Page 20 of The Study of Poisons
“Is that what happened to my predecessor?” she asked.
He wondered what Rand had been telling her. The cook had been grumbling and telling everyone Valek murdered his friend for weeks. He wasn’t about to explain his actions or defend them.
“Oscove?” Valek paused. “He didn’t have the stomach for it.”
CHAPTER6
Asharp knock on Valek’s door sounded just as he finished clearing the table for Yelena’s test. Striding to the door, he opened it wide. Rand pushed in a trolley filled with steaming plates of food, cups of tea, and a handful of fruit drinks. Margg bustled in behind him, her ever-present scowl firmly etched on her face.
Rand and Margg set out the dishes while Valek opened his poison cabinet. Bottles, jars, and vials lined the shelves. Fifty-two poisons, plus White Fright. All various colors. Together, they created a pretty picture—a painting of death. Valek considered his options. Yelena had already smelled the ones known for their distinct scents, and she tasted My Love, so that left…twenty-seven unknowns. It wouldn’t be fair to only test her on unfamiliar poisons, so he added twelve of the ones that she knew to the pile.
Margg came over and it took them two trips to carry the poisons to the table, where forty containers waited. He picked up a goblet half full of peach juice and set it on his desk. Then he returned to sort the poisons. Choosing the right poison for each food item to ensure the test was challenging and fair would take some time.
A knock sounded and Hildred poked her head into the room. He joined her in the threshold and lowered his voice. “Report.”
“The food taster just left the infirmary with her escort,” she said. “When do you want me to start shadowing her?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Got it.” She retreated down the hallway without making a sound.
With not much time to prepare, Valek dismissed Margg and Rand and returned to the table.
“Do you want me to take the trolley, sir?” Rand asked.
“No. Just shove it out of the way. I’ll put the dirty dishes on it, and you can have one of your helpers pick it up later.”
“Yes, sir.” He left.
Valek turned his full attention to the test. Once he decided the best arrangement for lacing the food and drinks, he set to work. Carefully measuring out each dose, he sprinkled, mixed, and stirred until finished. Then he set the untainted peach juice that was on his desk in an inconspicuous location. Expecting Yelena at any moment, Valek raced to return all the poison bottles to the cabinet. Except White Fright. When Yelena passed the test, he’d need it.
When? Was he that confident in her?Yes.Working as an assassin for hire, Valek learned how to read and manipulate people. Although it wasn’t hard to figure out that Yelena had above average intelligence and was highly motivated.
He returned to his desk to wait for her, filling the time with some paperwork. The estimated time of her arrival came and went. When she was well past due, he considered the implications. In order to pass the test, she had to take it. What would he do if she refused? Or if she ditched her guards and escaped?
The door to his office opened and Yelena burst in.
“Where’s your test?” she demanded, tossing her belongings onto the empty chair.
Her gaze flashed with anger and a dusky-red color stained her cheeks. Something or someone had upset her. He glanced at one of her guards. The man signaled all was well. Valek dismissed them with a subtle nod. All his corps learned how to communicate non-verbally. It’d been a life saver during many dangerous operations.
He returned his attention to Yelena, who glared back. Perhaps it was the test that had her so upset. Standing, he swept his arm out with a dramatic flourish, gesturing to the forty items waiting for her. The hot food had cooled, and he hoped the flavor of the poisons hadn’t been affected. “Only one item isn’t poisoned. Find it. Then eat or drink your selection.”
Ignoring him, she methodically applied the five S-steps to every dish, cup, and goblet. He’d provided an empty basin for her to spit into. Watching, he approved her technique and kept his expression neutral throughout. Unlike Yelena, who scowled, grimaced, spat with disgust, and made yuck-faces. It would have been amusing if her life wasn’t on the line. When she sipped the peach juice, he held his breath. Her eyebrows drew together, and she crinkled her nose before spitting the mouthful out and moving on to the next item. For the first time, apprehension churned in his gut.
When she finished, she turned to him with fury in her gaze. “You bastard. They’re all poisoned.”
He’d been called worse things than a bastard. Most of the time, it was well deserved. Not this time. Ice coated his heart at the implication. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t touch anything on that table.”
A numbness spread through his body. He moved closer, but he wasn’t quite sure why. “I’m sorry, Yelena. You’ve failed.”
She flinched as if struck, then she scanned the table. When her attention returned to him her fury had turned to determination. She demanded Valek prove her wrong.
Brave or stupid? Valek hid his surprise by grabbing the peach juice. “This one is clean.”
“Drink it.” She challenged.
