Marcus took a slow step forward, his cane tapping once against the hardwood.

He looked at Luca, his face a mask of cold calculation.

“If we act hastily, Luca, we risk alerting whoever paid her,” Marcus said.

“She is the key, Marcus,” Luca said, his face flush with anger. “I want her locked up.”

“And if she is innocent, you have wasted time while the real threat walks free,” Marcus replied.

Sofia stepped between the guard and me, her hands clenched into fists.

“Let her go,” Sofia commanded the guard. “I will not have you dragging my staff into the cellar without proof.”

Luca sneered, taking the amber bottle and tossing it onto the bed sheets.

“The proof is right there,” Luca said. “She was the last one to touch his glass.”

He stepped closer to me, his face only inches from mine, the smell of rain and expensive tobacco filling my senses.

“Where is the rest of the poison, girl?” Luca whispered.

I did not blink.

“I don’t know what you are talking about, sir,” I said.

“Search her,” Luca ordered the guard holding me. “Search her pockets.”