A Dangerous Witch (Wildes Witch Academy Book 2)

by Holly Ice

  I saved her number to my contacts and hit the call button. If I was quick, I’d get this done before Shane got back.

  Shauna answered a few seconds later. ‘About time.’

  ‘Sorry. I didn’t see the message.’

  She huffed. ‘Don’t think getting out of jail means our deal is off.’

  I licked my dry lips. ‘So you did influence the coven?’

  ‘We had to. You’re our only source of information on Avery. We need to find her.’

  ‘But you thought I was lying.’

  ‘Ivy did. Still does. She doesn’t know I’m talking to you.’

  ‘I’m… thank you.’

  A short pause. ‘Keep searching for her, Bianca. I want her home.’

  She didn’t need to ask. I owed her my life. ‘Of course I will.’

  ‘Good, because your retrial depends on it.’

  She hung up.

  I stared at the phone for a minute. I would’ve worried Shauna had painted the skull, but what she’d said was more fact than threat. A retrial was another chance to prove myself, to remove the murderer label. If I proved my spirit powers by finding Avery, the WMCF might finally open their damned eyes and investigate my concerns about Russell McKee. From there we could unravel the corruption and lock up the sick people who protected him.

  ‘Shane’s back!’ Peregrine called.

  I shook my plans aside and let him in. His dark-blue pyjama bottoms were cute, and his hoodie looked comfy, but more than appearances, I was happy to have him at my side tonight. With Shane, everything felt normal.

  He tugged on my coat. ‘Still not changed?’ His eyes smouldered.

  ‘No, I caught up with Finn and Rhea,’ I lied.

  He stroked my neck. ‘How did that go?’

  I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry. ‘Fine.’

  He searched my face, kissing my nose, my cheeks, the corner of my lips.

  ‘How are you?’ I asked. ‘Finally seeing me, free from bars?’

  He licked his lips and stepped back, the sudden chill pimpling my skin. ‘Am I going too fast? Would you rather we wait? Talk things through?’

  I tilted my head. He was shifting his feet, nervous.

  ‘No, I’m fine. What about you? Did you want to talk about your dad? Or about how things have been without me? About Cameron, or your family?’

  ‘No. Not tonight.’

  I fell into his half-lidded eyes, tempted by all the things they promised. How he’d support me through anything, fight my corner, and… other things. His hand swept over my arm, tickling my soft underarm, and I leaned into him. We’d keep our secrets. For now. We had more important things to navigate tonight.

  * * *

  I woke to sharp rapping.

  For a moment, in the darkness of my room, I thought I was back in the cells, that my release had been a dream.

  But no, the mattress was thicker than foam, my pillow smelt like Shane, and there was a solid door and wall between me and whoever was trying to gain my attention.

  ‘Bee, it’s Shane. Are you ready for class?’

  Wait, why was he on the other side of the door? I checked my phone and cursed. I was way behind schedule. I must’ve slept right through him getting out of bed and dressed.

  ‘Give me a minute!’

  I put on jeans, a top, and my Animalis jacket. Though I ran my finger over the badge.

  Was it better to change it or leave it? Changing it brought more attention. But then, I’d bring enough attention all on my own. I sighed, grabbed my bag, and opened the door.

  Shane smiled, and my stomach dropped, my cheeks heating with how he’d held me last night, like I was the most precious person in the world.

  I leaned in and kissed his cheek, his rough stubble making me smile.

  Then I frowned. A woman rested on the wall beside him, rocking turquoise curls. She watched the other students swarm to breakfast or class while eating a fist-sized cupcake that was more icing than sponge.

  ‘Hi…?’

  ‘Inziya. Inzi, if you like. Your night guard.’

  Her arms were decorated with colourful tattoos, and she was loaded with weapons from the knife sheaths at her waist to a wooden staff propped against the wall.

  Maybe it was seeing all that sugar before breakfast, but I immediately liked her. She didn’t make my hair rise on end like Peregrine did.

  ‘Got any cupcakes for me?’

  ‘No.’

