Page 57 of Expecting The Unexpected

“No one did,” Urr said, looking at his son with great disappointment and sadness.

“That’s not true,” Tumm hissed out, then turned to his father with a look of disgust. “You all were warned by the oracle, and chose not to believe him. The great and powerful ancients knew what was coming... you were told, and instead of making sure we were all safe, you sent the man away, and never told any of us of the impending danger.”

“Tumm, we didn’t want to cause panic amongst our people. The gods had created us to protect the humans. None of us could believe that they would actually try and harm us, let alone kill us all,” Blinn said anxiously.

His son just snorted, “Puh-lease, father. I’m not buying what you’re selling, and neither are a lot of others, and trust me, there are a lot of others.” He turned to Spencer. “You think you know what’s going on, but you know nothing. I’m not the leader of this group and if you knew who it was... when you discover who brought us all together...”

“Who? Who started all of this?” Throg asked angrily.

Tumm snorted, “You, Throg. You started all of this, and one day he will...”

There was no sound to indicate anything out of the ordinary, but the tiny red hole that appeared in the middle of the forehead of Tumm, and the man slowly falling to the floor, had Urr and Blinn screaming Tumm’s name, and Throg lying over his mate, protecting him from the danger he couldn’t see, and hadn’t seen coming.

“Mennen you’re with me! Throg, get your Viata, the Caliphs and the ancients into your room, and stay there until I give the all clear.” Then Throg and Mennen were taking flight from the balcony.

Throg immediately said, “Everyone stay down and get out of the room. Go across the hall, now.”

“My son!” Urr cried.

“Is dead, Ancient Urr. You need to go before the next one that’s dead is you, or your Viata,” Throg insisted, then told Spencer, “Keep low and stay in front of me, Salvator.”

Spencer didn’t argue or say anything. His body was shaking... hard. Throg wished he had the time to calm his Viata, but at this point and time, the only thing he could do was get his pregnant Viata to safety. However, the second they were across the hall and into their room, Throg pulled Spencer into his arms and did something he had never done before... well, not to calm someone... he did the halcyon.

Wrapping his large eagle wings around Spencer, he began to hum. Within moments Spencer was humming with him and then whispered, “Gods I love this.”

Throg continued to hum, but gave Spencer a light kiss on the top of his head. He could feel Spencer calming bit by bit, and even when his breathing had returned to normal, Throg continued to hum. Spencer clasped Throg’s face in his hands, and brought Throg’s head down, and kissed him.

The humming stopped. Hell, Throg thought his heart might have as well, because one second he was humming, and the next second he was wishing they were alone... but they weren’t. Pulling back before things got out of control and everyone in the room got a hell of a show, Throg softly said, “I need to do a room check.

Spencer nodded, “Go. I’m fine now. I’ve just never... I never...”

“Saw someone die,” Throg finished for him.

Nodding, Spencer said, “Go. I’m going to go talk with Petree.” He looked around. “Where’s Nug?”

“I sent him down to the dining area,” Throg said, then pressed the com link. “Nas, do you have Nug and Nub in sight?”

“No sir. I saw something outside and went to check. I’m not in the dining area,” Nas answered.

“Someone shot and killed Tumm,” Throg stated.

There was silence for a few moments, then Nas said, “I’m heading back inside now. I’ll get Nug and Nub and get them to your location.”

“We’re in mine and Spencer’s room now.” Throg said, and turned quickly when the balcony doors opened and Groth walked in with Mennen by his side. “We couldn’t find the shooter. I did a sweep of Tumm’s room and found these.”

Throg looked at Groth’s open palms. “Son of a bitch, are those bugs?”

“Yeah, there was one in the lamp, another in the bathroom, and another on Tumm’s suit jacket,” Groth stated.

“Fuck, someone really didn’t trust the man,” Throg said.

Nodding, Hron said, “The question is, who?”