Heat rises in my cheeks at the word he so casually uses to describe himself, and my eyes involuntarily drop at the mention of his most intimate part … only to quickly look away as I grasp what I’ve just done.
“Sorry. I-I mean, yes,” I choke out in embarrassment, realizing I’ve practically just admitted to peeking at him simply by apologizing, “though not in quite the same wording.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” Dante says, and I feel his knee brush against my own beneath the water. At least, I hope it’s his knee. “I’m not exactly hiding myself from you.”
My face practically bursts into flames at this as I struggle to keep my eyes trained on literally anything else.
Change the subject, Evelyn. Quick.
“Why did you ask about a voice?” I ask. “And why does hearing one justify your reason for chaining me up? Why didn’t you just tie me to the bed instead?”
“Oh, trust me, I’d love to have been able to tie you to the bed,” Dante says, “but it would have only made things worse, and if I ever end up having to buy a new bed, I’d rather it be for a much better reason.”
“Why would it make things worse?” I press, realizing our conversation is starting to head in the wrong direction again.
“We would have broken it. That voice in your head was more than just a voice. It was what the venom was actually trying to signal your body to do.”
“What?” I scoff in utter disbelief.
“If I hadn’t chained you up the way that I did, you would have tried to kill me … and the venom likely would have helped you do just that. OF course, after killing me, it would only be a matter of time before it killed you too.”
I stare at him, not quite sure whether or not I should believe him. This all sounds like a bunch of sci-fi type nonsense, not real life.
“So, what you did wasabsolutelynecessary.”
“Of course.”
I stare down at the bubbling water, lost in thought as I try to make sense of everything.
“What about the cuts you made with your knife?” I blurt. “Why didn’t they leave marks on my skin?”
“I keep my knife razor sharp so that it doesn’t tear the skin.”
“I don’t believe you, about the wounds I mean. I’ve accidentally cut myself with a knife before, and I still have the scar to show for it ... and that was years ago.”
Dante doesn’t look at me as he leans his head back to stare up at the ceiling.
“Not everything needs an explanation, Evi.”
“No, but I’m not asking you to explaineverything.”
“Fine. I have an enzyme in my saliva that helps close and heal wounds faster.”
Okay, I’m officially no longer in a state of reality anymore. Any moment, I’m going to wake up to find this has all been some kind of drug or alcohol-induced nightmare.
“And I suppose Seven and Luci also have this ‘special’ enzyme in their spit, too, right?”
“No.”
“Why won’t you just tell me the truth?”
“I am.”
I glare at him in frustration, but he doesn’t give me any other explanation or even seem to notice.
“I think I’m going to try to get some rest,” I say, turning to climb out of the tub.
Dante’s hand grabs my upper arm, keeping me in place as he turns his head to look at me.