Page 83 of Reckless Witch

This is crazy. When Blade talked about home, he clearly meant The Academy. Difficult as it is to believe, hardened playboy Blade Tyrion is a sentimental man.

I snort. Leave it to the Fae to be the biggest badass sentimentalists. That’s the Fae paradox. An unexpected affection warms me. Shit, he actually cares about me.

I place the hand with the sigil on the book and give a slight push of my magic. The sigil heats. I release the magic. If I agree to the blood pact, they will remove the sigil and I can find out what’s in this book.

This book is the closest I’m going to get to hearing the truth from Grams herself.

Dare I?

A chill replaces the dread.

I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.

Chapter Thirty-Five

LEILAH

Three’s cozy. Four’s a crowd.

No surprise that the moon is full. The universe has a way of providing what’s needed, and a full moon adds strength to any magic. Walking between Ethan and Blade feels more like an escort to the electric chair than safe passage to where we will enact the blood pact. From the corner of my eye, I look at Blade, who winks. I manage to halt an eye roll, but can’t stop the embarrassment that warms my cheeks. How does he always seem to know when I’m watching him?

I covertly glance left at Ethan. He’s scanning our surroundings, watching, I realize, for danger. They tell me they have no leads on my attacker. I suspect, they’re not above lying. If Ethan is right and the spear magic was elemental, he assures me that discounts Jennifer, Ariel and Thomas. But that doesn’t mean they don’t know someone who is powerful enough to wield that kind of magic.

“Where are we performing the ritual?” I ask.

“In the woods.” Blade tilts his head toward the front gate.

I give a slight nod. “Excellent choice.”

He raises a brow. “Glad you approve.”

I know the reason they chose the woods is because they won’t risk the magic bleeding into The Academy. “You’re not afraid the elements will play tricks?”

“You know your magic,” Blade says.

I snort. “Flattery will get you nowhere.” A total lie. “Everyone knows that a spell performed in nature opens a door to tricksters.”

“What’s life without adventure?” Blade murmurs.

Butterflies skitter across the insides of my stomach. The man has no shame.

Ethan presses a hand to the small of my back. My heart—and body—wish that action indicated more than simple courtesy. Maybe it doesn’t. Maybe he’s just making sure I don’t bolt.

We leave the sidewalk and start down the drive. Moments later, the gate comes into view.

“I want to read the contract,” I say.

“As Blade told you, it’s simple,” Ethan says. You agree not to run away.”

I lift a brow. “That’s it?”

“You also agree to ask permission before leaving The Academy,” Blade says.

There’s the catch.

This is way worse than what I remember of high school.

“Why should I agree to the blood pact?” I say, and try not to think of the spell book.