Page 24 of Rune Assassin

“Get off me!” Lusio demanded as he broke free of Tegan’s hold and stumbled to his feet. He turned to face Tegan as the dragon did the same. “Have you lost your mind?”

Tegan hardly paid the man any mind as his glowing eyes studied the bushes to the right of the terrace. “No, but you may have almost lost your life.”

“From what?” Lusio snapped.

“From this,” I replied as I strode across the terrace and plucked the tiny object out of the wooden umbrella pole. I moved over to the men and Tegan took the item from me.

He lifted it to his eyes and frowned. “A dart and I would guess there’s poison on it.”

Lusio’s face paled but he puffed out his chest a little. “Y-you must be joking. It’s no doubt a splinter or some such thing.”

Tegan grabbed Lusio’s bent arm and tugged him toward the door. “Why don’t we go inside and argue about it somewhere safe?”

“I tell you Iamsafe!” Lusio protested but he couldn’t fight Tegan’s hold this time.

I scooted along after them but as I reached the doorway a noise caught my attention. I paused and peered into the bushes that surrounded the right side of the terrace. Nothing stirred but I swear I noticed a silent shadow slip away in the direction of the dunes.

I stepped back and shut the door behind me before I joined the chaos that had erupted inside the house. Miles and the other servants had watched Tegan practically drag their master down the hall and to the illuminated front room.

“What do you think you are doing?” Miles demanded to know as he trailed along behind the pair.

“I’m carrying your ungrateful employer,” Tegan replied with a grin.

“Unhand me!” Lusio demanded as they reached the door to the decorative parlor.

“My pleasure,” Tegan quipped as he tossed the man into the room.

I joined Tegan at his side and was in time to watch Lusio stumble backward a few steps before he found his footing. His face was as red as the velvet-covered chairs situated around the huge glowing hearth. He balled one hand into a fist as he stabbed a finger at Tegan. “You! You will leave immediately!”

Tegan held up the small object he’d fetched from the umbrella. “This won’t be the last attempt on your life.”

Lusio glared at him. “There has been no first attempt on my life!”

“Then catch,” Tegan commanded before he tossed the item.

Lusio yelped and scrambled back, and the object clattered to the rug.

Miles leapt into action and grabbed one of Tegan’s arms. The servant tried to wrench it behind him but Tegan twisted around with his limb and turned the tables by grabbing Miles’ arm and twistinghimaround. Miles winced as Tegan yanked his arm a little.

“There’s no need to throw a fit if your master thinks that was just a splinter I tossed at him,” Tegan commented as he looked over his shoulder at Lusio. “Or do you believe me?”

Lusio lifted his chin but I could see his lips quiver. “I believe that you are a fool.”

Tegan gritted his teeth and pushed Miles forward. The servant stumbled before he caught himself at my side and spun around. Tegan snatched the item from the floor and practically shoved it up Lusio’s nose. “If you won’t believe me then believe your own eyes.”

Lusio jerked back but his eyes crossed as he stared at the item. They widened after a moment and his jaw dropped open. “My God.” His bulging eyes flitted up to Tegan’s face. “But why? And who?”

Tegan lowered the object and shook his head. “If we knew that I wouldn’t be wasting my time trying to show you the obvious.”

“Shall I throw them out, sir?” Miles spoke up.

I scooted away from him and over to Tegan as Lusio returned his gaze to the item in Tegan’s hand. He swallowed a big lump in his throat and shook his head. “N-no. No, let them stay.”

The corners of Miles’ lips tightened but he bowed low at the waist. “Very good, sir. Will you be needing anything else?”

“Yes,” Lusio replied as he nodded at the item. “Get her here to take a look at this. I want to know if there really is poison on this thing.”

His master’s shaky demeanor was infectious and the servant caught it. “You wish for me to go out at this hour, sir?”

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