Chapter Six. Aneeta

On Saturday night, Walden works late on marking and assembly drafts when Aneeta arrives, distraught. Aneeta admits Nikki told her the talking demon from the failed summoning claimed to be the one that killed Nikki’s parents. Aneeta also shows Walden Nielle’s Arrays, marked with Nikki’s notes on triple arrays for archdemons, raising fear Nikki might attempt something reckless.

Walden tries to call School House, but the line fails. Checking her possessed office clock, she watches its imp wink out, then senses minor school possessions vanishing as wards strain—signs of a major incursion. Alarms blare as she runs toward School House, ordering a Marshal to secure the road to protect the boarding houses across the street.

At School House, the doorway ward holds against a violent, violet surge. Outside, Ebele Nwosu gathers four foster children while Ezekiel emerges carrying a sixth child, reporting he cannot reach the tower rooms where Nikki and Mathias sleep. With two students likely trapped, Walden resolves to go in, weighing duty and risk as the senior magician present.

Chief Marshal Kenning confronts Walden, insisting demonic incursions are a Marshal matter, but Walden points out the absence and ineffectiveness of Kenning’s squad. As they argue, Will appears, panics at the prospect of collapsing the incursion with students inside, and, despite Walden’s attempt to stop him, runs into the building.

With now three students inside, Walden sets a two-hour deadline before external collapse and prepares to enter. As she mounts the steps, Kenning insists she will not allow a solo entry and draws her runed shortsword. The chapter ends with Walden and Kenning entering together to attempt a rescue.