Chapter 5:

Common interests

Radko, it transpired, liked to talk. "So, you are from England?"

"Yes. I'm actually –"

"Ah, have you been to London?"

"Erm…yeah, a few times actually," Beth said. "The last time I went there, we saw Mamma Mia! Everyone got up and danced." Beth almost smiled before she remembered she was talking to a complete stranger. "I mean…"

"Who is "'we'?" Radko asked curiously.

"Um, my – my family." Beth hoped he didn't want to know more; otherwise, she might never stop talking about them. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she peered at Radko through her jagged fringe.

Wow. He looked off into some far distance, still walking. The buttery light pooled above the swoop of his jawline, angling towards the hollow of his throat.

Beth licked her bottom lip.

"I want to visit London one day," Radko said softly. "I would meet the queen, visit the museums, and…live."

Beth sighed. "I know the feeling."

"You do?" Their golden eyes met, and there it was: a spark, and a tell-tale fluttering in Beth's stomach, both surprising and terrifying.

T-A-K-E-C-A-R-E, Demetri warned, nearly making her jump. He had been quiet until now, taking in everything. In the short walk to Beth's room, the corridors were as lively as Prague's streets, with people loitering to chat and laugh, calling out to each other across the balconies.

No human would have been able to keep up with any of it.

There was a sense of joy, of something exciting to come, though none of it explained why so many people stared at Beth. Strangers whispered in their various languages. A shaggy-haired man in a Nirvana t-shirt did a double-take, and Beth lifted her chin, smiling.

She wondered what the man's favourite song was.

She wondered if Anna would be proud of her for getting this far.

Beth couldn't help but notice how most grinned at Radko like he was one of the lads. Other men scowled; a rotund immortal with a blonde beard went so far as to tug a simpering woman away as if she would elope with Radko then and there.

It was almost hilarious; Radko appeared to take it with good grace, but Beth recognised the rigid stance of the embarrassed. She wanted to say something, but nothing seemed appropriate.

On the stairs to the third floor, they met a silver-haired woman coming the other way. Dressed in a long purple gown, she moved with the slow, sensual grace of a femme fatale. Beth watched with some amusement as the woman brushed Radko's chest with glossy nails and purred something to him in Czech. No doubt, she meant to sound flirtatious, but the woman's eyes were bright and hungry.

Beth felt her muscles instinctively tense, ready for anything. Radko addressed the woman with a formal title, trying to stay professional. While Beth couldn't quite understand what was said, she knew it was something the woman hadn't expected.

Repeating it slowly and somewhat incredulously, her gaze slid down to Beth. "Hmph," the woman scoffed. "Another one?"

Beth was used to disdain and knew exactly what to do with it. "Good morning," she said in Czech. She recycled her most mocking smile. "Isn't the hotel lovely?"

The woman's expression froze in place, becoming a predatory grimace. "Yes. Lovely. Excuse me." She stormed downstairs in a cacophony of sequins, tinkling like broken glass. Demetri carefully caught Beth's arm as they jumped out of the woman's way.

"Nice lady," Beth's curiosity was piqued, nonetheless. Just what else did he do for the hotel?

"I must apologise." Radko was making a show of adjusting his jacket and cufflinks. He cleared his throat. "Come, your room awaits. This way, please."

"Hey, a friend of mine studied hotel management at college, you know. How the customer "is always right," and all that." Behind her smile, Beth bit the inside of her cheek, hard. It was her pathetic way of comforting him, at the expense of digging up more of her past.

Now she had told a stranger about Laura.

While other floors reminded her of a nightclub and the quirky decadence of a flash, London apartment, the third floor had plush, pink carpet to smother the worst of the racket below. A hint of rosewater suggested the wallpaper was scented, and Beth confirmed this theme in her room.

