One of the guards behind Luca shifted his weight, his leather boots squeaking on the wet floor.

“Sofia is outside,” Luca said, looking back at Alexander. “She is hysterical. She thinks someone inside the house did this to you.”

“She is right,” I said.

The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

The flashlight beam swung instantly to me, blinding me with its intense glare.

I shielded my eyes with my hand, but I did not step back.

“The maid,” Luca said, a soft, mocking laugh escaping his lips. “Still here. I thought you would have run away by now, Nina.”

“She stays,” Alexander said, his voice rising in volume. “And you will keep that light out of her eyes, Luca.”

Luca slowly lowered the flashlight so the beam illuminated only the floor between us, leaving our faces in the shadow of the bouncing glow.

“She has been very helpful, Alexander,” Luca said, taking a step closer. “But she is just a maid. She doesn’t understand the things we have to do.”

“I understand what was in the tea,” I said, my voice clearer than I expected it to be.