Page 58 of Rogue Witch

I open the spell book to the first page. The words on the page look like an ancient language, but I’m still convinced they’re a code created by some spell Grams cast. I have no talent for decryption. I suspect the code would take even an expert some time to decipher. My options are simple: Show the book to The Three or use magic to decipher the book as I did the first page. Yeah, like I’m going to share this book with anyone.

The magic I’d used to reveal the book’s first page had been gentle. No one had noticed that I’d used magic. If I decipher one page at a time several times, however, someone might notice the continuous use of magic. I think I can risk a page or two.

I used my wand to cast the spell. I should do the same, as the spell worked well and without any negative effects. I get my wand from my backpack in the closet, then grab my phone and drop down onto the bed. I open the book to the second page, then tap the camera icon on my phone and position the phone over the book.

I take a deep breath, then chant the same spell I used on the first page,

“Words on this one page only.

“For the barest of three heartbeats.

“Decipher me your riddles.”

As happened the first time, a breeze blows across the pages. The words shimmer then come into focus in English. I snap the picture before the words return to their original form.

I wait, but all remains quiet outside my room. I start to get up to put the wand away, then hesitate. Should I do a second page? I look at the next page, as if I expect some clue as to whether or not I should take the risk. Magic abounds in The Academy. Likely, the students often dabble in magic outside the classroom.

I position the camera over the third page, repeat the spell, and snap the picture. Without waiting, I stow my wand in the backpack and stuff the spell book under Stony’s blanket. She snorts a small recrimination but doesn’t open her eyes.

I position my pillow against the wall, sit on the bed, and lean against the pillow. A thought strikes. What day is today? I think back. The War Games took place on Tuesday. We’d been gone two days, so today is Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday, and Friday evenings I’m obligated by that damned blood pact to spend two hours studying magic with Raith in his office.

Raith was oddly kind today. Thank God for small favors. Raith being kind to me ever is more than a small favor. A strange sorrow pricks at the center of my chest. I stiffen. Did that prick occur where the Shadows entered my body? Did they come with me when I returned to the real world? I’d never heard anyone talk about Shadows returning with anyone from a Reaping. When we got back, Ariel hadn’t been the crazed bitch she’d been in the Reaping—though she was still cruel.

I’m becoming paranoid. No one likes being hated. I know from personal experience. So why does Raith’s dislike bother me? Because I didn’t do anything to deserve his hate. His dislike is personal. I scoot down and rest my head on the pillow. I close my eyes. What woman did him wrong?

Chapter Twenty-One

CALEB

Letting Ciarah out of my sight is the second hardest thing I’ve ever done. Watching her die my arms was the hardest. I comfort myself with the knowledge that her familiar is watching over her. It’s obvious the animal would protect her with its dying breath.

Leilah closes the door as she and the pig leave, and Raith says, “Where the fuck have you been the last forty years?”

“What do you care?” I ask.

His eyes blaze, but I don’t break our stare.

“We could have used your help during the war,” he says.

“I doubt that,” I reply.

“Ethan has worried like hell.”

I believe that, but say, “Ethan is a big boy.”

Raith leans back in his chair. “You think you can just walk back into Ciarah’s life?”

I shrug. “That’s always how it’s been.”

“Not this time. She’s a student at The Academy. She lives here—you don’t.”

“I imagine there’s a place here for an old wolf like me.”

He bares his teeth. “Not if I say otherwise.”

I stand. “I’m not in the mood to argue.”

“How did you end up in the Reaping with her?” he demands.