Teige and Luu both looked back at the other spirit with the head scarf, Luu muttering peevishly under their breath, “Ved yt brakes.”

”So, Teige. You wouldn’t be in the market for someone to help you get into R.I.T, would you? Because I’ve been looking for a certain kind of shapeshifter.” The spirit had removed his mask, revealing a cheery smile. He winked. “Maybe we can help each other out.”

”Okay,” Parker said, “No offense, but who would run into you in the middle of the night and be like ‘Yeah! Teach this kid I know to shapeshift!’?”

She was stirring a pot of green paint; Teige used his trunk to dip his brush in another open pot. The room was empty for the moment, the walls half-painted.

”I said as much, myself!” Teige replied, and tilted his massive head up, carefully directing his trunk to paint another layer onto the wall. “Then the one of ‘em says—“

“Oh, my instincts about people are usually pretty good.” Vlad’s smile widened. “Also, you’ll have to meet the kid’s seradh first. She’s pretty protective.”