Down below

Chapter 58.

   Loki woke up to a knock on his bedroom door. It was Fren, asking for permission to enter. He sat up, looking around in panic. Lestat wasn't there. He got up, wrapping the bed cover around himself and checked the study. Empty.

'Yes, Fren. You can come in.'

The maid entered to the bedroom, looking around curiously.

'I prepared your bath.' she said, peering at Loki and blushed when she saw him obviously wearing nothing under the cover.

'Thank you. You can leave. I'll have my breakfast in an hour.'

'I...' Fren muttered and halted, wringing her hands nervously.

'What is it, Fren? Speak before I lose my patience.'

'What would you like me to do with the clothes in the bathroom? They seem to be in need of mending.'

'They belong to the guest I had over last night. Just leave them there.'

'Yes, Your Highness.' Fren replied with an even deeper blush, because she had an idea of what sort of guest it could have been from past experiences.

'Any special requests from the kitchen for your breakfast?' Fren asked dutifully.

'Just the usual. That's all Fren.' Loki said, dismissing her.

Fren bowed her head and left his quarters.

"Lestat, where are you?" he asked, hoping he is in range, but didn't receive any response.

   He rushed into the bathroom. He could only find Lestat's vest and torn suit, the rest of his clothes weren't there. He stepped into the tub and quickly washed himself, then checked his body in the mirror for any revealing signs of last night. He found nothing. He grabbed Lestat's vest, then walked into his study to find some dried moon flower to enhance the locator spell. He focused hard on the vampire, trying over and over again to find him without any result.

'Goddamit!' he cursed and got dressed in a hurry, then looked around for any clues.

He had exactly four hours to locate him. He left his quarters, wandering aimlessly, calling to him silently. He had no idea where to start and he could only hope that Lestat wasn't on the hunt or worse, somehow found a way to leave this realm. After two hours of unfruitful search, he returned to his quarters, his temper simmering under the surface.

'Ah, you're back. I was getting worried, because I have nothing to wear.' Lestat poked his head out from his study like nothing happened.

'You were getting worried?!' Loki walked up to him, unable to contain his rage. 'Where have you been?'

'I went out for a snack. I'm afraid some of the horses will be a bit jumpy today. Relax, I was careful.'

'You should have told me!' Loki barked. 'Or left a note. I've searched the whole palace for you!'

'Watch your tone, Loki. I did leave a note. On the bed.' Lestat raised his voice, annoyed.

'There wasn't any note on the bed.' Loki huffed, remembering that he wrapped the bedcover around himself earlier.

   Lestat turned on his heels and rushed into the bedroom with preternatural speed. Loki teleported there to find him kneeling on the floor, reaching under the bed. He jumped on his feet, then walked to him, shoving the note into his hand.

'There! My note.'

'I...'

'I am truly sorry for yelling at you is the sentence you're looking for.' Lestat cut in, clearly unimpressed by the whole situation.