Chapter Ten
Checking In
As Darcie exited the plane, she thought how much easier it was traveling without any luggage. Maybe, she should consider that in the future. For, she flied through the airport unimpeded. Finding this other vampire, Godric, was important to Eric, since he insisted that they leave right away. His haste was probably a reason why he gave up trying to coerce her into an more binding arrangement. Or, he was finally learning that she was not one of his usual humans that he could push around to suit his whimsy. They had both flown to Dallas, but his mode of transportation had been very different. She wondered if he would demonstrate this ability to her. He surely would like to preen a little for her and show off, sometime. For, Darcie would like to see this power. She wondered if he could always fly as a vampire or it he had attained that power since he was so old.
Once Darcie passed through the gates, she called Sookie.
"Sookie, it's me," said Darcie.
"Darcie, I've been so worried. Are you alright?" asked Sookie. "I shouldn't have left you like that."
"I perfectly fine," said Darcie. "You might mention to Lafayette that he should keep quiet about what happened to him."
"I'm sure Lafayette is smart enough to realize that," said Sookie. "But, I will remind him. Was Eric mad at you?"
"No, in fact, we are on a little romantic getaway in Dallas," said Darcie.
She was still going to continue with the story that she and Eric were a couple for Sookie's benefit. And what else would demonstrate that more than a little romantic holiday, Darcie thought.
"Oh, really?" said Sookie, surprised.
"You sound surprised, Sookie," said Darcie. "He's really quite sweet, when he's not torturing people in his basement, of course."
When Darcie didn't hear a reply, she said, "I don't know how long I'll be gone, a few days, at least. I would like to get some sightseeing in, but the most I'm probably going to get to see is the inside of our hotel room, if you know what I mean."
"Well, uh, have fun," said Sookie.
"I'm sure I will," said Darcie. "Bye."
Darcie hung up and continued through the airport.
When she exited the cab at the hotel Carmilla, she was pleasantly surprised. It was a large affair with a modern and new facade. She walked into the lobby which was expensively and tastefully decorated and headed to the front desk. The attendant was a pretty woman with blonde hair and the friendly reserve usually seen in hotel employees.
"How may I help you," she greeted Darcie.
"I should have a room here, Darcie Stackhouse, it might be under a reservation for Eric Northman," said Darcie.
"Yes, here you are. Mr. Northman has already arrived," she said.
She issued her a hotel keycard and gave her directions to the room. Darcie thanked her and headed upstairs. As she opened the door, her thoughts were only on taking a nice, hot bath and slipping into bed. She had been up almost two days now with little sleep and it was finally catching up to her. So the last thing she expected to see when she opened her door was Eric lounging on the sectional in the room as if he was waiting on her. She stared at him a moment and then glanced around the room and saw that it was a large suite decorated in the same modern style as the lobby. Her eyes returned to the vampire who now gazed at her.
"You're here," he said.
"How very observant of you," said Darcie. "Why are you here?"
"We're sharing the room, Darcie," said Eric with a little smile.
"What? I don't think so," said Darcie.
"Relax, Darcie," said Eric. "It's a large suite and you have your own bedroom."
Darcie was a little mollified, but why couldn't she have her own room?
"I would prefer a separate room," she said.
"Don't trust yourself to be all alone with me?" asked Eric with that same little smile.
When Darcie only gazed at him with irritation, he said, "In order for you to stay close to me, here, among vampires, you will have to pretend to be my human. And as such, you would be sharing my room. To do otherwise, would arouse suspicion."
I guess he has a point, thought Darcie. But, I think that he is enjoying this way too much.
Darcie came forward and sat across from him on the sectional.
"I don't want you to tell the vampires here that I am a telepath," said Darcie.
"I wasn't planning on doing that, but why don't you want me to?" asked Eric.
"Because I don't want to become some other vampire's prize acquisition, that's why," said Darcie.
"Getting attached to me, pet?" asked Eric.
