Sofia sank into a nearby armchair, burying her face in her hands.

“Thank God,” Sofia whispered.

“Do not celebrate yet,” Dr. Voss said, preparing a fresh IV bag of saline. “He is still in a coma. It will take hours for his body to process the remaining toxins.”

Marcus walked over to the window, parting the heavy velvet curtains slightly to peer out into the dark garden.

The rain was falling in sheets now, obscuring the view of the perimeter wall.

“How did someone get this toxin into his room?” Marcus asked, his voice dripping with suspicion. “Alexander only eats food prepared by his personal staff.”

“It could have been slipped into his evening tea,” I said softly, keeping my eyes on Alexander’s pale face. “Or his medication. He took his heart pills right before he retired to his room.”

Marcus turned his sharp gaze toward me. “And who had access to his medicine cabinet today, Nina?”

“Everyone,” I said, meeting his eyes. “The cabinet in his study is kept locked, but the key is kept in the desk drawer. Anyone in this house could have found it.”