“Wait,” I say.

He spins back around—way too quickly, eerily, like he’s forgotten to pretend he’s not a vampire with me.

The hope on his face feels like a whole different kind of wound.

I don’t know if I can trust him, but I do know he won’t hurt me.

And I’m starting to think he might kill for me.

That’s scarier.

I set the stake down on the bedside table. “Sometimes I sleep with it under my pillow. It makes me feels safe.…” I trail off. I don’t want him to know how much yesterday affected me. I want him to know I’m strong. I don’t need his help anymore. Except maybe I do.

Maybe he’s the one person who can help me get answers.

I wave at the table by the window. “Are you hungry?” I cringe as soon as the words leave my mouth. “Do you even eat? Regular food, I mean, not…”

“Yes, I eat. No, I’m not hungry.”

I clear my throat, and then feel self-conscious about the movement. “Well, I am.”

A breakfast tray already sits on the table, covered with fruit and croissants and a thick raspberry jam. It was there yesterday morning too, and I don’t know if someone brings it in or it just appears. My money’s on the latter.

I walk over and grab the ornate copper teakettle and pour us each a cup. Roman tracks my movements as if he’s looking for the slightest tremble in me. But I’m fine.

Roman pulls out an overstuffed blue velvet chair and sits, crossing his ankle over his knee.

I sink into the other chair.

The floral tea is so strong I half expect to see blooming clovers in my cup with lazy bees buzzing around them. Instead, it’s only a pale liquid. I drop in a sugar cube shaped like a lily and watch it dissolve. Then I sip my cup of spring and sugar. I probably didn’t need extra sweetener at all.

I push the second cup toward Roman. He stares at it like it’s more than a cup of tea before lifting it to his lips.

“How soon do I have to perform?” I ask. I wouldn’t be surprised if it were now.

“Tomorrow. We got you the day off to recover.”

I frown. It sounds like they talked to Lucius again, but Roman doesn’t explain, so I decide to let it go. I need an extra day.

“I need your help with something.” If I can’t get the mansion to take me anywhere but to Roman, then I need him to come with me. “Lucius knew my mom,” I state.

Roman’s eyebrows rise.