Read Mine to Spell (Mine #2) for Free Online Page B

have any idea what he’d just been through. My threat may be enough to make this happen with the servants at least.
    The retainer scurries away, presumably to tell the others the latest order. The others return to their task. We wait in silence, me standing a little behind him, ready to bolt or cast a spell as soon as it’s needed. Every so often, one of the servants shifts or grabs another cooking utensil, but they don’t do much, either. They must be frightened of him as well.
    When no one returns, I start to wonder if he somehow tricked me. Did he give some sort of signal to the servant and I didn’t notice? Something that said for him to bring the closest law officer? And do what to me? I don’t know. However I do know I don’t want to find out. I was watching the entire time.
    While I’m hesitating over what to do, one of the doors opens. I jump and bend my knees to run. But it’s not a law officer. It’s a tarnished servant. I relax some, but stay ready to run.
    The servant is out of breath but hurries to the center of the kitchen and stands with his back straight, arms at his sides, head lowered. It’s the fact that he’s out of breath that finally clues me in. This house is big. Of course it’s going to take time for everyone to gather together. From the way the servant is acting, it would appear they’re coming as fast as they can. I’m such a ninny.
    Still, I don’t let down my guard.
    Servants continue trickling in, slowly at first, but soon the kitchen is crammed full of them. Yet, somehow they manage to give both Edward and me a large berth. They’re pressed against each other so tightly, it’s a wonder they can breathe. Where were they all when I first arrived and so desperately wanted to see another human?
    Finally, the original servant he sent off says, “We’re all here, master.”
    There are so many of them. More than Zade has running his home, and he has a lot because he tries to protect and help as many lower class and tarnished as he can. This is what I need to hope that Edward giving my freedom will be accepted—a room full of witnesses. The biggest relief doesn’t just come in their numbers, but that most of them are lower-class men. Their word will be accepted more than the women, and especially the tarnished.
    But gossip will spread from everyone gathered. Hopefully, across town or wherever I travel to. I don’t even know where I am, let alone where to go. There’s no time to panic about that now. I have to finish dealing with this first.
    “ This is my latest acquisition, Cynthia.” His voice sounds strangled. I’m no longer hexing him, so why is he so agitated? “She is—That is to say, I am going to…”
    He looks to me with a sort of begging look on his face. What is this for? Does he really believe I’d succumb to that? He must be a complete dunce. There’s no chance I’m not taking my freedom. I scowl at him. It’s then he does something a warlock never does,. He lowers his head.
    “I am going to set her free.” His voice cracks. “I don’t wish to own her but don’t wish to tarnish her. She shall be as free as any warlock, just as her sister Serena.” It almost sounds as if he is in tears as he turns toward me. “Now get out.”
    I want to remind him to keep the second half of my demand, but I don’t want the servants to hear. That would be worse than saying nothing at all. Instead, I nod and move to leave. Only I have no idea where the entrance is. I’m lost. Of all the times I’ve been grateful I’ve perfected faking my emotions, none have even come close to this moment.
    I smile at the closest servant, a man with a thin scar on his right temple. “Would you please show me the way out?”
    The servant looks startled, then turns toward Edward for permission, but my owner of not even a day has already departed.
    Once the servant realizes the master is no longer here, the uncertain look leaves his face. With a most solemn expression, he says, “I’d