Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,204

bodyguard. “Darla. That’s something I didn’t know before we shared a body.”

She had been standing with her foot partly drawn back, ready to kick him while he was down. Laina relaxed and resumed a normal stance, a faint look of disappointment on her face. She stepped back, then frowned. “Mention that again and I’ll make you regret it.”

The pain was beginning to subside a little, and Will managed to sit up. He gave his sister a serious look. “You know me better than that.” Their eyes connected, and neither blinked for several seconds as the enormity of their shared experience threatened to overwhelm them once more.

Laina turned away as her eyes began to glimmer with excess moisture. “I still don’t like you,” she said unconvincingly.

He nodded. “Yeah, I know. You don’t have to say it.”

Tiny looked at Darla with a puzzled expression. The Arkeshi returned his look, then shrugged, equally confused. When they looked back, they saw Laina was watching Will with a faint look of concern. Finally, she asked, “Are your testes all right?”

The big warrior couldn’t help but snort, and Darla turned around, covering her mouth.

“No thanks to you,” Will groaned.

Darla caught Tiny’s eye once more, and he saw something flicker across her normally deadpan face. Suddenly an air of faint worry came over her, and she put a hand on Laina’s shoulder. “You were too enthusiastic. We should probably check.” Laina’s face paled, and she seemed to wilt, but Darla was ready for that. “Do not worry. I have some experience with wounds.” Then she looked up at Tiny. “Help me remove his trousers.”

Tiny was more than ready to play along. “Of course. Let’s get him up on the worktable.” Reaching down, he put his hands beneath Will’s arms and made as though he would lift him up.

Will’s eyes were round, and his face had gone red. “No thank you! I’m fine now.”

Darla shook her head. “You don’t look well. Let me see.” She reached out as if she might undo the laces of his trousers.

Will began scrambling back, kicking the Arkeshi away as he backed into the corner of the room. “I said, ‘no thank you!’ I can check them myself—later—when none of you are looking at me!”

Darla broke character first as a strange, raspy, laugh began to emerge from her. Tiny soon followed, laughing deeply, and then Laina joined them, realizing she had been had. Will declined to join them. He was still fighting diffuse pains and a feeling of nausea.

He probably would have joined them in their laughter, eventually, but Lawrence appeared at the door to the laboratory. “Will, are you in there?”

“Unfortunately,” he answered.

“There are soldiers downstairs. They want you to come with them. It’s a summons from the king. They’re asking for Miss Nerrow as well.”

“Fucking hell,” swore Will. He started to get up and gratefully accepted a hand from Tiny. Standing perfectly straight still wasn’t comfortable, but he tried not to visibly hunch as he opened the door. Someone took his other arm, helping him to stand straight, and he was surprised to see it was Laina beside him.

By mutual consent neither of them made eye contact. It was still too soon.

Downstairs in the lobby, Will found a Royal Guard captain along with eight of the Driven. Standing just outside was a large group of additional soldiers, at least four squads worth. Damn. He might still choose to fight, but the odds weren’t good. “What do you want?” he demanded, affecting an air of annoyance.

The guard captain bowed deeply. “Captain Geoff Harris at your service, sir. The king has sent me to request your presence, as well as the attendance of Miss Nerrow, daughter of Baron Nerrow.”

The respectful attitude caught him completely off-guard. Realizing his confusion, Laina leaned over to his ear. “While you were out, we discovered that the king ordered his men not to interfere and to provide assistance if needed.”

He glanced at her, then quickly returned his eyes to the captain. The old saying about eyes being the window to the soul seemed truer than ever. Meeting Laina’s gaze might tear the