Page 4 of My Professor is a Demon

I felt my cheeks warm. "He's supervising my independent study," I said, aiming for casual professionalism. "The energy patterns have been unusual since the ritual disruption."

"Mmm-hmm." Elowen's knowing look was too perceptive for comfort. "And how is the mysterious Dr. Katz?"

"Brilliant, irritatingly correct about everything," I replied. "And possibly not entirely human."

That caught her attention. "What do you mean?"

I bit my lip, unsure how to explain. "There's something about him—the way energy reacts around him. Last night when our hands touched, there was this... connection."

Elowen's expression turned serious. "Be careful, Charlotte. After everything that happened with the blood magic ritual, we know there are entities interested in Midnight Creek's supernatural community."

"I know, I know." I waved away her concern with my usual optimism. "But Oscar's been helping protect the ley lines, not corrupt them."

“Oscar?” she asked teasingly. Heat rose in my cheeks. “I mean Dr. Katz. And you said yourself he helped disrupt that ritual.”"True," she conceded. "But Rose says he's more than he appears."

"Everyone in this town is more than they appear," I pointed out. "Including me, apparently."

The words slipped out before I could stop them. Elowen's eyebrows shot up.

"What do you mean by that?"

I sighed, pushing a stray curl behind my ear. Elowen and I had been friends forever, and she was a witch, so I’d shared with her some of the weird things that I’d experienced lately.

"I’m supposed to be human… but whatever these abilities are, they’ve been getting stronger,” I said. “Books respond to me. I can see energy patterns others miss. Sometimes I just... know things about magical theory that I've never studied."

"Have you told anyone else about this?" Elowen asked carefully.

I shook my head. "Just you. And maybe Dr. Katz suspects something." I gathered my notes, suddenly feeling exposed. "I should go. I have class in twenty minutes."

Elowen touched my hand. "We'll figure this out, Charlotte. Whatever's happening with your abilities, you're not alone."

I gave her a grateful smile. "I know. Thanks, El."

Outside the library, summer had fully embraced Midnight Creek College. The campus quad bustled with students enjoying the sunshine, sprawled across the lush grass or clustered around outdoor tables. I navigated through them, waving to familiar faces as I hurried toward Blackwood Hall.

"...absolutely gorgeous, but so intimidating..."

"...heard the Dr. Katz Fan Club has twenty members now..."

"...swear he looked right through me when I asked about office hours..."

I smiled at the snippets of conversation that followed me across campus. Oscar's effect on the female student population had become something of a campus legend. If they only knew he was just as intimidating up close—maybe even more so when those intense eyes focused directly on you.

The sky darkened abruptly as I neared Blackwood Hall, summer clouds gathering with unusual speed. By the time I reached the steps, fat raindrops were already falling. I darted toward the entrance, but the heavens opened before I made it, instantly drenching me.

"Perfect," I muttered, shaking water from my notes.

"Miss Evers."

Dr. Katz stood at the top of the steps, somehow completely dry despite the downpour. He held a sleek black umbrella, his tall frame cutting an imposing silhouette against the gothic architecture of Blackwood Hall. Even in casual academic attire, I noticed how his shoulders filled out his jacket, suggesting a physique more suited to a warrior than a professor. He towered over most of the other faculty, and I found myself wondering what it would feel like to have those strong arms around me.

"Need some assistance?" he asked, his voice carrying easily through the rainfall.

"That would be amazing," I admitted, dashing up the remaining steps.

He extended the umbrella to cover my already-soaked form. The gesture required him to stand close—very close—his arm coming around my shoulders to guide me under the shelter. I was suddenly acutely aware of our height difference, my head barely reaching his shoulder, and the sudden warmth in my core.

"Thank you," I managed, feeling that same strange energy from last night humming between us. "Magical weather forecasting should be a required course."

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