  Shane handed me a bundle of napkins. ‘Inzi thought you’d do better skipping the food hall. I brought you toast with chocolate spread. Is that okay?’

  My heart melted. He’d left to get breakfast for me? Too cute.

  He handed me two slices he’d stuck together, topping side in, wrapped in napkins.

  I pulled them apart and bit into one, savouring the chocolate. I didn’t think I’d taste anything for the next few months without my taste buds tingling and fizzing with happiness.

  ‘Perfect. Thank you,’ I said between bites. I smiled. He was really getting into feeding me, like he was playing house.

  Inzi pushed off the wall and nodded to Peregrine, who was coming around the corner.

  They spoke for a minute, then he clicked his fingers. Time to get my schedule.

  Shane walked with me to Mel’s office, Peregrine slightly behind.

  I swallowed hard around the last bite of toast and packed the second slice in my bag. I was still hankering for a cupcake… but Inzi disappeared the moment I took my eyes off her.

  We got to Mel’s office thirty minutes before the first class was due to start.

  Peregrine rapped on the door.

  Mel’s gaze jumped from Peregrine to Shane. Then me.

  She flinched.

  ‘Bianca. You’re here for your schedule?’

  She rummaged through papers until she found it in her inbox. She held the paper out, towards Peregrine rather than me.

  He ignored it and turned sideways to watch the door and the room. I’d have taken it, but she was watching me like I was a wild cat. So I looked to Shane.

  He passed it to me.

  My classes were all new.

  ‘I’m not retaking the first term?’

  ‘Your teachers opted to set you extra tests this term instead.’

  Fantastic. They’re sure to be harder than the ones everyone else got. And I bet they’re only letting me go into the second term because they don’t want me here any longer than necessary.

  Probably.

  Oh, come on, Lyall. I need an outlet. Let me rant.

  I am letting you rant.

  But you’re not ranting with me.

  He left my shoulder and landed on Shane’s instead. The arse.

  ‘When can I expect these tests?’

  ‘Your teachers will email you.’

  Email. Nice. Teachers here were old-fashioned and usually wanted in-person meetings, so if I could avoid face-to-face time, all the better.

  ‘Anything else I need to know?’

  Mel glanced at my minder and shook her head. ‘I think Perry has you covered.’ She smiled then, watching him through her lashes. ‘It’s nice to see you again.’

  Was that a rose tint to her cheeks? Peregrine had to be at least five years older than her, if not ten. And sleeping with him would be like sleeping with a porcupine. But hey, maybe he was her childhood hero.

  ‘Okay, well, I’ll get to class.’

  Peregrine stepped back against the doorframe to let us out. ‘Bye, Mel.’ He threw a wave over his shoulder.

  We made it to my first class without much incident. A few stares and some people who Peregrine warned off, but that was it.

  Applications of Elemental Magic was where I got the full feel for what the rest of my stay at the academy would be like.

  As soon as I walked in, the other students stared.

  A clammy heat gathered at the base of my neck and spread. I got it. I went to court. I stole DNA samples. And I was a Wildes. What did I say to that?

/>   I ducked my head and hustled to an empty seat near the back.

  Shane sat on my right, and Peregrine stood behind me by the wall, his eyes a heavy weight on the back of my skull.

  I hunched over my notebook. I was never getting the life I had here back.

  Our teacher strode in. Tall and slim with silver hair, he looked down his hooked nose at us and reserved a sneer for me.

  ‘As this is Ms Nash’s first lesson back at the academy, please rest assured she will be carefully watched by Officer Peregrine, who is skilled in countless varieties of battle magic and hand-to-hand fighting. If she should try anything, she will be swiftly dealt with.’ He smiled. ‘Now, open your textbooks to chapter six, where we’ll continue to explore the applications of spirit magic and how it can be used for good… or bad.’

  Shit. He was one of those teachers. And I was going to be the centre of this term’s module. Or at least the spirit component of it. He might choose new victims for the other elements.

  I buried my nose in my textbook. I’d survive. And I’d prove them wrong. Eventually.

