag lunches will be provided, and school will let out shortly after that due to an . . . infestation in the library. Your families have been made aware, and we have arranged for everyone to get home safely.”

“Infestation,” one of the godlings blurted out. “That’s putting it lightly.”

“We’re getting out early!” a human kid cheered. “Sweet!”

Frankie and Eli exchanged nervous glances. I was worried, too. The assembly had to be about our current predicament with the Lord of Shadows. Maybe I was wrong about the celestials taking forever to make a decision on anything.

After science class, we met up with Zeran and Eleni as we all filed out of the main building and trekked to the gym for the assembly. The mood was solemn—even the human kids had caught on that something was wrong.

A line formed in front of the gym. I didn’t realize it at first, but whenever a human student or teacher entered the double doors, there was a barely visible glimmer.

“Where are the other students going?” I asked an older godling in a black-and-gold uniform.

“The humans will be attending a different assembly,” the godling answered.

Inside were all the godlings from the elementary school, the high school, and all across the neighborhood alongside JMS students. The gym was buzzing with gossip as we found space on the bleachers.

“No way they’re coming back. Mom said the Lord of Shadows is too powerful.”

“Winston almost beat the Lord of Shadows, so there’s a chance.”