Anger flashed in the witch’s eyes, but her voice was measured. “You think you understand the world, but you are still a foolish child.”
“So what he told me was all lies?”
“Most likely,” Mina said. “Clearly he told you some truths. Like sugar and medicine to make the lies go down smoother.”
“Fine. Then let me talk to Kova without you holding his tongue,” she said. “I want to know what he’s trying to tell me that you won’t let him say.”
Her aunt blinked slowly. “No,” she finally said.
“Why? What don’t you want me to hear?”
“I think you should rest. Clearly, all the excitement has gotten to your head,” Mina said, rising suddenly.
Scarlett grabbed her wrist and pulled her in close. Her petite, frail aunt stumbled into her, eyes wide with fear as Scarlett spat, “And what happens when my birthday comes? What happens when I turn twenty-nine, Tante Mina?”
Her aunt pulled back, eyes wide and fearful. “Let go,” she said firmly, though Scarlett held her fast. Was that guilt in her eyes, or the fear that Scarlett would really hurt her? “You are my family, and you have clearly been through an ordeal these last few days, so I will overlook this outrageous behavior.”
“Tante Mina?—”
“Listen to me. Do you trust me? Your family? The person who raised you and loved you for your whole life? Or do you trust the vampire who killed my husband, murdered both your parents, and left you an orphan?” Mina said. Her gaze lowered to her arm and lifted again. Her eyes were wide and sad. Her aunt looked older than she remembered, and so very tired.
Scarlett released her arm suddenly, feeling ashamed. Her grip had left white indentations in the other woman’s thin arm. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.
At that, Mina nodded. “I understand. We’ll talk later.”
She started to back away, but Scarlett surged to her feet again and said, “If you want me to trust you, then unchain me.”
“Not until you’ve calmed down. I don’t know what influence those vampires had on you,” she said, turning to storm out of the room.
“Look me in the eyes and tell me that you’re not going to hurt me,” Scarlett said.
Tante Mina froze in the doorway, her shoulders still held high. She turned and met Scarlett’s gaze. As she stared at the woman she had known her whole life—and yet didn’t know at all, it seemed—she did not know what she wanted to see. Did she want to see the evidence that she was lying? Or did she want to see that all of this had been a bad dream, a masterful manipulation by a handsome vampire?
“I will not lay a hand on you, sweet girl. And it pains me that you think I would hurt you, let alone kill you.” She dabbed at her eyes, though not a single tear had fallen. “I’ll send something for you to eat.”
The witch closed the door behind her. Light steps trudged down the hallway, though her dark scent lingered in the room. And somehow, after all that, Scarlett felt guilty.
What if she had been manipulated? Who the hell was she supposed to trust?
Voices murmured downstairs, but they spoke in German. She cursed to herself, lamenting that she hadn’t learned except the handful of words to make the bound vampires stand down.
A few minutes later, Stella walked in with a plate of food; it was a respectable-looking baked chicken with vegetables, the healthy fare she’d always eaten. Her stomach rumbled, but she wasn’t going to risk another dose of drugs to keep her docile.
The dark-haired woman eyed her suspiciously as she set it on the edge of the bed, then backed away quickly.Stella pursed her lips and said, “Do you need anything else?”
“Some clean clothes, please,” she said meekly.
The witch nodded and left her alone. Scarlett sat on the bed, already formulating her next plan. She had to get to Kova and get him out. But first, she had to get this damned shackle off her wrist.
Stella returned a few minutes later with a stack of clothes that smelled familiar. She set them on the bed neatly, then paused in the door. “You should be grateful that Armina takes care of you. She’s one of the greatest witches who’s ever lived.”
She wanted to snap back at the young woman. What the hell did she know about anything? But she needed peace and quiet to keep working on an escape. So she nodded and said, “I know. I’m just confused.”
Stella smiled faintly. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Then she reached into her pocket and held out a little plastic tube. “It’ll take the sting from the cuts.”
Slowly learning forward, Scarlett took the tube of ointment. “Thanks,” she said flatly, though she couldn’t have cared less about Stella’s offer. Knowing Armina and her tricks, it was probably poisoned.
Stella smiled faintly and said, “You’re welcome. Do you want some aspirin or anything?”
