Page 85 of Rogue Witch

“I can read,” Stony says in Chinese.

“What does she mean that she has to give me a chance at a real life?”

“Shadows must be stopped,” she replied.

“Grams kicked me out,” I say.

“She can’t take you with her.”

I frown. “You’re being stupid.”

“You’re stupid.”

“None of this can be real,” I say.

“Then where’s her body?”

I narrow my eyes. “I hate you.” I shoot a sideways glance at the spell. “I haven’t gone into the basement.”

Stony pushes off her butt and trots toward the door. I hesitate for two heartbeats, then follow.

Chapter Thirty-Six

ETHAN

I can’t believe that I was so foolish as to allow Domini to accompany me to Leilah’s dorm room. The thought occurred to me that she would likely be sleeping, even though it’s only eight in the evening. But the truth is, I longed to see that she was well, that Jonas’s concern about her and Shadows is unfounded.

I’m a stupid, selfish bastard.

Domini and I stand at Leilah’s desk. He holds the note she addressed to me, Blade and Raith, requesting permission to leave The Academy.

Domini looks at me and frowns. “Why is Ms. Crowe asking you, Blade, and Raith for permission to leave The Academy?”

“We instructed all students that they were to stay in their rooms. She’s clearly breaking the rules.” In more ways than he can possibly know.

His frown deepens. “Asking Raith’s permission, I could understand—though why she’s asking permission through a note….”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. Maybe she’s hedging her bets.”

“By asking permission in a note?” he asks.

Yeah, I silently fume. That was how the little fool got around asking our permission, per the agreement of the blood pact—and she must have gotten around us, otherwise, we would have felt her trying to violate the pact. I should have known she would find a loophole. Raith is going to lose his cool over this, and I can’t blame him.

“Where is she going?” Domini says. “Her only living relative was Miriam Crowe.”

“Home, I would guess.”

“As in the potionary?”

“Yes.”

“Then we had better track her down,” Domini says.

“Track her down?” I don’t want Domini anywhere near the potionary. I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. “We can send Watchmen,” I say.

He shakes his head. “No need. I can go.”

“Domini—”