the man to his right said with a chuckle, one that died the second Lucius snarled angrily at him before issuing a warning,
“Careful Šeš, for ridding him of life still hasn’t cooled my temper in discovering the one who put her there,” he said making it clear who he blamed, making the man scoff before telling him,
“And what would you have had me do, allow a snake to lie in wait in your bed, when my belief was justified?” he braved saying in return. I frowned and it was one that only barely matched Lucius’, for his was more of a scowl that could have stripped a being of his courage in a heartbeat. Telling me this man was either suicidal or he was more powerful than I knew.
“No, I would have chained her to it!” Lucius snapped back in reply to his question, one that was challenged once more,
“She was believed to be in no danger at the time, a prison that—”
“A prison she was in by your command, one you had no place to make!” Lucius growled back cutting him off by putting him in his place. But whoever the identity of the man was, it was clear he was someone high enough up in the rankings not to feel threatened by Lucius as he argued further,
“And once again, as I said earlier, the reason being for such action was she carries the witch’s Hex.” Lucius snarled angrily before releasing a sigh of frustration and then ordering me in a stern yet restrained tone,
“Turn around, my Pet.” I did as he said, and the moment I looked up to take in the crowd, he barked out a snap of an order,
“Eyes down.”
I don’t know why this was said, but had to question if it was because he had noticed me looking at Trice before? Did he know something or was jealous? I hoped not, as I didn’t think that would mean good things for either of us. And although I knew Lucius wouldn’t hurt me, I couldn’t yet make that same claim for my friend.
So, after doing as he ordered, I heard the sound of metal clattering to the floor as he had obviously let go of the collar and leash for a second time. I felt my hair being swept off my back and positioned over one shoulder for him to be able to see the Hex for himself. Two things happened after this, and that was a hiss of air being sucked through gritted teeth followed by the rumbling of a growl. A furious sound that became the polar opposite of the gentle touch that followed as his fingertips outlined the marks the witch had made.
Again, it gave me hope.
“So now you see why she ended up in your prison,” the other man said, and without being allowed to look at him, I could only just make out the sight of him leaning casually against one of the pure white pillars. It was one of many that framed the higher platform, showcasing the importance of who sat upon the throne of bones, of what I guessed was enemies conquered.
Lucius growled low again and snarled,
“You believed me responsible for having this Hex cast?”
“I gathered you still had the use of your own witch and it is a Summoning Hex after all…besides, I think you will agree, Šeš that it has the stench of the witch you had me hunting all over it.” He said, calling him that Šeš name again, that was pronounced like you would say ‘ceasefire’. But it surprised me to discover that he had this person, whoever he may be, hunting the witch, and I hated to admit it but there was obviously so much I still didn’t know when it came to Lucius.
“It was the witch,” Lucius admitted making the man then ask,
“Question remains now is why would the witch bother to Hex this mortal girl, who you yourself has claimed is nothing more than a favourite pet of yours?” I stiffened at his words. Lucius also felt it as he still had his hand exploring my back and I swear he could hear my heart pounding in my chest. Lucius’ hand skimmed down my back until getting to my waist and giving it a squeeze. After this seemingly tender move I couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to reassure me without words? After all, we had been in this position once before, where he had to pretend not to care