Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Colletion_ Books 6-10 - Laurell K. Hamilton [332]
Ernie stared at us all, kicking his feet and struggling, trying to talk through the gag. I think he was trying to say, “Get me down,” but I couldn’t swear to it.
“What is the meaning of this?” Jean-Claude said. His voice filled the huge room, hissing and tumbling until the shadows gave his words back in harsh, sibilant echoes.
Padma stepped out of the far hallway. He was dressed in a suit that glittered as gold as the tablecloth. He was even wearing a golden turban with peacock feathers and a sapphire bigger than my thumb. He looked like someone had called down to central casting for a maharaja.
“You have offered us no hospitality at all, Jean-Claude. Malcolm and his people have offered us refreshment. But you, the Master of the City, have offered us nothing.” He motioned upward at Ernie. “This one walked in without our permission. He said he was yours.”
Jean-Claude walked until he stood by the table and could look up into Ernie’s face. “You came home two days early from your family visit. The next time, if there is a next time, call first.”
Ernie stared at him, eyes wide, making small hmmm sounds through the gag. He kicked his legs enough that he started to swing.
“Struggling will just make your shoulders hurt more,” Jean-Claude said. “Be at peace.” As he said it, Ernie slowly grew limp. Jean-Claude had captured him with his eyes and was lulling him to, if not sleep, peace. The tension drained from him, and he stared at Jean-Claude, brown eyes empty, waiting. At least he wasn’t scared anymore.
Gideon and Thomas came up to stand on either side of Padma. Thomas was in full uniform, boots polished like a black mirror. The helmet was white with a long tassel on top that was probably horsehair. The coat was red, the buttons brass, white gloves, even a sword.
Gideon was pretty close to naked. A white thong was all he wore on his body. It barely covered him. A heavy gold collar encrusted with small diamonds and huge emeralds covered almost his entire neck. His carefully combed golden hair fanned over it. A chain led from the collar to Thomas’s hands.
Padma put his hand out, and Thomas gave the chain to him. Neither Thomas nor Gideon exchanged so much as a glance. They’d seen the show before.
The only thing that kept me from making some scathing remark was that I’d pretty much given my word to let Jean-Claude do the talking tonight. He thought I might say something to piss someone off. Who, me?
Jean-Claude walked around the table. Richard and I fell two steps back, mirroring Padma and his pets. The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone. Thing was, Richard and I were pretending. I didn’t think the others were.
“I suppose you mean to slit his throat into the warmer, then serve his blood to all?” Jean-Claude said.
Padma smiled and gave a gracious nod of his head.
Jean-Claude laughed that wonderfully touchable laugh of his. “If you really meant to do that, Master of Beasts, you’d have hung him by his ankles.”
Richard and I did exchange glances behind his back. I turned and looked at Ernie’s peacefully hanging figure. How had Jean-Claude known you’d have to hang him by his ankles? Ask a silly question.
“Are you saying we are bluffing?” Padma asked.
“No,” Jean-Claude said, “merely grandstanding.”
Padma smiled, and it almost reached his eyes. “You always did play the game well.”
Jean-Claude gave a small bow, never taking his eyes from the other vampire. “I am honored that you think well of me, Master of Beasts.”
Padma gave a sharp laugh. “A honeyed tongue, Master of the City.” The humor died abruptly, gone, poof. His face was suddenly harsh, empty, except for anger. “But the point remains you have been a poor host. I have fed through my servants.” He slid a dark hand caressingly down Gideon’s bare shoulder. The weretiger never