Page 114 of Gilded in Blood

The maid nods. “How about some coffee? Juice?”

Calina smiles. “Coffee would be great.”

“I’ll take water,” I say.

The maid leaves, and I look around the room again. There’s this unease I can’t place my finger on. It settles in my chest, making me restless.

“I feel this unease,” I tell Calina. “I can’t explain it, but it’s there.”

She takes my hand. “You need to stop worrying. The men are going to get Michael before he gets to us. Put your mind at rest.”

I try. But the more I try to calm myself, the more the unease grows. The maid returns with Calina’s coffee and my water. I don't it.

Calina takes a long drink of her coffee and sighs. “I really need to work on my coffee addiction.”

We both laugh, the sound light in the big room, and for a moment, the unease fades just a little.

Not long after, Calina suddenly pauses, her cup halfway to her lips. “That’s strange… I’m feeling sleepy.” She places the cup back on the tray, blinking slowly. “Isn’t coffee supposed to keep me alert?”

“Yeah,” I say, frowning.

“I’m drowsy. Maybe I should walk around the room…”

I watch her try to fight it, her eyelids drooping as she speaks. Her words start to slur, becoming drowsy and slow.

Then, without warning, she falls back onto the sofa, completely limp.

“Calina!” I panic, shaking her shoulder. “Calina, wake up! Are you okay? Calina!”

She doesn’t stir. She’s knocked out cold, breathing steady but unnaturally deep.

My heart races. What if her drink was spiked? But why would Calina’s drink be spiked? We’re supposed to be safe here.

I need to get downstairs. I need to get Maxim and Kirill. We have to leave here fast.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Milana

I bolt toward the bedroom door. I need to find Kirill, or Maxim.

Just as my hand reaches for the doorknob, I freeze as I hear approaching footsteps. I listen closely, and I can tell it's more than one person by the voices.

The voices are low, almost whispers, but the hallway is so quiet that I catch every word.

“What if they’re not out yet?” one man mutters. “Maybe we should wait a little longer before going in.”

Out? What does he⁠—

The second man scoffs. “The boss said we move now. If they’re not unconscious, we’ll knock them out ourselves.”

A chill races down my spine. My eyes dart to the coffee tray. Oh God, the coffee.

My gaze shifts to the glass of water I didn't touch. If I’d taken a sip, I’d be lying beside Calina right now.

My stomach twists. I rush back to the sofa.

“Calina.” I shake her shoulders. “Wake up.”