“Ohmigod, blow-your-mind to smithereens here we come,” Arron corrected, still gaping at Dusk. “Why did you arrange this?”
“Layla needs her friends.” Dusk’s smile was pleased, but Layla saw his calculating problem-solving mind deeply at work as he slipped into Head Concierge mode now. “The Hotel has not had a Royal Dragon Bind on the premises in decades, and hasn’t had one working here in over a thousand years. Layla’s magic develops based on her experiences, and since the four of you are a large part of those experiences, the Madame and I thought it best to provide you all with some time together. Time where you four can deepen in your understanding of Layla’s new world, and remain a part of her life.”
“You did this for me?” Layla stared at Dusk as she blinked.
“The Hotel needs you healthy.” His words were professional, but his gaze was deep with concern and unspoken things. Dusk gave a soft smile and Layla saw him almost reach out to touch her hand, then hesitate with her four housemates on the video link. He smiled wryly, pushing up from the table instead and stepping behind Layla’s chair so he could still be seen in the video.
“You can arrange the trip for whenever you like. Luke, just use that special smartphone I gave you, set your intention and touch the call button – it will call the Reservations department. It’s attuned to all four of your harmonics, so it will work for any of you, but to anyone else it will be just a dead phone. Your own electronics won’t dial out on Hotel premises, but feel free to bring them if you have any personal work to do while you’re here. I need to go. Arron – pleasure finally meeting you.”
“Likewise.” Arron’s voice was soft now, awed, and Layla could tell by the big dopey smile on his face that he was falling for her artfully sexy boss – hard. Dusk could charm the pants off anyone, and Arron never had difficulty taking off his pants.
But there was no more time for flirting as Dusk gave a quick bow by Layla’s chair, then winked at her and whisked from the room, closing her apartment doors behind himself. Layla was left on the line with her housemates, Arron laughing incredulously as he shook his head.
“That man isbrutallyhandsome, Layla Price!”
“Don’t I know it.” Layla grumped, though she was smiling. “He knows it, too. Don’t stroke his ego any more than it already has been.”
“Oh, I want to stroke far more than just his ego,” Arron spoke with a devilish smile.
“Be my guest.” Layla made a welcoming gesture and Arron, Celia, and Charlie all laughed. But Luke was more sober as he regarded her, something knowing in his emerald gaze.
“So how is it going between you and your boss?”
“Fine.” Layla found herself suddenly not smiling. Luke and his petty jealousy could be too much sometimes. She felt something rise inside her, heated, and all at once the housemates were looking from her to Luke and back again.
“Aaaand… that’s our cue.” Arron rose from the table, beckoning Charlie and Celia up also. They went with a laugh and a wave, making her promise to call again soon. Apparently, Dusk had set up these exclusive computers on both ends so they could securely FaceTime anytime, rather than using phones. Layla left them with a promise she’d check in over the next few days, and the three departed from view.
Leaving only Luke. But rather than get severe with her, crossing his arms over his godly chest and leaning back like he usually did, instead Luke leaned forward toward the computer screen, lacing his hands atop the table and gazing at her intently.
“So, truth. Are you ok, Layla?” Luke’s emerald eyes were deep with concern as he looked at her –reallylooked at her, seeing far more than the others could.
“I’m ok.” Her words were subdued; she really didn’t know how to answer that.
“You’re not.” Luke’s gaze was searching.
Lifting a wry eyebrow, Layla shook her head. “I never could hide from you. You’re right – I’m rattled, Luke.”
“What happened?” Luke’s demeanor was intent, watching her. “Dusk said you collapsed at a Dragon party, some kind of magical accident.”
“It was bad.” Layla swallowed, feeling like she wanted to pour her heart out to Luke but not knowing quite what to say. They weren’t lovers now, and couldn’t ever be again based on the way her Dragon had nearly killed him the last time. But she still felt love for Luke, and watching him be sincere now and non-judgemental, she suddenly missed him. “I had some kind of magical resonance with someone at the party. It sparked my Dragon and it tried to shift inside me. Dusk stopped it, thank god. But I was pretty ill for a number of days because of it.”
“He told me shifting was dangerous.” Luke’s gaze was knowing. “That if you shifted on Hotel premises, out in public… that there were consequences.”
“Death.” Layla swallowed, feeling ill. “By execution. Euthanasia.”
“Jesus.” Luke cursed low, a deep wariness in his eyes now. “Are you sure the Hotel is where you want to be right now, Layla?”
“I’m sure.” She nodded stubbornly. “Dusk and Rikyava and a few others here are the only ones who can help me learn to control my new magics, Luke. They can’t leave their duties. So I need to be here.”
“As long as you’re sure.”
“I have a feeling I’d be dangerous any place I went,” Layla spoke softly. “But at least being here, there’s a chance at safety. Did you know I met another Bind? The King of the Phoenix. He’s offered to teach me about my power, though he’s not a Bind anymore.”
“Dusk told me.” Luke’s gaze was penetrating, and Layla wondered how much had been shared between King Falliro Arini and Dusk, then Dusk to Luke. And whether any of it had been shared with Adrian. “If I could have any affect on your safety… you know I’d do anything to make that happen.”
“I know.” Layla spoke softly.
“Dusk said this is probably the only way we can help you,” Luke spoke gently, “by coming to visit, showing our support. I would come right now, but—”
