Page 175 of Where the Snakes Sleep

Every heartbeat.

Every tiny sensation that could mean something or nothing.

Fear has made him hyperaware.

I recognize the feeling.

It is almost exactly what being around Camille’s snakes used to do to me, except I always knew Camille wouldn’t let anything happen.

Henri has no such reassurance.

He looks at Camille. “What do you need?”

Camille stares at him. “A hospital.”

“I asked what you need.”

“There is nothing I can responsibly do for you in this room.”

Henri scowls. “You must have antivenom.”

“I have limited emergency stock for occupational contingencies. I am not running an emergency department out of my home.”

“Then use what you have,” Henri demands.

“No.”

Henri looks genuinely stunned. It might be the first no he has heard tonight that he cannot immediately punish.

His attention snaps toward the mercenaries. “Take him to the laboratory.” Nobody moves. “Did you not hear me?”

The man closest to the doorway slides his weapon back into its holster. “I heard you.”

“Then move.”

“No.”

Henri’s face changes. It isn’t rage immediately. Confusion comes first. “You are being paid to follow instructions.”

“Not these instructions.”

“You work for me.”

“I’m contracted by you.”

Henri stares at him in shock.

One of the other men checks his phone and mutters something in French. Camille’s head turns toward him.

“What?” I ask.

Camille’s gaze moves toward the front of the house. “Emergency response.”

My stomach flips. “They’re coming?”

“If the message he just received is accurate.”

The mercenary gives Camille a suspicious look. Camille shrugs, then winces because apparently shrugging with a head injury is an advanced athletic maneuver. “I triggered a silent emergency call before you restrained me.”