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I served fruit drinks--all of which were liberally laced with ru another round of these," Jazal de his drink I nodded, lifted the drink tray and went back to mix another batch They had three drinks each before they were done Honestly, they were all better people when they were drunk

"This ox-roast very good" Arvil’s guests appeared to be part reptile That’s what they looked like to me Their faces were humanoid, but they had slitted eyes, just as a snake did Their nostrils, too, were a bit on the narrow side and they sounded slightly short of breath when they spoke--as if they were hissing The one who see ave a slight, respectful bow I hadn’t been introduced to any of the guests, so I couldn’t give an honorific to his name I’d served the ox-roast wrapped in etables, the soup Arvil loved, crispy rolls, salad and dessert

"Master Arvil, I like this served at ain slowly, as if he were thinking carefully about each word before he spoke

"Perhaps soed," Arvil s and didn’t speak It was probably better that way Anith was talking ani her Lita and Kita sat on either side of Delvin Well, he was et homicidal when so two more assistants from The San Gerxon," Arvil told one to Arvil’s media room with Jazal and the others Our current assistants were there pouring drinks Xiri and I were doing our best to clean everything up

"Thank you, Lord Arvil," I nodded to hi the sae inside your kitchen, Reah" Arvil walked out, heading toward the uests

"He needs a neoreed I didn’t want Arvil San Gerxon to coenial Until he decided to kill you, that is

"We have eight new houseguests, plus the brother and his crew," I sighed as I sat next to Teeg on the sofa He’d been watching news vids when I arrived--Campiaa had pirated feeds froers against my temple

"No idea--they look humanoid for the most part, but their eyes are slitted like a snake’s and they have small nostrils and hiss a little when they talk," I closed’s voice was soft as he lifted ot ’s door in the ht had us both off the bed in less than a blink, only Teeg was growling as he pulled on his pants I didn’t have tiin with I was right behind hi the security ca for us to answer the door

"Arvil wants both of you to coht"

Teeg and I were flinging clothing, shoes and toiletries into bags that Teeg pulled out of his closet Delvin was tight-lipped when Teeg asked hi A hover-lis into the back and ere at Arvil’s palace in a fraction of a click The other thing that surprisedwakened like that, was that there were no less than six fe with us

"Arvil e whispered when nobody was listening to us The ae for Arvil, his brother, wife and cousins, the wizards, all eight of theear, with that of his two assistants, was , but we have to keep Reah happy," Arvil tapped the top of er looked like I’d been shaved

"I’ll dosaid Arvil’s wizards folded us away, bags included

Chapter 7

"Welcoht before was giving us a forle-story in a plantation style Tile and wood floors were everywhere, and it was spotless He had a good housekeeping staff, looked like

"We not properly introduced," our host took htly He had skipped over some of his words I noticed that the others did the same, whenever they spoke "Fine cook is rare I am Farzinalek, but please to call me Farzi" That was easy to remember; it sounded a lot like Marzi--another person I would never forget "Of course, Master Farzi" I nodded respectfully

"Where are we staying?" Anith’s voice was annoyingly whiny Teeg was pulling ht to address the probleot rooalow a few steps away Xiri and his assistants got the bungalow next to ours Farzi looked as if he’d prefer to send Jazal and Anith to a bungalow, but that would offend Arvil so he didn’t

"Reah, you and Xiri will be helping with the cooking here, since we are i on Farzi," Delvin informed me I nodded before ere led out the door and shown to our bungalow

"Baby, I wanted you in " I listened to Teeg’s words as we both stared at the wide bed inside the only bedrooalow "I’ll sleep on the sofa if that’s what you want," he added

"No Let’s just go to bed--I’m tired and I don’t kno ," I s had been left on the floor, Teeg and I stripped to our underwear and crawled into bed like that When the aud-alarainst Teeg and his body was angled over o after a few kisses and protests

"We got ot wind that the Alliance was tailing them on the last part of their trip to Campiaa Arvil didn’t want trouble, so he had his wizards h cabinets to see e had to ith