pink flowers, the furniture was old-fashioned, but also made of light-coloured wood and snow-white satin. The large sofa by the wall was leather. And what colour? White, of course. There was a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The windows were draped with transparent tulle and the curtains were bright pink.
The sun must really have made this place sizzle in the mornings
One door led into a small bedroom. Cosy, with a double bed. The bed sheets were pink silk. There was a little vase on the dressing table with a fresh scarlet rose in it ?the only spot of bright colour in the entire suite. The washroom and toilet were behind another door. The space was tiny, but it was equipped with some kind of hybrid cross between a hydro-massage unit and a shower cabinet.
'Rather vulgar and it doesn't suit the style.' Bruce sighed behind me. 'But many guests like it.'
His face, reflected in the mirror, looked rather pained. Evidently he had not really liked the idea of installing this miracle of modern plumbing in the hotel.
I nodded to the vampire, without turning round. The idea that vampires are not reflected in mirrors is just as false as the tales that they absolutely cannot tolerate sunlight and are afraid of garlic, silver and aspen stakes. They arc reflected in mirrors, even when they deflect a person's attention.
But if you don't look at them when you're talking to them or, even worse, if you turn your back on them, it really unnerves them. Vampires have a very large number of techniques for which they need to look their opponent straight in the eye.
'I shall be glad to take a wash,' I said. 'But a little later. Do you have ten minutes you could spare me, Bruce?'
'Are you on an official visit to Edinburgh, Light One?'
'No.'
'Then of course I do. 'The vampires face lit up in a broad smile. He sat down in one of the armchairs.
I took a seat facing the youth and forced out a smile in response to his, all the time looking at his chin.
'So what do you think of the suite?' Bruce enquired.
'I think an innocent girl of seventeen would like it,' I replied honestly. 'Only it needs a white kitten.'
'If you wish, we can arrange for both of those,' the vampire suggested politely.
Well, now I could consider the social part of the conversation over.
'I have come to Edinburgh unofficially,' I repeated. 'But at the same time, at the request of the head of the Night Watch ?and the head of the Day Watch ?of Moscow.'
'How unusual... ' the youth said quietly. 'The esteemed Geser and the most worthy Zabulon sending the same messenger... and a Higher Magician as well ?and for such a minor incident. Well, I shall be glad to be of assistance.'
'Does what happened upset you personally?' I asked bluntly.
'Of course. I have already told you my opinion,' Bruce said. He frowned. 'We're not living in the Middle Ages ?this is the twenty-lirst century. We have to break the old patterns of behaviour...' He sighed and squinted at the door of the bathroom. 'You can't wash in a basin and go to a wooden privy when water mains and sewers have been invented. Even if you are used to a basin and find it rather more agreeable... You know, in recent times there has been a movement growing among us to take a humane atti tude towards human beings. No one drinks blood without a licence. And. even with a licence they try not to kill... Hardly anyone drinks children under the age of twelve, even if they are chosen by the lottery'
'And why twelve?'
Bruce shrugged.
'It's just a matter of history. Do you know, for instance, what the most terrible crime is in Germany? The murder of a child under the age of twelve. If the child is already twelve, it is a completely different crime with different penalties... Well, already we don't touch the young growth. And now we are trying to push through a law to exclude children from the lottery altogether.'
'Very touching,' I muttered. 'But why did someone dine on the young man without a licence?'
Bruce thought about it.
'You know, I can only offer hypotheses...'
A dark, pulsating tunnel, drawing me into emptiness. An eddying vortex of red sparks from the stolen lives of others. An enticing whisper in my ears. The inspired, exalted, unearthly beauty of the youthful vampire's face.