But she said, “What about side effects?”
“What?”
“Side effects. You know: those things they list off on drug commercials? May cause migraines, rashes, face swelling, suicidal thoughts, explosive diarrhea, anddeath?”
He sighed again, but something sparked in his eyes. Hope, maybe. “If it will ease your mind, I’d be happy to take you to my lab and walk you through the process. You might also like to speak to drug recipients. Both Major Treadwell and Sergeant Ramirez take the serum daily.”
She hadn’t expectedthat. She glanced toward both of them in turn, searching for outward signs of injury and illness. They still looked cool, capable, and unfriendly as before – though Treadwell had a little notch pressed between his brows. Some kind of stress.
But she remembered Val’s warning. Screamed at her, tight with panic. She couldn’t lose sight of what was really happening here.
She took a deep breath. “I don’t care about the injections. I want to talk about Val.”
There was a collective intake of breath around her. A stiffening of posture.
Her father frowned. “Mia, we can’t–”
“He came to see me. For weeks. Don’t try to pretend that wasn’t real. And that’s why I’m really here, isn’t it? It’s not about a cure; it’s about me consorting with your prisoner.”
The frown deepened into an outright scowl. “Prince Valerian is most dangerous. He’s manipulative, and ruthless.”
“Right, right.”
Dad started to respond, face a pinched red mess –
And a low, accented voice said, “Is this the girl my brother’s been talking to?”
A hard chill skittered up Mia’s spine.
She turned, already knowing who it was –Vlad, the name echoed like a death knell in the back of her mind. She envisioned him as a boy, sullen and sallow, like Val had shown her…
But the figure striding into the room was a man. Long, dark hair streaming down over broad shoulders. Contoured with sleek muscle; his clothes clung to him.
The cool, unknowable light in his eyes made her want to take a step back. He didn’t glare, didn’t snarl. Hestared.
He looked nothing like his beautiful brother.
Dad’s expression went through a series of quick changes that would have been comical in another moment, among other company. “Ah, your grace, excellent timing, as always. My daughter’s just arrived. This is Mia.
“And Mia.” He sighed. “I’m sure you already know who this is. Vlad Dracula of Wallachia. Prince.” He said the last crisply.Be polite, that word meant.Don’t embarrass me in front of royalty.
She said, “Hello, Vlad.”
He didn’t respond. Just stared. Studied her, she realized, from the crown of her head to the toes of her paddock boots. His expression never changed.
She shivered again.
“Dinner should be ready soon,” Dad said, catching her attention, and she couldn’t believe this. How was it happening? How could he think that she would want to sit and have dinner with him when–
“Dr. Talbot,” Annabel interrupted smoothly. “I was thinking Mia might like to freshen up. Change her clothes, maybe, if she wants. I was going to take her up to her room before dinner.” She was smiling, and very polite, but it was a statement and not a request.
“Oh,” Dad said. “Oh, um, yes. Of course. That’s fine. Do you–”
“I know which room.” Annabel looped her arm through Mia’s. “Come on up.”
Dazed, Mia followed.
It was a wide, ornate staircase; the risers had been sized for a man’s stride, and Mia felt a little dizzy by the time they were halfway up. They hit a landing, one that fed forks off to the left and right.
