Late the following afternoon, after many, many recreations of that first set of Blood Rites, Merle finally makes it back to her own bedroom, tottering and swaying down the corridor like she is aboard a ship on the high seas.
In the bathroom washing her face, she feels a sudden thrill as she glances in the mirror and sees the multi-layered wound on her neck. It's low enough in the crook of her shoulder that an ordinary shirt will cover it. She tries several from her case until she finds the best one, and then lies down on her bed.
She drops into sleep. The moment of unconsciousness seems fleeting, but when she opens her eyes again, in answer to a knock on the door, it feels like night.
'Hmm? Yes?'
The door opens and Kristina appears carrying a tray piled with bread, cheese and fruit. She feels her stomach jump for joy.
Kristina sets the tray down on the bed and returns her smile. 'And that's not all,' Kristina says happily. She leaves the room and comes back moments later with a second tray holding a teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl and cup and saucer. As she sets this second tray down on the bed Kristina says, 'Darius said it was vital I learnt how to make tea properly. He says tea is to humans what blood is to vampires.'
Merle feels herself blush. 'Maybe not quite.' She runs her tongue over the scab on her lip.
Kristina gives a little laugh as she starts to pour. 'Well, I guess, I do remember being human. Just about. And drinking tea, and, well, hmm...' Kristina passes Merle a warm cup. 'But I think I've got it so at least you'll have some nice tea for your final two days here.'
Merle pauses mid-sip. 'Oh.' She'd completely forgotten that she's so near the end. 'Actually,' she says slowly, 'I might stay a little longer.'
'What? Why?'
'There are still some things I need to work out. With Darius.'
Kristina catches Merle's eye with an expression that makes her feel instantly on guard. 'Merle, what has he told you? You do know you can't trust him.'
'No. It's not like that. I do trust him.'
'You know he has incredible psych-powers, don't you? You remember you saw that thing he did to me – ripped my thoughts right out of my head? And don't think that wasn't set up. Getting me to try and kill you so he could 'punish' me like that. It was probably all for you. You can't even begin to imagine how his brain works. Some people say he isn't even a vampire. Or he's some kind of super-powered version. No one knows what he really is or where he came from. He says he doesn't know. But why trust him? The only thing we know for sure about him is that he's dangerous. And he is controlling everything. Everything. He has all your reactions planned out before you even know what they are.' Kristina pauses and her gaze fixes on Merle's lower lip. 'Oh, God, he hasn't taken you to his bed, has he? And bled you? Merle, he's playing with you. You have to resist him. Just hold out for the antidote and get out.'
Merle shakes her head. 'He's already given me the antidote.'
'Then leave! Look, Merle, if you won't do it for your own sake, do it for his. You're no good for him. While you're here, while he's performing Blood Rites with you, he's marked for death. The Clan Council will take this castle back and stake him. If Cobalt doesn't do it first.'
Merle swallows. 'You're only saying it because you want him for yourself.'
Kristina's shoulder rise and fall. 'If that's what you ... OK, fine. You know, I thought you might say that. Look, Merle, I have an idea. I have something in my room I can give you. It's a draft that can block his psych-powers temporarily. I've been saving it for emergencies. It can't stop his manipulation but it can block the telepathy. And it will help you see him more clearly.'
'I do see him clearly.'
Kristina stands up and her eyes suddenly flash. She points to her forehead and then raises her eyes to the ceiling. 'Let's talk later,' she says brightly. 'Perhaps tomorrow night.'