Page 49 of Rune Assassin

Tegan frowned at our careless host. “We should talk about this elsewhere.”

Lusio waved his hand at his fallen servant. “And do what with him? I won’t let him back in the house until I know for certain he can be trusted!”

A soft groan came from Miles and Lusio jumped back with a high-pitched yelp. Miles stirred and his eyes fluttered open. His unfocused gaze swept over us before his eyes filled with fear. A scream erupted from his lips and he thrashed about the sands. “No! No, please! I beg you!” Tegan pinned the man’s flailing arms to his sides while I jumped on the legs. Miles only took that as a challenge and squirmed harder. “Please no! Mercy! Mercy!”

“Miles!” Tegan shouted at him as he shoved his face into that of the frantic man. “Focus on me! Focus on my voice!”

The commanding tone forced Miles to unconsciously stare into Tegan’s face. His terror subsided enough that he stopped thrashing but his face was as pale as the sand beneath him. He breathed in and out with all the speed of an oncoming heart attack. Tegan helped him sit up and Miles sat in a stupor as he swept his eyes over all present.

His focus stopped on the irascible Lusio and he shrank beneath his employer’s accusing glare. “S-sir, I am truly sorry for what has happened. You must believe me when I say I meant no harm to anyone.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Lusio scoffedbut Tegan leaned forward to block the ugly look. “Do you remember who did this to you?”

Miles clutched his head in one hand. “I-I don’t know. I awoke an hour before dawn as usual and proceeded to open the windows to allow the fresh sea breeze into the house. It was on opening the terrace doors that I felt something amiss.”

Lusio’s face paled a little. “Amiss? What was amiss?”

Miles shook his head. “I can barely describe it, sir. It was as though something brushed my mind. The moment was brief and I thought nothing of it until you commanded me to fetch Miss Clara. It was then that I felt that intrusion once more but far stronger. The entity took control and forced me to hide out in the dunes long enough to present to have walked to Miss Clara’s home and return to the house to inform you of that lie.”

“And when you walked us to the hut?” Tegan wondered.

Miles winced as though slapped. “I. . .I am ashamed to say my mind was not my own, sir. Those words were not mine and I struggled against the impulse. I only succeeded in taking some control on the return to the house where I felt the entity in my mind intended me grave harm.”

Lusio crossed his arms over his chest and frowned at his servant. “And we’re to believe this outlandish tale?”

Miles’ face drooped and his eyes swam with tears. He dropped onto his knees and crawled across the sand to his employer with his hands grasped together in plea. “Please, sir, what I told you was the truth! I swear it on my mother’s grave!”

Lusio scowled at him a moment longer before he turned his attention to Clara. “Is there any way to prove him right?”

Clara leaned toward Miles and her nostrils flared. “He does reek of magic.”

“His own or someone else’s?” Lusio questioned her.

It was her turn to scoff. “This man doesn’t have a magical bone in his body.”

“Why is it that so hard to believe?” I challenged our host as I stepped up to him and gestured down at Miles. “He’s been working for you for years. Why would he start doing something now?”

A strange flicker in Lusio’s eyes told me more than he had wanted to let on. Our host turned his face away and his frown deepened. “Then answer me this: who did this?”

A thought struck me and I turned to Miles. “How many people know about your morning routine?”

He shook his head. “I have never kept my habits a secret from anyone.”

Tegan furrowed his brow. “So anyone could have known you were walking about at around that hour.”

Miles hung his head. “I’m afraid so, sir.”

“Sir!” someone shouted and everyone’s attention fell on a spry servant who scurried across the sand. He came up to the master of the house nearly winded and pointed at the villa. “Your guests, sir! They are arriving!”

Lusio’s face twisted with fear and rage. “Why didn’t someone tell me that before they came!” He spun around to face the other servants and stabbed a finger at his home. “Get the preparations finished immediately and see that the guests are made comfortable!” The group bowed and hurried off to fulfill his demands. Lusio turned back to us and specifically his servant who still sat slumped at his feet. “You will be confined to your room for the present time.”

Miles nodded. “O-of course, sir.”

Lusio marched off after his servants leaving us alone. Miles tried to stand but his legs were so shaky that he slumped back onto the sand. I hurried up to his side and grabbed one of his arms. “Let me help you,” I offered.

“Thank you, miss,” he replied as I eased him onto his feet. He took a shaky step forward and didn’t falter. “I-I think I can manage the short distance myself.”

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