Page 3 of My Professor is a Demon

The hallway outside my office was dim, the old building's lighting inadequate after hours. Charlotte chatted about her other classes as we walked, seemingly oblivious to the way shadows shifted unnaturally in the corners. But I noticed her instinctively avoiding the darkest patches without breaking her conversational flow.

Outside, the summer air still held warmth despite the late hour. The parking lot was nearly empty, her ancient blue Honda looking forlorn under a flickering streetlight.

"Thanks for the coffee," I said as we reached her car. "And the research insights."

"Anytime! That's what academic partnerships are for, right?" She fumbled with her keys, dropping them in a very Charlotte manner.

We both reached for the keys at the same time. Our hands touched again, and the energy sparked between us again, briefly illuminating the darkness around us.

Charlotte stared at our hands, then up at my face. For a moment, her expression shifted from surprise to something deeper, more knowing.

"What are you?" she whispered, so quietly I almost missed it.

I blinked, desperately trying to think of an excuse.

But then her sunny smile returned, the moment broken. "Wow, that static electricity is really something tonight! See you tomorrow, Professor!"

She slipped into her car before I could respond, the engine coughing to life after two attempts. I stood watching until her taillights disappeared around the corner, my hand still tingling where we'd touched.

Vorthazul 's orders echoed in my mind:Discover what she is. Bring her in.

"Not a chance in Hell," I murmured to the empty parking lot, already knowing I was risking everything by choosing her safety over my redemption.

But as I walked back to my office, the memory of her energy signature calling to mine haunted me. Charlotte Evers was a mystery—one that could either save me or damn me completely.

Either way, I was already falling.

Charlotte

Ibalanced precariously on my tiptoes, stretching as far as I could. The ancient grimoire remained stubbornly out of reach on the highest shelf of the Midnight Creek College library's restricted section. Even the stepladder only brought me within tantalizing inches of my target.

"Come on," I muttered, wiggling my fingers. "Just a little closer..."

The book suddenly shifted toward me, as if responding to my plea. I snatched it before it could fall, almost losing my balance in the process.

"Thanks," I whispered to the book, stroking its leather spine. Old texts often responded to me this way—a quirk I'd learned to keep quiet about. Not everyone appreciated books with personalities.

The restricted section was deserted at this hour, just how I liked it. Early summer sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the worn oak tables. Isettled into my favorite corner with my prize: "Lunar Influences on Telluric Currents," a text so obscure even Dr. Katz hadn't cited it in his extensive bibliography.

The thought of Oscar Katz sent an unexpected flutter through me. Last night's "static electricity" moment had been... intense. I'd felt something when our hands touched—something that definitely wasn't static electricity.

I shook my head. My research on the eastern campus ley lines was too important for distractions, even distractingly handsome professors with mysterious auras. I carried the book back to my table, where my notes and several other resources were spread out.

After I settled in my seat, the book fell open to exactly the page I needed, another little "coincidence" I'd grown accustomed to. I traced the diagrams of ley line patterns with my finger, feeling the energy pulse beneath the ink.

"Well, if it isn't Midnight Creek's most dedicated student," came a familiar voice.

I looked up to see Elowen making her way through the stacks, looking more settled than she had since returning to town. The mate bond with Rudy clearly agreed with her.

After saving her aunt, she hadn’t wanted to leave again. Luckily, she’d been able to transfer to Midnight Creek College to continue her studies, and I couldn’t complain about having my best friend back in town.

"Hey, El!" I closed the book, giving my friend my full attention. "How's Rose doing?"

"Recovering well," Elowen said, sliding into the chair across from me. "The bookstore's almost back to normal, though Daisy's organizational system remains an enigma to mere mortals."

I laughed. "I still can't believe she arranges books by 'metaphysical resonance patterns.' What does that even mean?"

"No idea, but it works somehow." Elowen's eyes fell on my research notes. "Are you still working on the ley lines research with Dr. Katz?"

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