"Hello, Anita."
"Hi, Jason. What are you doing here?"
He had the grace to look embarrassed. "I'm Jean-Claude's new pet."
He said the last word like it was alright. Richard wouldn't have said it that way.
"You didn't tell me you brought company," I said.
"We are going to be calling on the Master of the City. We must make a good show of it."
"So a werewolf, and what... me?"
He sighed. "Yes, ma petite, whether you bear my marks or not, most consider you my human servant." He raised a hand. "Please, Anita, I know you are not my human servant in the technical sense. But you have helped me defend my territory. You have killed to protect me. That is the best definition of what a human servant does."
"So, what? I have to pretend to be your human servant on this visit?"
"Something like that," he said.
"Forget it."
"Anita, I need a show of strength here. Branson was part of Nikolaos's territory. I gave it up because the population density could support another group. But it was still my land, and now it's not. Some view that as weakness rather than practicality."
"So without any marks at all you've finally got me to play servant for you. You manipulative son of a bitch."
"You asked me down here, ma petite." A thread of warmth cut through his words. He stalked towards me. "I am doing you a favor, do not forget that."
"I don't think you'll let me forget," I said.
He made a harsh sound, as if he had no words for his anger. "Why do I put up with you? You insult me at every turn. There are many who would give their souls for what I offer you."
He stood in front of me, eyes like dark sapphires, skin white as marble. His skin glowed like there was a light inside him. He looked like some kind of live sculpture made of light, jewels, and stone.
He was impressive and scary, but I'd seen it before. "Cut the vampire powers shit, Jean-Claude. It's almost dawn; don't you have a coffin to crawl into somewhere?"
He laughed, but it wasn't pleasant, it was bitter like the touch of steel wool. Something to irritate rather than entice. "Our luggage has not arrived, has it, my wolf?"
"No, master," Jason said.
"Your coffin hasn't arrived?" I asked.
"Either I have chosen a very lax skycab, or..." He let the words trail off, face bland and pleasant.
"Or what?" Larry asked.
"Ma petite."
"You think the local master took your coffin," I said.
"A punishment for entering her territory without observing all the social niceties." He looked at me when he said it.
"I suppose that's my fault," I said.
He gave that infuriating shrug. "I could have said no, ma petite."
"Stop being so civilized about it."
"Would you be happier if I was angry?" His voice was very mild when he said it.
"Maybe," I said. It would have made me feel less guilty, but I didn't say that out loud.
"Go to the airport and find our luggage if you can, Jason. Bring it back to Anita's room."
"Wait a minute. You are not moving into my room."
"It is nearly dawn, ma petite. I have no choice. Tomorrow we will find other accommodations."
"You planned this."
He gave a short, bitter laugh. "Even my deviousness knows some bounds, ma petite. I would not willingly be without my coffin this close to dawn."
"What are you going to do without your coffin?" Larry asked. He looked anxious.
Jean-Claude smiled. "Do not fear, Lawrence, all I need is darkness, or rather lack of sunlight. The coffin itself is not absolutely necessary, simply more secure."
"I've never known a vampire that didn't sleep in a coffin," I said.
"If I am underground in a secure place, I forego my coffin. Though truthfully, once daylight finds me I am insensible and could sleep on a bed of nails and not know it."
I wasn't sure I believed him. He worked harder than most at passing for human. "You will see the truth of my words soon enough, ma petite."
"That's what I'm afraid of," I said.
"You can sleep on the couch if you prefer, but I am telling you truly that once full daylight arrives I will be harmless, helpless if you like. I would be unable to molest you even if I wanted to."
"And what other fairy tales am I supposed to believe? I've seen you move around after dawn, hidden from light, but you worked just fine."
"After eight hours or so of sleep, if it is still daylight I can move around, true, but I doubt you will stay abed for eight hours. You have clients or something, a murder investigation, some business that will take you out and about."
"If I leave you alone, who'll see that some maid doesn't come in, pull the curtains back and French fry you?"
The smile widened. "Concern over my well-being. I am touched."
I looked at him. He looked pleasant, amused, but it was a mask. His expression when he didn't want you to know what he was thinking, but didn't want you to know that he didn't want you to know. "What are you up to?"
"For once, ma petite, nothing."
"Yeah, right."
"If I find the coffin, I'll need to rent a truck," Jason said.
"You can use our Jeep," Larry said.
I glared at him. "No, he can't."
"Think of it as expediency, ma petite. If Jason must rent a truck, then I may have to spend another day in your bed. I know you do not want that." There was amusement in his voice, and an undercurrent of something else. It might have been bitterness.
"I'll drive," Larry said.
"No, you won't," I said.
"It's almost dawn, Anita. I'll be alright."
I shook my head. "No."
"You can't treat me like a kid brother forever. I can drive the Jeep."
"I promise not to eat him," Jason said.
Larry held out his hand for the keys. "You have to trust me sometime."
I just looked at him.
"I promise to shoot anything, human or monster, that threatens me while I'm gone." He made the Boy Scout sign, three fingers to heaven. "You can bail me out of jail and explain that I was just following orders."
I sighed. "Alright, dammit." I gave him the keys.
He grinned at me. "Thanks."
I shook my head. "Just hurry back, okay?"
"Anything you say."
"Just get out of here, and be careful."
Larry left with Jason trailing behind. I stared at the door after it closed, wondering if I should have gone with them. Knowing that Larry would have gotten mad, but mad was better than dead. Hell, it was a simple errand; go to the airport and pick up a coffin. What could go wrong with less than an hour of darkness left? Shit.
"You cannot protect him, Anita."
"I can try."
Jean-Claude gave that infuriating shrug that meant anything you wanted it to mean, and nothing at all. "Shall we retire to your room, ma petite?"
I opened my mouth to tell him he could bunk with Larry, but didn't say it. I didn't really believe he'd munch on Larry, but I was sure he wouldn't munch on me. "Sure," I said.
He looked a little surprised, as if he'd expected an argument. But I was all out of argument tonight. He could have the bed. I'd take the couch. What could be more innocent? Biker Nuns from Hell, but besides that.
Chapter 19
I could feel dawn pressing against the windows like a cool hand when we got back to my room. It was very near. Jean-Claude smiled at me. "The first time I manage to share a hotel room with you, and there is no time." He gave an elaborate sigh. "Things never work as I plan with you, ma petite."
"Maybe that's a hint," I said.
"Perhaps." He glanced at the closed drapes. "I must go, ma petite. Until darkness." He shut the bedroom door a little hurriedly. I could feel the coming light pressing around the building. I'd noticed over the years of hunting vamps that I'd become aware of dawn, and sunset. There had been times when I'd struggled from disaster to disaster just to stay alive until that soft growing pressure of light could sweep the sky and save my cookies. For the first time I wondered what it would be like to see it as a danger instead of a blessing.
After he'd closed the door I realized my suitcase was in the bedroom. Damn. I hesitated, and finally knocked. No answer. I opened the door just a crack, then farther. He wasn't in there. Water ran in the bathroom. A line of light showed under the door. What did vampires do in bathrooms? Better not to know.