Page 84 of Reckless Witch

Ethan looks sharply at me. “What do you mean?”

I shrug. “If I only have to contend with your sigil and Blade’s spell around my dorm room, I have a chance of getting out every now and then. Your terms are way more constricting.”

“You can have Stony,” Blade says.

I narrow my eyes.” That’s dirty pool.”

He shrugs. “So is you running away every time we turn our backs.”

“Not every turn,” I say, oddly offended.

“Twice in seven days—and you’re talking about doing it again.”

“I came back.” I narrow my eyes. “How many other students have you made blood pacts with?”

“How many other students have assassins hunting them?” Ethan shoots back.

I shrug. “I would kill Jennifer, given the chance.”

Blade lifts his brows.

I roll my eyes. “Okay, okay, maybe I would just maim her.”

“I told you she needs to grow up,” Raith says from the shadows.

I jump when he materializes on the lawn to my right, and I come to a halt.

“You scared the bejesus out of me,” I exclaim, then realize what he said. “Hey, I’m plenty grownup.”

“My offer to strip your magic still stands,” he says.

“No chance,” I growl.

“You can have a normal life,” he continues. “Go to school, get a job, get married. Have kids, if you want them.”

“I can do all that and keep my magic.” Had the guy heard my earlier thoughts?

“You’ll still have to stay here for at least four years,” he says. “Then there’s always the chance the Illumina will assign you a job.”

“Offer me a job,” I correct. “This is still a free country.”

He gives a low laugh. “America is free. Margidda—High Potentials—not so much.”

“Fuck you, Raith,” I reply evenly.

He shrugs. “Then a blood pact, it is.” He steps closer and I tilt my head back in order to maintain eye contact. “Be warned,” he murmurs. “I will ensure you adhere to the terms of the agreement.”

“You have some special terms you want to add to the pact?” I shouldn’t goad him, but I can’t help myself. His eyes darken and I manage not to step back. Shit, he’s pissed.

“You aren’t capable of handling any special terms I might add,” he says.

“Coward,” I whisper. Sure, that was stupid, but he’s a bully and I hate bullies.

“Friday nights,” he says.

I blink. “Huh?

“Raith,” Blade and Ethan say in unison.