As we race along, I spot another group of our pursuers converging on our position from a different direction. It’s clear they’re trying to corner us. Our energy is draining, but we can’t afford to slow down now.
Astryl, always quick on her feet, sees a narrow gap between two buildings. Without hesitation, she heads for it and takes the plunge, climbing down a metal fence to the ground. I follow suit, squeezing through the tight space. Our pursuers are momentarily thrown off, giving us a precious moment to catch our breath.
“Ok, we need a plan,” I say, panting slightly as I pull out a leather pouch I’d taken from one of the assailants during the scuffle. “Let’s see if this can give us any clues.”
We quickly sift through the pouch’s contents. Among them, we find a small photograph of the man, some papers, and a peculiar rectangular object made out of some hard material that isn’t quite glass. Numbers are embossed along the front of it. “What do you think this is for?”
Astryl’s eyes narrow as she examines the object. “It doesn’t look like a weapon,” she murmurs.
“No, it doesn’t,” I agree, flipping the object over to see a name and more numbers on the back.
Across the road, I spot a group of people at a nearby stall, one of them handing over one of these rectangular objects to the vendor in exchange for something small and wrapped. It’s an odd way of trading, but it gives me an idea.
“Astryl, look,” I point discreetly, “They’re using these objects to buy things.”
Her eyes follow my gaze, and she nods. “So, it’s like trading, but without the need for gold or silver?”
“Exactly,” I say, feeling a bit more confident. “Maybe we can use this to find a room for the night. Somewhere safe to regroup. At least for a little while.”
“But what about the wraiths?” she asks, her voice full of worry.
“I think they blew past us. We have an opening, so let’s use it. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
She nods and grabs my hand, though there’s a slight hesitation in her grip, as if she’s just beginning to trust me—a fae, of all creatures. Good. That should make things much easier. Together, we sprint through the twisting labyrinth of roads, avoiding the crowds of people that congest the walkways and keeping our eyes peeled for another sign that could be useful. That’s when I spot it—a large sign adorned with glowing letters that read ‘HOTEL.’ Thank the fae gods I was made to learn so many different languages.
“Over there,” I whisper, pointing towards the sign. “That’s where we need to go.”
With Astryl at my side, we approach the hotel’s entrance. My heart pounds in my chest, not from fear of the unknown anymore, but from the closeness of Astryl. The space between us has somehow become smaller, and I find comfort in her presence.
Inside, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold, harsh world outside. I walk up to the counter, the card clutched in my hand, and a friendly-faced woman greets us.
“Welcome to the City Hotel. How may I assist you?” she asks with a smile.
“We’d like a room,” I say, placing the card on the counter. “For two.”
She looks at the card, then at us, her smile widening. “Of course. Just a moment.”
As she processes our request, I feel Astryl’s hand find mine for the second time this evening. Look at us, all cozy and trusting. Ifmy fae brethren could see me now, they’d have a fit. Our fingers interlock, and I can’t help but squeeze her hand in response. The weight of the situation, the danger we’ve faced, and the uncertainty of this new world—it’s all catching up with me, but somehow with her here, holding my hand, it doesn’t seem completely lost.
The woman hands us an object similar to the one we used for payment and gives us directions to our room, which she says is on the 10th floor. We approach what looks like a small, enclosed room with metal gates. The doors open, and a woman and a man step outside. Astryl and I glance at one another before we take their places and step inside.
“This should be interesting,” Astryl comments.
Once we’re inside the strange contraption, the metal gates close behind us with a clang. It’s cramped, and the walls seem to close in, almost like a cage. Nothing happens then I notice numbers on the wall. I push the number “10″. The box lurches into motion, a strange sensation of being lifted without effort, and Astryl reaches out for me just as I steady myself on the wall. Our eyes meet, and in that moment, any animosity or tension that exists between us melts away. We’re trapped in this mess together, and that counts for something.
The metal box dings, apparently signaling our arrival. The doors open and we quickly exit the box before the doors close us in and walk hand in hand down the corridor, our footsteps muffled by the plush flooring beneath our feet. I observe another man entering his room and mimic his actions when we get to ours. I slide the object into the door slot, and the door unlocks with a soft click.
Inside, the room is lavish, with a large bed at its center, draped in soft linens. I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s so clean and crisp. Astryl turns to face me, her eyes reflecting the same emotions I feel. Without a word, she takes my hand again, andI close the door behind me, my lips finding hers in a kiss that seems to carry the weight of the world.
I cup her face in my hands, my lips molding to hers. She’s sweet and intoxicating, a potent mix of desire and longing. The way she kisses me, hungry and eager, sends a spark through my veins, and even though I want to undress her, to have her right here and now, we’ve both been through something indescribable. We’ve been ripped from our world and dumped into a place that has no place for fae or dragon shifters.
She pulls away, her cheeks flushed, and her lips swollen. She takes a moment to compose herself, then meets my gaze.
“Thaldiran, I—“ she begins, her voice trailing off.
“Don’t,” I interrupt, shaking my head. “You don’t need to explain a thing. Let’s just get some rest, and in the morning, we’ll figure out our next move.”
Chapter Seven
