Then I pull out the sachet and tip some into my hand, gesturing for both guards to look closer.
And... for some reason, they both pause, glancing at each other before they peer closer. With perfect timing, another gust of wind sends a cloud of the powder into their faces. Unfortunately, it also ends up hitting me in the face, and I cough and splutter as things take on a slightly fuzzy haze, like I’ve drunk too much rum again.
Oops.
That wasn’t how this was supposed to go.
I’ve got enough space in my brain to vaguely remember what I’m meant to be doing and keep on jabbering, which seems to confuse the guards further. Perfect. The guard in front of me gives me a long look, swaying slightly on his feet.
“Did you come to bless our souls?” the shorter guard asks me.
I gesture at some of the other guards, and my two spin around on their heels.
“Hey, Jess, get over here. You too, Charlie.”
I’m then surrounded by guards, all gawping at me like I’m the one brandishing a sausage like it’s a weapon. I let some more of the dust float into the air and snort a laugh as their expressions grow softer, eyes glazing over.
Oops. This stuff might be stronger than I intended.
My robe is too hot and I pull at the ties to allow the wind to access my sweaty skin, but a hand on my shoulder stops me before I can get them undone.
Without even looking, I know it’s my Reva. My insides light up and I grin at her, even though she can’t see my face because of this stupid hood.
“All right, then, handsome,” she purrs in Valmorian. “Is stripping for the guards part of your distraction technique?”
“I didn’t realise there were lady monks,” one guard says.
“Of course there are,” Reva replies without missing a beat.
He narrows his eyes at her, and I feel a surge of protectiveness.
Easy now, stud, a female voice that isn’t Reva says inside my head. Through my fuzzy brain, I’m less surprised than I probably should be.
“Did you maybe dose yourself a little?” Reva asks me lightly.
I nod at her, and she sends a wave of amused reassurance through our bond, leaving me feeling like my insides are fizzing.
Then there’s a shout from behind us and the steady beat of a drum that’s quickly joined by the jaunty sound of a fiddle. I spin around and almost lose my balance, but Reva’s there to prop me up, and I fling my arm around her shoulder, tugging her against my side. She lets out a little yelp of surprise before letting me hug her tight.
“Seems like the crew has brought the party to the palace,” Reva murmurs to me.
She’s right. Heading up the hill toward us is the entire crew, with Frannie at the very front. Daggers hammering away at adrum while other crew members are dancing their way toward us.
“All right, brother,” Dagger says to me with a little wink, and not knowing what else to do with myself, I bow at him. He lets out a raucous peal of laughter
Clearly, I really miscalculated with this powder stuff. Rather than simply confusing the hell out of the guards, it’s making us all feel a little... goofy. I’m relaxed and fuzzy-head, and I’m not the only one. Instead of challenging the newcomers, the guards we’ve dosed with the powder are watching the crews’ shenanigans with sloppy smiles and heavy-lidded eyes.
I’m filled with the sudden, almost uncontrollable urge to giggle, especially when one of the crew approaches Captain Finch and starts pretending to fence with him. As distractions go, I think we’re doing a pretty good job. There are now dozens of guards and even more curious palace staff who are getting a faceful of my magic dust.
Out of nowhere, Reva gasps beside me, clinging to my arm and clutching her chest.
“Reva? What’s wrong?”
And then I feel it.
Oily dread coats my insides as all the air is swiftly sucked out of my lungs, and I’m filled with terror that has my knees buckling. This is followed by rage quite unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.
I have no clue who it’s coming from, but it’s so overwhelming, I can barely draw air into my lungs.
