The Shadows Solace Book I: The Growing Years Prequel

Chapter XXIV: The Unexpected First Clue

Harry yawned sleepily as he woke shortly before dinnertime and saw Tom still sleeping on the floor by the bed. He smiled a little to this as he leaned to his side and just let Tom's magic mingle with his to help him feel better. But the sensation didn't last for very long; after everything, the toddler was hypersensitive to the auras and waves of feelings about him, and so Harry's green eyes snapped to alert as he sensed a foreign presence in the room; hidden well for themselves, but not out of his sensory range or ability.

Harry; he then began to slowly look about for more signs of their intruder as he warily eyed the room, and as he tried to make himself smaller by burrowing his small body to Tom's side; sensing this person was watching them with interest, curiosity, and dark intent...or more specifically...they were watching him and not so much the older man who slept beside the toddler's beside.

Harry curled tighter to Tom's side and waited to see what they would do. His reaction response was immediate, however, when mana lashed out toward him and as Harry flared another shield; stronger than the last as twin swords made of a sickly green raw mana clanged against it and Harry's eyes glowed with magic in anger.

Tom started awake as he then was stunned and held to his tiny mate protectively as he amplified the magic shield Harry conjured for them; they were supposed to be safe here in the Palace. The assassin was garbed in robes of white, green, and gold; his face covered by an ornate mask of gold as well.

Harry's eyes flashed as his words were angry to the intruder, "Will not have Tom or me. Me will not let you." He cried as his magic then forcefully pushed the elven assassin back before his magic swords were twisted and bent out of shape.

Then cracked and shattered before they dissolved as the assassin stared to the tiny human child; a child whose magic was very pronounced for such a small thing, and very lethally dangerous he now saw.

They had underestimated him and the lethality of his Peverell blood, it seemed.

Harry's gaze darkened, "Not live. You hurt me; and you's magic be sick. You almost hurt my Tom. You tried hurt Aun'y Nella and twins. No place for you." Harry hissed with more venom than Tom had ever witnessed before; other than their last fight that took him away from him.

Tom could only stare in shock that ran like electricity through him as Harry raised his palms and watched him pin the man to the wall then use what looked like a severing charm to this man's jugular vein; instantly killing him. His magic raging like a storm about him as Fenella and three guards rushed into the room; gasping in shock to the dead elf assassin on the floor.

Harry slowly calmed as Tom wrapped his arms to him protectively and clutched the child as he pressed him to his chest; Harry leaning to him and shaking from the use of so much magic so suddenly.

Fenella saw how angry Harry's magic was; even as it calmed, it was wired and coiled...like a viper or cobra eyeing everything and waiting to strike out again at the slightest of provocations. She also saw how shocked Tom was to this attack; the man's little mate had once more perceived it before he had and protected them.

She turned her eyes to the dead body and inspected the male. Suddenly, a sick dread filled her inside; she knew something was now very off. She knew this male and had not expected him to be one to attack her family or guests; she had known him very well for years. He was one of the nobles to the court that had supported her husband; yet he had not exactly liked her as his mate.

One that also had not liked her placement as the Queen when her husband was murdered. However, she had thought that he had come to accept her in recent times; that he had changed his opinions on her.

Tom started as Harry suddenly let go and wobbly walked to the corpse; his green eyes staring intently to one area of the man's forehead. His verdant jewel-toned eyes that looked like a Killing Curse seemed angry and hard to whatever he was sensing or feeling.