The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (35 page)

Then Augere, who had been standing beside him, spoke sharply to the woman in French; Jason did not catch the meaning of his words, and she made no reply. The words alone seemed to have been sufficient to convey his message, but the cutting tone of his voice certainly had made his point even more clearly. It even made Jason shiver a little. She immediately took Jason’s money and allowed them to enter.
So much for Augere being emotionally fragile or being less than capable of handling a situation
.

They descended 130 steps into the cool and slightly damp darkness. Jason had brought a small flashlight and his eyes slowly adjusted to the gloom. He gazed all around him. What first appeared to be stone walls were in fact piles of various kinds of bones. Some of these were artfully arranged in recognizable patterns or symbols. Skulls, perched at all different angles, greeted them everywhere they looked.

Jason began taking photos without flash, using just the flashlight to illuminate the scenes. This helped to create a ghastly glow that contributed to the overall creepiness of the setting and the images he captured. It managed to creep Jason out at the same time as he found it fascinating.

He was totally absorbed for the next ten minutes or so, walking along passageways, pausing to discreetly touch objects here and there. Finally, he remembered Augere. Where was he?

Jason found him, strangely enough, well ahead of him in one of the larger openings in the passageways. Augere stood toward the center of the space, arms folded across his chest, and was wrinkling his nose with a look of dismay, when Jason spotted him. “Are you doing okay?” Jason asked, as he approached.

Augere nodded once.

“But do you want to leave now?” Jason asked.

Augere shrugged one shoulder. “We have time,” he said softly.

They spent an hour or so wandering the Catacombs. Augere seemed to relax more as they went on. Jason was amused to see him bend to gaze intently for an interval at one of the skulls in particular, as if recognizing an old acquaintance. Finally they looked at each other with matching expressions: we’re done.

Jason had done an EVP session while down there and had taken many photos, realizing that after a while, all the photos looked pretty much the same. Still, he was quite happy with the experience. Definitely a gothic adventure, and a unique one.

“Did you enjoy your experience this time?” Jason asked him. Augere had said he had been here before.

Augere shrugged. “Far more than the last time, for certain. I got lost here for nearly two days.” Jason could only stare at him, his mouth slightly agape. “The passages go on and on, quite extensive and rather grim, dark and narrow.” He simply had to be joking about being lost down here for that long.
I would have lost my mind,
Jason thought. Two days alone in the darkness with all of these remains? They would have found a raving lunatic with my hair gone totally white, like some poor character in a horror movie. He gave Augere a solemn nod, sure he was just joking with him. Augere retained his solemn expression.

They took a taxi back to the hotel to collect their things, and then headed to the train station. The Chunnel, another new adventure, awaited Jason. As much as he had loved Paris, he was now excited to be going to London. Everything about this trip kept getting better and better.

No travel I will ever take will ever be as memorable, as totally unforgettable, as this trip
.

Chapter 17

London

Once they got to the train station, Augere upgraded their Eurostar tickets to premiere class; it seemed rather expensive to Jason, but when he saw they had extra space, more comfort and privacy, he was glad for the change. Apparently, the price also included taxi fare to their destination once they arrived in London.

The hotel Genier had chosen, once he learned Augere’s first choice had not been available, surprised Jason. It was nice enough; there were no elevators, but their rooms were on the second floor, so it was not a huge problem. The rooms were decent sized and nicely, if a bit formally, decorated with a grey marble bathroom being the most modern feature. Mostly the location surprised him. He had envisioned something centrally located, in the heart of London. They were in Richmond Hill, which seemed pretty remote to Jason.

Their rooms overlooked Richmond Park, a huge sprawling wild preserve that apparently was home to herds of deer, as well as foxes, geese, and rabbits.

