Page 48 of Where the Snakes Sleep

“Yes, ‘the venom stuff.’”

His voice wavers. “Does that mean there are snakes in there? Because the other day you said Raja doesn’t like being around the others, so… are they… You’re not leading me to a room full of deadly snakes, right? Because that wouldn’t be a very cool thing to do. And I’m just here for sex, so, maybe we can go to a bedroom or—”

“We can retire to my bedroom after I finish what I need to do.”

He says my name softly, “Camille.”

I glance back. “Yes?”

“How many snakes are we talking about? You didn’t answer, so I assume that I’m right, and the snakes are in the room—”

“There are sixteen at present,” I answer, considering whether it’d be easier just to fuck him quickly against the wall here, then finish my work after.

I walk a few steps, then turn to find him rooted in place.

“Sixteen?” he gasps.

“At present.”

“At present?”

“The collection changes.”

“You said you research venom. I thought that meant, like, six.”

“Why six?”

“Don’t know. Six seems reasonable. Six is a normal number of deadly snakes.”

I frown at him. “I do not understand what goes on inside your brain.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You don’t have to be rude about it.”

I turn and keep walking. “You are more than welcome to either leave or wait patiently in one of my other rooms.”

He lingers a second, then reluctantly follows. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”

“If you say so,” I call over my shoulder.

The lab wing occupies the rear of the estate—a renovation that cost me much more than I like to think about. The air shifts before we even reach it, getting warmer and more humid, despite the cooler climate elsewhere.

“Why is it so warm back here?” Ryan questions.

“Several species require higher heat and humidity.”

“Oh, I guess that makes sense. They’re cold-blooded and all, right?”

“Yes, although ectothermic is the more accurate term.”

We reach the door.

I enter first, then hold it for him.

Ryan follows—and immediately catches his foot on the raised threshold, lurching forward into the room.

I close a hand around his upper arm before he can go any further.

“Careful.”