Page 105 of Reckless Witch

Can I live in Grams’ house, so close to The Three?

I know right away that I can’t. I’ll have Raith strip my powers. That should please him to no end. I’ll get the house, sell it, and move to some far away warm place with lots of sun, rum and hard bodies. Even if the Illumina destroys the house—which I won’t let happen—they can’t stop me from claiming the property. I’m Grams’ only living relative. Stony and I—

Oh, God. Stony. Is Raith right? If I give up my powers, will I have to give up Stony, too? I glance in the mirror at her. She’s sprawled on her side on the bed. She’s looking at me way too intently. I tear my gaze from her and take two steps to the closet.

“The best thing about the War Games is that I get to use my swords,” I tell her. Did my voice crack a little?

I pull the leather scabbard holding the short sword from the wall, then slide the blade halfway out. I love blades. That’s probably something that should worry me, but I comfort myself with the fact that steel, instead of fire, is my vice. I’ve known a couple fire bugs and they’re creepy. Martial arts is something I can pursue even without magic. I slide the blade back into the scabbard.

Ethan instructed us to choose two of the weapons assigned to us. I chose the short, Celtic Roman sword and a set of Japanese curved blades. Okay, so technically, that’s three blades, but the Japanese knives are a set. If Ethan argues the point, I’ll make him take one of the knives from me.

A tremor ripples through me. He would have to get damned close to try and take the blade. My insides gel when I recall the rush of security I felt when he caught me after the spear had pierced my body. I recall his face as clearly as if he were standing in front of me now. The pain in his green eyes still tears at my soul.

My mind freezes. Where the hell did that memory come from?

A loud squeal slices through my thoughts and I jar back to the present. Stony has pushed up to a sitting position on the bed and is snorting.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” I say. But I’m not okay.

Is this new memory an effect of the blood pact? I don’t care for that idea. What if The Three figure out that I have a secret? Is that possible?

I pause while slipping my belt through the leather knife sheaths. If I’m experiencing effects of the blood pact, does that mean The Three are also experiencing strange effects?

I have no choice. I have to let them strip me of my magic. I can’t chance that I will one day rationalize the use of Shadow magic. I have to dispose of Grams’ book before the temptation to read the spells grabs me. If not for the war games, I would go to Raith right now and demand he immediately strip me of my powers. But I can’t make a fuss in the middle of these damn games. I can’t be sure that Raith would strip my powers immediately, before rumor got to the Grand Witch. If she got involved, I could be in trouble. I can’t let her know I found Grams’ spell book.

I finish looping the belt through the sheaths, then add the sword scabbard and strap and buckle the belt. The weapons hang with comforting weight at my waist.

How I wish I could crawl back into bed and bury myself beneath the covers. I’m in no mood to play at war. But I can’t let on that anything is wrong. I can’t even let Stony know what I’m planning. I face her. Can I really give her up?

I lift my hands from my sides and turn. “What do you think?”

She raises her snout in the air and snorts twice.

I shake my head. “The Excalibur sword is too aggressive. Better not to further piss off people.”

She snorts again and shakes her head.

“I know they haven’t caught my wannabe killer, but you’ll be riding along in my pocket. Besides, I have my magic now. I’m not such an easy target.” Will I be able to use my magic, even in self-defense?

Stony’s little eyes narrow. Yes, a pig’s eyes really can narrow—well, Stony’s can, anyway—and I realize that she’s not happy with the idea of being a mouse again.

I shrug. “If you really want to walk all over the woods, then, be my guest and stay in pig form. If you want me to carry you, then a mouse it is. You could stay here,” I add. “With The Three around and all the other students, I’m not really in any danger.” I have no idea if this is true, but I have the sudden need to put some distance between myself and my familiar. My heart lurches. That has never happened before. Am I already giving into my dark side?

“I’m going,” Stony snorts.

“It’s freezing out there—”

A knock sounds on my door. I turn and take three steps the door and open it. Fran stands in the hallway, decked out in tight leather that reminds me of the Avengers’ Black Widow. She holds a chakram by its curved, center handler. It’s a beautiful weapon, constructed in different shades of silver.

“You look fabulous,” I say.

She turns like a runway model.

I lift a brow. “That outfit doesn’t leave a single body cell to the imagination.”

“That’s what makes it so perfect,” she says. “Love the braid, Rapunzel. Nice sword. I’m surprised you’re not wearing leather.” Her eyes slide past mine and she squeals, “Stony!” Fran races across the room and drops onto the bed beside Stony. “I remember you the day Leilah arrived. You are adorable.”

Stony, the original ham, rolls onto her back and presents her stomach for a rub.