A pleasant pastoral setting, but not exactly the kinds of things Jason wanted to see on his first visit to London. Still, their rooms, which were side by side, featured an excellent view of the park setting and the town beyond. Plans had been made to attend a theatre performance in the West End. There was barely time to change or get a quick meal. The distance into town, according to the hotel desk clerk, was 45 minutes by underground. A taxi would take them into London, however. Augere urged Jason to walk into the town to get dinner. The taxi would pick them up there. He suggested Jason might like The Rose restaurant. Jason was not surprised when Augere declined his invitation to join him for dinner—
when does he ever eat?
he wondered yet again—but Augere stated he would meet him there for a drink.

Jason decided he could use the walk into town after the Chunnel trip and now the upcoming theatre performance. It was at least a twenty-minute walk, but he found it worthwhile. He got a chance to get oriented to his surroundings. Not that they would be here long. It was already Thursday evening, and they would be leaving on Sunday evening. He was determined to make the best use of his time in London.

The restaurant was charming. He immediately liked the eclectic feel of it; the black furnishings and the rose theme which carried over into much of the décor. Elegant chandeliers combined with a kind of shabby chic feel that was charming. A classy but homey feel. The menu was somewhat pricey; he could afford it, but he opted for just starters and a cocktail, keeping an eye on the time. He took discreet photos of the place, walking around to get different angles. As he sat and waited for the food, sampling a pomegranate Bellini, he realized today was Thanksgiving. It seemed so strange to be in such an unfamiliar place, on a meaningful holiday that meant nothing here. Just a few days in London, and then it was back to work on Monday.
Oh, wait,
he laughed to himself,
I AM at work. Never mind
. He laughed again.

Augere soon arrived and immediately ordered a Pinot Blanc Dom Lucien, 2007; as if he knew their stock.

“I believe you said—you lived in London, right? When was that?” Jason asked him.

Augere fixed him with that studious gaze Jason had come to know so well by now.

“It has been a few years since.” Augere replied after several moments. He broke eye contact then and took a sip of his wine, gazing around the room as if interested in details of the décor.

“It seems to agree with you. Being back here.” Jason stated, noting a little more color to Augere’s pale skin; the brighter, more vibrant violet blue of his eyes now.

“Ready.” Augere stated, with a glance at Jason’s empty plate. Jason had only a few sips of his drink left.

“But you haven’t finished your wine,” Jason observed.

Augere was on his feet already. He lifted his glass of wine and downed all the rest.

Augere went to pay the bill and included Jason’s portion as well. Jason protested.

“It isn’t necessary for you to get that. I have a good job—I’m decently paid.” Jason smiled.

Augere actually appeared a little flustered. As if he did not know how to respond.

“I don’t want to appear ungrateful,” Jason stated, sensing Augere’s discomfort. “It’s just—all of this”—he made an open handed gesture, meant to include all Augere was responsible for providing beyond the simple meal—“is much more than I could have expected.”

To his surprise he found the taxi had been waiting for them outside. They climbed into the warmth of the cab and settled in for the ride into London.

Jason wondered if he had offended Augere. It troubled him to think so. Augere was gazing out his window as Jason stole a glance at him. In those few moments Jason suddenly felt the sense of seeing Augere for the first time, though this was a phenomenon he experienced frequently. As if he were a total stranger who suddenly found himself in close, nearly intimate proximity in a small confined space with this person. Without having a conscious desire to do so, Jason’s attention was fully focused and receptive to all minute details about Augere. Coming in from the cold crisp air outside into the sudden warmth of the cab had released a scent of leather from Augere’s coat. A woodsy, earthy clean scent surrounded him, at once masculine and a vaguely, somewhat exotically floral mixed with the leather scent; rather pleasant and heady. Jason took a quick glance at the delicate features in profile: the straight classic nose and the finely rounded lips of an ivory statue come to life. The dark full waves of his hair, falling forward over his forehead and toward his cheeks. Jason could not help his response to all of this. Alluring, engaging his senses and inviting his attention, all involuntarily; as disquieting as it was mesmerizing and somewhat intoxicating. Jason wanted to look away, but he could not.
What is wrong with me? What is the nature of this compelling force that pulls me to him; a force that seems overwhelming and devoid of any personal volition?

