THE POISONER
“It seems like fate that we keep running into one another,” Viktor murmured. “I love such pleasant coincidences.”
“Ah, I don’t believe in coincidence in that way.” I took a sip from my cup as I hung back in the corner.
All night, I was bombarded by people I did not know who clearly knew me. There were more questions about my “romantic” life than about my work. It was nice to see someone who would not interrogate me, at least.
“Maybe you should. You never know.” He shrugged.
“Where are your glasses?”
“I didn’t think they fit the look tonight.” He looped my arm through his. “Come with me. Silas told me to fetch you.”
“Fetch?” I frowned at his wording but followed anyway. “Why wouldn’t he just come get me himself?”
“Because he’s a dog and needs things done for him, of course.” He smirked.
Viktor led me to a different wing that contained medievalexamples of bedchambers belonging to some important figures whose names were littered in the historical texts.
“You know, you’re lucky.” Viktor slid my arm out of his and turned toward me. He took my hands and led me through the closed-off wing, walking backward so as not to break eye contact with me.
“Why would you think that?”
“You’re going to get to live your life comfortably, which is more than most can say.” He sighed. “Most would beg for that position, kill for it, even, as long as you fall in line.”
“What are you referring to?” I glared. “Do you mean the rumors about my romantic endeavors?”
He tilted his head at me. “Oh no, but I am sure he will get to see you be a good Host if he ever decides to visit home.” A wicked smirk cracked across his face. His eyes held such a fierce fire that the man before me was almost unrecognizable.
As his grin widened, I could see a flash of long teeth.
That was the moment it all clicked into place. He was never there for my company. He walked me home that first night to find out where I lived. That was why, for weeks after, I was in so much pain. This monster snuck into my house, and I practically thanked him for it by inviting him back.
“Viktor—” I said, a hint of panic in my voice, but his grip on me tightened.
“It really does sound better when you say it like that.” He leaned close, backing me against the wall. “But it feels disingenuous. It is Luka—I’d rather hear my real name when you scream it.”
My eyes widened as he slapped his hand over my mouth.
“Listen closely,dorogaya.” He leaned close. “This will hurt. If you scream, I’ll make sure it’s worse,” he whispered, his fangsflicked out. They looked different from Silas’s. Both sets were fairly long and thick, like some nightmare come to life.
Before I could find the time to react, two sets of eager needles plunged into my shoulder.
I screamed into his hand, and a burning pain tore through my body. There was no numbness to follow, just my muscles and consciousness fading, failing me. The last thing I remembered was the feeling of teeth biting down into my flesh asmy vision went black.
47
THE POISONER
The rough path of the carriage slowly rocked my consciousness back to the surface. Even when I opened my eyes, I was blind. Scratchy wool fibers brushed against my face and got in my mouth. A hood was over my head, but I could not feel any other clothing on me.
Rope bound my wrists and elbows behind my back, as well as my knees and ankles together. I was now certain that I had been stripped of my clothes. A heavy boot rested on my hip as I lay on my side.
Is he using me as a footrest?
The coach stopped, jolting my body and eliciting a whimper from me due to the pain in my shoulder. More awareness of my body came with the register of pain as I slowly came to full consciousness.
After a moment of stillness, the cold air whipped at me when the door opened. The pressure of the boot was removed only for me to be yanked up into strong arms by the ropes that restrainedme. Nothing could stop the wince as I was hauled up into someone’s grasp.
