Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It was a long and boring watch. The guests were thirsty and hungry but not homicidal. They drank through most of the fine wine and went their merry way in their fancy carriages. I was relieved when the last of the vehicles rolled down the lane and vanished into the dusky distance. Conrad wouldn't be happy about our being late to the diving show.

Lusio, however, was brimming with glee as he turned to the house and practically pranced into the front hall. Tegan and I stood on the first-floor balcony overlooking his happiness. "Miles! Miles!"

The butler made a prompt appearance from the direction of the terrace. "Yes, sir?"

"Will the second trial be ready by tomorrow evening?" he wondered.

"She assured me the magic would be ready by then," Miles replied.

Lusio's exuberance was dampened by the lackluster answer and he frowned. "That is poor comfort to me, Miles. When did you last speak with her?"

"This morning, sir."

"Then speak with her again tomorrow morning and make sure she gives a guarantee," Lusio demanded.

Miles bowed his head. "As you wish, sir."

"Now return to your duties," Lusio commanded him as he waved his hand at the servant.

Miles slipped away, leaving our host alone in the hall. Lusio grasped his hands together behind his back and frowned before he strode down the hall toward the rear of the house.

"We had better follow him," Tegan suggested as he took my hand.

We hurried down the winding stairs and peeked down the hall. Lusio stepped out onto the terrace as the sun set behind the far horizon. Miles and a few other servants scooted past him and into the house with their hands filled with full platters.

Our host strode over to the low wall that abutted the beach and stared out at the view. Tegan and I slipped closer until we reached the open doors. A cool breeze wafted over the patio and disturbed the remnants of programs given to the audience. The papers scattered across the stones and knocked against the back of Lusio's ankles. He looked disapprovingly down at the trash as the last rays of sun settled below the horizon.

Tegan stiffened before he darted out across the terrace. He wrapped his arms around Lusio and tackled the man to the ground. I saw something shoot across the terrace and embed itself into one of the umbrellas that shaded a table.

"What are you doing?" Lusio shouted as he thrashed in Tegan's hold.

"Kate!" Tegan shouted.

I got the hint and swept my eyes over the area, but the night was still. "I don't see anyone!"

"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 I am safe!" 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 twisting him around. 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?"

Lusio whipped his head about and glared at him. "You miserable coward! Take some of the others if you want, but get her here now!"

The color drained from Miles' face but he bowed and scurried away. Lusio stumbled over to one of the high-backed chairs in front of the crackling fire and slumped onto the cushion. He cupped his forehead in one hand and closed his eyes.

"Who is your servant fetching?" Tegan questioned our host.

Lusio didn't have time to respond before footsteps pattered down the winding steps. Cordelia and the others made their appearance in the doorway with even Morrigan at the rear along with her entourage.

"What's all this yelling about?" Cordelia demanded to know as she sauntered into the room. "A woman can't get her beauty sleep with such raised voices."

Lusio gathered himself and dropped his limb onto the arm of the chair. He straightened and smiled up at the group. "My sincerest apologies. We were having a lively discussion and I forgot myself."

Morrigan lifted an eyebrow at Tegan and me. "A discussion about what?"

Lusio stood and shook his head. "Nothing important. Were any of you in need of more food? I believe the fires are still lit in the kitchen if you require anything there."

Cordelia cast a curious look at us as she sashayed away. "No. I'll help myself later."

She sauntered through the others who reluctantly followed her. Morrigan was the last and she gave us a nasty parting look before she followed the others upstairs.

The moment the house fell silent, Lusiou whipped his head about and gave us a sharp look. "Speak nothing of this to the others. Do you understand? I don't want any of them leaving before the end of the trials."

Tegan nodded. "Very well, but do we now have your permission to act as your guards?"

Lusio slumped back into the chair and grasped the front of the arms. "We'll see after she comes."