Read Online The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan - Free Book Online Page B

kind!”
    â€œI don’t think Jamie asked for your help,” Alan pointed out.
    â€œDid he ask for yours?” Gerald countered. “He is a magician. His welfare is my concern. It is none of your business, and I will certainly not leave one of my own completely at the mercy of a demon!”
    â€œThat’s sweet,” said Nick. “The fact that you’ve put a spell on Jamie makes it not terribly convincing, but apart from that small detail, I found it a really touching speech.”
    Gerald’s eyes went to Jamie.
    â€œHey,” he said. “You know I wouldn’t hurt you, don’t you?”
    Jamie looked down. “I don’t know.”
    That was when Laura threw a spell at Jamie, sudden as lightning springing between them, magic rising like a pet bird from her palm. It streaked through the air, swift and bright. Mae ran forward and knew the brilliant deadly thing would strike before she could get to him.
    The magic bounced off Jamie and earthed itself harmlessly in the ground at his feet.
    Jamie jumped back all the same, and Mae found him catching her hands, grip desperate for a moment until he remembered himself. Then he stepped away.
    â€œThanks, Laura,” he said unsteadily. “I always wondered what a tiny heart attack would feel like, and now I know. Very refreshing!”
    He was still shaking a little. Mae’s hand itched to grab him again, to hold him and keep him safe, but he’d already turned away from her.
    Nick left his place leaning against the wall and stalked forward. He didn’t attack anyone, but he put himself in front of Jamie, blocking him from the magicians’ line of sight.
    â€œWhat was that for?” he asked, very soft.
    Alan answered him, his arms folded and his gaze on Gerald.
    â€œIt was a demonstration,” he observed. “The spell on Jamie is a protection spell. It means no magical attack can touch him.”
    Nick turned and looked at Jamie, face unreadable.
    â€œIt’s strong,” he tossed over his shoulder at Gerald. “Where did you get power like that?”
    Jamie was staring at Gerald, looking helpless and lost. Gerald gazed steadily back at him. His face was open and almost sweet. He looked like someone you could trust.
    Nick’s motives for helping Jamie had been seriously called into question. Jamie thought Mae had betrayed him. And then on this day of all days, someone had come through for him, and it had to be a magician.
    â€œYou don’t need to know that,” Gerald answered. “All you need to know is that I have enough power to take care of my own. And I will. Always.” He nodded at Jamie. “Next time I’ll come alone. I hope you will too.”
    Jamie nodded once. It was a nervous movement, and might even have been involuntary. He might not have meant it.
    He might have, though.
    â€œBen, Laura,” said Gerald, and they turned with him as he moved to go. He passed Nick by without a glance, as if he couldn’t see him at all.
    Then he stopped, his magicians flanking him, at the mouth of the alley.
    â€œWhen you’re ready to talk to me, Alan,” he called out, “let me know. I can help you.”

5
Getting the Wrong Answers
    That’s settled, then,” Alan said once the magicians were gone. “We turn them in to Celeste Drake tomorrow.”
    â€œWhat will she do to them?” Jamie asked in a small voice.
    Alan did not answer him directly, which was answer enough. “I gave him a chance to leave.”
    â€œNo, you threatened him!”
    â€œWhat do you want, then?” Nick demanded abruptly. “You want to be a magician? You want them to stick around in Exeter, maybe end up killing someone you know? Hey, how about your sister?”
    Jamie glared at Nick. “Of course not. I just wish that there was some way besides murder or threats, or—I wish there was some kind of box I could check marked ‘none of the