Page 40 of Rogue Witch

“Not really my fault,” I say. “I thought I was coming home with a woman for a good time.”

“A Zidruhin high priestess?” Il’gis says. “I doubt that.”

I recognize the intention in his eyes and shout, “Flames.”

Fire leaps from the hearth toward the demon. He moves with vampiric speed and is standing in front of me, as the flames combust in the spot where he just stood. He seizes my shoulders and flashes white teeth, his incisors elongated. I throw my forearms up, breaking his hold. He kicks my belly. I slam into the wall and drop onto the carpet. Il’gis leaps onto me, straddling my hips, and lunges for my neck. I yank my knees up in an effort to ram his back, as his teeth graze my flesh.

A gun roars in unison with a shout. Il’gis is yanked off me. I leap to my feet, breathing hard. Il’gis is spread eagle against the wall, writhing and whimpering, his arms and legs shackled to the wall with what I’m guessing are silver manacles. Barry stands ten feet away, eyes pinned on the Shadow, which slithers across the body of the man who shot himself through the temple.

“About bloody time you showed up,” I say.

His eyes shift to me. “What do you expect when you don’t take the taxi waiting for you? You’re lucky I was able to track you. That witch—” He breaks off and scans the room. “Where is she? Shit, did she get away?”

“Hardly,” I say. “Enlil liked her.”

Barry stares. “I can’t wait to hear this story.”

Chapter Sixteen

LEILAH

My eyes snap open. Heavy blankets cover me to my chin. I bolt upright. I lie in a bed in a small bedroom. The quilted bedspread, hooked throw rug beside the bed, and doily on a small nightstand remind me of a farmhouse. The tall wolf shifter sits in an armchair on the other side of the nightstand. His jean-clad legs are stretched in front of him, ankles crossed. His clasped fingers rest on his chest and his head has fallen back against the headrest. He’s asleep.

His eyes open and he turns his head. I stare into tanzanite blue eyes. My heart skips a beat. Okay, so he wasn’t asleep. Affection ripples through me. He protected me against the wolves and brought me here.

“Where am I?” I throw back the covers and swing my feet over the edge of the mattress. “Last I remember—”

Memory flashes of the guy hanging motionless from the noose. My heart lurches and I can’t halt a sob. The wolf jumps from his chair and reaches me in two strides. He pulls me up and into his arms. I bury my face in his warm chest, as he whispers indistinguishable sounds and holds me close. I don’t want him to hold me, but I don’t want him to let go, either. I don’t want to remember. I wish Stony were here. She would know what to do. I hope she’s safe.

I cry harder. The wolf swings me into his arms, sits on the bed, and settles me onto his lap. He holds me like this, gently rocking and making soft noises until, at last,

I have no tears left.

“I don’t understand. He shouldn’t have died.” I look up at the wolf and am overwhelmed by the need to kiss him. He stares down at me. “Why couldn’t I save him?” I ask through a dry throat. “Wait. You could have saved him.”

He frowns. “What?”

I jump to my feet. “You could have saved him. Instead, you were—” I can’t believe it. “You were trying to protect me.” I thrust my hand forward, palm out and shout, “Asshole!”

He is shoved backward across the mattress. I stare. That much power should have thrown him across the room. Fury explodes inside my chest. I center my magic.

He sits upright. “Don’t force me to shift.”

I stare. Is he daring me?

“Shift, motherfucker,” I snap. “I double dog dare you.”

He’s upon me before I can blink, tosses me back onto the bed, and lands on top of me.

“You should have saved that guy.” I twist in an effort to shove him off, but the guy is heavy as hell.

He seizes my hands and shoves them above my head. His face is inches from mine. “I won’t apologize for protecting you.” The words are spoken low, but with a steel that startles me.

“I wasn’t the one being hung,” I snap.

“No,” he murmurs. “You were the one being stalked by Shadows.”

Gooseflesh races across my arms. “Stalked?”