Page 25 of Midnight Hunt

“One witch versus the entire campus? Does that not seem far more reasonable than mass hysteria?” He cocked his head to the side.

“Not to Valerie, it doesn’t!” I snatched him by the arm.

“Do calm yourself, Professor. Your tenure can only protect you from so much,” Dean Bandur’s cold, heartless threat crawled under my skin as I let him go. I pulled back, staring at the adminin charge of keeping students safe and realized he was willing to sacrifice my little witch to do so.

“So, what happens to her?”

“She will finish out the semester while we continue our search in quiet. It’s best to have public enemy on hand in times like these. Once we’ve found our culprit, we will make a public apology, but it will be best if Ms. Contempt does not return in person next semester.”

“And how is thatfair?Making her bait? Making an apology after you’ve used her?” My fists clenched in my lap but I knew better than to rip Dean Bandur to shreds. He had a point,my tenure wouldn’t save me from prison…and I couldn’t stand the thought of not having Valerie there.However, there was something feral brewing within my chest.

“Are you saying this student is not safe in your care?” he countered.

My lip curled in an angry snarl, but I recalled the ferocity at the last second. “Of course she is.”

“Good, then there seems to be no problem with my plan,” Dean Bandur smiled sickly sweet. I inhaled sharply, trying not to strangle the skinny neck within striking distance of me.

Instead, I exhaled low and slow, “One last question.”

“What is it?” Dean Bandur twisted to face me from the willow branches.

“What major is Amber McClanes? She is close to graduating, correct? And the McClanes are well known wizards and sorcerers. Her older sister just graduated two years ago with full honors and an internship in her pocket. And yet, I couldn’t recall a single professor discussing Amber. Not over coffee in the lounge, or during our monthly meetings. There wasn’t a mention of her in messages or discussion of her in the admin emails, which wasn’t regular of sorority presidents or grad students at all. Very few made it to the spot Amber was without catchingsomeone’s eye… so why hadn’t she? Why did I not know anything about her?”

Dean Bandur opened his mouth to speak, only for the color to also drain from his face. At first I worried he’d been hexed as well. Only, he quickly cleared his throat and situated his tie. “That’s a terrible accusation, Professor.”

He twisted from me and cold, uneasy prickles coated my body. I rushed to my feet, nearly bulldozing my way through the vines after him.It was her!But before I could snatch him by the weaselly rags, we both came to a skidding stop. Valerie stood at the front of the building, eyebrows raised. “Professor…Dean Bandur, what a coincidence. I was just coming to see you, sir.”

“Which one?” I corrected, my gaze flitting down to Dean Bandur.

“Oh, uh, pardon me, Professor, I was here to talk to Dean Bandur.”

Dean Bandur immediately raised his arm up to glance at his wristwatch. “Will you look at the time, I’m late for a board meeting. My apologies, Ms. Contempt, but I must be going. Please stop by my receptionist and set up a meeting, will you?”

“Wait, Dean Bandur—” She rushed forward but he was quicker, evading her and slipping into the building. Her face immediately scrunched up in fury. “Damn.”

“Now, little witch, what could you possibly need from the Dean’s office?” I quirked a brow.

Valerie shifted to glance up at me and I caught her ducking something in her left hand behind her back. Flat out lying to me with that flirty, nervous smile, she shrugged, “Oh, you know, discussing classes and stuff.”

“Hmm, and what about my warning you weren’t to come out of The Grove on your own?” I crossed my arms over my chest. The second she opened her mouth to lie to me some more, I nodded at her arm still tucked behind her. “What are you hiding?”

“Nothing,” she huffed.

“Nothing?” I parroted as the vines that surrounded me lashed out and snatched the vial from her. She jerked, trying to get it back, but soon it was in my hand. I held a singular purple vial in front of my face. No label, no crystallization, and no clumping, so it was a tonic. Well blended and made this morning, if I had to guess. “What is this, Valerie?”

“It’s just a potion I was working on for class, still had it in my hand.”

“Why are you lying to me?” I growled.

“I’m not!” she squawked, her voice cracking.

“I’ve had mocking jays lie better to me, Valerie, try again.” I popped the cap off. The way she flinched inward, but didn’t stop me was a good sign. I sniffed the gentle plume of lavender smoke instead. With a sigh, I corked it again, “A truth tonic?”

“I’ll confess but you’re not going to like it, so you should really ask yourself if you want to know.”

People are watching.My hair stood on end as I saw a gaggle of people already forming around the grounds. Class was being let out and soon there would be witnesses.

“Valerie,” I warned, snatching her by the bicep and dragging her away from the admin office. Even the trees could hold secrets there. She wasn’t safe speaking in any compacity on campus until the culprit was caught.Who am I kidding, it’s Amber!Who else would have the means, time, motive, and experience? Yet, my fury pumped hot and fast through my veins. I didn’t care if students stopped to take a double take as I dragged a complaining Valerie with me across the grounds. We made it to my classroom fast enough. I nearly tossed her inside before slamming the doors behind me.

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