A Court of Gardens and Assassins

Chapter Three: Kidnapped; A Step By Step Guide"

~Flashback brought to you by Mulch™~

"Azriel, can you help me in my garden today?" I asked sweetly.

Az looked at me and dipped his head down into a nod. "Sure, Mulch."

I looked at him confused, tilting my head to the side. "Mulch?"

He didn't seem to register what he called me at first but when he did he shook his head. "I said Elain, you goofy goober. Where did you get Mulch from."

"Okay..." I narrowed my eyes just barely before giving him a smile. I really don't like confrontation so I decided not to push it further. "Let's go outside."

~Azriel's shadows laughed~

Az didn't speak, he just nodded again and followed me as I walked outside. When we got out to the garden I grabbed my gardening gloves and pulled them onto my hands, hiding my usual gardening knife before turning to look back to him.

"I lost my gardening knife, can I borrow the truth teller?" I asked, batting my eyelashes excessively.

He narrowed his eyes at me but slowly brought his hand up with the truth teller in his fist. "Sure. I can cut the stuff for you though."

I shook my head. "It's okay, I can do it. I know the garden better."

When I grab the truth teller from him, I crouch down on the grass and start to cut one of my flowers. As I cut it I grab a cloth from my pocket and lay it down on the ground for when I have the flower ready. Azriel stands behind me, his eyes focused on the flower I'm cutting.

As soon as I finish cutting the flower I lay it in the cloth and stand up, leaving the truth teller on the ground as I turn to him. "You look pained." I whispered to him.

Az shook his head and crossed his arms. "I'm fine. Are you done?"

I shook my head. "Not yet, but you really look pained. Here, smell this flower."

Before he can respond I hold the cloth up to his face, covering his mouth and face. "Does this smell like chloroform to you?"

And before he knows what's happening, he succumbs to the darkness.

DUN DUN DUN