Page 82 of Monster's Baby

The boy looked confused.“Wouldn’t he just use the professor’s bathroom?”

“He’s the one who got de-aged about a month ago?”I said impatiently.“Who knows what he’s up to!”

“Oh, the kid!I forgot about that.”

I found it hard to believe that anyone could simplyforgetthat one of the teachers had been cursed, but I was living it.“Can you check for him please?My tracking spell goes in here.”

“Yeah, all right.”He disappeared into the room, but returned quickly.“There’s nobody in there.”

“What?”I gaped at him.

“See for yourself.”He held the door open for me.

I followed the thread to one of the urinals.It ended on the urinal soap.“He’s mocking me!”I groaned, slapping my forehead.“Who knows when he did this.Ugh!”I whirled around, intent on finding Aiden so he could help me track down the mischievous professor.Heshouldhave come with me.“Thanks for your help,” I said to the guy as I left.

I halted so suddenly in the doorway that he bumped into me.“Fuck!”I shouted.“How could I have been sostupid?”

I took off at a run, hoping I wasn’t too late.

CHAPTER20

My heart was poundingas I ran down the stairs.

I can’t believe I didn’t realize Aiden couldn’t have gotten ahead of me on the stairs!I was so focused on finding the professor that I missed the obvious.

There was nobody on the third floor.The second was empty as well, but I heard shouting from the foyer.

I nearly lost my grip on the railing, I was moving so fast.Halfway down the stairs, once the foyer was in view, I saw the strangest sight.

Aiden was facing off against himself.

The two men looked identical to each other.One was in front of the main door, stopping the other from leaving.I assumed that one was the real one, but how could I be sure?

“I don’t know who you are, but you’re not going anywhere!”Door-Aiden shouted.

“Why do you have my face?”shouted Middle-Aiden.“Who are you really?”

“I’m me!”Door-Aiden shouted back.“You’re the impostor!”

“I have always looked like this,” Middle-Aiden shouted.He burst into flames, shifting into his beast form.

I had been so certain that he wasn’t my Aiden.

Then Door-Aiden shifted as well.He, too, looked the same.

“What the hell?”I whispered.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Door-Aiden repeated, and threw a spell that Middle-Aiden deflected.

That started a barrage of spellwork, ricocheting off of shields and lighting banners and the carpet on fire.

“Stop!”I screamed.

“Siobhan,” both Aidens said at the same time.“Watch out for the impostor!”

“You are impossible,” I muttered, and then squeaked and ducked as a fireball flew over my head, cutting off any help from the higher floors.

“Stop this at once!”I shouted again, taking care not to step on any embers as I walked down the stairs.

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