Just then, Professor Margo Woolery strolled in, her chin held high and her red cloak fluttering behind her. People stared at her, too, but with a lot less disdain, possibly because she blended in a little better and was gorgeous.

When the barkeep handed her a glass of mead with a shy smile and a hint of a blush, the professor spotted us and waved. "Good to see you two had enough sense to come somewhere warm. It's freezing out there."

"It is," Seph said, scooting ...