“Are you kidding me?” I looked back and forth between the two men. Both looked dead serious. “You’re going to basically block me from using magic. How am I going to train under those conditions?”
“Miles or I can remove the disrupters, when needed. We were both keyed to lock and unlock them.”
“So you’ve already agreed to this. What if I don’t agree?”
“Always the fighter. That is why I have this,” said Miles, who held up a letter. “And, back up is standing by and can be here by transport in seconds.”
I had little doubt who the letter was from. The Guild Master was fast becoming one of my least favorite people. And threatening me with more enforcers was a bit over-the-top, even for Miles.
“I don’t need the letter. It probably says I’ll be detained and held until my magic is stripped if I don’t do as you say.”
“I see you’re learning. It’s about time,” said Miles.
“Back up isn’t necessary and neither is provoking Marty,” said Sterling. “Marty, I’m sorry it’s come to this. If I didn’t believe it was absolutely needed, I wouldn’t have agreed to it. You’re not just an employee, you’re family. Please don’t fight this.”
Sure, because I always put on magical restraints on members of my family? Sterling’s betrayal felt more painful than I could put to words. We were family, but I wouldn’t ever feel like part of the family again. Family didn’t do this to each other. I didn’t know whether to rage or cry. A lump was lodged in my throat. I never could have imagined that he would consider this, let alone agree to it.
At serious risk of crying, I held tight to my anger to keep the tears from coming out. He said it was for my own good. What kind of crap was that? This wasn’t for my own good. It left me unprotected when my father was out and could come after me at any moment. I wouldn’t forgive him for this. I expected Miles to do something underhanded like this, but not Sterling, never him.
Muffin was still growling hard enough that he was shaking my leg. I pet him, trying to calm him down. It didn’t seem to work very well since he was still tense against my leg.
“Fighting it isn’t an option. Fine,” I stuck my arms out. “Get it over with.”
Miles stepped forward, but Sterling’s arm shot out, stopping the enforcer. “I’ll do it. Once it’s on, I expect you to leave. Don’t come back here.”
“You have no authority to dictate to me.”
“No, I don’t, but I’ll find a way to keep you out one way or another. You’re Marty’s trainer for the next couple of weeks, but that’s the only contact you get with her.”
I didn’t hear the rest of their exchange because I was distracted by the disrupters. The moment the bracelets were put on my arms, I felt the drain. My magic and energy poured out of me, leaving me an empty husk. After just getting my magic back, it’s absence was hard to handle. I wanted it back.
“The door is that way. You should know the way, Miles,” said Sterling.
“Despite what you think, I took no joy in this. I’ve left the letter on your desk.”
I waited until I was sure he left.
“How could you?” I demanded of Sterling, but I didn’t let him defend himself. What can he say to make this right? “You know what, forget it. I’m going home.”
“You owe me a debrief,” he said.
“I don’t owe you anything. And I’m more than capable of managing my cases. I don’t need you to babysit me any more than I need Miles to.”
The drive home was a blur. I stormed up the stairs and locked the door. Muffin jumped up on the bed next to me and snuggled into my side. I pressed my face into my pillow and screamed until I couldn’t scream anymore. My tears flowed freely, soaking my pillow.
I wanted ... I don’t know what I wanted, but this was definitely not it.
A soft knock interrupted my pity party. Muffin growled and I ignored whoever was at my door.
“Marty, it’s me.”
If I didn’t answer, would Lochlan go away? Sterling probably told him about the disrupters. At least Sterling wasn’t stupid enough to come himself. Sending Lochlan in his place was pure cowardice.
“Marty, can I come in and talk?”
Not happening buddy.
He knocked louder this time and even had the nerve to try to open the door, which was locked.
“I won’t keep pestering you, but I want you to know that I’m here if you need to talk.”
Lochlan would be back or one of the others would. There was nothing I wanted to say to any of them. My situation sucked and couldn’t be fixed. Besides, what could any of them say that would make things better?
I forced myself off the bed. I quickly and quietly got my shoes on and started packing a bag. In it, I put my clothes, the sack of herbs, and the handful of personal items I owned. I’d have to leave my sword behind as well as my gun. I slid a dagger into my boot and another into my thigh holster. I also threw some wooded stakes in my bag.
I carefully eased open my bedroom window. While it only took seconds to get it open wide enough for me to climb through, it felt like forever. I put my bag on my back and slipped out the window. I patted my pant leg and hoped the noise was enough to encourage Muffin to come to me. I really didn’t want to leave him behind, but if he couldn’t get out the window, then he’d have to stay here.
Muffin jumped out the window, landing gracefully next to me. I cast a glance at Betty, who was too loud and too obvious to use
