Chapter 75
Hotch pulled up in front of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel at 6:15 that evening. A valet opened his door for him as he looked Hotch up and down, and Hotch mentally huffed at the scrutiny; it was obvious that the formally dressed man thought Hotch was in the wrong place.
"Are you here as a guest?" the man asked him as Hotch got out.
Hotch shook his head. "No. I'm supposed to meet a few friends here."
"And which guest would that be?" the valet asked without moving from in front of Hotch. He was clearly making sure Hotch was there legitimately.
Hotch took a deep breath as he forcibly had to restrain himself from using his stare on the man who was only doing his job. "Sebastian Bartles and company."
The man's eyes shot opened as he stepped back with quick feet and held out his hands for Hotch's keys. "Of course, Sir. May I have your name so that I may let the Concierge know?" he asked as his whole demeanor changed from bullying guard to pleasing staff.
"Aaron Hotchner," Hotch told him as he gave up his keys.
"Yes, Sir," the man agreed and moved to the phone on the wall as he threw another man Hotch's keys. "Put it in the VIP lot," he ordered and then picked up the receiver.
Hotch smoothed down his tie and then mentally winced as he wondered if he was dressed well enough for the fancy hotel.
"Mr. Hotchner?" being called made Hotch snap out of his thoughts and he looked up to see a refined looking man in a black silk suit coming out of the door to him. Hotch nodded to him, and the man smiled. "Excellent. Mr. Bartles and the other guests are awaiting you in the rooftop lounge. I will show you the way; if you would follow me, please?" he offered as he gestured to the door.
Hotch nodded and then followed the man, and years of training himself not to react came into play as he looked around the spacious luxurious lobby. His footfalls on the marble floor echoed, but no one paid him any attention as he followed the attendant.
A woman in a business suit smiled at Hotch as she approached the man bringing him to a halt and then apologized for interrupting him. "Sir, the Armenian Ambassador was highly upset that the suite he usually gets was booked."
Hotch mentally frowned as he watched and listened a few steps back. Ok, maybe this man isn't the concierge.
"Did you give him the next best room and then apologize for all of the usual suits being occupied?"
"Of course, but you know how he can get," the woman offered, and Hotch could tell she was about at wits end.
The man sighed. "I will speak with him, and if he can't be happy with the room we can give him, I will tell him the Motel 6 is down the road. I have other important guests booking the suits this weekend."
"So you will speak to him?" she asked to clarify.
"Yes, Julie. I will go see him as soon as I am done showing Mr. Hotchner to those special guests," he told her with a glance at Hotch.
The woman's eyes went wide and then apologized to Hotch again, apparently thinking that he was just as important as the people who were occupying their best rooms. "Then I will tell the Ambassador that the General Manager will see him as soon as he gets a chance," Julie told him and quickly walked away.
The manager shot Hotch an apologetic look and then gestured to the elevators. "I am sorry about the delay."
"Don't worry about it," Hotch told him as he followed him into the elevator. "I'm sorry if my friends have disrupted the hotel or anything," he offered as he studied the man. He would hate to find out that Sabastian or any of them had used their vampire powers on the hotel staff or caused any problems.
The man chuckled. "Your friends have only been wonderful, and besides that Ambassador is a spoiled brat in a man's guise. Serves him right for not booking his usual suite in advanced like most civilized people," he told him and then took out a key to authorize the elevator to go to the roof.
Hotch took a long, slow breath. He may not be afraid of heights any more per say, but just the thought of being up on the huge building's roof made him a little nervous.
Once the doors swished open, the man gestured out and towards the left. "The lounge is that way, and I am Gary Blanchet, the General Manager. I must apologize for not introducing myself earlier," he stated as he offered Hotch his hand.
Hotch shook it. "It's alright. I can imagine you are a very busy man."
"If you will be needing a room or anything, just tell any of the staff that you would like to speak with me."
Hotch shook his head. "Thank you, but I won't be staying. I actually live outside the city."
"Well, anything you need or want, just let us know," Gary offered and then let the elevator doors shut once Hotch turned to go find his friends.
Hotch could sense the vampires before he could see them, and he took a deep breath. Even though Sebastian had seemed fine on the phone, Hotch wasn't sure how the others were going to treat him after what had happened the night before.
"There he is!" Willie hollered as soon as Hotch rounded the corner. All five of the vampires were lounging around a fire pit near the right corner of the hotel's roof.
Hotch studied them as he advanced towards them and then nodded a greeting. "Sorry I was late. Traffic was heavy."
"You're fine," Christian told him as he offered him a tumbler of amber liquid.
Hotch accepted the glass and then looked the ancient vampire in the eyes. "Christian, about last night, I am. . ."
"Nonsense!" Christian interrupted and placed a guiding hand on Hotch's back and steered him closer to the others. "You being able to see that beast and consequently destroying it beats out anything else that may have transpired."
Hotch sighed.
