Page 103 of The Dragon King's Assassin

“Do you think your healing has something to do with the attack?”

“Yes, but I can't figure out what.”

“Assassination attempts, magical healing potions that aren't magical, a possibly innocent Shanba lord, and you, left in an alley to be found by your lover like a common dock drunkard.”

I leaned forward. “Taroc knew about me stealing that potion too. He might have believed me if I hadn't done that.”

“I'm sorry, Lock.”

“No, don't be. It wasn't a big deal. He knew I was capable of theft. I opened Yusef's safe for him.”

“Yes, but he didn't know that you were capable of stealing from him,” Teng said gently.

“I didn't steal from him; I stole from his . . .” I blinked and leaned back in my chair. “Oh, I see.”

“Yeah.” Tengven grimaced. “I feel responsible.”

“Don't. It was my decision.” I scowled. “Do you think it was the doctor?”

“Who attacked you? I doubt it, but I suppose anything is possible.”

“Why wouldn't he show me the potion he used on me?”

“Unless that was the potion he used on you.” Teng stared at me.

“But it was only srapa venom. How did I heal so fast?”

“That might be the question you really need to be asking.”

“What the fuck is going on?!”

“I don't know, but I've got this tickle in my gut, Lock.”

“No!” I pointed at him. “No, Teng, no tickle. I'm not ready to run. Yes, I will sail with you. I will go somewhere else and start over. But first, I need to know what happened here. I'm involved in this, Teng. Someone has fucked with me, and I can't let that stand.”

“Then I will help you, brother.”

“Thank you.”

Teng nodded and poured me a cup of coffee. “Here. Drink this while—damn it.” He set the coffee pot down and snatched up something that had wriggled its way off his plate and was making a run for it. Or a squirm for it. “Gotcha!”

I stared forlornly at the squirming thing, feeling a strange kinship with it. When Teng popped it in his mouth and began to chew, I hoped it wasn't a sign that I was headed for the same fate.

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