Layla had noticed. Ever since the corrupt Hotel Owners and Crimson Circle had been routed at Yule, the Paris Hotel’s employees had been lighter. As if a black aura had permeated everything, their Hotel seemed to shine now with renewed vigor everywhere she looked. Except the main Concierge desk, which felt barren without Dusk’s beaming smile and do-it-all energy.
Changing the subject, Layla glanced to Rikyava. “Where are you off to for your vacation?”
“I’m going to Seattle to see Luke again, actually.” Rikyava smiled, slightly uncomfortable as she sipped her drink. “He’s got a week off from the hospital, so we’re going out to the Olympic peninsula to hike and find some hot springs.”
“Is he still doing his internship?” Layla asked, genuinely curious. She and her ex-boyfriend Luke Murphy hadn’t spoken since Yule, when they’d parted ways due to him being a Storm Dragon but not wanting to be a part of Layla’s Bind. She knew he’d finished up his human medical program early and started an internship on the Twilight Realm side of Seattle, which was just as known for its medical prowess as the human side.
“Actually no.” Rikyava spoke with a proud smile now. “Because Luke’snullaxis so potent at eliminating magical maladies, he’s been moved up into a first-year residency. He’s still at Mercy General, but he’s started working with a special unit of curse-breaker docs that gets cases of magical maleficence.”
“Magical maleficence.” Layla cocked her head. “Like if someone uses their magic to harm someone else on purpose?”
“Yup. It’s like CSI, and the unit works directly with the Intercessoria.” Rikyava spoke eagerly. “It’s a fast-paced, grueling division, solving tough cases on the fly like that human TV doctor House. Luke’s doing really well; it’s a great fit.”
“I’m glad.” Layla spoke, meaning it. She’d heard nothing but good news about Luke these past months from her ex-housemates and Rikyava. He was finally embracing his Storm Dragon side, and his long-distance relationship with Rikyava was still going strong after four months. Talking to Rikyava about him was getting less awkward, and reaching out, Layla clasped her friend’s hand. “I’m so happy for you guys. You’re really awesome for him, Yava.”
“Yeah. I’m a badass girlfriend.” Rikyava grinned at Layla with a ribald wink. It was teasing, and Layla laughed as they released hands.
“Speaking of partners, are you headed up to visit Reginald at his clan-home in the North Sea, Layla?” Rake asked as he sipped his drink.
“How did you know?” Layla smiled incredulously as she shook her head. “How do you always know these things?”
“Your aura was full of the sea our entire class,” Rake spoke kindly, smiling at her with his twinkling jade-green eyes. “It wasn’t hard to put two and two together. You’re missing Dusk. You can’t have Adrian since he’s still in Egypt helping Dusk. Rhennic is busy trying to hold his Lineage together as Regent, and Reginald is away, dealing with intense clan politics. But though you miss Dusk, Adrian, and Rhennic, your aura is churning with a decision about Reginald. Am I right?”
“You’re not wrong.” Layla set her soup down, taking up some cheese and bread with spicy mustard from the charcuterie. “I got a call from Adrian today; he wants me to go up to Deep Harbor to check out some potential news concerning Hunter. And Quinn wants me to go wheedle Reginald into coming back to the Paris Hotel.”
“News about Hunter?” Rikyava perked in a bristling, dangerous way, her lavender eyes suddenly swirling blood-red as even Rake came to a subtly vicious attention on his chaise. Like Quinn, Rikyava and Rake were both in the know concerning Layla’s enemy Hunter, though it was something their group kept quiet from the rest of the Hotel.
“Supposedly.” Layla nodded. “One of Adrian’s scientists may have had a breakthrough in tech that could locate Hunter. I’m supposed to leave tomorrow for Deep Harbor, but I worry that my presence will push Reginald to return to the Hotel, and I don’t know if that’s what he wants. He’s been cagey with me on the phone these last few months; I don’t really know what the situation is right now with his clan and his family since he killed his brother Bastien back in November.”
“Sirens forget nothing, and forgive little,” Rikyava spoke with a wry grimace. “And Reginald’s father Léviathan is a real dick, Layla. Some of his brothers are ok – fortunately the worst of them are mostly dead now, but Reginald’s father the Siren King… watch out.”
“You’ve been to Deep Harbor? You’re met Reginald’s brothers and father?” Layla asked, curious about her Bound lover’s family, though frowning at Rikyava’s opinion of them.
“Sure.” Rikyava spoke, though her glance was shrewd. “The North Sea Sirens and my clan, the Blood Dragons of Sweden and Norway, have had a lot of dealings over the years. I’ve been to Deep Harbor with my uncle King Huttr and my cousin Rhennic to engage peace treaties. Deep Harbor’s beautiful – it’s between the Shetland Islands and Bergen where the Norwegian Trench drops off, though the island doesn’t exist in the human world. Reginald’s alright as far as Sirens go, even though he still comes off as dickish. But trust me when I say he’s the least dickish of the lot, Layla. Sirens are generally manipulative bastards; arrogant, entitled, and they use mind-wiles to get what they want – when they want it.”
“What about Reginald’s father the Siren King?” Layla asked, frowning more now as she leaned forward.
“King Léviathan Durant has been atrocious to Aldo since he was little.” Rikyava snorted with obvious disdain. “He’s probably putting Aldo through the ringer these past months – ridiculous challenges to make him prove his worth. King Léviathan’s aprove it to mekind of asshole. My uncle King Huttr has always hated him; I think the Blood Dragons of Norway and Sweden would have fought King Léviathan’s North Sea Sirens just on principle, even if Aldo hadn’t sparked a war between them a few centuries back. King Léviathan’s tremendously old now, but you know what they say about old bastards – they always outlive everybody else. Rumor has it Reginald may be strong enough to challenge him for the Siren throne, but it’s not happened yet.”
“Peachy.” Layla frowned, sipping her drink to ease her tension.
“So you’ve spoken with Reginald about going up there?” Rake spoke, eyeing Layla.
“Not yet, but I’ll call him after dinner.” But even as she spoke, Layla suddenly had the thought that Reginald might tell her not to come. Siren mind-powers were notorious, and if the situation in his family was as bad as Rikyava said, it might have been why he’d been distant.
But cleaning up a few more pieces of cheese and meat from the charcuterie board, Rikyava suddenly wiped her mouth with her napkin and stood. “Well, wish I could chat longer, but I gotta go pack. Luke and I are going backpacking, so getting my shit together is a bit more tedious than usual. Bring it in, kids. Gimme some hugs.”
Smiling, Layla stood, embracing Rikyava like a sister as they gave each other a French peck on either cheek. Rikyava did the same with Rake, and with a wave and a grin, she was suddenly gone around the corner, leaving Layla and Rake alone. Sipping his drink after they resumed their seats, Rake eyed Layla but didn’t push.
“I should go, too.” Layla sighed at last. “I’ll probably be flying out early to Deep Harbor and I have no idea what to bring.”
“Bring some casual clothes for cold weather, spring is not that far advanced up in the North Sea yet,” Rake commented quietly, though his eyes said he knew what Layla was holding back. “But bring a few stunning gowns, also. You’ll want to look your absolute best walking into the Siren King’s court on Reginald’s arm. His father is probably not going to like it.”
“Do you know their family?” Layla asked, cocking her head.
“Enough.” Rake gave one of his mysterious smiles as he stood, setting his drink down on the table and spreading his hands sweetly. “Bon voyage, mon ami.”
“Thanks, Rake.” Downing the rest of her drink, Layla moved to Rake and they gave each other a peck on either cheek. “See you in a few days?”
