“Good morning, Ariadna,” he said. “Please sit down.”

Victoria looked around her. She seized a candlestick she found on a shelf and brandished it menacingly.

Completely unperturbed, the man lifted the lid off one of the trays and sniffed. “It smells marvelous. You must be hungry.”

He made no move to approach Victoria, but she kept the candlestick raised.

“I don’t think you’re going to need that, Ariadna,” he said calmly.

“My name isn’t Ariadna. My name is Victoria. Victoria Sanchís.”

“Please sit down. You’re safe here and you have nothing to fear.”

Victoria’s eyes were lost in that hypnotic gaze. A whiff from the breakfast reached her again. She realized that the fierce pain she felt in her guts was simply hunger. She lowered the candlestick and left it on the shelf, then slowly made her way to the table. Without taking her eyes off the man, she sat down.

He waited for her to be seated before pouring a cup of coffee for her. “Let me know how much sugar you want. I like it very sweet, although the doctor tells me it’s not good for me.”

She watched him prepare the coffee. “Why did you call me Ariadna?”

“Because that’s your real name. Ariadna Mataix. Isn’t that right? Still, I can call you Victoria if you prefer. I’m Leandro.”

Leandro stood up briefly and held out his hand. Victoria didn’t shake it. He sat down again graciously. “Scrambled eggs? I’ve had some, and they’re not poisoned—I hope.”

Victoria wished the man would stop smiling that way, making her feel guilty for not repaying his perfect kindness.

“It’s a joke. Of course there’s nothing poisoned. Eggs with bacon?”

Victoria surprised herself by accepting. Leandro smiled with satisfaction and served her, sprinkling a little salt and pepper over the small pile of steaming eggs. Her host had the easygoing manner of an expert chef.

“If you’d rather have anything else, we can ask for it. The room service here is excellent.”

“This is fine, thanks.”

She almost bit her tongue for saying “thanks.” Thanks for what? To whom?

“The croissants are delicious. Try them. The best in town.”

“Where am I?”

“We’re in the Gran Hotel Palace.”

Victoria frowned. “In Madrid?”

Leandro nodded and offered her the basket with the pastries. She hesitated.

“They’re freshly made. Take some, or I’ll end up eating them all, and I’m on a diet.”

Victoria stretched her hand out to take a croissant, and as she did so, noticed the needle marks on her forearm.

“We had to sedate you. I’m sorry. After what happened in El Pinar . . .”

Victoria jerked back her arm. “How did I get here? Who are you?”

“I’m your friend, Ariadna. Don’t be afraid. You’re safe here. That man, Hendaya, won’t be able to hurt you ever again. Nobody will be able to hurt you again. You have my word.”

“Where’s Ignacio, my husband? What have they done to him?”

Leandro looked at her tenderly and smiled weakly. “Go on, first eat a bit and recover your strength. Later I’ll let you know what happened. I’ll answer all your questions. I promise. Trust me and be calm.”