Page 22 of Rogue Witch

“This is the beginning of the end of the war,” Raith says.

“The humans.” I stumble back two paces.

Ethan seizes my arm and steadies me. “What humans?”

“Elijah brought twenty-four humans. I called upon the forest spirits to protect you. The eudaimon appeared and—” I recall how easily he snuffed out the lives of twenty-four mortals, mortals whose only crime had probably been crossing Elijah Walker’s path. “Twenty-four more casualties of this war,” I choke out.

Their screams pierce my confusion. A thought, both horrifying and hopeful, strikes. What if they didn’t all die? What if some of them are lying on the ground, inching toward death in agonizing pain? I lunge past Ethan and Raith.

“Blade!” Raith shouts.

I ignore him and race through the trees and break into the clearing. The witches cluster at the far side of the meadow, some kneeling beside bodies.

“Blade,” Ethan shouts behind me.

I race across the meadow to the nearest body.

“What happened here?” Miriam Crowe demands when I reach the body she kneels beside.

There is no recrimination in her question. Or is there?

I drop to my knees beside the fallen man. The side of his head is caved in. Blood has pooled on the ground beside his head and I glimpse—

My stomach heaves. I raise my face to heaven and shout, “This is wrong—so wrong!” I shove to my feet and stumble backwards. I begin to fall.

Strong hands seize my shoulders. “Blade!” Raith shouts.

“Get away,” I shout into his face.

“Blade!”

The meadow disappears and The Academy administration building snaps into focus against twilight. I blink into Raith’s face.

“You remembered again, didn’t you?” Ethan demands.

I look past Raith at him.

“Come on.” Raith shoves me. He and Blade fall into step on either side of me. “We need a very strong drink.”

Chapter Eleven

LEILAH

I race after the Shadows that are drawn by my wolf’s fury. Beyond the Shadows, the wolf pack comes into view. My blood goes cold. Six wolves encircle my wolf. His lips are drawn back, hackles raised, legs wide, but even with his size, he can’t take on six packmates.

One lunges. Mine catches his attacker’s neck and, even at twenty feet, I hear bones crunch before he hurls the limp body toward the circle of wolves. Okay, maybe he can handle the wolves, but those Shadows will do him in.

“You Shadows leave him alone!” my shout is hoarse.

The Shadows halt.

That is just too weird.

The wolves’ faces turn in my direction.

Fuck. I run past the Shadows and stop ten feet from the wolves. My wolf’s eyes narrow on me.

I meet the gaze of the wolf closest to me. “Take your buddies and get lost,” I order.