But as I sway with Lyam beneath the chandeliers, I know two things.
The little friend Ric mentioned was the missing girl.
And Noah was here when she died.
My Hotel Peculiar
The next few days after the party, everything returned to normal. Normal for everyone else. But not for me.
Nothing felt the same for me, not in my mind and not in my body.
Because I had changed.
All I could think about was my father, about the sounds he’d made in his special room. And how the woman screamed.
I didn’t understand what I was feeling then, when I saw my father cut her skin. The blood. I never knew it could be so dark, but seeing it trickle over her white skin . . . it made me feel funny. It made me ache in a way I couldn’t explain. A good ache, like I was hungry and hurting all at once.
Every night I lay in bed, remembering her screams, the twisted look on her face.
I wondered why my father did that to her. And yet, somehow, I already knew.
He did it because it was fun.
I thought about the woman a lot, even more than my father. I remembered the slow roll of blood across her throat. It was beautiful. Like a painting brought to life.
Every time I pictured it, my breath got caught in my throat, and I knew I wanted to see it again. I wanted to know how my father felt.
Thinking about what he did to the woman always made my stomach get that funny ache.
And if a memory could make me feel that way . . .
How good would it feel to do it myself?
31
Two hours later, we’ve returned to the blue salon. I’m eating again to fill my stomach, convinced bread will diminish the effects of alcohol. Or at least prevent a hangover. I’m not drunk—not exactly—but my movements are sluggish, and I’ve stifled more than one yawn.
The partygoers have started to thin out, with Dora and Chantal posted at the doors to bid farewells. Noah and I sit with Luci, André, and another two couples. Most of the people remaining are either family or their personal guests.
When Noah breaks from conversation, I give him a small nudge. “Should we go?”
“You can’t leave yet,” Luci says. She must have overheard me. “The fun part is just getting started.”
“The fun part?” I glance around the table, and it’s clear the others all know what’s coming next.
“You’ll see.” Luci dances in her seat, clearly excited. “Ah-ah.” She points at Noah when he opens his mouth to explain.
He tosses up his hands and sits back, just as Dora enters the salon. She wheels herself over to us. “I hope you’ve all enjoyed yourselves,” she says, paying special attention to me.Her manners confirm I’m the last of the true guests. Everyone else here is friend or family.
“Everything was wonderful,” I say. “Thank you again.”
She speaks to the others in French before patting my hand and rolling back from the table. “You young people have a good time and be safe. I’m afraid I must excuse myself from the next portion of the evening’s revelries.”
It’s as if everyone here is speaking in code, intentionally spiking curiosity. I let a young man in black remove my plate, barely paying attention.
What’s the big secret, and why is it planned for so late at night?
Dora exits the room, passing Lyam as he enters with Ric, his date trailing behind. The red-haired woman sways on her feet but manages to stay upright.
