Page 7 of Rekindled (The MacTavish Heirs #5)

In which Catriona plays the deadliest game of all.

Catriona…

I should have known. From the first twinge in my stomach, I should have known.

I’m sweating and shaking, and this bastard is smiling at me. Grabbing my wine glass, I smash it against the side of the table and hold the shattered edge to his throat.

“What the feck did ye give me?” I screech.

“If you cut my throat, you’ll never find out,” Hugo says disapprovingly. A thin red line appears on his skin, sending a single drop of blood trickling down his neck, but he dinnae flinch.

“Aye, but you’ll be dead with me, ye son of a bitch!” I’m shouting, and my heart’s pounding so hard that it feels like it’s echoing through my skull.

“Now, stop this shouting.” He’s sitting perfectly still. “It’s just a bit of a game, mo chere amie. I must admit to being a bit hurt that you didn’t recognize me right away. It seemed like a test was appropriate. There was a bit of a mushroom garnish in the shaslik . Just a trace, really.”

“What kind?” I bend over as another cramp rips through my abdomen, dropping my sad improvised weapon.

“Amanite phalloides , also known as a Death Cap mushroom,” he says, sliding a tray in front of me, five bottles lined up. “You will find the antidote in one of these bottles, the perfect dosage for your height and weight. It’s quite common, really. I’m sure you’ll spot it immediately.”

I’m gonna kill him. I’m gonna fecking kill him… I pull the tray closer and read the labels.

Fomepizole… Pyridoxine…

Acetylcysteine. I yank the cap off and drink it, every drop.

“Excellent!” Hugo looks so fecking happy. “You’ll be right as rain in no time, oui? I’ll give you a moment to collect yourself, édouard will help you back to your room.”

He’s humming a bit, the sound fading as he leaves the enormous room. I lie on the floor, shivering until I think the antidote has been absorbed, then I stick my finger down my throat, vomiting all over the table and down the front of this hideous dress.

***

ma chere amie - French for my dear friend

Shaslik - Russian lamb kebabs.