Master and Apprentice Read Online Free PDF

plastic wrap in a pocket and returned the ointment to the tackle box. “Either of you boys thirsty? I got a few beers chillin’ in the back.”
    “I’d love one, if you’re sure you don’t mind,” I said. “Ian?”
    “Water would be most welcome,” he said.
    “Whatever floats you.” She grabbed the box, headed for a back room, and returned in less than a minute with two brown bottles. She handed one to me, then looked at Ian. “Sure you jus’ want water?”
    “Please.”
    She shrugged and went to the pump. While she filled the bucket, I looked at the bottle label. The name printed on it was doppelbock. I didn’t think I could even pronounce that. Maybe that meant it was good. I worked the cap off with my teeth, took a swig, and decided it was better than good. “Damn,” I said. “Where do you get this stuff ? It’s amazing.”
    “It’s local.” Mercy filled a glass from the pump stream, stopped the flow, and took the water to Ian. “Pick it up in town now and again.”
    “You mean that bump in the road down the mountain? Resnik or Rickenback, something like that …”
    “Ridge Neck.” She popped her beer and downed a third of it without a pause. “Ignorance capital of Virginia. Might as well’ve called the place Redneck and been true about it.”
    I swallowed more beer to hold back a pained expression. Mercy didn’t seem like the type to welcome sympathy. “You said something about a militia,” I said. “Are they in Ridge Neck?”
    She shook her head. “Crazy shits got themselves a compound, round the other side of the mountain. Ever’body in town pretends they ain’t there. They got more guns than a county full of sheriffs, though, and there’s somethin’ wrong with them. Inbred, maybe. I seen …” She took another drink. “They ain’t nice, is all,” she said softly.
    I glanced at Ian. He frowned slightly, but didn’t say anything. After a moment’s silence, I said, “Can I ask you something, Mercy?”
    “Shoot.”
    “What’s with the cross, there? It looks like it means something. All those symbols and stuff.”
    She blushed, a lot deeper than she had from Ian’s flattery.
    “It’s Latin,” she said. “Cal—a friend gave it to me. Supposed to protect me from harm. Bears and such, I suppose.”
    This time the look I exchanged with Ian held a lot more concern. Whoever Cal was either knew about the djinn, or was one himself. And Mercy apparently liked him quite a bit. “That’s cool,” I said. “Like a spell, right?”
    “Yeah, it’s magic. I’m a witch. Watch out or I’ll hex your ass into next week.” She grinned, drank. “I wouldn’t mind hexin’ a couple rednecks. Mind you, just little hexes. Permanent hemorrhoids’d be a nice touch.”
    I had to laugh at that. Even Ian cracked a smile.
    We made small talk for a few more minutes and finished our drinks. Finally, I stood and stretched. “I think we’ve imposed on you long enough,” I said. “You have our eternal gratitude—especially for the beer.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    Ian got up and gathered his clothes. Mercy walked us to the door. “I’m guessin’ you got a way back to wherever you’re goin’,” she said.
    “We do. Thank you, lady.” Ian caught her hand and kissed it. She giggled.
    I congratulated myself for not kicking him in the shin.
    “You’d better get checked out soon,” she said. “Both of you. That arm might not heal proper if you don’t, and you’re due for an infection.” She looked at each of us in turn. “Drop by again if you want. You can bring me a beer and pay me back.”
    “We will.” I smiled. Jazz would’ve absolutely loved her.
    By unspoken consent, we headed back the way we’d come, up the mountain. Ian would have to heal himself completely for the next leg of our return trip.
    Flying. My favorite.

Chapter 3
    “S o I’ve been thinking,” I half-screamed near Ian’s ear, “wouldn’t it be great to invest in a helicopter?”
    “We’ve no need