Page 2 of My Professor is a Demon (Demons for Hire)

Charlotte

I balanced 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. I settled 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?"

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."

His lips quirked in what might have been almost a smile. "I believe that falls under Atmospheric Thaumaturgy, which isn't offered until spring semester."

We ascended the steps together, moving in surprising synchrony for two people of such different heights. A group of female students huddled under the awning watched us with poorly concealed interest. Their whispers followed us inside:

“I’ve never seen him with anyone else… always the blonde one.”

"He never smiles at anyone else like that..."

I felt my cheeks burn, even as I wanted to explain that this was purely professional. Mostly professional. Somewhat professional?

Inside, we paused in the grand foyer of Blackwood Hall, the umbrella dripping onto the marble floor. Despite being under its protection, my clothing was already soaked, my curls plastered to my head. Dr. Katz, meanwhile, looked like he'd just stepped out of an academic fashion magazine, not a drop of water marring his perfect appearance.

"You seem to have a talent for atmospheric timing," he observed, closing the umbrella with a swift motion.

"If by 'talent' you mean 'terrible luck,' then yes," I agreed, attempting to wring water from my hair. "I'm a meteorological disaster magnet."

His eyes followed the movement of my hands, something unreadable flickering in their depths. For a moment, I felt that strange connection again—like seeing past his perfectly controlled exterior to something ancient and powerful beneath.

"Your mapping session," he said abruptly. "I reviewed it this morning. Your lunar correlation theory is... surprisingly valid."

Coming from Dr. Katz, this constituted effusive praise. I beamed at him, momentarily forgetting my sodden state.

"Really? I was thinking we could extend the analysis to include gravitational effects on the ley line resonance patterns. I have some ideas about—"

"Dr. Katz." A sharp voice interrupted us.

We turned to find the Dean of Magical Affairs approaching, her perpetually severe expression even more pronounced than usual.

"Dean Winters," Dr. Katz greeted her with perfect professional courtesy. "How may I assist you?"

"The Faculty Affairs Committee meeting begins in five minutes," she said, her gaze flicking dismissively over me before returning to him. "Your attendance is required, as discussed."

Something like irritation flashed across Dr. Katz's face before his features settled back into polite neutrality. "Of course. I'll be there momentarily."

The Dean nodded curtly and strode away, heels clicking against marble.

"Duty calls," Dr. Katz said, turning back to me. "We'll continue our discussion on lunar gravitational effects during our scheduled research session."

"Looking forward to it," I replied.

He hesitated, as if wanting to say something more, then simply handed me his umbrella. "Keep this. The forecast suggests rain all afternoon."

Before I could thank him, he was striding after the Dean, his tall figure commanding attention even in retreat. Several students openly stared as he passed.

I clutched the umbrella, feeling oddly like I'd been given something more personal than mere rain protection. The handle was warm where he'd held it, and that strange energy still hummed through the material.

Throughout my next lecture, my mind kept drifting back to that moment in the rain—his arm around my shoulders, the strange energy connecting us, the almost-smile that transformed his intimidating features into something else entirely.

Whatever Oscar Katz was hiding beneath his perfect academic facade, I was becoming increasingly determined to discover it.