Delaney stood in her bedroom, a cold, satisfied smile touching her lips as the memory faded.
She walked over to the tall grandfather clock ticking quietly in the corner of her room. She remembered the apothecary's strict words in the shop.
The effect takes place slowly over two hours, Miss. it mimics normal sleep patterns to avoid any suspicion from a physician. The slumber will be incredibly deep. They might snore, talk in their sleep or even change their sleeping position. Don't be afraid, it's completely normal as this drug does not knock them out completely and it will wear off exactly in five hours.
She checked the time on the clock face. The brass hands pointed straight up.
It was twelve. Midnight.
Exactly two hours had passed since Cole Kingsley had finished his dinner and stumbled groggily into his private bedchamber, complaining of a terrible, sudden exhaustion.
The drug had fully taken hold. He would not wake up if a cannon fired next to his bed.
It was time.
