Once my mate,oh how I love saying that, is secure in the passenger seat, I walk back to Seiji, who is huffing and puffing. After the hug to stop his tantrum, I shove him into the car. He mumbles about ‘accidentally hitting one old lady and suddenly he loses driving privileges’ but obediently climbs into the backseat.
I wish it were justoneold lady.
Grace follows him with a relieved breath and sits in the middle with the kid on her lap, so Hazel and Seiji aren’t tempted to start again.
On the road, it hits me that we can’t return to the kingdom.
First, Nevaeh and the boy have some severe injuries and need rest and treatment. Second, we don’t know where Harvey is and what to do next concerning him. And third, the amount of Divine we used back there means there’s a risk of witches tracing the portal we’ll use to get home.
Those portals are sacred. Even the thought of witches finding them makes me uneasy. Staying in the human realm is our best option at this point. I will create a barrier around the hotel we usually stay at, and the scent of humans and other supernatural species will ruin our trail for anyone to follow.
When I park at the hotel’s entrance and turn off the engine, Seiji asks, “How long are we staying? I’ll need more clothes.”
“You also need a new brain,” Hazel mutters.
“And you need better comebacks. Staying out of the water for so long is not helping your wrinkles siren.”
Before Hazel can tear him a new one, I cover his mouth and warn Hazel with my eyes to stop.
Someday, I will leave these two in this realm and close all portals leading home.
“We’re staying until they both are healed. Nevaeh needs to be in a better mindset to give us some answers, and we need to find the boy’s family. Not to forget Harvey, we can’t leave without him.”
Only once I know they agree, do I exit the car. Hazel starts whistling before we reach the doors, but it’s not low and pitchy like before. This isn’t what she uses to torture us. The power behind her tunes intensifies, and before I know it, every human within a mile radius stands still with their backs to us as we enter the hotel lobby.
She alters her tune just before we enter the elevator to the penthouse. Her magic makes sure there are no witnesses of us carrying an unconscious woman and a child into the building.That would definitely raise a few questions.Only when the elevator doors shut does Hazel stop and take a massive gulp of air.
“I love it when you don’t use your powers to make me deaf,” Seiji taunts her.
Why my imbecile friend insists on poking the grumpy and hungry bear, I will never understand.
“I can make you run around the block naked, you know.”
He scoffs arrogantly, “They wouldthank youfor blessing their eyes with my beauty.”
We gag in sync, and I’m thankful for the doors opening before Seiji goes on a rant about his privates. Walking down the hallway, I stop at the first stair before waiting for everyone to gather. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area let me know how late at night it is by the number of lights twinkling from the hundreds of buildings in our view.
“Grace, take the kid to the spare guest room and call for two healers. Arrange one of them to stay here full time.”
“What about Nevaeh?”
“I’ll take her to my room.” I’m about to climb when Hazel stops me, her eyes suspiciously scanning me.
“Whyyourroom?”
“I will answer that after I tuck her in.”
I quickly escape and rush up the stairs. I’m sure Nevaeh is tired of adjusting in my arms and wants a proper bed to rest on.
Opening the door to my darkened room, I carefully pad to my bed and slide her into it, not minding the blood and mud stains. Her safety and comfort are my priority.
Tucking her in, I decide to clean the blood from her face and the areas I can see without invading her privacy. I’m sure she doesn’t want to sleep with grease and dirt stains on her face.
The thought makes my hand freeze.Anxo, you’re an inconsiderate airhead. I can’t touch her when she’s unconscious and vulnerable. I’ll wait until she is awake and can tell me to shoo away if she doesn’t want my touch.
She’s been living in such dreadful conditions for so long, and I don’t even know the worst of it yet. Taking a moment to gather my rage and sadness before I cry or break something or both, I leave the room silently after covering her with a soft blanket so she isn’t cold.
Before going downstairs, I peek into the room Grace tucked the little boy in to ensure he was okay.
