Iron and Magic (The Iron Covenant, #1)

by Ilona Andrews

The order had been a test of loyalty, and Stoyan had failed. Roland didn’t just require loyalty; he demanded unquestioning devotion. When he failed to receive it, he must’ve decided to destroy the entire force. A waste, Hugh realized. Hugh had sunk years into building the Iron Dogs, and Roland tossed them away like garbage. Much like Roland had thrown him away. No, not thrown away. I was his right hand. He’s cut me off. What kind of man cuts off his own hand before going into a fight? This new heretical thought sat in his brain, burning and refusing to fade. He groped for the tether of magic to banish the uncertainty and found only the void. It sank its fangs into his soul. The invisible tie had connected him and Roland even when the magic waves waned and technology held the upper hand. It was always there. It had linked them since the moment Roland had shared his blood with him. Now it was gone. The void scraped the inside of his skull, the new sharp thoughts seared Hugh’s mind, and he had no way to steady himself.

You poor magically brainwashed bastard.