They rode in silence for a mile or two. Jason forced his attention out his window, trying to take in the scenery that rolled by. But his attention remained fixed on Augere even so.
How am I going to sit next to him for several hours in the theatre? Just how am I going to do that?
The sudden intensity of these feelings left him physically drained as he struggled with his emotions.

He already recognized a somewhat androgynous aspect about Augere. Perhaps that caused him confusion and affected his feelings. Maybe it had even troubled him that he did not find this uncomfortable for him. But even that did not explain why he was so drawn to the man; could not account for the intensity of emotion or focus of attention; it still did not explain all of that.

All right, what are you saying here?
He had to ask himself.
I know I don’t have those kinds of feelings for him. If it WAS sexual, I’m secure enough about my sexuality, and my preferences, to be able to acknowledge that to myself. I would be able to say—okay, I am curious and I feel he is someone with whom I would feel comfortable exploring those feelings. But it isn’t that. I am sure of it
. He thought about his previous sexual encounters and his present feelings toward Zavi. There was definitely a strong attraction there. No question of that.
Besides, there is the fact that Augere is my boss. Even if I felt I could act on my feelings, IF I was totally clear that this was what I was feeling, it still would never be appropriate or acceptable to act on them, certainly not while we have a work relationship
.

No. This was something else; something on a more visceral and primitive level he felt powerless to resist. That was what was so troubling; and why he had difficulty acknowledging it until now. If it was just a physical attraction, it would not be this disconcerting. It would just be—that. This was not as simple as lust, nor as complex and complicated as love. But somehow, it was just as powerful as both.

Jason needed distraction. He could not continue this line of thought just now.

“Do you have some suggestions on how I should spend my time in London?” he asked Augere. His voice sounded, but did not feel, calm to him. The question was somewhat lame, but it would have to do.

Augere seemed to reflect for a few moments. “Decide what interests you most and spend at least some time there. Try to vary your experience but do not attempt too many museums. Try to make whatever you do enjoyable and be satisfied.”

Well, that did sound like practical and excellent advice. Jason thanked him.

“Perhaps you could, if you find the time, help me with a situation.”

Jason looked at him with surprise. “Sure, if I can.”

“I have a standing bet with an acquaintance and I would very much like to win. If you get to spend any time with the queen, try to find out exactly what she carries in her handbag.” Augere was looking at him with a solemn expression.

“Her…handbag,” Jason repeated with a questioning look. “The….queen…?”

“Yes. She always carries one with her. You must endeavor to learn the contents.”

Jason nodded uncertainly.

Augere continued. “The speculations so far: Keys to the castle. Well, yes, of course. And tissues. A small tin of mints is likely. A spare crown, for emergencies, perhaps.”

Jason got it, and began to laugh out loud.

“I would imagine she carries some currency also,” Augere continued in all seriousness, and his quietly calm voice made the content that much more absurd, “in case she needs to get a bite to eat or to stop and pick up a few grocery items or something for the house. More than likely though, we believe she would use the currency as a form of identification: should she need to provide ID she merely needs to hold up paper bill or coin for quick comparison to her features.”

By this time the taxi driver was laughing out loud along with Jason, and Augere turned his head to the window with a small smile. Jason wondered aloud if she had a blinged out phone and the taxi driver suggested she would have exclusive queen applications for it.

Jason suggested she probably carried business cards that said simply “The Queen. Buckingham Palace. England.”

“As do her checks,” Augere replied with a nod.

They continued to laugh and speculate further during the rest of the ride. Jason had never seen Augere in such a relaxed, playful and amusing mood, and he was thoroughly enjoying this. They arrived at their destination and the cab driver pronounced it one of his most enjoyable fares ever.

They were mesmerized by the stage production of
The Woman in Black
. Allen Genier had gotten the theater tickets for them and Jason became fully engrossed in the ghostly atmosphere. It seemed the perfect way to begin a London adventure and the well presented tragic ghost story would remain with him always.