Page 89 of Horn of Winter

The old man simply stared at his son. Said son didn’t seem to care.You reap what you teach, I couldn’t help but think.

Or in this case,didn’tteach.

The sirens stopped out the front of the house. Or what remained of it, anyway. Two medics soon appeared, followed by two IIT officers I didn’t recognize. They’d obviously been briefed by Sgott, though, because they walked immediately over to me and Mathi, took our statements, then told us we could go.

“Hey,” Tony said. “What about me?”

The taller of the two IIT officers cast a wry look his way. “We’ll get to you in a second, lad, never fear.”

“I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking toher. She magicked me. She needs to release me before she leaves.”

The IIT officer’s gaze met mine, eyebrow raised in query. I smiled and pushed upright, wobbling a little as a wave of weariness washed over me. Mathi caught my elbow, steadying me, then released me. I walked over to Tony and touched his shoulder lightly. “I release you from the restriction of remaining still, but you will follow all directions given by the IIT and answer all their questions.”

“I didn’t mean that. I meant restoring my powers.”

“Oh, those restrictions can stay, as can the orders to not physically attack me or indeed anyone else. Good luck finding a new profession, young man. With your attitude, you’re going to need it.”

I turned and left. It took a few seconds for him to realize I was serious, and for his thick curses to follow me.

“That,” Mathi said as he caught up with me, “was very well done.”

“At least his fucking temper can’t hurt anyone else now. Might also have the side effect of making him a better human.”

“I would think the superior attitude is too ingrained now to be muted. Ah, there’s the car now.”

Said car was almost a carbon copy of his own; the only difference was the color of the chauffeur’s uniform. Once we were seated and on the way back to Deva, I said, “Will you be able to use your access to the IIT’s files to run a search on Martha?”

“As soon as we drop you home. I take it you’ll be resting the rest of the day?”

I gave him a mock scowl. “Are you saying I look like shit again?”

“Totally.”

“Thanks.”

“Welcome.” He paused. “Would something to eat help refuel the well?”

“When have I ever refused food?”

He laughed. “Never, granted, though I’m thinking that, in this case, you’re after something fast rather than decent.”

“There is nothing wrong with a Big Mac and fries.”

“There is everything wrong, but I will concede that I’ll never convince you of this fact.” He leaned forward and added, “Marc, please stop at the nearest McDonald’s.”

A few minutes later, he did so, and I happily refueled while Mathi drank his coffee and did his best to hide his horror. We were on the outskirts of Deva when my phone rang sharply, the tone telling me it was Lugh.

I hit the answer button and said, “Hey, brother, what’s up?”

“Ice, up to our windowsills, that’s what.”

Fear leapt into my heart. “The witch is attacking yourhome?”

“No, the fucking museum.”

Mathi immediately leaned forward and ordered the driver to head there ASAP.

“But why—” I stopped.

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