The Watcher's Eyes (The Binders Game Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

be offered the right kind of jobs, if I was.
    “Perhaps in the proper circles,” she said.
    “And what circles are those?” I opened my eyes to see her studying me.
    “Those where it’s heard that a certain swordsman has taken to hiding in Hightown.”
    I stiffened slightly. I’d learned that Natash might have the support of Benahg, but not that he had actually taken to hiding with him. That indicated something more than support, and meant that perhaps the healer was right. Maybe I was well-known.
    I still didn’t know exactly where to find Natash. Even knowing that he had taken to hiding with Ben didn’t help. Hightown was a section of the city where I would have more trouble moving safely. The homes were larger, the inns less accessible. Even the rooftops were less hospitable, separated far enough apart to make them useless. Even once I discovered which home was Ben’s, would I be able to reach Natash?
    “The streets have been dangerous lately,” the healer went on. “Especially those around Shengard. As an assassin, I’m sure that you know the area.”
    I blinked slowly, fatigue from the steady drip loss of blood making me lightheaded. Was the healer telling me what I needed to know to find Natash? “I think I can find it.”
    The healer nodded. “You haven’t told me where you learned this technique.”
    “It’s not the first time,” I answered. “My mentor was injured and this was the only thing that could save him.”
    “Did he survive?”
    I nodded. The injury had changed him, not the blood. Isander had been hard before taking the sword to the chest, but he was also fair. The recovery had been slow, but after he came around, he had been almost cruel. That was around the time I decided it was time for me to move out on my own. Isander hadn’t stopped me; I’m not sure that he could have stopped me at that point, or that he wanted to try.
    Talia took a breath. It was weak, but she breathed.
    I nodded to the healer and she pinched the reed as I eased the needle from my arm. She pulled the other from Talia and handed the reed to me. I took the needles and wiped them off before replacing them in my pouch.
    The healer ran her hands over Talia’s arms and her neck, pulling up the dressing to check on the wound before replacing it. She pressed down on Talia’s jaw and examined inside her mouth before moving down her body. Satisfied, she stepped away.
    “How is she?” I asked.
    “She breathes. For now, that is enough.”
    When I stood, I rested my hand on the cot to steady myself. After something like this, I needed water and food. With enough time, the off-kilter sensation should pass, as it had passed when I’d been forced to do the same for Isander, though he had been even closer to death than Talia and had required more blood to survive.
    I took a turn at examining Talia and ran my hands over her with a familiarity I wouldn’t have dreamed having with her were she well. There is a certain detachment learned when you’re a healer, but that detachment is challenged when it’s your friend lying injured. Or your mentor.
    As I reached her waist, I checked the pulses in her groin as I slipped my hand into the pocket she’d placed the note. The folded piece of paper was still there, and I fished it out with the practiced pickpocket skill I’d learned from Isander. Had I not learned, I would have ended up jailed several times already.
    “You will stay with her?” I asked the healer.
    “We stay with all who lay here.”
    “Send word when she awakens.” I didn’t bother telling her how to find me. With the Binders, I suspected they would know how to find me. And if they didn’t, I trusted that Talia would.
    I started away, holding onto the cots for stability as I weaved through, stopping and leaning on the door for a moment. The woman standing guard glanced at me but made no effort to stop me or offer to help. I hadn’t expected either.
    The hall leading back to the stairs and out to the