Page 75 of Glass and Bone
There are stacks of parchment on top, some half-finished letters in Donovan’s handwriting. I open one of the drawers and see the wax seal of our crest and some writing pens. I open the next drawer and see a small, black journal, reminding me of the one Tobias wrote in on my first night here. My fingers lightly brush the leather exterior before pulling it out. I glance around the room quickly before I step over to the lit fireplace and open the journal. A folded piece of parchment falls to the floor, and I bend down to pick it up.
The shipment is set to arrive prior to the princess’s arrival. Master Pakin is under the assumption that it will be used for research and has agreed to boil it down into a syrup. Dosage should be increased as needed for desired effect.
Long live the King
What is he talking about? What shipment and what research? Is this about some kind of drug? Are they conducting research on some sort of medical warfare? I mean drugging your enemies could prove useful, maybe that is what it is for?
I shove the slip of parchment back into the journal and open it up on a random page. The page is filled with different numbers followed by either cc or kg, like he was testing the drug on different subjects.
Dose 1: Taken with food, no effect. 35cc’s used on 55kg.
Dose 2: Taken with other liquids to dilute taste, no effect. 35cc’s
used on 55kg.
I turn a few pages past some scribbles and math equations.
Dose 17: Dosages have steadily increased, utilizing liquids to mask taste.
Desired effect achieved, will continue usage as needed Current 60cc on
55kg used multiple times daily.
I wonder who he is drugging, someone who is 55kg. Maybe they are doing it to Jeremiah and that’s why he’s been keeping him alive. Are they using him as a test rat? I can hear the clanking of armor in the hall, and I quickly run to the writing desk, slipping the journal back where I found it. I get the drawer closed and collapse onto the couch before the door opens. I calm my breathing, attempting to look like I have been relaxing here the entire time.
“Ela, where have you been?” Tobias asks as he shuts the door behind him. “Laris and Tano have been scouring the grounds looking for you. We nearly sent the entire army out searching in case you were taken! Why did you slip away?” He’s angry, his hands on his hips.
“I didn’t slip away. I just walked in here, they didn’t follow me.” I shrug and stand from the couch, turning my back to him. I climb the two steps up the bed and climb onto my side.
“No, they said you slipped away.” I take my place back at the top of the bed, hugging my knees to my chest.
“Then they must not have been paying attention.” He scoffs and walks up to the bed. “Have you heard from Lord Danieas?” I ask, raising my head to look up at him. I can’t make out his expression in the dark, but I could almost see his eyes narrowing.
“What do you mean?”
“When will Erik return?”
“He is a citizen of Chatis, Elaenor, we can’t just force him to return. He will come back when it’s allowed.” I narrow my eyes this time as he sits on the edge of the bed. “You missed the engagement.”
“I watched from the balcony.” I respond, returning my cheek to my knees.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Where’s my dagger?”
“Why are you asking so many questions tonight?”
“Where is it?” He stares at me in the darkness before standing and disappearing into the dressing room. I lift my head to try and peer into the darkened chamber, but I don’t see him. He returns a few moments later and sets the dagger on my nightstand.
“Here.”
“Why did you take it?”
“I was worried you were going to hurt yourself.” I snatch it off the nightstand and clutch it to my chest. It vibrates in my hands, shooting electricity through my veins. It even looks as if it’s glowing green in the dim light.
“I’m not going to hurt myself.” I say softly as I slip it under my pillow. He sighs before bending down to press his lips to my forehead. I still and wait for him to pull back. “What is going on with Jeremiah?” Tobias groans and steps down from the bed and over to the wine on the table. He stills when he sees my empty glass and reaches for it but hesitates. I watch as he leaves the glass, walks over to the barcart and grabs a glass of bourbon instead.
“He’s dead.” My eyes widen and I drop my knees to the bed.
