Two marble desks stretch out on either side of the lobby, staffed by a full contingent of smiling concierges. They seem to be mostly alive, but I really don’t know to tell for sure. They’re all busy checking in guests, who appear to be much more magical. Golden luggage racks hold suitcases, bags, broomsticks, and cauldrons. There’s a group of people (witches?) wearing robes of deep jeweled tones, heavy jewelry on their ears, necks, and fingers. One of them has an owl on her shoulder, another holds a large rabbit in her arms. It glares with its beady black eyes at group standing off to the side. They’re the opposite of the witches, wearing loose, casual, modern clothes and no shoes. They don’t seem to have brought any luggage, and they eye the other guests with suspicion.
The moment they see the Night clan arrive, they scamper out of our way. In fact, the entire lobby quiets as Crimson strides in. Every magical person notices her presence, and gives our group a wide bearing.
Crimson seems to enjoy the spectacle. There’s a gleam in her eye and a smirk at the corner of her mouth. She walks into the hotel like a king, every eye upon her.
I’m expecting us to go up to one of the desks to check in, but instead, anothervampire appears out of the chaos of the lobby, flanked by two others directly behind her.
I can’t always tell if someone is a vampire or not, especially if they were recently turned, but with her, it’s immediately clear. She moves like she’s walking through water, smooth, purposeful, with a deadly glint in her eyes. They’re supernaturally pale, like Crimson’s, and her skin is light and colourless. She wears a sleek, black blazer and a slightly wary expression. She gives our party a tight smile, flashing her sharp fangs.
Instinctively, I duck behind Crimson, fear getting the better of me.
“Bonsoir,” the vampire says with a curt nod. “And welcome to the Respite hotel. On behalf of the northern vampire alliance and my clan, I want to extend our sincere appreciation that you were able to join us for our gathering.”
Crimson returns her nod, although it’s impossible not to detect the tension between the two. The lobby has quieted significantly, as everyone watches the interaction with bated breath.
“Thank you for the invitation, Celine,” Crimson responds. “We look forward to continuing the partnership between our two clans. And to strategize regarding our…mutual interests.”
“Good,” the other vampire answers. “I believe this conference will be a suitable avenue for fostering a productive relationship between our clans.”
“I share your intention.”
They stare at each other, unblinking, for a tense moment. Although the words they speak are positive, there’s no denying the thick atmosphere of suspicion. I know that Crimson told me the relationships between the vampire leaders can sometimes be complicated, and I’m seeing that now. It’s clear there’s a lot at stake here, and it’s impossible not to be drawn in to what’s unfolding.
But the tense interaction is interrupted by the appearance of another vampire, holding a black clipboard. She wears a crisp, white dress, a heavy bangle on one wrist and a shining smart watch on the other, the picture of professional elegance. Her black hair is cut in a sharp line across her jaw, and her olive skin is smooth and clear.
“Good to see you, Crimson,” she mutters. She gazes at our large group with a glimmer of irritation in her dark brown eyes.
“Hi, Renata,” Crimson replieswith a smirk.
Renata taps sharply on her clipboard. “Let’s check you all in. The hotel is completely booked out all week for this conference, and the majority of the guests are arriving tonight. I hadaskedthat everyone stay within their scheduled arrival times, but the evil witches were two hours late and none of the shifters own watches, so…”
She gestures toward the front desk, indicating that we should move forward.
But before we can, another vampire appears. She towers on glittery platform shoes, wearing a matching silver bodycon dress. She has flowing, platinum blond hair and pale, porcelain skin. She looks more like a model in a magazine than a vampire, and her demeanor is completely different from the other two.
“Hi, Crimson, hi, Murad!” she says cheerfully. “Great to see you again!”
With a flourish, she gestures to a server beside her, who holds up a tray of glasses filled with thick, red blood.
“Are you thirsty?” she offers. “You must be so exhausted after your travels.”
“Lexi, if they want your stale, distilled blood, they can have it in their suite,” Renata snaps, looking ferociously at the new vampire. “We have to get everyone checked in before the next guests arrive!”
“Well,excuse mefor being a good host,” Lexi replies, tossing her long hair over her shoulder. “I’m creating anexperiencefor our guests!”
“If you keep undermining my check-in system, then all our guests will experience will be me staking your unbeating heart!” Renata declares.
“That’s enough,” Celine snaps, glaring at the other two vampires. “Renata, Lexi,behave. And ensure our guests are checked in and comfortable.”
Renata scoffs, but obeys the other vampire’s command. She confirms the party numbers with Sabina, as Murad takes a glass of blood with a gracious nod to Lexi.
Celine turns back to Crimson. “My apologies for my sisters’ behaviour. It’s been a long night.”
Crimson steps forward, and drops hervoice. “No apology needed. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who has difficult managing my Creator’s other progeny.”
“Speaking of that,” Celine’s eyes dart around the lobby, suspiciously, then fall on me. A shiver crawls up my spine, and I instinctively move closer to Crimson.
“She’s with me,” Crimson replies brusquely. “This is Paige, one of our human staff. You can speak freely in front of her.”
