I can’t even speak.
“I know,” consolidates Galina in broken Russian. “I understand. But please. No going out there.”
“Who was that man?”
“No idea. Best not ask questions.”
Why? Because I’ll be next?
“Who is the man, Galina?” I repeat.
She looks at me blankly. Yeah, Valerian is running a fucking tight ship around here. Pays the butler and maid, not just to run the house, but to keep them silent.
I push past Galina, ignoring her orders for me to get back in bed.
I head outside, taking the long way around the courtyard by walking through the stone cloister, staying hidden. My bare feet are cold on the stone. There’s a chill in the air. Or maybe that’s just me. Every hair on my body is standing on end as I get closer to where Nikolai and Valerian are still standing.
They’re muttering something in Russian again, pointing to the dead man on the floor.
Suddenly, Valerian stops talking. He turns over his shoulder. And his cold eyes glare right at me.
I freeze on the spot, a real deer in headlights. It’s like we’re meeting for the first time again.
But then I remember why I’m out here. I walk out into the courtyard, folding my arms over my chest. Anger twitches my lip. The adrenaline is still doing laps around my body.
Valerian sighs. “I’ll deal with her.”
Nikolai nods and walks off.
Deal with me just like he dealt with the man on the floor?
My breath catches in my throat.
“What are you doing out here, Joy? You should be sleeping.”
“I was peeing and heard voices.” I hitch my arms higher over my chest. “Now your turn.”
“Stay out of my way.”
Trust me, I’m trying.
And I will soon when I finally find a way out of this place.
I stare at the body on the ground, all the blood. I can’t see his face, but I don’t think this man is Igor. This guy is bald. And much shorter.
I don’t recognize the person, but that’s besides the fucking point.
I turn back to Valerian. His eyes might be very blue and terrifying, but they don’t scare me.
I mean they do, just a little. The blood dripping from his hands also has my heart pounding.
But I’m angrier than I am scared.
“You can’t just… kill someone, Valerian.”
“I can if they were trying to kill me.”
“What?” I space out. “How is that better?”