The vampire sat motionless at the center of a sphere of colloidal silver. Pam had to applaud Bill's ingenuity. The sphere, made of silver suspended in liquid and held in place by an electrical field, kept the vampire confined without resorting to the unattractive obviousness of cells or cages which might have disturbed the tourists touring the historic building. She wondered if he had patented the idea, as she paced around the circumference, studying it from multiple angels. If he hadn't, Pam definitely would. It could bring in a tidy sum. unfortunately, it made it difficult to see the individual within. On a more positive note, the prisoner probably couldn't see out any better than she could see in.
"So the Queen Bee as finally deigned to make an appearance."
The hoarse voice emerged from the sphere with little apparent trouble. Sound, at least, did not appear affected by the field. That could be good or bad. Pam gave Bill a pointed look and raised an eyebrow.
"What makes you think her Majesty would bother with the likes of you?" he asked, taking the hint.
The stranger laughed as though Bill's question truly amused him.
"Do you really think I don't know the Queen of Louisiana when I see her?" he asked in what may have been a rhetorical question. "Besides, we've met before, Pam and I."
His voice didn't sound familiar. Pam never forgot anything and that included voices. This one...was not one she knew. Voices could change but it would take a tremendous injury to alter the voice of a vampire past recognition. Still, she could not discard the possibility out of hand, especially since such a grievous wound could also explain his anonymity. Such wounds were rare. The only one Pam could personally confirm was Sophie-Ann whose story evidenced why a wounded vampire would hide themself away until they were whole once more no matter how long it took. It could take a very long time.
"You are mistaken," Bill told him.
"You are lying," the stranger countered, sounding way too confident.
From the shadows, Pam studied him. It was difficult, even with the excellent vision of a vampire to pierce the silver sphere that held him. She doubted he could see any better than she could which meant he was bluffing.
Bill seemed to think so, too, though he saw no need to defend his honesty.
"As you like," Bill said. "but I assure you, the Queen has more important things to do than concern herself with one vampire who can't control his thirst."
"Do not presume to know me," the stranger snapped.
"I do not have to pretend," Bill replied with characteristic equanimity. "You are no one, just like many of the vampires too vain to control themselves and convinced of their place as an apex predator who come to this City seeking cause trouble every year. If you will not answer my questions, what good are you?"
The sphere began to shrink as Karin began playing with dials on a control panel concealed in the wall beside Pam. The stranger didn't notice the changes at first. The constricting space caught his attention eventually without contacting his skin. It paused a hair's breadth from his skin and anyone watching could tell he knew it. Karin really was remarkably accurate. Fortunately, he didn't breath or he would have silvered himself.
"Who are you and why are you in New Orleans without the leave of myself or Louisiana?" Bill asked.
