“The maid? She stitched my head?”

“Yes.” A quirk of a smile tilted his lips. “She once thought to be a nurse.”

“And you held me,” she whispered.

His smile disappeared. “No need to look so disturbed. It was necessary to keep you still.”

She shook her head on the pillow, not sure what she meant. “I only just came to the realization.…”

“It’s the laudanum. A few days’ rest will, with all hope, see you fully recovered.”

“Thank you for all you’ve done.” Her words came soft.

He looked at her in mild surprise. “Of course. I could do no less. I’ll leave you to your rest now.”

Myrna watched him go, her emotions torn. She disliked her current situation and that Dalton Freed had been the one to aid her—numerous times. But a lifetime of lessons harshly learned taught her not to trust in outward appearances. Her host may behave at present like a harmless lamb, but beneath the genial disguise she still suspected a wolf lurked.

And she would never again become the devourer’s prey.