Page 38 of Reckless Witch

“We all make mistakes,” Raith murmurs.

“Even though your precious Stone named me a member of all four clans?”

“What’s the ruckus?” Blade’s cultured voice reaches us before I detect him.

I keep my eyes locked on Raith as Blade stops beside me. “Leilah’s out after curfew,” I inform him softly.

The Fae chuckles and claps softly. “Bravo, bella mia. Bravo.”

Raith growls and my fire rushes to the surface.

Chapter Sixteen

LEILAH

Surrounded by Titans

From the corner of my eye, I see the dragon’s tattoos glow silver at the edges of his cuffs. My heart pounds. I lock my knees to control a tremor and keep my gaze on Raith’s face. His eyes bore clear through my soul. God help me, the sheer magnetism of the man is overwhelming.

“Ms. Crowe,” his voice is low and devoid of compassion. I’m pretty sure he’s honeying a trap to lure me to my death. “You still have yet to answer,” he says. “Why are you out in the dead of night?”

“You have no right to ask me.”

“I have the right to ask any question I please,” he hisses.

“Raith,” Blade begins, but I cut him off.

“If you’re tossing me out, what does it matter?”

Sure, I’m being unreasonable, but he’s so fucking close I can feel the heat from his body, which makes me want to irritate the hell out of him. The frustration radiating off him says I’ve hit the mark. Raith says nothing for three heartbeats, then straightens. I tense.

He emits a low laugh I know is at my expense, then he turns. “Make sure she’s at Domini’s office first thing in the morning. He’ll deal with her.”

I stare, heart pounding, as Raith walks away. I’m not sure if it’s the threat of expulsion—why the fuck should I care?—or his proximity that has me shaken. The guy has been nothing but a jerk from the moment we met.

“What the fuck is his problem?” I start at the realization that I’ve spoken out loud.

“You won’t be expelled,” Ethan’s gentle voice knocks me off balance as much as Raith’s aggression did.

Ethan lifts a hand and my heart races with the anticipation of his touch. He hesitates, then drops his hand back to his side. He towers over me, the epitome of protection. Add his dragon heat and my head spins. What woman can resist him? His volcanic fire warms the soul instead of burning the skin.

He sighs. “Raith can be—"

“An asshole?” I finish for him.

“Do not sow the wind, lest you reap a storm,” Blade murmurs.

I frown. “What does that mean?”

I have no defense against his easy laugh. He says something low in what has to be Fae, then adds, “I will leave you in the care of your guardian, Leilah. But if you need me, just whisper my name.”

I sense the magic an instant before a tiny ripple washes over me. Blade turns and begins walking away. His name rushes to my lips and I barely silence my voice as need sets my heart to pounding again. A mixture of fear and…is that joy?…fills me. I watch until Blade disappears into the darkness. What the hell kind of magic is this? Fae magic? I have no experience with fae magic.

I start as Ethan steps closer.

“I’ll walk you to your room.” He waves toward the dormitories.

My cheeks warm and I’m glad for the darkness. God, these three men have completely thrown me off my game. I’ve got to get a handle on my emotions.