Page 50 of Reckless Witch

“I know that, at four, my magic had a life of its own.” Which is likely why Grams sent me away from the age of two to four. She didn’t want me near the big city where The Shadows ran rampant. Many in the bigger cities sent their young away.

Raith stares through the windshield. “That flow of magic fed The Shadows.”

I blink. “Are you saying I’m responsible for The Shadows’ attack?”

“He’s saying that even innocent magic fuels The Shadows,” Ethan says.

I shake my head. “Uh uh. He said that I contributed to The Shadows’ reign of death. I assume, then, that you stifled your own magic. How very clever of you to have saved Margidda without magic.” The Academy’s turrets come into view above distant trees. “Magic is practiced every day. What’s stopping The Shadows from returning?” I ask.

“Enough,” Raith growls. “You’re too young and inexperienced to have an opinion on how to deal with The Shadows.”

“Isn’t that why I’m here?”

“You’re here to learn what we teach you.”

“Blade and Ethan don’t agree with you.”

“Raith is right,” Blade says, and I’m disconcerted by a wave of betrayal.

“I assume when you spoke with Headmaster Domini, he didn’t explain that breaking curfew means you aren’t allowed to leave school grounds without permission,” Raith says.

“This isn’t high school and I’m not a prisoner,” I snap.

“Then why did you sneak out?” his tone remains steady.

“To avoid a conflict like this. What the hell is really going on?” I demand. Everyone knows that once a High Potential is drafted into The Academy, their lives aren’t their own, but I had never given that much thought. “Are we prisoners?”

“You are aware that everyone in Margidda has to attend magic school. High Potentials attend an Academy. It’s the law.”

“Sure,” I say. “But—”

“But nothing,” he cuts in. “You think anyone can be trained without rules? You think people learn discipline when discipline isn’t imposed or enforced? Do you think untrained High Potentials are ready for a Shadow attack?”

“There are over two thousand years between Shadow Wars. I think—”

“You don’t think,” he cut in.

“Fuck you,” I mutter, then clamp my mouth shut.

Thankfully, we reach The Academy, and I’ll soon be freed from the prison of this car. The gates swing open as they did that first day. Two minutes later, I park behind Penncarrow Hall, cut the engine and bolt from the McLaren. I reach my room, probably before the last man has time to leave the car and slam his door.

Again, I spend a sleepless night. Images of Grams’ house keep replaying in my head. What happened that I can now see it? Who was the man inside her house? Was the demon part of his act or was it after him? Few are strong enough to conjure a demon.

How did Stony find Grams’ house? That pig—

“Howler night pig,” I murmur.

I should have argued harder and stayed at the house.

I groan and flip from my left to my right side. Why did The Three—as I’ve come to call them—drag me back to school? The biggest question of all: what do The Three know about Grams’ death that they’re not telling me?

It isn’t possible that Shadow husks were found in her house.

Just like it wasn’t possible for a demon to enter that house?

Chapter Twenty-One

ETHAN