The staff will take one look at me and send us right back out the door again.
Why the hell they let us in, I have no idea.
It’s easily the fanciest building I’ve ever been inside. White marble floors, with a gold domed ceiling and chandeliers pumping out tiny purple flames. There are ornate wall coverings of intricate scenes that make my lips twitch. And the air seems to be scented with something musky that makes my nose twitch.
“Would Captain Finch be jealous, do you think?” I nod to the huge tapestry covering the nearest wall.
Torin follows my gaze and lets out a low chuckle, the sound warming my insides. “He’d probably argue they’re not artistic enough.”
“Ah, is that the difference?” I grin up at him then let my face break into a grimace. “I am sorry... about touching you like that.”
He gives another chuckle, this one accompanied by a rueful headshake. “It’s all right. I’m not exactly used to casual touch like that. You were thinking on your feet and I appreciate it.”
“Well, I won’t do it again,” I promise.
Something flicks through his expression too quickly for me to interpret.
Torin opens his mouth, but before he can speak, my attention gets caught by a man striding through the gilded doorway. Something about the way he walks is familiar and it’s impossible to look away. He’s wearing an eye-catching purple suit, one that clashes with his red curls.
Familiar red curls.
“Isn’t that Jack? Where did he get that outfit?”
Torin grumbles a curse under his breath and runs a hand over his stubble while Jack scans the hotel lobby, his face lighting up as he makes his way over to us.
“So, what do you think?” He smirks at the expressions on mine and Aster’s faces. “I take it neither of you is from a city? You look like you’ve never seen a building before.”
I shake my head. “Not like this, I haven’t. I mostly try to avoid cities if I can. Too messy. And Aster’s a farm boy.” I smile at him as I translate, earning myself a poke in the ribs.
“Well, if you spent much time here, you’d learn that in this city you’re either in the lap of luxury, or you’re in absolute squalor. There is no middle ground.” Jack scoffs, taking a step toward the receptiondesk where two very shiny, very smiley people sit. “And if my parents discovered we’d stayed anywhere other than this, there’d be hell to pay tomorrow.”
I blink at him, wondering if they’re insanely protective or something. “They’re—”
“Snobs.”
Ah, I’d really hoped he’d say protective.
“I’m not sure I’m very good at dealing with snobs,” I tell him.
Jack snorts, waving a hand as if he’s brushing off my concern. “Don’t worry about it. As long as you don’t growl at them likesomeone—” He gives Torin a pointed look, which is totally ignored. “—then they’ll probably ignore you. Don’t be surprised if my mother tries to flirt with your mate here. She’s got a penchant for a ‘bit of rough’ as she calls it. She used to try flirting with Torin, but she learned her lesson last time.”
“Hence the growling.”
“Exactly.”
He chuckles as he strides off to the front desk while the three of us watch on. He immediately says something that has the receptionist smiling at him and then practically climbs over the desk, pointing at something in front of her which leaves her giggling into her hand before showing off perfect teeth in a gleaming smile.
“It’s almost sickening, isn’t it. Charming fuck,” Torin grumbles.
“I’m sure you could be equally as charming,” I tease him, earning me an unimpressed glower that has me grinning.
I don’t know what it is about being here, but I’m feeling positively giddy right now.
Jack doesn’t dally with the receptionist before stalking back to us. Somehow, his hair looks even shinier than usual, and it hits me that he may be wearing a glamour.
“So, you’re a sorcerer,” I say, faking a casual tone as he steers us all out of the foyer to an impressive set of marble stairs. “When were you going to mention that?”
The look he gives me raises my hackles, like he shouldn’t have had to mention it at all. “Oh, Reva.” He tsks in a particularly condescending manner, and I reach up and flick him on the nose.
