A Dangerous Witch (Wildes Witch Academy Book 2)

by Holly Ice

  And then I was back in the cell, blinking into space, my eyes out of focus.

  The raid leader stared at me, his foot incessantly tapping the floor. ‘Snapped out of it yet? What did you see this time?’

  ‘The workers… they didnae seem to ken where they were going.’

  He frowned. ‘They’d have to.’

  I bit my tongue. ‘Well, that’s what they said. Maybe this guy was lower on the pecking order, I don’t know…’ I spread my hands. That’s all I had.

  ‘And you got this from a hair tie?’

  ‘Yes.’ That, or the hair on the hair tie. I suspected that was why I got so much more from the band than the other things – it still had something of its owner connected to it.

  ‘Then you’re going to touch everything in this place and see if it sparks any new memories.’

  ‘I’d… rather not.’ I swallowed and backed out of the cells, into the bigger, airier warehouse.

  He let me leave, but the way he eyed me, he’d find some way to make me comply.

  Grim shifted his weight, clearly uncomfortable, but I couldn’t rely on help from that corner. This guy was his boss.

  Lyall. Do you have anything I can use to get out of this? I’ll owe you one.

  Even if Julian answered the phone, he’d take a while to get here.

  You won’t go back on your word?

  If you get me out of this, no.

  Then you might have to check a few more items to be sure, but I suspect no one knew where they were going until they were on the road. That way, they didn’t leave any hints for you to find. It’s a practice that went out of fashion many years ago, but with a known, powerful spirit witch back in the picture…

  My heart sank.

  Damn. So all they’d have to do is not make a decision until they leave, or not be told where they were going until they left?

  Frustratingly clever. And now I got to be the one to tell the raid leader and his boss. I wrapped my arms around my middle. I’d need the time spent checking objects to work out how to break that news.

  Chapter 15

  Shane asked me how the raid went on the drive back to the academy.

  My throat clogged, and I almost shut him out, but I remembered his smile when he hugged his dad. The tears. The relief. Maybe sharing took some of the heaviness away.

  He held my hand, silently letting me ken it was my choice. And I told him. The words rolled out of me like an ever-increasing tide.

  Rather than breaking, falling apart, or pushing me away, he pulled me closer, letting me ken he was there. My anchor. And with each breath, Avery’s cold grip on my mind seemed to ease along with my worries for the captive women and myself. I was safe. He had me.

  By the time we arrived in Cesvaine, we’d settled into an easy silence.

  The sky was dark, but bright lights swarmed across the lawn and gravel driveway, figures behind them ducking in and out of vans, then taking turns at the front of the building. Press.

  I shuddered, their logos and microphones bringing back memories of the vile questions they’d thrown at Julian after my trial.

  They descended on us the moment we turned into the academy. Ants to honey.

  My gut squirmed. They’d known we were coming.

  Grim slowed the car to a crawl to avoid running them over like bowling pins.

  I squinted past them, trying to make out a free path to the entrance. The longer I didn’t see one, the tighter I gripped Shane’s hand.

  Mira bared her teeth at anyone who got close, and Shane pounded on the windows, but they weren’t backing off.

  Grim cursed extensively and creatively. Then he threw his phone at me.

  I caught it awkwardly, my coordination fuzzy with the afterimage of all those flashes.

  ‘Ring Inziya,’ he said.

  ‘Her shift hasn’t started yet.’ I turned the phone over. She had another thirty minutes and she’d worked overtime this morning.

  ‘Do you want to get mauled out there? Ring her!’ Grim snapped.

  ‘Wait, you’re protecting me?’

  Grim paid extra careful attention to the road. Maybe Keller had spoken to him? Or Inzi? I frowned. Or was he saving his own arse? He’d have to get through that crowd, too.

  Shane snatched the phone and spoke to Inziya with many mms and yes responses while my mind spun itself in circles.

  The media had to be here about the raid. But then why were they all angling for a shot of me?

  Cold fingers gripped my throat. They knew my visions had taken the WMCF to the farms. I jiggled my knee, trying to keep it together. Russell had laid low for a while, but he’d go for the jugular if he knew I was helping them find him.

