Page 102 of The Dragon King's Assassin

“The fucker.” Teng shook his head. “You got it. I'll have a name for you in a few hours.”

“Shit, that's fast.”

“It's the east docks, Lock. Someone must have seen the attack and everyone down here is willing to talk for coin.”

“Thank you.”

“I can't believe he let you go.”

“Me either.”

“And I can't believe you broke up with him.”

I made a face at him.

“Well, he is the King. I thought you'd hold on to His Majesty's cock until he pried your fingers off it.”

“He was such a fucking asshole, Teng. I couldn't handle the ups and downs anymore.”

“I don't blame you.”

A knock came at the door. “Coffee!”

“Enter!” Teng said.

One of the younger crew members came in with a tray of coffee and some Neraky breakfast items. Some of those items were still wriggling. I sighed when I saw the plate of seafood. Of course, for the Neraky, it was simply food.

“Thank you,” Teng said as he helped the boy get everything off the tray. He made sure to put the plate of wriggles—I mean nibbles—on his side of the table.

“Captain, the alchemist is here to see you,” the boy said.

“Already?” Teng perked up. “Send him in.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“The alchemist?” I asked as the kid left.

“The man who I hired to analyze that magic potion you gave me.” Teng grinned. “We're about to find out exactly what's in it.”

“Whatever it is, it's incredible stuff. I didn't even have a bump after I woke up in that alley. I'm sure it's because of that potion.”

A man suddenly strode in, no knocking. He was dressed well and groomed—not at all how I imagined an alchemist would look. Weren't they supposed to wear robes and have a beard?

He strode up to the table in a huff, smacked the bottle of potion down, and glared at Teng. “Is this supposed to be a joke?”

Scowling, Teng stood and faced the man. “What do you mean?”

“That is a bottle of srapa venom.”

“No, there's venom in it, but I was told that's a magical healing potion,” I said.

The man affixed his razor stare on me. “I assure you, there is nothing but venom in that bottle. Whoever told you this is a magic potion is a charlatan, and you are a fool for believing him.” He swung his stare back to Teng. “Do not waste my time again, Tengven.” With that, the man turned on his heels and left.

I stared at the bottle.

Teng went to shut the door behind the alchemist, then came back to the table and sat down, his expression pensive. “Do you think the doctor deliberately showed you the wrong bottle?”

“I don't know. Something feels off about all of this. It's like I have all the pieces of a puzzle but don't know where they go.”

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