Cast Into Darkness by Janet Tait Read Free Book Online

may not be what you were raised to do, but that doesn’t make you any less vital.”
    “Really? And what’s my role? Get a medical degree so I can prescribe pills for you when you’re old and tweaked from casting and have to stay tranked all the time? Or get a comp-sci degree so someone you trust can hack your enemies’ networks? What kind of a life is that?”
    “It’s a good life, an important life. You have a duty to your family.”
    “There’s nothing I can do to help you win the Game. You need casters for that. People who can keep control of your pawns, stop the other families’ casters from messing with your operations. If I can’t do that, I might as well do what I want with my life.” She dropped her eyes as the old bitterness welled up. No point in regretting what can’t be changed.
    “Have fun in college,” he said. “Go ahead, experiment with theater and art. But don’t believe for one minute that you know what you want. You’re only a freshman. You’re too young for that kind of certainty.”
    “When will I be old enough? When it’s too late to choose? Well I’m going to choose for myself.” She rose to stand.
    “Are you referring to that scholarship you’re so proud of?”
    She stopped, halfway out of the chair.
    “Did you think I didn’t know about that? Did you think the college could do anything that concerns you without my knowing? The scholarship changes nothing. Money is only one part of the picture. You need support. You need me.”
    Kate shot to her feet, fire burning in the pit of her stomach. “I don’t. I don’t need you, your money, or you messing with my life. Why can’t you just leave me alone?”
    “Because I love you, sweetheart. Because you’re a Hamilton, and despite the Rules, that puts you at risk.”
    Kate slumped, catching the arm of her chair. She gripped it hard; only a slight tremble showed.
    I should tell him where to stuff his “because you’re a Hamilton” crap. But maybe there’s a better line of attack. One she could figure out later, once she’d a chance to rest, retrench.
    “Please call Alex and have him take me home.”
    He studied her face. “You’ve been through a lot today. I shouldn’t have been so hard on you.” Picking up his phone, he dialed then said, “Stop by my office and take Kate to the house.”
    Kate walked toward the doors, her steps light. She’d made it—escaped his office and hadn’t given away any of Brian’s secrets.
    Her fingers touched the dark wood of the doorknob. Then her father spoke.
    “Are you all right? I’m worried about you. This attack isn’t the sort of thing you’ve been trained to deal with.” He came around the desk to stand behind her. His hand brushed her shoulder.
    She spun around. Understanding filled his eyes and, she thought, love. Reaching out for him, she sank into his embrace.
    “It’s all right, honey. I know it’s rough. The first time somebody goes after you like that. You must have been scared.”
    “A little.”
    “Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone hurt you. I’ll keep you safe.” He held her close. “But you have to help me. What was that girl really after? You know, don’t you?”
    Oh God, he knew she was lying. Of course he did. He was Dad.
    She should tell him all about the stone: that it put her into a trance last night, that Brooke wanted it, that she had probably overheard Kate and Brian talking about it when he gave it to her. He would know what to do, how to keep her safe. Besides, anything he didn’t know he’d find out. She opened her mouth, ready to tell him everything.
    Brian’s words came back to her. “Don’t tell anyone. Not even Dad.” Had paranoia from casting caused him to say that? Or did he have another reason?
    Who did she trust more? Brian or Dad? Brian never betrayed her secrets, not even in the innocent childhood way of telling on her when she’d stolen an extra cookie after lunch. And confiding in Dad had its risks. She remembered when