“You think I’ll be able to control him?”
Titus had remained as his beast, his large body barely able to squish into the limousine. His single wing that seemed to have a spike on the upper curve, had awkwardly scraped the ceiling, taking out the strip lights and the sunroof. She was thankful Riley had found them shortly after Cassiel left, because she had no fucking idea where she was supposed to go next. Titus had held her phone, and everything he’d worn vanished when he shifted. Or maybe it was when they’d hit the sea.
Riley eyed the great black beast, mouth pinched. “You have some explaining to do,” he said, but Titus just pressed harder against Rae, crushing her against the seat.
“Oomph,” she exhaled, trying to wiggle out from under him. “Ease up, big man.”
The limousine pulled up out front, the doorman opening her door as soon as they’d stopped.
“Here, you’ll need this.” Riley held out what looked like a gold coin, around the same size as a usual pound.
Rae went to take it, but Titus’s growl stopped her short.
“Titus, enough,” Riley snarled in return. “I’m not going to hurt her.” He stared at the beast, and Titus stared back, unblinking.
“It’s rude to have a silent conversation when someone else’s here,” Rae muttered.
Surprise flashed across Riley’s face, and it confirmed her suspicion. She’d caught Titus staring at his brothers a few times, and now she knew they were communicating in some silent sort of way. Seems it still worked when Titus was in his beast mode, too.
“Is that how you found us on the beach? Titus told you?” She tapped her head.
He tossed the coin in response, and Rae caught it.
“Thanks,” she grumbled, turning it in her hand. It was heavy, with both sides printed with a sigil of a jawless skull. “You guys secretly pirates?”
“It’s a –”
“I know what it is,” she said, crushing the coin into her palm. “I kill people for a living, you think I’ve never been to the Troll Market? The question is why do I need the token here?”
“Same owners, and just like the Market the hotel’s neutral territory. Not many people would risk being blacklisted from the Faerie Boys, you should be safe.”
“The key word there is ‘should.’” She shoved at Titus, the great beast finally releasing her to slip out of the car. “Thanks again.”
“Rae,” he said as she followed Titus, grabbing the rucksack Riley had the sense to bring. “It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, it’s what youdothat’s important.”
“Well, that’s fucking cryptic. I’m not planning to kill him, if that’s what you’re worried about. Not that I could, have you seen the size of him?”
A shadow of a smile, quickly returning to a concerned frown. “Look out for him, Rae. He’s been through some shit, and deserves someone who accepts him for who he is.”
“A weird statement considering you were just worried about me killing him.” An impatient paw against her knee. “Thanks again.”
Rae glided out of the limousine, Titus tight to her side as they approached the doors, held open by a severe looking gentleman in a full black suit. The notorious Faerie Boys owned the Troll Market, the leading place to find black magic and illegal services in the northern hemisphere. The hotel did not match that vibe.
The Conservatory was grand, much posher than she expected with marble flooring and gold features. Murals were painted between the panels on the walls, soft artistic landscapes in pastel pinks, yellow and blues. A bar took up the right side of the atrium, what looked like a selkie serving drinks to those that sat on the tall stools, again, edged with gold.
Not one person turned, gawked at the wolf/lion creature the size of a bear. They all remained absorbed in their drinks, newspapers or conversations, keeping to themselves.
Rae’s bare feet ached, her body shaking as she walked towards the front desk, head held high, as if she was meant to be there. Riley had lent her his jacket, but Titus had quickly shredded the fabric to ribbons, using his body heat instead. It didn’t change the fact her dress was still wet, clinging to her with every movement.
“Do you have a reservation?” the receptionist asked, his face just as severe as the gentleman who held the door. Vampire, she would have guessed from the lack of whites in his eyes, and the way he stood so still it was unnerving. Yet his black slicked back hair revealed pointy ears, which meant he was part of the Fae.
He didn’t even blink at her wet clothes and smeared makeup, or the fact she was walking beside a fucking beast. He’d lost a few of his feathers, the wing now closer to that of a bat than a bird.
“Yes, Liu Wood.”
The receptionist didn’t look away, didn’t move a single inch. “Token?”
Rae unclenched her hand, placing the coin onto the pure white desk. It was entirely unadorned, not a single piece of paper, computer or pen.