Surrounded by the pleasant smell of cherry blossom, Beth would later find the tree painted on the walls was also roughly textured; the petals felt waxy, too. Except for a tiny ensuite, the furniture was minimal, consisting of a high, four-poster bed, vanity table, and a gilded chest of drawers.

"It's beautiful," Beth answered Radko's expectant smile. She stepped inside, still reassured by Demetri's hand on her shoulder. "Thank you."

Radko and his tight silk shirt were almost as tall as the doorframe. He clasped his hands behind his back, gold eyes crinkling. "Before I leave you, we offer new guests a special treatment. Should you wish to sample it, call us on this." He motioned to the phone on the bedside table.

"Special treatment?" Beth grinned. "Ooh, I'm sure I will. Thanks."

"You are most welcome," Radko said, backing out of the room. "And please, enjoy your stay."

Before he closed the door, he gave Beth the slightest wink. Struggling to hide her flustered smile, Beth dropped her glamour and texted Anna.

We are in the hotel. I will let you know of any more developments. B x

Clenching her jaw, Beth removed the kiss. It was too soon for that. The complicated stuff was only just beginning, and she could feel Demetri watching her.

He appeared perfectly calm, yet the loss of his contact made Beth feel somewhat disorientated.

Demetri opened his mouth, but she shook her head, suddenly afraid. What if another guest heard him speak?

What if they recognised the voice of the Volturi tracker?

Thinking fast, Beth tugged out her notebook and one of her pens from her rucksack. She wrote: Don't talk. They might hear you.

Demetri read the message, and his eyes widened. They stared each other down for what felt like the longest time; desperate topaz eyes to surprised ruby.

I want to keep you safe, Beth added.

It was the right thing to say. Demetri nodded, mouthing, "thank you," before impatiently gesturing for the notebook.

On the bed, Beth watched his left hand curl around the page. You have done well, Beth. While it's not ideal, it is a good idea to be as quiet as we can.

Astonished, Beth couldn't help but grin, utterly unaware that it was the same look Demetri had imagined on the cold roof. What do we do now? Beth could hazard a guess; somehow, they needed to find out what was going on inside the hotel. It appealed to her tendency to people-watch, but that was all.

We have been travelling for days, Demetri was writing, oblivious to Beth's mounting anxiety. You'll need a shower if you want to look presentable.

At any other time, Beth would have been offended. She nodded, gently taking the pen from Demetri.

Thanks? There's enough paper. Give me what background info you have on the hotel staff when I get back.

Demetri's face said it all when Beth stepped out of the ensuite. You cannot go out dressed like that.

She rolled her eyes, towelling her wet hair away from a plaid shirt Demetri had never seen before. "It'll have to do. It's not like I had time to pick out decent clothing before we left."

Demetri tossed her notebook, which Beth quickly caught by dropping the towel. She hissed in annoyance.

I admit I know very little about this coven. We could ask Hazel, but she is distracted by Iona.

Beth's heart sank. "So, can we trust her or not?" she whispered.

Demetri sighed with a reluctant shrug.

We need to find Michael in the lobby bar, he had written. The man you smiled at in the corridor, wearing this. At the bottom of the page, Demetri had drawn a smiley face logo that Beth immediately recognised.

Beth looked up to smirk at Demetri. She found his eyebrows raised in wry amusement.

Would I be incorrect in thinking you have a common interest?

Beaming, Beth shook her head as firmly as she could.

He visits the bar regularly, Demetri had written. I have messaged him to expect us.

How do you know he'll be in the bar, though?

In response, Demetri tapped his nose and temple. Beth scoffed softly, annoyed at her own stupidity.

To be continued...

Hello, lovely people!

This chapter was so much fun to write, adding a whole new twist to Beth and Demetri's relationship. I'd really appreciate a review, even if it is just to exchange stories about going to see Mamma Mia! on the stage (remember going to a theatre, eh?).

Next chapter: Beth meets a potential ally (yes, it is Michael).

Til next time! Take care.

LookAliveSunshine03