  Shane hung up, his lips parting to tell me what happened, when Inziya appeared between us.

  Heart racing, I jolted back, the faint smell of smoke tickling my nose.

  The surprise cut through my shock, and the world rushed back in at full volume. I eyed Inzi, then Grim, the yells of the media hitting my ears.

  ‘Do you ever do warnings?’

  Inziya shrugged. ‘We need to get inside. How are we doing this, Perry? Quiet, or a blazing-hot threat not to mess with us?’

  Shane slapped his hand over the lens of a woman at my window, Mira growling at his feet. ‘I vote we run them over.’

  Grim grunted. ‘They won’t back off if we don’t go big.’

  ‘Excellent!’ Inzi disappeared and reappeared on the roof, the sudden weight and creak overhead clueing me in.

  The cameras swung up to catch her.

  ‘Please back away from the car and the academy doors!’ she yelled. ‘This is your first and final warning.’

  No one moved. If anything, more of them barred the way.

  Then a bright orange light blinded me.

  Flames wrapped around the car and pushed out slowly, forming a long corridor between us and the front doors, forcing the journalists out of the way. They wouldn’t get a picture through that wall of fire.

  Gratitude rose, choking my throat. This was the biggest thing anyone had done for me publicly since Shane announced he’d be joining my defence. And it was outrageous in the best way, like a middle finger to the eyes.

  ‘I think I love her.’

  I expected a nudge or huff from Shane, but it didn’t come. He was leaning out the window, giving Inzi a thumbs-up and a high five.

  I rolled my eyes, but I had to smile when Inzi did a victory dance.

  ‘Thanks, Inzi,’ I said, getting out of the car. ‘How safe are we? Can anything get through?’ I didn’t want another stoning in my lifetime.

  ‘Anything that tries gets vaporised.’ She grinned and strode along her magically made corridor, then opened the academy doors with a curtsy.

  * * *

  Class the next day felt pointless, so I was almost glad to get Daria’s email that my exam for last term’s class was today.

  She probably wanted to catch me off guard, but I felt more prepared than I ever had for a test with all the cramming Shane and I put in. And I didn’t have to worry about making my answers fit within Animalis expectations either.

  Daria met me at the door to her empty classroom and slapped a thick sheaf of papers on a desk.

  ‘You have two hours. I’ll be marking papers.’ She eyed Grim. ‘You’ll keep her in check?’

  He inclined his head, but from the tic in his eyebrow, he was surprised she’d asked. He really was more on my side than theirs now.

  Smiling, I threw myself into the essay questions, the textbook info coming to me easily.

  My pen flew across the paper, and I finished with a quarter of an hour to spare that I spent reading through, adjusting my answers.

  My time ran out, and a spark exploded beside Daria. She waved her hand, dismissing it. Was it an alarm?

  She snatched my papers and returned to her desk. ‘You’re done for today. The practical test will take place later this month.’

  I opened my mouth to ask when to expect
my grade, but she shooed me.

  ‘You’re done. Leave now.’

  I gritted my teeth. Her attitude grated, but she reflected the majority of witches’ views. As did the latest headlines: Wildes Wrecks Reputations, a front page she’d spread across her desk. I shook my head. Arguing with her wasn’t worth the fallout.

  * * *

  Shane texted at dinner time, asking me to meet him by the lake. I glanced out the window at the stars and the splay of light over the grass and shrugged. It’d make a nice change.

  So I grabbed a padded coat and headed out, but I paused on the front step.

  Delicate dew beads decorated the grass and coated cobwebs in intricate patterns. The wind cooled my cheeks, bringing the fresh scent of water and new growth.

  I drew in a deep breath, my muscles loosening, and curved around the side of the school, an invisible Inzi somewhere nearby.

  This was the reminder I needed that I was getting somewhere. I wasn’t stuck inside a cement box anymore.

  A lantern flickered on the lake bank, reflecting off the water. A large cat rolled on the grass nearby, and a larger figure stood.

