Free Bound by Chris Michaels, Reema Farra Page B

words roar out. “I don’t care about the Senate or your fight with the Diamonds.”
    “You’ll care when it’s your fight. When you finally become Master Everett.”
    “I’m not like you! I’m never gonna be like you. I’m not going to be Master–”
    “You shamed us, Jason. The entire family! We know you used Majick. Everyone knows you almost got the foreign boy killed. And this isn’t the first stunt you’ve pulled. You may have even cost me my bid for Emergency Chancellor.”
    “I don’t care . What the hell did you do with–”
    “This is the last time.” Father strode forward, nostrils flaring. He swallowed Jason in his shadow. “The last time I save your neck. Next time it’s Talvek–”
    “You. Wouldn’t. Dare.”
    Master Everett’s chest expanded.
    Jason wasn’t sure if Father would strike him, he hoped he would. Then Jason could finally . . .
    Father dropped a strong hand on Jason’s shoulder, heavy like an anvil.
    Jason shrugged it away.
    “Family title before family member. Think hard about that, Jason.” He reached for the door. “We all have our place. Still, you show recklessness. You could be quite the Son of Ilsa.”
    “I don’t want to be a Son of Ilsa !” Jason shrieked. “I don’t want to be an Everett! I want to fly – just me and T!”
    “You won’t be seeing the foreign boy. I had him expelled.” Father stepped through the doorway, into the hallway. “The Chancellery Voting Ceremony begins in an hour. Be presentable.” Father slammed the door.
    Jason’s face burned. His blood boiled. How dare he? How dare that man threaten him with Talvek Prison? Master Everett didn’t care about his son any more than he cared about the Senate, or Ilsa. All he cared about was politics. Power.
    He’s gonna be real surprised when I’m in charge.
    The grandfather clock chimed throughout the house.
    Damn him if I’m going to the stupid Ceremony.
    Jason looked out the window. Camp Thane spread out before the Everett Summer home. In the distance, past the airstrip and barracks, ancient Melor Castle butted against a hill. It was rumored to sit atop a secret labyrinth. Jason grinned.
    Oh, he’ll love this.
    He tried the window. Locked. Then again, so had been the gate.
    Discomfort nibbled at his mind. The image of T on the stretcher.
    Shake it off. T will heal just fine.
    Jason replayed the motion’s T had used on the lock and moved his fingers in the same patterns, mimicking the Treatus Runes T had used. He knew emotion had something to do with majick, so he let his anger at Father fill his mind.
    Again and again he mimicked the Runes.
    Heat flared from the tips of his fingers, spreading slowly down his phalanges and settling in his palm like thick liquid. Water condensed on, and rand down the pane as light streamed through twisted glass.
    Jason’s senses sharpened. He was in control of his body, really in control for the first time. His heart rate slowed, time stood still, skin tingled with electricity. His mind cleared, emptying into a great expanse – as if a river of power connected him to everything, as if he’d plunged into the universe itself.
    This was only minor majick. What would more feel like?
    Before he could find out, the majick faded.
    He touched the window. Soft. Putty.
    Careful to avoid anyone who could turn him in, Jason skirted the Everett grounds an slipped into Camp Thane. Dodging from shadow to shadow, tree line to hidden paths, he made his way toward Melor Castle like a spy. No, not a spy this time – a prisoner escaping an evil tyrant. General Everett could take away Jason’s friend, his future, even his family title. But never his imagination. Not his freedom.
    Nearly an hour later, Jason stood in the shade of the ancient castle. He could feel strong majick flowing within the stone. He smiled. This is going to be awesome!
    Suddenly voices in the distance. He looked back to see a patrol of soldiers speeding towards him. Had his Father already found he