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Not that Kambyses would be the one to give her his blood. He had shown her how that would kill her before it would transform her, and there were more expedient ways of getting rid of her. No, he let her know—with no small amount of anticipation—that Dominique would have to make that choice for both of them.

Whatever Dominique decided, his fate, too, would be sealed. Whether Cassidy died or transformed, his humanity would be destroyed once and for all. He would always be Kambyses’s shadow.

“I don’t want this. I never wanted this,” she said, swiping at fresh tears in between forkfuls of what might be her last meal ever. “I’ll gladly trade places with you.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” Monica touched Cassidy’s arm. “I know this must be a bit much for you to take in right now. You haven’t had time to think this through, but you’ll be all right. I’ll help you all I can to get through this, and we’ll be great friends. Maybe forever.”

If Cassidy hadn’t been so ravenous, she would have pitched the tray at the woman. “Would you mind helping me today?”

“But of course. Anything you want. You know the ship is our playground,” she said in a conspiratorial tone.

“I’d like to get off it.”

“Water sports? Are you sure you’re up for that? We have a big dinner planned for tonight. You wouldn’t want to wear yourself out and fall asleep in your plate, would you?”

Dinner? Seriously? “How about a ride in a tender? Just, you know, a trip to dry land or something. I’m going stir-crazy on this tub.”

“Oh, I see.” Monica nodded thoughtfully. “We might be able to arrange something. Sure.”

“That’d be great,” Cassidy said, wary. Too easy.

“Why don’t I go see if I can get that organized?” Monica got up and headed for the suite’s double-doors. “You eat your breakfast and save your energy.”

Cassidy finished her meal and washed it all down with the tall glass of fresh-squeezed OJ, her favorite breakfast staple. It wasn’t as sugary as usual, but calories were calories. She settled back against the pillows, her eyes falling shut. Just a couple of minutes to collect herself before tackling a voyage to the bathroom and getting some clothes on.

Just a couple of minutes. Then she’d be good to go.

Maybe.

28

Dinner with John

“Wake up, Cassie. Time for dinner.”

Cassidy sighed and turned over, buried her face in the pillow, and let herself sink back into the lazily rocking bed.

A touch on her shoulder. Gentle shaking. “Cassie?”

Who the hell was so persistent? A woman, but it didn’t sound like Samantha. She opened her eyes to the cabin that was her prison. The windows she faced were dark with night. No, that couldn’t be. A minute ago, it was morning. Adrenaline shot through her, blowing away every bit of sleep. “No. No, no, no.”

“Yes, yes, yes. You slept all day. I bet you feel much better now.”

“I’m going to die,” she moaned.

“No, we’re actually going to have a nice dinner with our guests. So, c’mon. I’ll help you get ready. We can’t leave them waiting.”

Cassidy sat up and waited for the waves of dizziness to stop sweeping over her. “How did I sleep through the entire day? I’m not that far gone.”

“Well—” Monica averted her eyes. “I may have added a little something to your juice this morning to calm you down. I had a feeling you might be upset.”

“You didn’t have a freaking ‘feeling’. He told you to do that.”

“Does it matter? Look what good all that rest did you. You’ve almost got some color back in your cheeks.”

“I’m almost strong enough to hit you, too,” Cassidy lied. She could have slapped that patronizing smile off Monica’s face right now, but that would have wasted precious strength she might still need tonight.

Monica pulled the comforter aside. “I know you don’t mean that, so I’m going to let it go.” She held out a hand. “Shower?”