Free Darkbound (The Legacy of Moonset) by Scott Tracey Page A

any covens would form.
    Illana’s return a few minutes later was perfectly timed, as the awkward silence between the three of us only intensified.
    “You’ll be happy to know that your effect on the rest of the student body is at an end.” Illana breezed back into the room, nodding sharply at Quinn as she passed him. Quinn and Nick disappeared out into the class, closing the door just as the bell rang, signaling the final break between classes before the end of the day.
    “It’s a bit premature, I’m sorry to say, but it looks like I will be taking over instruction of your lessons now. Kelly feels awful, of course, but we both thought it best if she took a few days to regain her footing. It’s a shame. She’s particularly well versed in aiding new covens control their bond. It’s one of the reasons she was brought here to you.”
    “Yeah, you guys have been regular humanitarians, looking out for our best interests. Funny how none of that came up the first two months we were here.” I rolled my eyes. “She’s … what? Twenty-three at the most. How much of an expert could she really be?”
    “A double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice, as well as six years spent with the Witchers. The girl may be young, but I would think that you of all people wouldn’t judge her so harshly based on her appearance.”
    I felt a flush of shame creep up my chest and into my face. “I didn’t mean it like that,” I muttered.
    “Of course you did,” Illana said blandly. “Some children grow up too fast because they have no other choice. Sometimes that pressure creates a diamond.” Illana stared down my challenge, her look conveying regret and disappointment all at once. I never understood exactly what Justin feared from her—she had the ability to make him piss his pants on command. But being on the receiving end of her disappointment … I understood it a little better at least.
    “She didn’t teach us anything worthwhile,” I said under my breath, like that was the problem all along. That I was absolved. And maybe I should be, especially after what happened that afternoon.
    “You didn’t want to learn,” Illana countered. “And don’t think I haven’t noticed how you’ve yet to stop in at the hospital. I asked you to do something, did I not? Was I in any way unclear?”
    And that was it. The breaking point. “Do you think I was just going to do it because you told me? I hate this. All of it. I don’t care why Luca got involved in the black arts. I don’t care that you did us a favor by not smothering us in our cribs. I. Don’t. Care.”
    “Do you really think it’s that easy?” Illana was controlled, calm. Surprisingly, she didn’t seem angry at my outburst, or even offended. But her chiding disappointment was more than enough. “You may not see much value in your life, Malcolm, but that doesn’t mean yours is the opinion that matters most.” The strange words, and the strange touch against my head came back at once. I brushed my fingers against the nape of my neck, felt something slide against my skin. Ash on my fingers. There was ash in my hair. What the hell?
    “I’m done with all this creepy monster shit,” I snapped. “Do you understand me? Comprende?”
    “Your uncle once thought he could speak to me this way.” I swear Illana almost smiled. It was like watching a shark feel joy. “He never made that mistake again.”
    By that point I was yelling, but I still didn’t care. “Get it through your head, lady. I’m not Justin. I don’t jump just because you tell me to.” An idea was slowly forming in my head. “You want my help? You find a way to break the Coven bond and get me the hell away from all of this. Get me the hell out of this town and away from all of you people, and I’ll do everything you ask.”
    “Is that all?” Illana’s voice was frost on glass. “Would you like the moon on a bauble, for an encore? You ask for the impossible, as you rightly know. The Coven