Ties That Bind — Annie Reed

Nell, a wizard in her own right, inherited not only her father's spellbook when he died, but also his position as wizard in charge of the largest magical enhancements company in Moretown Bay. A company with a big-time problem.

Nell's company produces the magically-enhanced handcuffs used by the Moretown Bay police department. Only the latest batch of handcuffs failed spectacularly right before the city expected delivery. Without the enhanced restraints, the police can't keep magic-using criminals off the streets, and without the city's business, the company founded by Nell's father will be forced to close its doors.

In order to save her father's business, Nell will have to risk the friendship of her father's oldest colleague, a wizard Nell believes might have turned corporate spy. And that just might cost Nell the last tenuous connection she has with her father.

Annie Reed is a prolific short story writer whose fiction has been published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine as well as in numerous anthologies from Daw and Pocket Books. Annie can be found on the web at www.annie-reed.com.

TIES THAT BIND was previously published by DAW in the anthology WIZARDS, INC. (2007).