Secrets and Lies (Cassie Scot) Read Online Free

It’s from me.”
    “Oh? So you’re learning the family business?” I carefully did not mention the word alchemy in public. Very few people knew for sure how my parents made money, and for the sake of my siblings, I would help keep it that way.
    “It’s from the others as well,” Nicolas added, ignoring my question. “They miss you. They think you’ve turned your back on them.”
    My heart gave a twang of longing for the brothers and sisters I had not seen since leaving the house. I had seen Juliana once when Nicolas drove her into town, but the rest were young, each three years younger than the last all the way down to Christina, who was only three. It was hard for them to get away from Mom and Dad, and I didn’t want to see my former parents.
    “I’ll try to see them.” I made it a promise, though I didn’t know how I would fulfill it. I didn’t even have a car.
    “Things are bad, Cassie. The family’s falling apart.”
    “It’s not my fault.” Besides, so was I.
    “I didn’t say it was.” Nicolas took a deep breath. “Look, you can’t work here. People will think you’re unprotected.”
    I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes. “Spare me the protection nonsense.”
    “I’m serious.”
    “Can I get you anything?” I asked. “Because if you’re not going to order, I really need to get back to work.”
    “Coffee.”
    I raised my eyebrows. “Since when did you start drinking coffee?”
    “Since I started training.” Despite the earlier tension, he had a smile on his face.
    “You’ve started?” I smiled too, despite myself. Nicolas had wanted to be a firefighter since he was two, but unlike many other young boys, he never grew out of it. Now, apparently, he was on his way. “Congrats.”
    “Thanks. But we’re not done talking.”
    “It will have to wait until after my shift. I get off at two.” Without waiting for a reply, I walked away.
    Nicolas didn’t move from his spot for half an hour, nor did he order anything except coffee. Each time he tried to speak to me, I made sure to be too busy, which wasn’t difficult, with the number of customers in for breakfast. At this time of year, the tourists were out in force, but locals were making their appearance as well, including some locals I would rather not have seen.
    David McClellan came by for a coffee to go just before his nearby shop opened at nine o’clock. He dealt largely in dark or cursed artifacts, and a few months before he had nearly killed an investigator hired to find a sceptre he had stolen. He had walked away the victor from that encounter, and I had never forgiven him for it. So when he smacked me on the bottom, I poured scalding hot coffee in his lap.
    “Bitch,” David roared loudly enough for the entire diner to turn and stare. He leapt to his feet and started dabbing frantically at his crotch. “You’re going to regret this.”
    Nicolas chose that moment to abandon his table, walking toward the front of the store to stand by my side – my younger brother and knight in shining armor. He puffed out his lanky chest to twice its normal size, and glared at David in obvious challenge. I felt like saying, “Down, boy,” but wisely kept my mouth shut.
    “I’d take you on in a heartbeat, boy,” David said in a low voice.
    “How about me?” The new voice came from behind me, though I had not heard the accompanying jingle of bells to indicate that the door had opened. I didn’t recognize the voice, but when I turned, I saw the absolute last person I would have expected to walk into that diner, let alone defend me: Victor Blackwood.
    Victor Blackwood and my father had been enemies since before my birth for reasons I had never understood. His son, Evan, on the other hand, had been my best friend at times, much to my father’s dismay. Evan didn’t look much like his father, except, perhaps, in build. They were both tall, with lean, muscular bodies. Evan’s face and eyes had come from his mother, though. Victor