Page 29 of Mongrel
I take it. His flesh is cool like Bowie’s. A firm grip, but not overpowering, though his hand is twice the size of mine. “Greetings.”
“This is Andras,” says Bowie. “He’s helping me with a very important mission.”
“Is that all he’s helping you with?” Ivaz lifts his lips in an amused smirk.
Though I can’t see Bowie’s eyes, I know he’s rolling them. His hold on my waist tightens. “Don’t tease. Tell me, have you heard from Bettina? I could use her help as well.”
“She’s in Vienna sorting some snafu with the twins. Something to do with King Matyas. I don’t expect her back anytime soon.”
“The twinsagain?” Bowie frowns. “Could I send a letter anyway?”
“Of course. Is there anything I can do to assist?”
“Perhaps. At the very least, I’d like to speak to you about the matter. In private. But first, Andras needs to eat and get settled. And we’ll both need to bathe.”
“Anna should have all that prepared by now. Come, I’ll have her fetch parchment and ink for your letter.” Ivaz turns, and we follow him from the parlor rooms, through a hall, and to my horror, down yet another flight of steps.
I try not to think of just how far into the bowels of the earth we’ve traveled. Aside from the low ceilings and lack of windows, the interior could be that of a castle, for all I know. Stonework, paintings, oil lamps, fancy rugs—it’s all rich and eye-catching. To think, an entire city is waking far above our heads as we walk.
With a sweep of his big hand, Ivaz gestures through an open door. “Here we are. The bath is still being filled.”
This becomes evident as a servant with a bucket full of steaming water nods to us as he passes into the room.
“Generous as always, Ivaz,” says Bowie. “Thank you.”
Ivaz clasps his hands low and dips his head. “Anything for family. I’ll be in my study. Come to me whenever you’re ready.” His gaze shifts to me. “Andras, if there’s anything I can do to make your stay more hospitable, you must let me know.”
I should thank him, but my mouth refuses to budge. I manage to nod.
Ivaz’s stony face breaks into a smile as he chuckles. “I must know how you found this one,” he says to Bowie. “Surely there’s a story worth telling.”
“Let Andras be,” huffs Bowie. He escorts me into the room and closes the door on Ivaz’s smirking face.
“Apologies for that.” Bowie’s hands drop to his hips. “I’m realizing now I should have probably warned you vampires can be blazingly rude. Are you all right?”
I’m still gripping my wine glass. My knuckles have gone white. I force myself to relax my muscles. “I’m fine.”
“Oh, dear.” Bowie stands in front of me and studies my face. “You’re really not, are you? Are you claustrophobic? I didn’t think to ask. I’m so sorry.”
Shaking my head, I recover my tongue. “I’m not. Or at least, I don’t think I am, though I’ve never been this far underground to test the theory.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
There isn’t. In any case, it’s better now that we’re alone. I glance past him at the room. Hot water steams from a wooden bath barrel in the corner. I can’t believe that’s just for us. A large bed stands against the wall, overflowing with thick black furs. The same type of furs—bear, if my nose is to be trusted—covers the floors. An excess of lamps, perhaps a dozen, flicker about the room, lending it a brightness I wouldn’t have expected in a vampire hostel.
“I’m all right,” I say to reassure Bowie. It’s mostly true. I’m growing accustomed to being overwhelmed at least. “Are there other werewolves here?”
“I don’t know. I can ask. Would you like to meet others?”
Fear prickles. All my life, I’ve been told other packs would never tolerate me the way mine does. I’d be banished. Or worse. I took this at face value and believed it to my core, but now I wonder. What would another werewolf think of a mongrel? I recognize it would be useful to find out either way, but that does little to diminish my fear.
“Maybe,” I say. “If you were with me.”
Bowie smiles. “I’d be happy to accompany you.”
A knock at the door interrupts us. I step farther into the room as Bowie opens it to reveal Anna with parchment and ink.
“Anything else I can fetch for you?” she asks.