  Shane’s eyes lit up as I crossed the grass.

  He spread a fluffy blanket between his outstretched arms, wrapping me in it once I was within reach.

  ‘Thanks.’ I held it tight around my shoulders. It smelt like him, all woodsy spice.

  ‘You’re welcome.’

  I settled onto the picnic blanket he’d laid over the grass, careful not to upset the many paper plates filled with finger food. Ginger, cheese, garlic, and pepper flew to my nose.

  My mouth watered. Everything looked amazing, from the tapas to the wraps and sliced meat.

  ‘Shane McKee, is this a date?’

  He grinned and offered me one of the appetisers – feta and olives. He’d put on a whole spread, right the way through to fruit and cheese.

  I took a bite. ‘Why did you do all this?’ Damn, that came out snappy. ‘Sorry, I like it, love it. It’s just… why now?’ We normally ate in my room, sequestered away from the other students.

  A shadow crossed his face, a ghost of his spitting anger on seeing the morning headlines plastered above my shocked, pale-faced photo.

  ‘You deserve to be treated better. The WMCF are lucky to have you.’

  My heart squeezed. I’d barely looked at the papers, but he’d known they’d got to me.

  He put down the olive plate and dug into a bag. ‘So tonight, we’re celebrating your release and your birthday properly.’

  Our small celebrations were enough for me, but this was… magical.

  He pulled out a bottle of wine, popped the cork, and poured the red into two glasses.

  He gave me mine, his fingers hot against the breeze over the water.

  Clinking my glass, he said, ‘I’m so lucky to have you. To us.’

  I held his arm, stopping him from drinking. ‘I’ve said it before, toasting yourself is unlucky.’

  Shane smiled. ‘Then, to your release from prison and a happier year ahead.’

  ‘And to your work to get me out,’ I said. ‘You are so special to do this.’ I tried to push my appreciation into my voice.

  I grimaced. It made me sound soft.

  We drank deeply, and he refilled our glasses, leaving me to stare across the water and think.

  I hadn’t had a moment to be myself and relax since I’d got out and I hadn’t realised until now how tense I’d been, how on edge. Even with Shane.

  I watched him, enjoying the way the lake breeze ruffled his hair. He was totally relaxed playing host. No frown lines, and not a single tensed muscle. I should join him, savour this quiet moment to ourselves and be totally present. So I let the breeze wash away my worries and listened to the ripple of water, the rustle of long grass, and Shane’s soft breath as he stoppered the wine.

  I claimed my refilled glass, feeling a real, easy smile on my face. ‘How did you organise all this?’

  ‘I made a good friend in the academy kitchens.’

  I narrowed my eyes playfully. ‘Oh really? Overnight? Come on, how long have you been planning this picnic?’

  He bit his lip, and watching the indentation of his teeth, I shivered, remembering the feel of them on my neck.

  A warmth uncoiled low in my stomach that had nothing to do with the alcohol.

  Shane opened his arms, and I scooted into the space between his legs, loving the hold of his strong, muscled arms. Tucked in here, surrounded by his woodsy pine smell and backed by his firm body, I felt completely safe. And with our shields down, closer to him than ever.

  ‘You need time away from magic and the Wildes drama.’ His breath tickled the back of my neck.

  I leaned into him, relishing his closeness.

  ‘Time to be yourself.’

  I kissed his chin, the rough stubble there telling me he hadn’t had time to shave properly, he’d been too busy preparing all this for me. ‘How long, Romeo?’

  He rested his chin on my head and ran his rough finger down my neck, my breasts, and my waist. That one, slow finger sent soft shivers over my skin. My hips and core tingled, ready for more.

  ‘Since they took you away.’ He kissed me, slow and soft, then drew back, taking me in.

  I wanted him. No, I was on fire for him, and not just sexually. He was so sweet to do all this, and all the other wee things he did for me. Reliable, caring… the rock I’d never had.

  ‘Thank you,’ I whispered. ‘This is perfect.’

  He pulled my blanket tighter around me and nuzzled into my neck. ‘I’m not done yet.’

