Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews Read Free Book Online Page B

along with your blatant disregard for your own word, none of it would happen. You’ll pretend it’s really my fault. It’s yours, Father. Your own sister chose to die rather than live in the world you wanted to create.”
    His hand shot out, but I saw it a mile away. He was a wizard, but I was a professional killer. The slap never landed. Roland stared at my hand blocking his.
    â€œI’m leaving now, Father. I’ll come for Saiman. You took him from me, I
will
take him back, and then we’ll be even and you’ll have a choice to make.”
    I turned and walked off the wall. There was nothing else to say. People fled from my path. The two fighters from the wall had disappeared. A storm spun above the castle, dark clouds churning. I couldn’t have cared less.
    Derek and Julie waited for me, standing still in the human chaos, as Roland’s people tried to secure the castle against the rising wind. Julie’s face was bloodless. She was holding the reins of her and my horses, trying to keep them in place as they eyed the storm with rising panic. Derek’s expression said nothing, flat and impassive. His eyes shone yellow-green. He was on the edge of violence. I marched past them, out the gates, and to the cross. They followed me. My father was still where I had left him, watching.
    I looked at Derek and pointed at the cross. He moved behind it.
    I pictured my father’s face in the wood, took a step, and hammered a side kick into the base of the cross. I sank all my strength and fury into it. The wood cracked. I kicked it again and again and again. The cross toppled down, with the man on it, and Derek caught it. I pulled a knife out of its sheath and sliced through the rope on the Iron Dog’s ankles and wrists. Derek pulled him off the cross and slung him over Cuddles’s back. I swung into the saddle and rode off, Derek and Julie following me.
    Behind us, dark clouds boiled, hiding thesun.

CHAPTER
3
    W HEN WE RODE to the meeting spot, Curran’s group had gained two new members. Barabas, his spiky hair standing straight up, was playing cards with Evelyn, one of Jim’s scouts.
    Ella eyed the Iron Dog slung over my saddle. “That’s not a cookie.”
    Curran saw my face. His expression hardened.
    â€œHow’s the bridge?” Barabas called out.
    â€œThere is no bridge.”
    Barabas opened his mouth and closed it with a click.
    â€œWhen is he coming?” Curran asked.
    â€œI don’t know.”
    Derek took the Iron Dog off the horse. Hugh’s man looked dead.
    Derek slapped his face lightly. “Hey.”
    The man’s eyelashes flickered.
    Derek looked up. “Water?”
    One of the mercenaries passed him a canteen, and Derek held the flask to the man’s mouth.
    The prisoner came to life and gripped the canteen, drinking.
    â€œNot too much,” I said, dismounting. “He’ll vomit.”
    â€œWho is this?” Curran asked.
    â€œHugh’s second-in-command.”
    Curran stared at me for a long second.
    â€œWhat was said, exactly?” Barabas asked.
    â€œI told my father that he had to give Saiman back. He gave me this man as a consolation prize. Roland had ordered him to murder some people. The Iron Dog refused, so my father decided to torture and slowly kill him. Then my father condescended to explain to me that when people didn’t play ball, things like that happened. I told him what I thought about that.”
    Barabas squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. “How did he take it?”
    â€œLook behind me.”
    Barabas glanced at the storm raging in the east. “I knew I should’ve come with you. This is my own fault. Did he say anything about declaring war or coming for you?”
    â€œNo. He tried to slap me.”
    â€œHe what?” Curran snarled. His eyes went gold.
    â€œHe tried to slap me. I blocked it and told him that I would get Saiman back, it would make us even, and