Nathan stepped out of the bathroom, while Tessa stayed put, trying to catch her breath.

A few minutes later, he came back and knelt beside her. His face stayed hard, not a flicker of emotion crossing it. Without a word, he cupped the back of her neck and, with his other hand, slipped a slick capsule into her throat.

"It’s just a white pill, easy to swallow," he said flatly, pressing it in a little harder.

Tessa had no choice but to take it, no water, just her own saliva.

"What is ...