  He captured my mouth again, and I so wanted to lose myself in him. But it was far too cold out here to do all the naughty things I wanted.

  So I packed our plates away and gathered the blanket.

  ‘What are you doing?’

  I smiled. ‘We’ll finish the food later.’

  * * *

  I shut my bedroom door and turned to Shane, blushing and suddenly nervous. He was far more than a fling to me, a school romance. He was my other half.

  He walked to me. I watched his chest rise and fall, his breath quickening. He put his hands on my hips, then kissed me slowly, gently.

  I tasted wine on his tongue and smelt pine and fresh soap on his skin. I leaned into him, deepening the kiss, threading my fingers through his hair.

  ‘I missed this.’ His voice cracked. He licked his lips. ‘Time to ourselves, a world of our own.’

  I stared into his eyes, marvelling at how much this man had done for me. Little by little, he’d shown me there was a place for me in this community. At his side. I couldn’t explain how much it meant to belong, or how much all his attempts to keep me happy meant. Or how much I wanted to keep him happy, before myself. So I’d show him instead.

  I laced my hands through his and rose to tiptoe, kissing his sweet lips, along his stubbly jaw, his neck, exploring every inch of skin, every mole and dimple, and committing his every shiver spot to memory.

  ‘I’m never letting you go.’ He traced his hands over my lips, butterfly light. Almost tickling.

  I pressed a kiss to his fingers, dropped my coat, and pulled my top over my head.

  Shane caught it around my wrists and twisted, holding my arms in front of my hips.

  His eyes feasted on my bare skin and my pushed-up breasts, a small, sweet smile curving his lips, like I was his whole world.

  I glanced down to see his cock pushing against his jeans.

  Biting my lip, I unwound myself from his binding.

  He tensed, but I kissed him lightly, promising more with my eyes and a soft squeeze of the hard bulge in his jeans.

  Running my hands along his waistband, I knew what I wanted to offer him.

  I wanted to watch him come undone for me like he had at his parents’ house. But this time I wanted him to moan, to feel his hands on me, hear him beg for more. For us to be completely open. Honest. He’d earned that and more, and the very thought of him losing co
ntrol set me ablaze.

  Slowly, keeping eye contact, I undid his jeans: unlooping the button and pulling down the zipper. The scratch of metal on metal cut through the room, and we both stilled, holding our breath. This was far more than sex.

  I followed his jeans to the floor and held him through his boxers, sliding his cock up and down.

  His breathing grew ragged, his fingers running through my hair.

  Hell, was that hot. I felt heady, alive, and powerful. Controlling his pleasure was something I could get used to.

  I tugged off his boxers to stroke his silky cock without anything between us.

  He moaned and threw his head back, his cock twitching.

  I looked into his dilated eyes and licked my lips. My head was at the right height. All I had to do was move the boxers and take him into my mouth. Then I’d see him fall apart.

  ‘Come here,’ he said gruffly, allowing no argument.

  He carried me to my bed, then stood over me, biting his lip as he took me in. His gaze was hungry but also tender.

  He pulled off his shirt and straddled me, his hardness pressing into my mound through my jeans.

  Hell, did I want him. But I held back, letting him set the pace and enjoy my squirming.

  He stroked my cheek, tracing its edge.

  I shivered under his touch, my back arching to be closer to him.

  He held my gaze, then bunched my bra down to free my breasts.

  My taut nipples turned to buds at the rush of cold air. Such a sweet, torturous tease.

  ‘Please,’ I gasped. I didnae even ken what I was asking. I just wanted him. All of him. Now.

  He ducked his head and sucked on my throbbing nipples.

  I curled my toes, a moan escaping. Shoots of pleasure bedded in my core and rushed through me. I shivered, my legs quivering around him.

  His slow smirk told me he loved holding my pleasure in his hands as much as I did his.

  The calluses on his palms scratched my side. He slid a hand between us to undo my jeans.

  I was wet and so ready for him, my clit throbbing with anticipation and my breath hitched at that smouldering fire in his gaze.