Page 55 of Reckless Witch

A corner of his mouth lifts in a tiny smile. “The hospital was too far away.”

And they don’t have any vampires on staff, I mentally add, but say, “I need to thank you, too.”

My gaze catches on the spear. I take three steps to where it lies and pick it up. The sigil on my hand warms.

Blade comes to his feet. “Put it down, Leilah.”

Before I can reply, Raith is at my side and knocks the spear from my hand. The shaft hits a shelf with a loud crack and splinters.

“Do you know even the most basic rules of magic?” he demands in a voice so cold, I shiver.

I frown. “What are you talking about?”

“You could have triggered any magic remaining in the wood.”

I’m startled at the hurt that stabs. Then anger boils over. “Why the fuck did you save me when you clearly hate me?”

“He doesn’t hate you,” Ethan says.

Raith snorts. “This isn’t about you, Ms. Crowe.”

He starts to turn away. I grab his arm and swing him around to face me. “The hell it isn’t. You don’t know me, but you’ve decided you don’t like me. Maybe you really believe Grams was a dark witch, and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I can live with that.”

Blade surges to his feet. “Leilah—”

I cut him off with a harsh laugh, my gaze still locked on Raith. “It’s not like it’s the first time someone hates me. But I’ll respect you a lot more if you’re honest about your feelings.”

Raith’s eyes darken and awareness reminds me that this vampire has a big secret.

“I know you all too well, Ms. Crowe,” he says, and I feel as if he’s punched me in the stomach.

He really believes I’m…bad. I’m struck with the memory of calling up a dark ball of energy at Grams’ house to fight the green demon. The energy was eerily similar to the Shadow husks. Obsidian wisps of energy tangled with themselves. Raith pulls free and I fall back a pace.

“Blade, get the spear out of here and have it analyzed,” he orders.

Blade takes three steps and reaches my side. “After I’ve seen Leilah safely back to her dormitory.”

Raith’s mouth thins, but he gives a curt nod. “She’s to stay in her dorm for the remainder of the day.” He turns and heads for the door.

I draw a sharp breath.

“Raith,” Ethan begins.

I fist my hands at my sides. “I will not be a prisoner—”

Raith whirls, those vampire eyes swirling with emotion so hot that the room tilts around me. “You will do exactly as I say, Ms. Crowe, or I will have you sealed in your room. Indefinitely.”

An unexpected image flashes of me locked in the room—with him. Lust wars with fury. The sigil on my hand heats.

His gaze flicks to the sigil then back to my face. “If one sigil can’t keep you in check, I’ll have Ethan put one on the other hand.”

I take a step toward the vampire and Blade steps in front of me.

“He’s right,” Blade says. “We need time to find out who tried to kill you.”

I blink. Someone tried to kill me.

Raith turns and strides toward the door. I stare, torn between wanting to throw some kind of spell—any kind of spell—at him, and confusion. Of course, anger wins out, and I say loud enough for him to hear, “I can’t leave before I apologize to Mr. Stick-Up-His-Ass for getting his couch bloody.”