Page 78 of Monster's Delight

“Ms. Carlisle?” I asked. “The academic advisor?”

“Yes, that’s her. She got the job after Bridget died,” Mr. Brecken said.

A trickle of fear traveled down my spine. I turned to Hazel. “Same act, new person. Are you okay with this?”

“I’ve got this,” Hazel said. “Be back soon.” She headed up the stairs to the teacher’s wing.

I turned to Aiden. “Spell is set?”

“All ready to go.”

“What are you doing?” Mr. Brecken wailed. “I thought you weren’t going to do this?”

“I’m really very sorry, but there isn’t time to explain.” I sent a small but powerful spell at him, effectively paralyzing him. “Trust me.”

I turned to Professor Dunlop. “If she doesn’t stop us immediately, the way he did,” I nodded at the librarian, “I need you to encourage me to cast the spell. Act the way Bridget’s parents did. Be as horrible to witches as you can possibly make yourself. Give me a reason to cast the spell, and cast it now.”

He nodded solemnly.

I winked at Aiden, who smiled slightly, and then put his hand in his pocket.

“Ready, Professor?” I asked, shaking out my shoulders. I lifted a hand, pointing it at Aiden, who stood within our spell circle.

“Ready.” Professor Dunlop scowled. “I cannot have you sully this good monster family with your dirty witch blood. You must sever this soul bond.”

“But Professor,” I said, trying to sound sincere and not like the terrible actress I suspected I was, “this spell is untested! What if something goes wrong? He’s my friend.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aiden pull the gum out of his pocket and put it in his mouth, chewing quickly. That meant that Ms. Carlisle had arrived, even if I couldn’t see her yet.

“I have analyzed this spell thoroughly. It will function as written. Do it, girl. Cast the spell,” the professor snarled.

I had to swallow down my fear of him. When he was angry, he was incredibly intimidating.

He’s acting.

It’s fake.

See this through.

“How could my soul bond be with a witch?” Aiden put in at the perfect moment. “You must have cast a spell or put me under a thrall. Get it off me immediately!”

“Why would I ever want to be soul bound toyou!” I shouted, raising my hand again. I started reciting the incantation, feeling the power from the academy as well as my own swirl around me.

Aiden was standing calmly in the middle of the circle, arms crossed. Other than my voice, all was silent.

And then he blew a bubble with his gum.

“Stop!” screamed Ms. Carlisle. “You don’t know what you’re doing! Stop!”

CHAPTER23

I was sostartled that I stopped. I felt the power dissipate around me, getting drawn back into the nexus point.

I held my breath, waiting...

For what?

I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. I kept my gaze focused on Aiden, my chest heaving as if I’d just run a marathon.

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