The Stars Lie {Myrnin, Morganville Vampires}

Hotel Elysium

Chapter 16—Hotel Elysium

Myrnin

I waited a full hour before I moved from my position in the chair. I needed to be sure I had my desires fully under control before I allowed any part of my body to move. If I had not just fed, the night would have ended quite differently. She had shocked the hell out of me again. This time, when she rose from the tub, completely naked, knowing I was watching her, and then slipped into her nightgown. I shuddered as I remembered and worked to control the hunger again.

Her behavior was so altered, I was alarmed something had happened to her while I was gone, but I read her emotions and found only happiness – and what was the other one – trust? She seemed to be missing her normal reserve and awareness, though. And that, more than anything, kept me clinging to the chair, rather than taking her right then and there.

I was also relieved in a way. She still held tight to her belief in that boy. I tried desperately to restrain my affection for her, but every minute we spent together, it grew. I knew I was in danger. Losing her now would crush me. But losing her after she had given herself to me completely – that, I knew I could not survive.

I had felt her emotions enough to know she did not love him. Loyalty and appreciation and guilt, yes – but not love. She seemed to be unwilling to let go of the idea of loving him. And I didn't know why or what held her back.

Claire slept for most of the day, before she stirred. I watched her slowly come to awareness. And could almost read her mind, as she looked around and realized this was not all a dream. She smiled and then found me in the room. Her expression changed to embarrassment as I watched her remember the bathtub scene from the night before.

"Oh...I am...sorry about before." She shook her head as if to clear it. "I don't know what came over me," she said from under her eyelashes.

"It's quite alright, love. I knew you were not yourself," I assured her.

She glanced up, a clear uncertainty in her expression.

I answered her unspoken question, "You forget, my dear, I can read your emotions. It is quite likely, that I know you, better than you know yourself at times."

Understanding lit her eyes and then concern. "Did...you make me feel like that?"

I smiled in reassurance, "No...do you think I would be sitting over here, if that had been by my design?"

She processed that and relaxed. "Then what happened?"

"I think you were in shock. The past twenty-four hours have been 'surreal' to say the least. And I think your mind took a short break."

Her expression changed again as she looked at me. "Thank you," she whispered. I understood what she meant and just nodded.

She looked slightly distressed again as she said, "I think I need...a human moment."

"Of course, my dear." I pointed to a standing rack that now held a robe and explained, "I asked the attendants to bring it to you. They also picked up your clothing, so it could be washed and pressed. I suspect they will be back soon, but in the meantime, you will need to be content with the robe."

She smiled. As I turned around, she freed herself from the comforts of the bed, slipped into the robe and walked to the washroom. While she was gone, I continued to plan. It was not going to be easy – or safe – to try to get home. That much was made plain to me, as I considered the events that lead to this moment. I was deep in thought, working with diagrams at the table, when I heard her return some time later.