Mine to Spell (Mine #2) by Janeal Falor Read Free Book Online Page A

owned only to die of thirst and starvation on an unfamiliar stretch of road. Walking becomes a mind-numbing journey. Can’t allow myself to think or feel. Dirt and rocks beneath my feet, dark abyss all around.
    Finally, there’s a light off in the distance. The closer I get, the more the light multiplies. It’s a town. For a brief moment, the weight pressing me down lightens. But then it’s back, heavier than ever. Without knowing what awaits me there, I can’t be glad. It’s not home. The carriage ride to Edward's was much too long for me to have reached my home on foot, and that’s the one place that would make me truly happy. If I’m fortunate, maybe I can find some food and avoid being apprehended.
    Fortune is not my friend.
    As I enter the town, I keep to the shadows. The houses are mostly dark, but a rare few have the glow of electric lights and several have the softer glow of candlelight. Stepping lightly, I try to stay in shadows of houses without any light.
    It must be past curfew. Though I may have my freedom, there’s no way to prove it. Besides, it’s doubtful most warlocks would care even if there was proof. Since gaining my freedom wasn’t public, as Serena’s was, no one would notice or care if I disappeared. At least no one with the ability to do anything about it.
    There are so many houses here. More than I’ve ever seen in one place. They vary more in shape and size as well. Some are tall and skinny, while others sprawl across the land. The further into town, the more the sprawling ones give way to the tall, skinny ones. No sign of food anywhere. From houses to the few shops scattered among them. With so many houses, there must be a lot of people in them. Where do they all get their food?
    It doesn’t matter. My limbs can barely move. I stumble around like someone who drank too much wine. My eyelids droop. I’m worse off than a toddler at nap time. As I’m searching for a place to hide and rest, loud laughter echoes down the street.
    I press myself against the closest house, pulse drumming through me. Several young warlocks are wandering down the street, playfully pushing each other and casting spells, though it’s difficult to tell what type. It’s not important right now anyway. Fool of a girl, I can’t be trying to learn when their presence means danger.
    I slink along the edge of the building, trying not to draw attention to myself before I reach the corner and slip to the other side. Inch by inch, I grow closer to my goal. I’m almost there, almost there. I’m going to make it without being spotted! My foot kicks a rock. The resulting crash is loud, too loud. I freeze.
    My hands flex, magic pulsing through me. But the warlocks continue cajoling each other as if they heard nothing. I relax the back of my head against the wall behind me before slinking along again, this time paying extra attention to what my feet are touching.
    A few more steps and I’m around the corner. As I enter the alley, I let out a sigh and hurry away. Except I’m not safe yet. Their raucous laughter is growing closer and I’m still visible from the street. I rush to the other end, hoping their noise covers mine. Only the other is a dead end. A brick wall.
    Panic claws at me as their sounds come closer. I shove it away as I struggle for a solution. The only things here are garbage bins. Disgusting. But not so vile that I would risk getting caught instead of hiding. Holding my breath, I dart behind them.
    I close my eyes and make myself take shallow breaths as I listen to the warlocks, hoping they pass by my alley. They ignore my silent plea. Their teasing gets slowly louder and closer. I wrap my arms around my legs, squeezing myself into a ball as they near the alley.
    “Where’re you going, Saban?” one calls out.
    “ Need to take care of something.”
    “ What? Down there?”
    Down there? As in down here? Please, no, no, no!
    “Old Grayson could use a little extra something. He’s always so