"More like the devil you know," said Darcie.
"Don't worry, Darcie, I'll keep your secrets, the few of them that I know, anyway," said Eric. "But, you do realize that by staying hidden, you won't have the help of the vampires here."
"Please, if you were confident in their abilities, we wouldn't be here," said Darcie.
As usual, Darcie understood how his mind worked. It normally bothered him, but now, it might prove helpful.
"Is there anything that we are doing tonight?" asked Darcie.
"We are going to meet with Godric's lieutenants; Isabel and Stan," said Eric.
Darcie made a face and said, "You do realize that you were in such a hurry for me to leave that I don't have any clothes except what I am wearing."
Eric took in her rumpled appearance and frowned. He walked over and picked up the room phone and dialed the front desk.
"My human needs to be properly attired this evening. Is there an appropriate shop open downstairs or one nearby?" asked Eric.
There was a pause and then Eric replied, "I'll send her down."
"They are waiting on you," said Eric.
Darcie hated being labeled as 'my human'. But, maybe she should get used to it, for the time being. It was just a part she was playing. She turned and left the room, Eric watching her as she left.
When she checked in at the front desk, she was escorted by a bellboy to an expensive looking boutique. There was a pretty human sales girl and an attractive vampire female who appeared to be in her early forties. Two sets of eyes roved over her as she came inside. The female vampire gave her a rather predatory smiled and came forward.
"I am Madam Michel," she said with a French accent. Darcie couldn't tell if it was real or not.
Her eyes continued to examine Darcie and she said, "Well, at least, I have something worth working with, and so young. What's your name, Cherie?"
"Darcie," said Darcie.
"Not American, I see," said Madam Michel. "Interesting. What can we help you with tonight?"
"I need a dress. I think my...my vampire would like me to look presentable," said Darcie. "I'll need matching shoes as well."
"Cherie, you can achieve presentable with almost no effort, let's aim a little higher, no?" said Madam Michel.
Under Madam Michel critical eye, Darcie found a pretty dress and a pair of shoes. Just when, Madam Michel was going to ring up her purchases, Darcie remembered that she also didn't have anything to sleep in tonight.
"Do you have any nightgowns?" asked Darcie.
Madam Michel showed her a selection of lingerie. Sheer teddies, sheer, short nightgowns and beautifully colored corsets. Way, way too sexy, thought Darcie. There was no way that she was wearing any of those while bunking with that vampire.
"Um, do you have anything less sexy?" asked Darcie.
"Now, I've never heard that request before, Cherie," said Madam Michel with a chuckle.
She pointed out a baby doll that at least wasn't sheer. It was sweet looking with embroidered flowers along the hemline and little flower appliques on the bodice. It was much too short, but it would have to do, thought Darcie. Sometime tomorrow, she would do some shopping and get everything else that she needed.
"What room do I charge this purchase to?" asked the sales girl as she was ringing up the bill.
"Room 323," said Darcie.
"Yes, I see, a Mr. Northman. Right?" she asked.
"Yes," said Darcie.
"Eric Northman?" asked Madam Michel.
"Uh, yes," said Darcie.
Madam Michel smiled and said, "You didn't tell me that you were his, Cherie. No wonder you wanted something less sexy, I hear he is a wicked boy, no?"
Darcie decided that retreat was called for and grabbed her bags and quickly left.
They arrived at the home of Isabel and Eric turned off the engine.
"I know that you have your pride, Darcie," said Eric. "But, in order for this to work, you must behave as my human and appear meek and obedient."
"I understand. I won't fail you," said Darcie. "Am I supposed to open your door now?"
Eric smiled and said, "I'm still capable of getting my own door."
He got out and opened Darcie's door.
When Darcie was out of the car, she said, "Just so you know, you are going to owe me, big time, for making me grovel at your feet."
"Then, I had better make sure that I enjoy it while it lasts," said Eric with a smirk.