“How did you know what was happening, and what to do? If you hadn’t been here, Eloise would have died,” I tell her, unable to keep the expression of amazement from my face. It’s impossible not to be impressed by her quick thinking, and I find myself looking at her with renewed admiration.
“A lot of people die because of allergic reactions like that,” Paige says with a sigh. “When I first got here, Eloise told me she’s allergic to shellfish. She must have had a reaction. Her body reacted against the allergen and her throat swelled and closed up. She couldn’t breathe, so we had to create an emergency airway. I’ve read about it before, but I neverimaginedI would need to use it…”
She blinks, confusion crossing her beautiful face.
“Hold on…” she goes back over to the counter, where the tray of appetizers still sits. Servers and cleaners are already tidying up the scene, but of course they don’t dare disturb us or ask us to leave. Paige takes one of the appetizers between her fingers, a tiny ball on a stick. “It doesn’t make anysense. Meatballs don’t typically have shrimp or shellfish in them, why would that give her an allergic reaction?”
“That type of food isn’t poisonous to her?” I ask, a little uncomfortable. I’m not used to being so outside of my depth.
Paige shakes her head, looking thoughtful. “Maybe they were experimenting with some new recipe, one that uses oyster sauce, or something like that. But Eloise told me that the host at the restaurant also has an allergy. Why would they be experimenting with an ingredient like that?”
Eloise’s abandoned purse lies on the counter, pens, lipsticks and other accessories strewn across the counter and kitchen floor where Paigethrew them. Now, she ruffles through it again, looking around to see if she missed anything.
“Eloiseknewshe had an allergy…why wouldn’t she carry an epipen?”
“What sort of pen?” I ask, bending down to help her look through Eloise’s belongings.
“It’s called an epipen. It’s a sort of needle that administers epinephrine. It counteracts the anaphalactic reaction,” Paige explains. “Most people with serious allergies make sure to always have one with them. I’msurethat Eloise would have had one. Unless…”
My mind has gone to the same place. We lock eyes.
“You think it was nefarious?” I say, a flicker of concern in my chest.
“I don’t know,” Paige responds, but I can smell the worry emanating from her skin. “Didn’t you say there’s a threat…those other vampires? Couldtheyhave targeted Eloise?”
“Perhaps not Eloise specifically,” I reply, thinking of her and Murad’s relationship. They weren’t trying to hide it. If I could see their bond, I’m sure anyone else could. Paige looks at me expectantly. “Eloise and Murad had recently started a more intimate relationship. It’s possible they were trying to sendhima warning. He’s allied himself closely to me since my ascension.”
The idea of someone targeting Murad because of his closeness to me makes me furious, but I try to hide that from Paige. Still, I can see that she senses my anger. Sharing my blood with her must have tuned her into my moods.
Have I allowed myself to become too close to her? If someone could have targeted Eloise because Murad was drinking from her, certainly they would also be able to see how I’ve favoured Paige.
I feel the warm brush of her skin as she moves closer to me. “Who would know they were having an affair? Could it be someone on the staff, or another vampire in the clan?”
This darkens my thoughts. “I wouldn’t put it past any of them.”
“Maybe we can make a list,” Paige suggests. Excitedly, she tidies up Eloise’s things, putting them neatly back in her purse. She doesn’t have to do that, there are plenty of cleaners around. “Sabina’s certainly suspicious, although it doesn’t necessarily have to be a vampire. What about that young vampire, the one who’s always blushing? I thought I heard Eloise talking to him about her allergy…”
“Don’t worry yourselfwith such matters,” I interrupt, more sharply than I intend.
“Oh, it’s all right,” Paige says, zipping up Eloise’s purse and leaving it on the counter. She gives me a bright smile. “I’m happy to help!”
The deep marks on her neck suddenly seem lavish, over-the-top.Everyonesaw her and I together in the lounge. And Cedric…he witnessed himself how devoted Paige is to me.
At the time, it had seemed like a brilliant way to get the information from him, and to fulfill one of Paige’s fantasies. But now, it seems extremely risky and stupid to have shown everyone just how much I’ve been enjoying her.
Thatfuckingprophecy…
“I don’t require that sort of help from you,” I reply, curtly. “I’ll discuss this matter with my inner council, and with Murad when he returns.”
Her face falls, that bright spark going out in her eyes. A sharp pang of guilt ignites in my stomach.
“Why can’t I help you with this?” she asks. There’s a note of hurt in her voice that’s like a knife twisting in my gut. “I justsavedEloise. I haven’t been here for long, but I’m observant, and smart. I know most of the staff here…”
“My word is final,” I answer. Instinctively, I flash her the crimson in my eyes. She gasps, and takes a step back.
For the first time since I met her, a tinge of irritation crosses her words. “Fine. Then I’m going to bed,” she replies.
Without another word, she leaves the kitchen.
