Page 44 of Reckless Witch

The pig snorts what is clearly intended as a warning, but for once, I’m in agreement with Raith. Never mind the hole in the armoire or the overturned furniture. It’s the green goop that catches my attention.

“A Thol’guk,” I murmur.

Ethan gives an almost imperceptible nod.

“What are you doing here?” Leilah demands, but I discern an unsteadiness in her voice. “Out,” she orders. “All of you. You, too,” she adds, and glances over her shoulder. Her brow furrows. “What the hell? Where—” She faces forward again. “Where did he go?”

Through the long sleeves of Ethan’s white shirt, his dragon tattoos glow. So it begins.

“The Thol’guk?” Ethan demands.

Uncertainty flickers in her eyes and I realize she wasn’t referring to the green demon.

Ethan takes a step toward her. “Who else besides the Thol’guk was here?”

The glow beneath his shirt now covers his arms and dragon armor is nearly bursting the fabric of his shirt.

“How did you get past the wards?” Leilah counters.

“Wards only keep out evil,” I say.

Her eyes narrow. “Too bad it doesn’t keep out assholes.”

I laugh. “If that were the case, darling, you wouldn’t be here any more than we are.”

Her eyes narrow. “What are you three doing here? Since when do Academy instructors take part in investigations outside The Academy?”

“We’re not here to investigate Miriam Crowe’s crimes,” Raith says. “We’re here to collect you.”

She lifts her chin. “Try. Grams keeps a stash of silver stakes here.”

Even with the sigil glowing on her hand, magic radiates off her. By God, she’s magnificent. I half wonder if I can devise a way to send them home and have my way with her. But that’s a fantasy. We do have to share her, but it’s too early. Plus, I’ve got to figure out what’s different about her this time. Well, that last might be able to wait. I’m not one for denying myself any longer than I must.

“Easy, Leilah,” Ethan warns. “You have only pushed the limits of the sigil a little. Push too hard and you will injure yourself.”

She thrusts forward the hand with the sigil. “Then take it off.”

He hesitates.

“No,” Raith says.

Leilah throws him a thin-lipped scowl. “I wasn’t talking to you.”

“Ethan isn’t in charge.”

She laughs harshly. “Neither are you.”

“Ethan doesn’t have the authority to remove the sigil,” Raith says. “Your name is written on the Stone. We’ve been through this. You know the law. Anyone’s name who appears on the Stone must attend The Academy.”

“I thought you wanted me expelled,” she shoots back.

The pig snorts and Leilah laughs, clearly in agreement with whatever the animal said. I shake my head. Witches and their familiars.

“Stony says she’ll take care of the three of you while I go upstairs to bed,” Leilah says. “As Miriam’s only living relative, this house belongs to me.”

“Talk to the Illumina once the investigation is over,” Ethan says. “For now, you’re coming back with us.”

Her eyes spark and the pig snorts loudly.