Chapter 43: Bittersweet Nightshade, Part 1
"Oh, my god," Aubrey cried as Stregoni and Gilles stumbled into the library. "What in the hell happened to the three of you?" He scrambled from his seat to help them to the sofa and chairs in one corner. "Your hand, Stregoni. What in god's name - "
"Brey, not now" Sangre said sharply. "Fetch them brandy. Ruthven, ring for tea and food."
Aubrey immediately obeyed, though he was reluctant to leave his friend's side for even a moment.
François looked one step from passing out, and Gilles was little better - and wholly unlike himself, sitting quiet and meek on the long sofa. They looked as though they'd been in a nasty fight, and Stregoni's hand.
He brought over the decanter of brandy and two snifters, pouring for both of them. Stregoni downed most of his in one gulp, almost choking, but Gilles only shook his head.
"I'm still feeling the effects of the laudanum I took earlier," Gilles said. "Best not to add spirits to that."
Sangre frowned.