Page 79 of Reckless Witch

“Home?” I scoff, and ignore the longing the word elicits. “You call being locked in a room home?”

“I call being surrounded by people who love you ‘home.’” The words are spoken in a level tone, but naked fear drips from his voice.

Then I understand.

“Who was she?” I ask.

“She?” he repeats.

“The woman you lost.”

A heavy silence follows. Yeah, I hit pay dirt. I remind Blade of someone he loved—and lost.

“Whatever happened, this isn’t the same,” I say. “I can take care of myself.”

“The way you took care of yourself when you nearly bled to death on Raith’s couch?”

I shrug. “Everyone has a bad day.”

“We will not risk you being harmed,” Blade says.

“You can’t keep me here indefinitely.”

“Don’t be too sure of that.”

I let a moment of silence pass, then say, “I’m hampered by this damn sigil, and you know it.”

He releases a breath. “Without it, you won’t return.”

“I returned today.”

“Don’t insult my intelligence,” he says in a weary voice. “We both know that the sigil would have forced you back.”

So that’s how it works.

“Exactly where were you?” he asks.

“What if I promise not to run away?” I say, instead of answering his question.

Silence stretches out.

“A promise won’t stop you from pulling stunts like you did today,” he finally says.

“We can work something out,” I say. “One thing that will help is Stony. She can take any shape I need her to.” I don’t mention that she won’t like it.

“The howling night pig might be a good idea,” he says. “She would have to remain small. A mouse, perhaps.”

“And the sigil?” I wince at the hopeful note in my voice.

He starts for the door and my heart falls.

The doorknob jiggles and he says, “It would have to be a blood pact.”

Blood pact? I shiver. Blood packs are virtually invincible, and they bind the partners together for…well, life.

“That’s overkill, don’t you think?” I say.

“Overkill? You nearly died right in front of us.”