Part 35 (1/2)

Well!' said Aninka.

Lahash opened a door off the hall, looked into the room beyond. Taziel Levantine remained by the front door, now locked and sealed again, and lit a cigarette. He wore shades and looked seedy, thin like a drug addict, well-handled like a wh.o.r.e. So far, he had ignored Aninka almost completely. Back at High Crag House, he had got into the front pa.s.senger seat of the car beside Lahash, forcing Aninka to sit alone behind them. The back of the car was as big as a railway carriage. She had rattled around in it uncomfortably. The upholstery was cream leather. She'd heard Taziel talking softly to Lahash, a murmur beneath some late night music wafting from the radio. Occasionally, one of them had laughed. Was it to be like this now? The two men as allies? She would have to change things.

What is this place?' Aninka asked. It's not a hotel, is it?'

Lahash came back into the hall. It's late,' he said. Someone will be along soon.'

Aninka sat down on a chair beside the hall table and clawed through the contents of her shoulder bag to find her cigarettes. Lahash, ever gallant, held out a light to her. She took it.

Where are we?' She put tired cynicism into her voice.

Lahash pocketed his lighter. He himself never smoked. It's a boarding house. Exclusive.'

Aninka sighed, exhaled smoke. So where is everybody? I don't want to sit here all night. Go and find them.'

Lahash raised an eyebrow at her, but went off to investigate other areas of the building. He walked down a corridor beside the stairs. Taziel came over to the table and began looking through the letters. Aninka couldn't think of anything to say to him. She had no idea how he felt about Othman, and knew he would not tell her if she asked. Perhaps he was jealous of her, or else despised her. It really didn't matter what he felt, she thought.

She flicked ash onto the red carpet. This is ridiculous!'

Taziel was silent. He'd spent some time alone with Enniel before they'd left the house down south. Perhaps Enniel had scolded him, and his musician's pride couldn't take it.

Lahash appeared again, accompanied by a woman. She was Grigori, dressed in a long green caftan, her dark hair wound up on her head, tendrils of it escaping artfully in places. Her Grigori beauty was tiring. Aninka had seen too much of it recently. She yearned for human asymmetry.

Good evening,' said the woman. It sounded as if she was speaking through silk. I hope you've had a pleasant journey. Allow me to show you to your suite.'

She preceded them up the stairs, her hips swaying a little drunkenly, Aninka thought.

On the second floor, the hostess produced a key card from her pocket and inserted it into the door. Inside the room, soft lighting glowed ready for their entrance. Champagne in a bucket beside the sofa; j.a.panese cabinets, midnight drapes, a Turkish rug.

Champagne?' Aninka tried to sound quizzical. This is not a honeymoon!'

The woman ignored her remark. Would you like something to eat? The kitchen is open twenty four hours.'

I would like lobster,' Aninka said. She noticed Taziel smirk.

The woman hesitated. Of course.'

On a baguette, with salad.'

For all of us,' Lahash added.

And coffee,' Aninka said. Viennese, with black sugar.'

The woman inclined her head, and left the room. She appeared faintly amused.

Aninka poured herself some champagne into one of the exquisite gla.s.ses standing on a filigreed tray next to the ice bucket. The stem was a twisted serpent of indigo gla.s.s. She considered putting it into her bag before she left the place.

Lahash picked up a remote control and turned on the television. They sat in silence and watched a late night American media show, until the soft tap came at the door, signalling the arrival of their order. Aninka found she was hungry, as the aroma of rich coffee filled the room. The baguettes were accompanied by bowls of coleslaw and other a.s.sorted salads. Aninka kicked off her shoes. I feel quite at home,' she said.

It's not real,' Taziel said tersely. None of this.'

You might as well relax,' said Lahash.

Taziel uttered a muted snarl and scuffed across the room, to open one of the bedroom doors. He disappeared inside. Aninka rolled her eyes at Lahash, who grinned wryly. Not a great conversationalist, is he!' Aninka said.

Lahash shrugged, then took off his jacket. Beneath it, he wore a white dress s.h.i.+rt and a gun in a shoulder-holster. Are we in a movie or something?' Aninka asked. She laughed. This is all too bizarre.' The gun actually made her feel nervous. She wanted to ask Lahash to hide it, but felt it would only reveal her naivete.

No, we are not in a movie,' Lahash replied. It's all too real, no matter what our companion thinks.'

What is going on?' Aninka hoped to draw him out.

Lahash sat down next to her on the sofa, but some distance away. We just have to find Peverel Othman.' He frowned. And soon.'

Why? Why now?'

Lahash flicked her a glance like a serpent's tongue, black and quick and wet in an otherwise dry countenance. He knew more than he would tell her. He's getting into mischief, isn't he?'

Aninka stretched out on the sofa, admired the sweeping lines of her silk-clad legs, hoping Lahash would do the same. I'm beginning to wonder whether I did the right thing, offering to help find him. It was an impulsive decision. Maybe I should just forget about the whole thing, put it behind me.' She creased her brow. I'm not sure I want to see Pev again.'

n.o.body's forcing you to come,' Lahash said. I'm sure Enniel wouldn't mind if you backed out. Taziel, after all, is our most potent tool in this operation.'

Aninka smiled sourly. What I haven't mentioned is that my curiosity will be forever p.r.i.c.ked if I don't see what happens for myself. I know I won't get any information from Enniel. No, however painful, I'll see this through.' She leaned out to refresh her gla.s.s, offered the bottle to Lahash. Anyway, what is this link Taziel has with Pev? It sounds very... arcane.'

They had an a.s.sociation.'

Yes, I heard about that. Ended in tears, I believe.'

Among other things.' Lahash drained his gla.s.s. The bottle's finished. Shall I order more?'

Aninka caught a note in his voice, a certain speculative gleam in his eyes. Why not?' she said.

Lahash picked up the phone, and after a few moments, spoke into it, a private whisper. Then he turned back to Aninka. She could see from his hair line, which was auburn, that he dyed his hair black. Taziel's been through a hard time. He escaped with his sanity, just, but it's fragile. You must overlook his behaviour; he's damaged.'

I heard he blinded someone, another musician. Triangle situation?'

Lahash didn't bother to lower his voice, and Aninka wondered whether Taziel could hear them. Yes, he blinded someone. He burned out their optic nerves.'

Great Shem!' Aninka exclaimed, grimacing. How did he do that?'

There was no weapon,' Lahash said dryly, adding, that was ever found.'

Aninka glanced at the closed door, behind which Taziel Levantine might be listening to them discussing his affairs. He must have felt very strongly.'

We must suppose that,' Lahash said.

There was another soft knock at the door, and Lahash got up to answer it, returning with a larger bottle of champagne than the one they had just finished. I see you intend to make a night of this!' Aninka said. It must already be about half past one in the morning. There were no clocks in the room.

Look on this as the lull before the storm,' Lahash said, prising out the cork. It popped out and hissed sullenly, releasing a snaking steam. There was no froth, just the alchemical breath of the wine.

Do you think something... unpleasant will happen?' Aninka held out her gla.s.s. She looked at Lahash's long, manicured hand - a killer's hand? - as he poured her a drink. The hairs on it were dark red and smooth, like a diminished pelt.