I’d tell Bunny … no, Aahz! I’d tell Aahz first and then Bunny. My partner deserved to be the first to know.
“Hey Boss! Skeeve!”
I turned to see Nunzio beckoning me from the other end of the corridor. I was surprised to see him, and started to wave. Then it dawned on me that this was the first time he had ever called me to join him instead of the other way around. A feeling of alarm swept away my earlier euphoria.
“Come quick, Boss! It’s important!”
My fears were confirmed. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
I hurried to join him, but he moved off down corridor ahead of me, looking back from time to time to see if I was following.
“Wait for me, Nunzio!” I called.
“Hurry, Boss!” he replied, not slackening his pace.
I was starting to get a bit winded trying to catch up with him, but if anything he seemed to be increasing his speed. Then he ducked down a flight of stairs, and an idea came to me.
When I reached the stairs, instead of descending normally, I vaulted over the railing and used my magik to fly (which is really levitation in reverse) after him. This seemed to be a bit faster than running, and certainly a lot easier on the lungs, so I kept it up. I managed to catch my breath and catch up with my bodyguard just as we were emerging into the palace courtyard.
“What’s this all about, Nunzio?” I said, slowing my speed to match his pace.
Instead of answering, he pointed ahead.
There was a group of people gathered in the courtyard. Some were guards or other people I had seen around the palace, but there also seemed to be a batch of costumed characters with them. Then I saw Guido and Pookie in the group . . . and Aahz!