Page 85 of Reckless Witch

“She thinks she’s grown up and she wants to play with the big boys,” Raith answers them, but his eyes remain on me.

“So, what? I’m supposed to be your sex slave every Friday night?” is my sarcastic retort.

His lips lift in lazy arrogance. “We see where your mind is, Ms. Crowe.”

“I—” Heat suffuses my cheeks.

“Friday night will be devoted to studies,” he says.

“Studies?” What the fuck? “You want me to promise to study?”

“With me as your tutor,” he says.

Despite my immediate repulsion, my stomach flip-flops. “We’re talking the study of magic?” my voice is breathy and I want to kick myself.

“And whatever else I deem necessary,” he replies.

“Raith,” Ethan growls.

I tense when the tattoos visible below the cuffs of Evan’s sleeves begin to glow.

“What do you say, Leilah?” Raith asks. I hesitate, and he adds, “Who’s the coward now?”

Ethan’s tattoos glow hotter.

“Relax, Ethan,” Raith says, eyes still on me. “I’m not going to hurt her. Just teach her a lesson or two.”

“Maybe it will be me who teaches you a lesson,” I retort. God, I’m a complete idiot.

He shrugs and I want to slap him.

“I get Stony,” I say.

Surprise flickers across his face. “The howling night pig?” His lips thin and he glances at Ethan. “I imagine I know who to thank for that stipulation.”

“The howling night pig will protect her,” Ethan says, and I know he’s not just talking of protecting me from my would-be killer.

That makes me want to laugh, but I manage some restraint and settle for giving Raith a big smile.

“Let’s get on with it, then,” he says.

Without a word, I start walking toward the gate. Blade catches up with me and Raith and Ethan walk several paces behind, speaking in tones too low for me to hear despite straining my ears.

“Give it up,” Blade says.

I snap my head up to meet his gaze, and say dumbly, “What?”

He gives a little shake of his head.

I say, “You know they’re talking about me. I have a right to know what they’re saying.”

He emits the same laugh he gave when he caught me returning to my room. “You keep talking about your rights.”

I grasp his arm and stop him. “I’m not your or their slave. I have the same rights as every other student in the school.”

Raith and Ethan reach us as Blade says,” You don’t have the right to risk your life.”

“I do,” I snap.