Page 12 of Rogue Witch

The floating Shadows turn in my direction.

“We need to put a lid on this,” I say.

Ariel and the guy laugh.

“Really?” the guy says.

I glance from him to Ariel. “You’re infected by Shadows.” I look at the other students. They’re younger, probably fourteen to seventeen. No Shadows slither across their bodies, but their eyes are wide with fear and some cast terrified glances at the nearby Shadows.

I focus on the oldest boy. “Tell them,” I say.

His eyes widen.

The leader glances his way and gives him a mean grin. “Yeah, Bobby, tell me.”

Bobby shakes his head.

“Jonas,” I say. “Come here.”

He doesn’t move.

“Come on.” I give him a reassuring smile. “It’s okay.” I look at the other kids. “You all, too. Come with us.”

The leader slaps the branch against his palm.

“Come on, everyone,” I say. “I can protect you.”

“I would think twice about that.” The leader sweeps his gaze across his small band.

“Don’t listen to him,” I say. “Come on. Jonas, come on.”

“Anthony won’t hurt Jonas,” Ariel says. “He just—”

“Is this what you all want?” I stare at Bobby.

The kids glance at each other.

“Clear your minds and think positive thoughts,” I tell the students.

Ariel snorts. “You think you can control Shadows with positive thoughts?”

“Do as I say,” I urge the other students.

Bobby says, “We can’t.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Because these two will get us long before the Shadows do.”

Anthony starts toward Bobby.

Fuck it.

“Rock,” I murmur. A rock the size of a baseball appears in my hand. “Hey, asshole,” I call, and throw the rock at Anthony.

“Deflecto,” Ariel counters, and the rock veers left.

I shove my fisted hands forward, then open them palms outward, directing power that splits the rock into a thousand pieces aimed at Anthony. Ariel screams and ducks—the stupid bitch thinks I have no aim. Anthony spins toward me. His eyes widen and he dives for the ground.