Chapter 47

That night, as he got into bed, Pierre thought about what Henri had said in the catacombs. Did vampires really take an interest in such places? Antoine’s discussion of the design, security, and necessity of sarcophagi did imply he slept in them. Pierre curled his lip in disgust as he thought about Antoine climbing into the dirty coffins, but they had just been dusty, sandy rock cavities in the end. They were probably ‘clean enough…’ He shivered as the thought that Antoine really wasn’t human made him feel insecure. Would he ever convince Antoine they were equals? He sighed and settled on his side to get some fitful sleep.

When he was woken by a knock on the door from Jacques, Pierre rose and dressed neatly for travel—they would be taking the railway to Cairo that afternoon. They attended the buffet breakfast in the lobby, where they sampled Shakshuka, Ful Medamas stew, and Pierre’s favorite: the Beid Bel Basturma, where he soaked up the runny egg y