Infernal Bonds Read Online Free PDF

questions, but my phone vibrated again. I pulled it out to see a text from Quin. The hunters wanted our help; there were two hellhounds and a collection of shades in the city. Part of me was glad to be returning to the chaos. I never did downtime very well.  
    “What am I supposed to do, Elise?"
    She gave me that knowing smile and said, “Trust your instincts."
    That was all I got. I adored her, but sometimes she and her priestess serenity drove me insane. Regardless, I hugged her tight and thanked her before I headed out to return to the alchemist’s. I needed to meet Quin and hand the vials over to Kadrix. I'd completely forgotten about them with the hellhound nonsense. I couldn't have demon blood. There had to be some other reason, some witch-based workaround.  
    My mind flitted back to the ritual the coven had been performing when I saved Quin. We'd both spilt some blood in the circle. We'd shrugged it off as nothing happened at the time. A sacrifice hadn't been made, though, it shouldn't have done anything. I leaned against the window of the tram and tried to calm myself, but I was feeling overwhelmed. My head began to spin.  

    Someone in the lékárna muttered under their breath when I bypassed the queue and went around the counter to Kadrix's workshop thing. I ignored them and stepped into the narrow hallway. Quin's laughter mingled with Kadrix's, and once again I felt a pang of jealousy. I pushed it aside; I'd put myself in the position I was in. I had chosen to protect him and keep myself distant from those around me.  
    I pulled out the vials with the shadow in them and made my way around the heaps of books and lab tables to Kadrix and Quin. They were talking animatedly about whatever was bubbling away in the small copper pot. I paced around the small clear area nearby and waited for a lull in the conversation. After a moment I began spinning my blades trying to soothe my anxiety with the familiar motion. It was something Father had taught me at a young age. Spinning the blades is a good way to get a feel for them, and it will distract your enemy when used in combat. It had become something I did when stressed after a while. A moving meditation of sorts. There was finally a pause in the conversation. I put my blades away and pulled out the vials.
      “I managed to bottle some shade for you, Kadrix,” I said in the calmest tone I could muster.
    His attention moved to me. His expression was bright and his eyes eager; he reached over to take the vials from me. I raised an eyebrow and pulled them closer to me. I hoped he hadn’t caught the slight tremble in my hands when I did so. Anxious or not, I wasn’t going to allow him to screw me out of my money.
    He smiled, revealing perfect white teeth, before he said, “Let me look at what you have, then we'll negotiate a price."
    I narrowed my eyes at him. Elves were slippery business partners. I felt the pressure at the front of my mind where he was trying to use his magic to bring me around to his way of thinking. I took a step back. I’d had more than enough magic for one day. My muscles tensed even further, I clenched my teeth while glaring at him.
    He grinned at me, his entire body relaxing before he said, “You can't blame me for trying."
    I could blame him, actually, but he was a good contact, not worth losing over a silly bit of negotiation. Quin sighed softly and crossed his arms across his chest. I glared at him before I handed the elf the vials. Quin had never really doubted Kadrix, but he was an elf, and I wasn't going to trust him any further than I could throw him.  
    Kadrix pulled down his copper goggles and played with a knob on the side of one of the lenses. He pursed his lips, and I tried to stop myself from fidgeting; there was much to be done.  
    After what felt like an eternity, he said, "It was a weak shade, but still a valuable item. I'll give you ten thousand crowns for both."
    I held out my hand to take the vials back.  
    He grinned