Silver on the Road (The Devil's West Book 1) by Laura Anne Gilman Read Free Book Online Page B

the ground rumble faintly through the soles of her boots, part warning, part welcome.
    “It’s me, Izzy,” she said quietly. It wasn’t necessary: the town knew her, had known her since she was knee-high. But this was the first time she’d crossed the border without belonging . Better to be cautious.
    There was no indication anything changed, her feet still feeling an odd tingling, but she stepped forward anyway. Nothing struck her down, or set off an alarm, or whatever the boundary was supposed to do if someone came with ill intent. It never had done anything, not in all the years she’d lived there, but then, no one had ever come with mean intent, either. Not that they made it into town, at least.
    Aaron ran down the street to meet her, the afternoon sun lighting him from behind and making him look like a dusty angel.
    “You’re to come, Izzy,” he said, jigging with enthusiasm, as though finding her had been the best part of his day. “Boss wants you. Now!”

    The boss was in his office, along with Judge Lenn. They both stubbed out their cigars when she walked in, and the judge stood, taking her hand and bowing over it like they’d never met before. His short-trimmed mustache tickled the back of her hand. “Miz Isobel. May I wish you belated but heartfelt felicitations on your birthday?”
    Izzy fell into the moment, dipping a curtsey like she had seen Marie do when she was being formal, and smiled up at the older man. “I thank you, sir.”
    He squeezed her fingers gently and then released her, his face falling into the more familiar serious lines. “The old man here asked me to witness your signatures. You do understand what you’re doing? This is more than an indenture. This isn’t only a contract; it’s a Bargain. There’s no leaving his service once you sign, save death, and I’m not so certain even that can break this.”
    “I understand,” Izzy said, because the judge seemed to be waiting for a response.
    “And this is of your own free will, with no coercion.”
    Izzy nodded. “Yes, sir.” She wasn’t quite sure what that last word meant, but she’d made the decision, nobody else.
    The judge looked at the papers again, then nodded once. “All right, then. I can’t say as I think this is a wise choice—no offense, sir,” he said in an aside, and none taken , the boss responded, smiling, “but it’s your choice and none of us are as wise as we think we are at your age.”
    The judge was the only one who talked like that, and the only one who not only sassed the boss but went toe to toe with him on a regular basis. But he spoke for the Law in Flood, and the boss said Law was useful to have on your side, so he looked over every contract and witnessed its signing.
    Izzy reached for the pen, but the boss held out a hand, stopping her. “Read them first, Isobel. Never sign a thing you have not read first.”
    “Yessir.” She picked up the paper and looked over the terms, resisting the urge to skim them quickly.
    “To bear faithful service,” she read silently, forming the words only with her lips. “To obey in word and in deed the trust given.” In return, she was promised five full coin a month, plus all supplies and training needed for her to carry out those responsibilities.
    Izzy came to the end of the page, then leaned forward and picked up the pen. It was heavier than she’d expected, the barrel cool and smooth under her fingers. The prick against her fingertip was a sharp pinch, the nib cold as it drank its fill, and then she was signing her name on the creamy paper next to the X , all her penmanship lessons coming back to her, leaving a smooth line of text when she was done.
    The boss took the pen next, pricked his own finger, and scratched his name on the next line. The blood glistened, then sank into the paper, turning darker as it dried. “Maleh mishpat,” he said quietly. “Isobel, thou art bound to me.”
    It was done. Izzy had expected . . . more, somehow. She had