“Yes, exactly,” he said. “Were anyone to trespass, to look in, all they’d see is rotting wood planking. We plastered over the windows on the inside, though, as windows can be dangerous to our kind. We have trip wires and security cameras set up, so we’re not blind to attack.” He glanced between Clive and me. “I wish you both a good rest. We’ll have more time to get acquainted this evening.”
Nodding, I said, “Until tonight.”
He extended his arm toward the darkened hall. “József will show you to your room.” He waited a moment for us to follow the shitty little Renfield—Dracula’s deranged human assistant in the novel—and then walked in the opposite direction.
The vampire who had been lurking under the arch was gone. This close to sunrise, everyone was probably safe in their rooms, other than the human servants, of course.
Clive took my hand as we walked down the main hall and then turned right, down a narrow, musty-smelling passage.
We can always get a hotel room. We don’t need to stay here, darling.
I’m okay. Really. It’s going to take me a minute to get used to no windows. That’s all.
All right. If you change your mind, we’ll leave.
I squeezed his hand. Renfield opened the door and placed our bags just inside before giving Clive a shallow bow and returning the way we’d come.
It was pitch-black. I tried the light switch and nothing.
“Do they turn off the lights during the day, since you guys are going to be dead to the world?” I pulled out my phone and hit the flashlight. “Or are there candles in here?” I glanced around the filthy, barren room. A single stained mattress lay on the floor. Cobwebs gathered in the corners under a ceiling blackened with mold. “They’re really embracing the creepy asylum vibes, aren’t they?”
I don’t know if this is an insult or an ambush.
I’d been braced for an attack as soon as I’d seen the room. Directing us here hadn’t been an accident.
Clive strode across the room and opened the only door. I could see part of a broken sink. He glanced to the left and his face went rigid.
“Be right back,” he said. “Why don’t you wait in the hall.” And he flew out the door.
I looked through the bathroom door and found a litter box over a hole in the floor where a toilet would be. Right. Hilarious. Grabbing our bags, I rolled them back toward the main hall. When I heard Clive’s deep voice raging in Hungarian, I ran.
By the time I made it to the entry, Clive had the human by the neck, dangling him off the floor. Sebastian, no longer wearing his jacket and tie, stood beside them. Clive said something to Sebastian.
“May I?” Sebastian inquired.
Clive slammed the glorified bellhop against the wall, releasing him. Sebastian caught the young man and twisted his neck. The loud crack echoed in the quiet entry. Throwing the body toward the other human, Sebastian said, “Sándor, get rid of that and clean this floor.”
He bowed to me. “Please accept my apologies.” Glancing at Clive, he asked, “Were you given your keys?”
Still furious, Clive took a moment and then said, “No.”
Sebastian checked József’s pocket and came up with two keys. “I’ll take you there myself.”
Clive took the bags from me and we followed Sebastian down the long main hall again, but where József had turned right there was now a large scrollwork screen blocking the passage entirely. That hadn’t been there a minute ago. József had an accomplice.
This screen must have been placed in front of the hall on the left, where Sebastian now led us, when we’d come here earlier. I would have noticed and questioned why we were turning into the dingy passage instead of the clean, well-lit one. This hall had white marble floors, creamy plaster walls, and, of course, crystal chandeliers glowing overhead.
There were tall black doors at intervals on both sides of the hall, but Sebastian led us past them all, stopping in front of the last door at the end. Pulling out a key, he opened the door and flicked on the lights. It was sumptuous, the white marble continuing, fanciful Baroque furniture in white with gold leaf. The sofa and chairs by the fireplace were upholstered in a watery blue silk. The tall headboard was tufted in the same material, the bedding a cloud-soft white.
Sebastian handed Clive the two keys and left, his movements sluggish. The sun had risen but he was trying to make up for his servant’s offense.
“Better?” Clive asked, closing the door.
“A public restroom would have been better than the last one,” I said, pulling the suitcases to the closet.
He nodded grimly. “Yes. There’s that.” He held out his arms and I walked into them. “I’m sorry. I should have let you stay home. I miss you when you’re not around and I worry. Too many powerful being have been after you lately. I couldn’t bring myself to leave you alone.” He kissed me. “We’ll move to a hotel tomorrow.”
“No way.” I gestured at our surroundings. “This place is gorgeous. And we already know vampires hate me. It’s fine. I’m not going to get my feeling hurt.” I squeezed him tight. “I want this for you. You’ll make a fantastic Counselor. I’m so proud of you.”
