Page 42 of Rogue Witch

“You were there. Did you see any of them touch me?”

His eyes darken. “I wasn’t able to watch you the entire time. After you interfered with the wolves earlier, I’d hoped you would have the sense to stay out of the fray.”

I ignore the admonition and say, “Is Chelsea here?”

“Chelsea?” he repeats.

“The girl they tried to hang.”

“I didn’t see her amongst the students downstairs,” he replies.

“What happened to Ariel—the bitch who instigated the hangings?”

He grunted. “She ran.”

“Ran?”

“She had half a dozen people chasing her.”

“Good,” I say in a dark voice that unsettles me. “I hope they tore her limb from limb.”

“Like she wanted done to the girl you saved?” he asks.

I scowl. “She’s not a nice person.”

A corner of his mouth lifts. “I believe you.” The warmth in his eyes causes heat to rise to my cheeks.

“How long have we been here?” I ask.

“You slept for about eight hours.”

“Eight hours?” I blurt. “I never sleep eight hours.” I drop back onto the bed and stare at the ceiling. “How much longer are we going to be here?”

“There’s no telling,” he replies.

I turn my head slightly so that I can see him. “Who are you? No way you’re a student.”

“No,” he says.

“So, who are you?”

“Caleb,” he says.

“Where are you from?”

“Colorado.”

I frown. “There’s no Academy in Colorado. I thought only students were taken in the Reaping. You know, High Potentials, due to their strong abilities.”

“Do you think all High Potentials attend academies?”

I grunt. “You got me there. If not for being forced to stay at The Academy…well, I wouldn’t be there.”

“But you probably would have been taken in the Reaping.”

“I guess.” I look at my lap. “Who will tell that guy’s family that he’s dead?”

“Someone at that New York Academy.”