Shadow Dancer by K J Baker

Author:K J Baker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: K J Baker
Published: 2022-04-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

The hotel is large and luxuriant. And it’s busy. Very busy. As Vienna and I watch from a cafe across the street, there’s an endless stream of people arriving. Most disembark from limousines or other equally expensive cars and are met by hotel staff in smart uniforms who open the door for them and usher them inside. I don’t know what Marguerite is planning but she’s put herself right in the middle of a giant ant’s nest.

“Right. You ready?”

Vienna nods. She looks calmer and her scent has changed – no longer stinking of bloodlust. We have a trip to a butcher’s shop to thank for that. She’s wearing a smart business suit and is carrying a designer purse. We managed to steal the clothes from a department store—not something I’m proud of and I’ll make sure the Council pays the money back when this is all sorted—but we had to ensure Vienna looks the part if this is to work.

But the more I watch the busyness at the hotel, the more I have my doubts.

We put down our coffee cups and leave. Crossing the street, we enter the hotel’s entranceway, a large courtyard type thing that’s roped off from the rest of the street. Here, I stop. Alone, Vienna saunters up to the main doors, all confidence and swagger, and one of the hotel staff holds it open for her as she enters the reception area. Through the floor to ceiling windows I watch as she approaches the reception desk where a woman looks up and smiles. A rapid conversation follows. Then Vienna turns on her heels and stalks back through the doors and across the courtyard to where I’m waiting.

“Well?” I ask, barely able to keep the impatience from my voice.

“No rooms available,” Vienna replies. “They’re full. There’s some kind of big conference on or something. I was politely asked to leave.”

Damn it. There goes our easy way of getting into the hotel. We’ll just have to take the hard way instead.

“Plan B it is then.” I look at her. “You are sure you can do this?”

Irritation flashes across her pretty features. “How many times are you going to ask that? I know you don’t trust me, Marney, but have I given you any reason not to?”

She’s right, of course. She’s done everything I’ve asked of her and except for the incident with the taxi driver, has shown a level of self-control that is nothing short of miraculous. But I can’t bring myself to trust a newborn vampire. It’s just not in me.

I sigh. “Okay. You’re right. Sorry. Let’s go.”

We walk down the street then turn left at the end and make our way around to the back of the hotel. It’s protected by a high stone wall with two metal gates set within. I boost myself up and take a peek over the top. The usual paraphernalia greets me: a large delivery area with parked vans, an area where the bins are stored, and a back entrance where staff enter out of sight of the guests.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.