Bound Read Free

time crossing the room, his attention riveted on us. Colin started to draw away, but I held fast.
    “Aren’t you going to introduce me, Mo?” my father asked. Without waiting for my response, he said, “You’re Colin Donnelly.”
    “It’s good to meet you, sir.”
    “Annie’s told me a lot about you. Says you’ve done a good job keeping my daughter out of trouble.”
    I bristled at the words, but Colin’s voice was cool. “I try my best. You know Mo.”
    My father’s jaw clenched as he caught the implication—he didn’t know me at all. “The good news is, now that I’m home, things will settle down. I don’t think we’ll need your help for much longer. Annie says you’re a carpenter?”
    He was getting rid of Colin? “But ...” I started to protest, but Colin’s hand brushed mine, reassuring.
    “With all due respect, sir, I work for Billy.” Now the words held an edge.
    My dad looked disappointed. “I figured you’d say that.”
    My mom joined us, worry creasing her brow, and my dad settled an arm around her waist. She brightened instantly. “It’s a nice party, don’t you think? Everyone’s so happy to see you.”
    He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “You did great. Never saw it coming.”
    Looked like I wasn’t the only liar in the family. I coughed, and he frowned at me. “Don’t spoil her fun,” his look telegraphed. “Can I bail, please?” I asked. “I’m wiped out.”
    “Honey, it’s your dad’s party!”
    “Yeah, with your friends. Not mine.” Like I would have invited any of my friends to this. “Look, I helped set up, and I did the big welcome. Why do I have to stay?”
    “Oh, Annie, let her go.” Billy approached us, a tumbler of whiskey in hand, doing his best impression of the doting uncle. “What fun is she going to have with a bunch of old people? Besides, we’ve things to discuss.”
    Her mouth thinned, and she glanced at my father, who shrugged. “It’s fine. We’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”
    “I suppose.” She gave me a quick hug. “We’ll be home in a bit.”
    While Colin went to warm up the truck, I popped into the back room and clocked out. The sudden quiet was a relief, and I took a minute to steady myself. I’d survived. While I was still reeling from my dad’s greeting, the other guests had swarmed in to welcome him, and I’d slipped off to the side. Other than the brief exchange between my dad and Colin, I’d managed to steer clear of my family for the night. It could have been worse.
    It could have been much worse. It could have been Anton on that barstool instead of a random stranger.
    I’d worked so hard to keep my real life separate from my magical one. If Anton had shown up, it would have meant only one thing: He and the Seraphim, his genocidal cult, were back. Anton and his followers wanted to release the magic from the ley lines that carried it safely through the world. But doing so would be lethal to weaker Arcs and any Flats—ordinary people—who came in contact with untempered magic. They called it The Ascendency, when members of the Seraphim would destroy the Arcs’ society and rise to their rightful place. They’d been the ones to order Verity’s death last summer, and they’d been after me ever since. We’d defeated them a few months ago, but I knew they would regroup. I just didn’t know when.
    But Anton never passed up an opportunity to attack me. I’d had no word from the Arcs that I was in danger. The ley lines around Morgan’s had been quiet all night. For now, at least, I was safe.
    I bent over, trying to untie my apron.
    The string was so badly knotted, I was going to have to cut it off or try to wriggle out. Behind me, the door opened and the noise from the party swelled, grating on my nerves.
    “The stupid string won’t come undone,” I told Colin. “Can you help me get this off?” I turned, tugging at the white canvas hem.
    It wasn’t Colin.
    “Nothing I’d like better,” said Luc, stepping