Page 58 of The Vampire Always Rises
“Bonsoir,”he answered, pursing his lips slightly.
“I have here a note from my ... er ... boyfriend, Merrick Simon, authorizing me to use his room.” I handed over the piece of paper that I’d made Merrick write before I got on the train. “You see it asks you to give me a key of my own, and honor any requests of a room service nature. Speaking of which, my dog and I are starving. Do you still have my luggage?”
“Oui, madame.”He read the note and made a face that expressed polite disdain.
“Good. If you would bring those to my room—which is Merrick’s room—then I can feed my dog. I’d appreciate it if I could get dinner, too, if it’s not too late.”
He looked scandalized. “But it is only ten of the clock, madame! Of course food is available.”
“Sorry. Silly me and my American ways. I’ll just go up to the room and consult the room service menu, then.”
I will say this for Merrick—he might have picked out a weirdo hotel to stay at, but the accommodations were mighty fine. The room was a decent size, with a high, airy ceiling, a huge bed on a pedestal and swathed in mosquito netting, pale blue furnishings and accents, and a large balcony with a complete set of patio furniture.
We checked out the room, consulted the menu, and placed an order for scampi and salad, and a big plate of chopped beef for Kelso.
“Now, I want you to use your nose,” I told him. “If you smell anyone like Carlo and Giovanni, let me know. Bark, whine, do your best Lassie telling someone that Timmy is once again in the well—I always wondered why that kid was always falling in—just so you make it clear that you smell one of the baddies.”
Kelso tipped his head at me.
“You are so cute. I can’t believe someone just dumped you on the side of the road. Oooh. That must be dinner.”
We dined, and by the time I crawled into bed, and invited Kelso up to snooze with me, there was still no answering text from Merrick. I decided to prod him.
To: Merrick
Are you staying at a hotel? Are you finding the trail? Will you come back here? Warm me if you do because I put chair in front of door.
From: Merrick
I’ll warm you, all right.
To: Merrick
That was a typo, silly. Although can I add a hoobaby? I think I will. Hoobaby. Did you find the trail?
From: Merrick
No. Savian called in two sprites and another thief taker while he searches for your friend. The sprites should pick up the trail for us.
To: Merrick
Um. Do I want to know if sprites are little fairylike creatures with wings, and bags of fairy dust?
From: Merrick
No bags. They use saltshakers these days. Distributes the dust more efficiently.
I gaped at my phone in openmouthed surprise.
From: Merrick
Close your mouth. And go to sleep. I won’t be back in Nice until morning at earliest.
I gaped even more, finally turning to Kelso. “How on earth did he know my mouth was open?”
Kelso chose that moment to lick his genitals, and thus offered no insight worthy of consideration.
I fell asleep making a mental note to grill Savian about these sprites that Merrick mentioned, and whether they could make people fly.
