Page 21 of Bleeding for the Prince
He imagined Daniel would like to limit the usual shoppers’ exposure to Copperpipe, who, despite looking better than usual, had a distinct residual pong of sewer about him the cologne he was wearing couldn’t drown out.
“The Food Hall. He’d like to see the ice sculptures.”
Daniel pressed his hand to a panel by the door. “I’ve deactivated the ward to allow you entry. A colleague will provide your friend with a charm bracelet on the other side so he can pass freely.”
Copperpipe scrunched up his nose. “Why would I want a trinket of yours?”
“To prevent the anti-goblin charms from scooping you into a net,” Daniel said, smiling, his fangs descending a fraction. “Rest assured, we’ll be keeping a special eye out to make sure nothing untoward happens.”
“Thanks, Daniel. I appreciate your help,” Gwil said.
“You can buy me a drink when you’re next at Bled, text me, and I’ll see if I can pop by.”
Gwil didn’t know if Daniel was being friendly or if it was a come-on since a lot of vampires defaulted to flirting. Although Daniel did know about Hyax so he decided to take it at face value. “I’ll be in touch.”
He ushered Copperpipe into the store and they were greeted by a witch who was quick to place a red bracelet around Copperpipe’s wrist. “You’re free to move around without risk now.”
Copperpipe snorted and headed off towards the large sign that saidFood Hall, almost skipping with excitement. Gwil would be relying on his plastic friend to pick up the tab because he suspected Copperpipe was not going to hold back. “Oooh, look at those lobsters,” Copperpipe cried with delight.
A waiter glided up to them, and his eyes widened as he saw Copperpipe bouncing from foot to foot, licking his lips.
“Table for two. Somewhere out of the way, if you can,” Gwil said, smiling apologetically.
The waiter seemed relieved by the instruction and led them to a booth at the back. “Something to drink to start?”
“Just water for me,” Gwil said.
“I want a large tomato juice with blended prawns.” Copperpipe smacked his lips. “And you can bring me a seafood platter to start. I like a few nibbly bits.”
Even if he’d been hungry, he’d have lost his appetite as he watched Copperpipe snap the legs of a crab and suck out the meat.
“Good, is it?” he asked, sipping his water.
“Oh, divine.” He belched. “It is a fine starter. I wish now for the dancing oysters.”
Gwil picked up a menu and realised the platter Copperpipe had demolished in minutes was over two hundred quid and meant to serve two as a main. There were several options ofoysters, but he didn’t know what Copperpipe meant. “There’s no dancing oysters on here.”
Copperpipe snatched the menu. “My friend who had them said they were so good he did a little jig.”
Gwil was pretty sure Copperpipe didn’t need the monocle, and there was something ridiculous about how he lodged it into his eye socket and peered at the menu. He laid it down and tapped at an entry. “These. A dozen.”
“Fucking hell, they’re twenty quid a piece.”
“You and your pretty fairy are not short of money, and it is my price for helping, well, part of it.”
“Part of it?”
Copperpipe stared longingly over at the patisserie counter. “Do not forget pudding.”
Gwil didn’t need to eat but liked to do so because he enjoyed the taste and, before watching Copperpipe eat, he used to like seafood, now he didn’t think he’d ever forget the slurping noise Copperpipe made as he devoured the oysters one after the other in quick succession.
“You seemed to like them.”
Copperpipe was on his feet. He bounced from foot to foot. “Magnificent, see, they made me want to dance.”
Despite his residual revulsion, he couldn’t help but laugh at Copperpipe’s antics. “We should tell them to rename them on the menu.”
“Somehow, I don’t think they’ll agree to my recommendation. They have no sense of imagination.”