Michael walked up to him. "I'm not used to having to be saved by others, so I hope you'll excuse me for not thanking you right away," he said as he stuck out his hand to Hotch.
Hotch shook his hand. "There's no need, I. . ."
"There is need, Aaron," Jenny insisted as she stood up. "Michael wouldn't have even known it was there until it was too late."
Hotch frowned as he studied them. "It really would have been able to kill him?"
Sebastian winced. "I have heard of only a lucky few who have had a run in with one and survived to tell about it."
Hotch's frown deepened. "But I thought only two things could kill us."
Sebastian shook his head. "Not two things, Aaron, two ways. We can be killed by a stake through the heart or by being beheaded."
"And those kinds of attacks can come in many different forms," Christian put in as his hand absently went to his neck where Hotch had grabbed him.
Hotch noticed and mentally winced. I'm sorry Christian.
"Chupacabra's are very efficient killers. They can dismember a torso rather quickly all while not being seen," Willie added. "And they wait to take the head off until last because they like feasting on the brain as it dies."
A strong shudder ran through Jenny as she cringed. "I can't even imagine how horrible that is. Being torn apart by something invisible. . ." She shook her head. "I think I'd prefer a nice, quick wooden stake through my heart."
Hotch looked horrified. "How many of those things are out there? Do I need to be worried about my family?"
"They are prevalent in the south west. Normally they don't travel this far north especially getting closer to winter," Willie instructed. "And I have never heard of more than one being in the same vicinity together, so I would think your family is safe from them."
"Nasty buggers! And we get blamed for a lot of their kills," Christian but in and ended with a snort of disgust.
"Blamed? You mean vampires get blamed for their kills? Even today?" Hotch asked with a look of disbelief.
"Chupacabras drain their victims of blood even their animal victims, and there is always someone who sees the story and blames a vampire," Sebastian told him. "Like we're the only ones who drink blood."
Hotch shot him a look and was about to ask him about what else drank blood but the waiter came over with another round of drinks.
Jenny raised her new glass. "I say we put these disgusting creatures behind us and start with why we are really here." They all looked at her, and she shook her head. "To welcome a new member into our family!"
They smiled with that and raised their glasses as they all looked at Hotch. "Welcome to the family, Aaron."
XXX
After a few more drinks and some idle chit chat, Michael stood up. "I say we take him to a real bar."
Sebastian immediately started shaking his head. "No. Aaron would not like that."
"How do you know, you haven't even asked him?"
"Because I know him a little better than you all do, and I know he wouldn't!" Sebastian insisted.
Michael looked at Hotch. "You up for leaving this stuffy place and going to a real bar?"
"I know a few decent bars around here I guess I could show you to," Hotch suggested as he stood up.
"No, you have it wrong. We're the ones taking you to a bar," Jenny put in with a grin.
Hotch studied those around him. Sebastian was still shaking his head, Willie looked way too uneasy, Michael and Jenny looked like kids who were about to get into mischief, and Christian was studying him like some lab rat. Hotch frowned. "I've been to most of the bars around here. Is there a certain one you have in mind?"
Michael smiled. "You've never been to a bar like the one we're going to take you to."
Hotch's eyes found Sabastian's, and the ancient vampire sighed. "You don't have to go, Aaron."
"You're right, Bas. He probably couldn't handle it. He definitely doesn't seem like the type of guy who let's himself unwind very often," Michael put back in as he sat back down.
"I unwind," Hotch insisted.
"I don't know, Stud, think you could keep up with us?" Jenny teased as she put her arm around him.
Hotch huffed. "I don't think that will be a problem, Red."
She laughed and then tugged on his hand. "Then come on."
"Yes! Now I can buy you a proper drink!" Michael yelled as he moved to catch up with them.
"I don't know about this, Bas," Willie muttered as he got close to his maker.
Sebastian looked at him and Christian both. "We better go to keep them out of trouble."
Willie swallowed hard. "Taking him to a bar like that? That's asking for trouble, Bas."
"I don't know," Christian started as they moved to follow the rest of them, "I think it will be quite interesting to see how he reacts to it all."
Sebastian winced. "Interesting? Not quite the word I would use."
Hotch frowned when Jenny took him past the elevator. "Aren't we leaving?"
She laughed. "Yes, but we are going to be traveling by different means." She stopped as they got to the wall going around the edge of the rooftop and looked at him. "Ready?"
Hotch noticed her eyes kept trailing to the neighboring building's roof which was about fifteen feet lower and across the alley. He swallowed. "We're not walking, are we?"
She laughed lightly. "You're the one who said you could keep up."
Hotch mentally winced. Son of a bitch! When Michael came up beside him with a massive grin, Hotch took a deep breath. "Shouldn't we be worried someone will see us?"
Michael chuckled. "Most people don't look up, Aaron."
"And we'll be moving so quickly that they wouldn't really see us anyway," Jenny put in.
Hotch forced a small smile and then gestured toward the edge. "After you."
