Page 25 of Hidden By the Gargoyle

“Perfect,” I answered, drinking more of the tea.

The warmth in my abdomen washed out into my limbs, bringing a sweet lassitude throughout my body. Wow, this stuff was potent.

My muscles relaxed and I felt as though I were about to sink through the couch. Still, I wanted more tea, so I finished the cup in two swallows.

After I set the mug to the side, my eyes narrowed. I realized that my aunt had snuck something into that tea to make me sleep. Granted, I probably needed it since my head was still buzzing uncomfortably, but I also felt less guarded. Looser.

I felt myself wobble and laid back down on the couch on my side. My eyes closed despite my efforts to keep them open.

“You okay?” Dax asked, his voice much closer than before.

I pried my eyelids open just enough to look up at his face where he leaned over the back of the couch. “I’m mad at MinMin,” I slurred.

I didn’t register the surprised amusement on his face because I was focused on fighting the effects of the damned tea.

“Why?” he asked.

“Stupid tea. She put an herb in it to make me sleep and something else…” My eyes were beginning to drift shut.

“Something else?”

“Truth serum or something,” I answered even though I didn’t plan on it.

Yep, definitely a truth serum or something of the sort.

My damn meddling aunt was determined for me to open up, whether I liked it or not.

“Good thing you’re going to sleep, then,” he murmured. “Otherwise, we’d have to play truth or dare.”

The last thing I remembered was laughing at his joke.

* * *

When I woke up later,I could hear Dax moving around in the kitchen and I smelled cooking meat and onions. He must have been making the soup he mentioned earlier.

I smiled a little when I remembered the joke he’d made right before I’d gone to sleep. I’d forgotten how funny Dax could be. His sense of humor was dry and sometimes it took me by surprise when it snuck out.

I was also surprised I hadn’t dreamt of Talant. I usually did, even if all I took was a short nap. Whatever Minerva put in that tea must have put me down so deeply that I didn’t dream.

Cautiously, I sat up, running a hand over my hair. It was still light outside, so I hadn’t slept too long. There was also a light blanket draped over my body. Dax must have laid it over me while I slept. It was a sweet gesture, one that caused my chest to squeeze.

“You’re awake.”

I looked over my shoulder to find Dax standing at the bar, looking at me. His glasses were nowhere in sight, which made me a little sad because I liked the way he looked in them.

“How long was I out?” I asked, stretching my arms above my head and leaning from side to side.

“About thirty minutes. How are you feeling?”

I took stock of my body and realized the fuzzy, overwhelmed feeling in my head was gone. As was the urge to blurt out every thought in my head.

Which reminded me…

“I feel good,” I answered, reaching into my back pocket to grab my phone.

It wasn’t there. I stood up and took a moment to search the couch. It had fallen out of my pocket and between the cushions. As soon as I plucked it out from between them, I opened up the app for my text messages and clicked on my aunt’s name.

What in the hell did you put in that tea?

---