The Last Coffee Shop

Chapter 17: Dancing on Glass

The door opened into a wide hall with faded burgundy carpet on the floor, and threadbare jewel-toned silks on the walls. A gilded chandelier, slightly tarnished, but brightly lit, hung from the ceiling. The hall was lined with wooden doors, each of which had been polished to a gentle shine, and bore gilt numbers matching the chandelier. At the end of the hall was an open doorway - the source of the spiced scents and sparkling laughter - and Mads followed along at Diamond's heels, feeling a bit like a lost puppy.

Ahead of her, Luc and Diamond paused in the doorway, waiting for Indi and Graynard to catch up, and Mads peered over Diamond's head to see inside. The room was enormous, and though faded and old, it retained much of its original splendor. The ceiling was domed and high, painted with cherubs and lovers, and ornate flowers sparkling gold in the light. There were solar torches around the room, shaped like flames, and great plush drapes hung over painted-on windows. The "windows," in turn, portrayed fanciful scenes of rolling emerald grass, dainty women on rope swings, and fancifully dressed men who seemed to be playing some sort of sport, involving long sticks.

The floor was ivory marble, but Mads didn't know if it was synthetic or the real thing. Across the space, overstuffed chairs and chaise lounges mingled with floor pillows, all worn but of good fabrics in rich jewel tone hues. Most startling of all were the brightly clad and lovely people draped over, on, and about the seating spaces. Elegant figures perched like butterflies, flitting about with crystal clear goblets in hand. At the center of the humming elegance was a palatial bronze velvet chair, adorned by the most beautiful woman that Mads had ever seen.

Delicate as a doll, with pink lips, gold-touched light brown skin, and mounds of gleaming dark auburn hair, the woman had a loveliness that went beyond simple features. Mads took one look at her elegant face, and knew that this discriminating woman would drink only the finest espresso, with just a touch of heavy cream and hazelnut liqueur.

The woman rose as soon as she saw them, handing her glass to a nearby man. She slipped down to the floor in a rustle of soft blue fabric and quick-stepped her way through the bright crowd. "Luc, mon chéri, at last!" She exclaimed as she reached them, grabbing Luc's grimy gloved hand. "We began to despair of you." She had to stand on tiptoe to plant quick kisses on Luc's scruffy cheeks.

Mads refrained from rolling her eyes, but just barely.

"Estrella," said Luc, shifting Naia so he could bend to kiss Estrella's hand. "The pleasure is mine."

"And who are these poor lambs?" The woman, Estrella, glanced from Naia and Indi to Mads.

Luc answered before Mads could form a thought. "The children were taken from a slaver's horde," said Luc, his expression significant.

Estrella paled and placed a slim hand against her mostly exposed chest. "Mon Dieu. I see." She snapped her fingers, and two young women in equally frothy dresses materialized from the throng. "Lucy, Min, take these girls and see them fed, bathed, and dressed. Then make sure no one comes near them without Luc's permission." The girls stepped forward, but Estrella raised her hand again. "And take care, loves, they're rescues."

Lucy and Min exchanged troubled looks, then curtseyed in unison.

Luc glanced from Naia to Estrella. "She's very weak," he explained. "I don't think she has the strength to walk on her own. I'll come back when they're settled."

Estrella nodded. "As you wish."

Luc motioned for Indi to follow him, and then he paused, as if suddenly remembering something. "Oh, and 'Stel, the other one's Madeleine Capot, my guest."

Mads blinked. "Guest?" she managed, still bewildered by this bizarre storybook world they had stepped into.

Luc shook his head at her, his expression a warning, then left with Indi, Naia, and Estrella's girls.