“Thank you, Annabelle,” Victor reciprocates.
Annabelle curtsies. “You’re welcome, Empath Russo.” She takes her leave and closes the door behind her.
After Victor has showered and changed, he grabs his small bag and heads to the door.When he opens it, Eddie holds a bottle of tequila and a tray of shot glasses. “FUCK ME!” Victor shouts as he jumps back, grabbing hold of his chest.
“Now? I think Fernando would get upset if we didn’t invite him,” Eddie says with a grin. “I can’t let you leave without one more shot.”
Victor takes a shot glass as he shakes his head with a smile. “I’m definitely going to missthis.”
“As I said, you’re welcome to visit anytime.” Eddie leans in and gives Victor a small kiss onthe lips. Victor is a little caught off guard, but he shrugs it off when Eddie pulls back. They cheer as they take their shots. “So, you ready to learn how to control fire?” Eddie asks.
“We’ll see. Leo still hasn’t told me where we’re going or who will teach me,” Victor responds.
Leo slides up next to Eddie. “The honor has been placed on me to teach you Fire Magic.” He smacks Eddie on his shoulder. “And why didn’t I get a kiss goodbye?”
“Oh, diculpame, ¿dónde están mis modales?”Eddie gives Leo a small kiss on the lips.
“Is this how you always say goodbye to all your guests?” Victor asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Only the cute ones,” Eddie says with a cheesy grin and a wink.
Victor rolls his eyes and follows Leo and Eddie to the mirror room. He looks at their belongings and wonders, “How exactly are we going to take all this through a mirror?”
“We’re not,” Leo informs. “A carrier is coming to pick up our things. I already have everything we need at the hotel.” Leo gives Eddie a tight embrace. “Thank you again for the hospitality.”
“Of course,mi amor,” Eddie responds in Leo’s ear. “Let me know if you need any help.” Eddie turns to Victor and pulls him in and wraps his strong arms around Victor. Victor embraces Eddie even though he can hardly breathe. “And don’t be a stranger, okay,mijo?”
“I promise,” Victor answers as he pats Eddie on his back, hoping Eddie will let go so he can breathe.
Leo presses his palm onto one of the mirrors. When the mirror goes hazy, he turns to Victor and holds out a hand. “You ready to go?”
Victor takes Leo’s hand into his. “You still haven’t told me where we’re going.” Leo smiles and pulls Victor through the mirror with him.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Victor emerges on the other side of the mirror, and it looks like he’s back in New York or Chicago. As he follows Leo to the elevators, he feels an ocean breeze coming up the stairs, and a light scent of tropical flora tickles his senses.
As the elevator doors open, a woman in Hawaiian garb greets them. “Aloha, Mr. Oliveira.Your room is ready.”
“We’re in Hawai’i?” Victor asks as he steps into the elevator.
“Yes, we are,” Leo smiles.
“Which island?” Victor asks.
“You might recognize it when we get to the room.” Leo glances over to Victor and gives him a wink. “You could say I did some research when I selected this place.”
“Are we on the 13th or 14th floor?” Victor jokes.
“This hotel only has 10 floors. We’re on the 10th floor,” Leo answers.
They step out of the elevator and make their way down the hall. As they approach the door, two other women are there to greet them. “Victor, meet Makana and Nali,” Leo introduces. “I helped both of them with their Fire Magic back in the day.”
Makana is holding leis, and Nali is holding a tray with drinks.
Makana approaches them first. “Aloha, Mr. Oliveira, Mr. Russo, welcome to Hawai’i,” she says, placing the leis around Victor and Leo’s necks.
Nali walks over to hand them their drinks. “Mai Tai, anyone?”
