Hunted Sorcery (Jon Oklar Book 2), B.T. Narro [digital book reader txt] 📗

I realized then that I was now the one leaning close and listening as if my life depended on it.

As I watched Remi and Charlie awkwardly lock lips, I had a sudden revelation. “There was something in the ale!” I shouted. “There was somethingin the ale!”

I wasn’t sure either of them heard me, as they were too busy with each other.

Remi pulled away eventually. “That was fun, Charlie. We should do that more often.”

“We should!”

Remi seemed to notice me again, as if she’d forgotten I was here. “Oh, Jon. You are burning hot handsome. Do you want to kiss me also?”

Charlie screamed, “I don’t want him to kiss you!”

“I don’t want to upset Charlie,” I said. Frankly, I wouldn’t mind locking lips with Remi right now, except I was pretty sure I could see some of Charlie’s saliva lingering on her, but the statement I’d made was true anyway.

“I have a suspicion that I want to investigate,” I admitted. “Goodbye for now.”

“Good luck with your investigation,” Remi said.

“I want to watch you dance again!” Charlie announced.

“Yes!” she replied. “Help me up on the table, but don’t touch my ass.”

Looking for the king, I passed by Michael and Eden dancing…or maybe grinding together was a better way to describe it. Michael held her very close to him as she swayed back and forth, her rear end pressed up against his crotch.

“I’m glad they’re having a good time,” I commented to no one, happy just to share something.

I felt like a little child wanting to explore the world. I was completely confident now that the king had put something in our ale. Everyone in the large dining room, the older folks included, all seemed to be having too much fun. I noticed exaggerated pointing, laughing, and shouting over each other to be heard.

I needed to find the king. It was important to me to hear the truth from him. He had done this to us on purpose. He had wanted us to reveal something.

I gasped as I realized the answer. This was how he planned to weed out the traitor. Had I told him I would’ve been able to hide this plan from my friends, he would’ve told me to abstain from drinking tonight.

But I was glad I hadn’t. I was having a blast, and there were a few people I wanted to hear from. I wanted to say a few things to them as well.

First was Michael, my closest friend. But I figured the last thing he wanted right now was to be interrupted for a heart-to-heart, so I let him be.

I walked around for a little while before I found Reuben off against the wall, close with a beautiful woman I didn’t recognize at first, for she wasn’t in her worker’s clothing but a nice dress.

Reuben seemed very happy as he spoke with Burda. I didn’t want to interrupt them, but this was an opportunity that likely would never come again.

“Reuben!” I announced excitedly.

“Jon!” He seemed happy to see me as he threw his arms up. “Did you know I used to be jealous of you?”

“I had a suspicion, but I never knew why.”

“Because you had everyone’s attention, but you deserve it. You deserve it, Jon! I don’t. But I don’t care. I have all the attention I want with Burda here. Isn’t she the most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen?”

“You’re too nice to me, Reuben,” she said with the same large smile that all of us wore. “I don’t deserve it.”

“You deserve so much more! I’m going to buy you everything you could possibly want.”

She touched his shoulder as she leaned in, but even though she was close she wouldn’t stop shouting. “You’re lucky I don’t want a lot!”

“I am! I’m the luckiest man in the world. You are so beautiful!”

“Thank you. I like when you say that.”

“I’m glad, because you’re going to hear it a lot.”

“Good!”

“Have you been with any other men?” Reuben asked.

“I don’t want to answer that,” she said, holding her wide smile.

“That must mean yes.”

“Yes.”

“That’s all right. I was just curious. I don’t care.”

“Oh that’s good! Have you been with other women?”

I found myself leaning in. I wasn’t sure if they were aware of me still, but I didn’t care. I was completely interested in Reuben’s answers.

“Two others,” he said.

“Did you buy them a lot of things first?” Burda asked.

“Yes, and I know I shouldn’t admit that, but I don’t care. I want to tell you everything.”

“I want to tell you everything!”

“Reuben,” I interjected. I had to tell him something. “You are my friend!”

“You are my friend, Jon.”

“I love you like a friend,” I said.

“That’s a little too much for me right now,” Reuben said as he put his hand on my shoulder.

I put mine on his. “That’s all right.”

“No wait. It’s not. I also love you like a friend.”

I laughed. “What the hell was in that ale!”

“I don’t know! And I don’t care!” Reuben gasped. “Sire!” He bowed deeply.

“Your majesty!” Burda lowered her head as well.

“That’s not necessary,” said the king as he entered our close circle. “Reuben, I have to ask you something. Will you promise to be honest?”

“I promise. Ask me anything.”

“Are you the traitor who has been working against us? It’s all right to tell me the truth. Everything will be fine.”

“I’m not the traitor! I would never do anything to hurt you or anyone else here, unless they hurt Burda. Isn’t she beautiful?”

“Do you have any idea who it might be?” asked Nykal.

“Who who might be?”

“The traitor.”

“Oh! I think it’s one of the girls. It’s just a feeling. I don’t know why I feel it.”

“All right. Enjoy yourselves.”

The king left.

I told Reuben and Burda, “I’m going to follow him around and listen. I think he’s using this as an opportunity to question people, and I want to hear what they say.”

I don’t think Reuben was still listening by the time I finished talking, as he was again telling Burda that she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

I watched