  Chapter 10

  After classes and dinner, I dawdled to my room, but Peregrine wasn’t having it. He kept nudging until eventually he kicked my shoe.

  ‘Hurry up! Inziya is waiting, and I have evening plans.’

  ‘Are you meeting Mel?’

  He snorted. ‘Night shift starts at seven, and I’m not doing overtime tonight. Move it.’

  Got it. I was his charge, not his friend. Still, twelve-hour shifts were brutal. Especially if this lasted the full three years. They’d have to relive their degrees along with me.

  I walked a wee bit faster. ‘I’m sorry you’re stuck with me.’

  ‘Are you?’

  Ugh, his walls were thicker than mine. Did he really think I wanted constant companions? They weren’t even here to help me.

  But we couldn’t spend all day in silence. Well, I couldn’t. I’d lived that for too long. And I needed to ken more about my guards. And where their loyalties lay.

  ‘It can’t be your favourite assignment. This has to be way below your skill set.’

  Dealing with baby witches would be child’s play compared to whatever slit his throat open.

  ‘I have my orders.’

  Inziya stood in front of my room, arms crossed and weight balanced like a bouncer, and yet her warmth bled through, drawing me in.

  She had more piercings today, including a septum nose ring. But I was still blown away by her belt. It had so many tools it was a wonder her trousers didn’t fall to the floor. Tonight she wore the same black, loose clothing that Peregrine did.

  And that Justin had, when I’d first met him. My heart panged. I’d hated him then. All I’d wanted was to escape, but he was the best of all of them.

  ‘Anything to report?’ Inzi asked.

  ‘Nothing serious since our arrival,’ Peregrine said.

  She nodded. ‘Then you’re officially off duty. Get out of here.’ She smacked his arm and turned her back on his scowl.

  He didn’t linger. His evening plans must be good.

  Inzi’s, however… that stretch of bare floor wasn’t comfy. ‘You don’t want a chair or a cushion? Maybe a blanket?’

  ‘No. They’d slow me down. Scream or yell, and I’ll be there in two breaths. Okay?’ She smiled.

  I frowned. ‘You’d run in if I was under attack?’

  ‘Of course. I’m here to guard academy students. I’d say that includes you.’

  The knotted bindings around my lungs eased, and I drew in a full breath.

  ‘Thank you. Though, I better not have any more nightmares.’

  However nice she seemed now, I didn’t want her descending on me, blade out and adrenaline high.

  She laughed. ‘That’s one way to order a wakeup call.’

  ‘Well, goodnight.’

  ‘Night.’

  I closed the door on her, feeling stupid for doing so. It wasn’t often you closed the door on someone’s face, knowing they’d be standing guard all night.

  I shook my head, changed, and got in bed. I had time to get to know my guards. Time Avery and her family gave me.

  Covers over my lap, I closed my eyes and slipped into my meditative state.

  I cast my net out to find the flame I’d found so many times, and stumbled.

  Avery wasn’t where she usually was.

  Of course, distance and place weren’t too accurate, or I could have found her in the real world, but the general area in my mind’s eye was missing her flame. I opened my net and searched more closely, then farther out. And I still didn’t see her.

  I strained, pushed more and more energy into the process until I fell back onto the bed, my head spinning.

  I must have put too much effort into pushing the boundaries. Maybe because I was back in Cesvaine, away from the jail, she was out of my natural reach. But it didn’t sit right.

  Lyall, how far can I See when I’m looking for Avery?

  I don’t know. It depends upon the witch, how strong their spirit ability is, and their natural connection to aether.

  Can you help me search farther?

  I can try.

  Good. You ready?

  Yes.

  I took deep breaths, gathered my energy, and slipped back into my meditative state.

  This time, when I pushed the net out, it threw more easily. Lyall was adding a lot of juice.

  I pushed further, and further. Finally, when I felt woozy, I saw a flame. A moving flame. I zeroed in on it and caught a brief glimpse of Avery, running through a forest barefoot with the howl of dogs in the distance. Then she threw me out.

  Why the hell did she throw me out?

  Could she have escaped?

  Maybe the midwife helped her, or the birth gave her the opportunity to run? I bit my lip.

  I need to call Shauna.

  * * *

  I peered out my bedroom door at one in the morning.

  Inziya gave me side eye. ‘Going somewhere?’

  If I said to the bathroom, she was sure to follow me. ‘I’m meeting someone.’

  She tensed, her hand dropping to her dagger, then slipped inside my room and shut the door.

  ‘Where, and why?’ she snapped, searching my face.

  I flinched. In a moment, she’d gone from easy-going guard to a predator.

  My skin prickled with unease. Her laidback vibe was a lie. But why did she want to get close to me? I eyed the dagger but didn’t get a pull on my gut, so she wasn’t an immediate danger.

  ‘Not far. The front drive.’

  ‘Who are you meeting?’

  ‘Shauna Martin.’ I swallowed, the air stuffy.

  ‘Is Shauna a friend?’

  I gritted my teeth. Like Peregrine, she’d stepped over the line. They were here to protect the other students from me, not the other way around. What I thought about someone was irrelevant.

  But one step to the door, and she blocked my path, her hand locked around my wrist. Her fierce gaze held me as much as her hand.

  Her entire body was tense, almost vibrating. Her fingers were white around the hilt of her dagger.

  Sweat trailed down my neck and snuck under my top. I licked my lips, aching to run, but that’s the last thing to do with someone on the edge of violence.

  ‘Inzi, please, I’m not a threat.’

  Slowly, she loosed her hold on my wrist but she didn’t back away. Or remove her hand from her blade. ‘Is she a friend?’

  I glanced at the door. She was too fast for me to make it. I bit my lip, not sure which answer would get the better response. I had to get this right. Avery needed me.

  ‘She’s an ally.’

  The silence drew out. I shifted my feet. Why did she care so much what Shauna was to me? What could we possibly do to upset the academy on the deserted driveway?

  My phone vibrated in my pocket.

  Inziya straightened and dropped her death grip on her blade. ‘Why meet her so late at night?
’

  I heaved in a breath, but my lungs were heavy. ‘I’m helping her find someone.’

  Her lips twitched. ‘And what did you learn this late that was so useful?’

  I rubbed my face. What to tell her? She knew I could have visions, but the WMCF was full of corrupt officers, people who could be bribed or blackmailed into doing exactly what Russell wanted.

  And at the same time, Shauna would be waiting for me, for answers. We didn’t have time to wait.

  ‘It was a vision, wasn’t it?’ Inzi asked, her tone sure.

  A chill swept over my shoulders. She was far too perceptive.

  ‘Please don’t say anything.’ It came out before I thought better of it.

  Inzi’s brows lowered, and her gaze strayed to the window. Her soft sigh was a weary whisper.

  ‘I wasn’t forced into this job, like Perry. I volunteered.’

  Heat rushed through me. Whose side was she on? A question might break the spell, but I had to ask. ‘Why?’

  Eyes narrowing, she faced me. ‘Because I know you were framed. You’re not the only one who wants to bleach the crud out of the WMCF.’

  My head spun. ‘You knew?’ I tried and failed to keep the whine out of my voice. That’s why she said she’d protect me. She knew I was innocent. ‘Why didn’t you come to us, offer to testify?’

  Her eyes narrowed. ‘Because I don’t want to wind up dead. I’ll help you if I can but I’m not risking my own neck. Understood?’

  ‘I… yes. Understood.’

  She nodded stiffly and gestured for me to lead the way.

  I shook my head. No wonder I’d felt so at ease around her. She wasn’t playing me. And my spirit nudges hadn’t malfunctioned. She actually wanted to help.

  We walked in an awkward silence.

  The halls were empty, only a few noises coming through bedroom doors.

  In the foyer, my footsteps echoed, but Inzi barely made a sound.

  ‘How are you so quiet?’ Her and Peregrine were like panthers on the hunt.

  ‘It’s a talent.’

  Pure sarcasm. So either she thought I was an elephant, or the quiet steps came from hours and hours of practice and the right shoes.