Chapter 11
I dreamed. I knew it because I wore the most ridiculous ballgown with a tight, low-cut bodice of emerald and a skirt that flounced from the waist, the frothy fabric glittering when I moved from the hundreds of crystals sewn into it.
Music, the likes I’d never heard, played softly in the background, and a murmur of voices had me frowning, mostly because it sounded like they were talking shit about me.
“Intruder from the other land.”
“Uncouth witch.”
“She doesn’t belong here.”
Given I didn’t care what strangers thought of me, my chin lifted and my shoulders squared.
I faced a massive throne. And I mean huge.
Unlike the floor and pillars and even walls of gleaming white stone, the seat of obvious royal power appeared carved of a stone so dark, so black, it sucked in the light touching it.
Okay, it probably didn’t, but it did seem like a blot in an otherwise pristine place that screamed rich royal.
A sudden sense of agitation from those gathered, gray-faced entities dressed as fancy as me, could have been caused by the sudden coiling sense of impending doom. Or did my trepidation come because of the vise-like grip on my arm?
A glance showed a gray hand wrapped tight around my bicep, the fingers digging deep. I’d likely have bruises. As to who they belonged to… I turned my head to see—
A smiling Flo chirping, “Rise and shine, sleepyhead. Breakfast is about to be served.”
“It’s too early,” I groaned, burying my head under the pillow.
“It’s almost ten, and Ulseere said to get you up before he returned with—” Flo deepened her voice, “A repast that will revive and replenish for the new day.”
It sounded like something he’d say only… “He left?” That surprised. Hadn’t he been the one who’d claimed I shouldn’t be alone?
“Yeah, which he wasn’t crazy about, but since we’re out of cash, he’s the only one who can do the mind-trick thing to convince someone to give us food and make them think we paid for it.
Don’t worry, though. He had me barricade the door with the couch, and Cedric’s been patrolling between it and the windows so he can warn us if anyone approaches. ”
With it being daytime, the risk of demons went to zero, leaving only Gryvak. It probably helped Ulseere had seen me blast with my magic the evening before. I wasn’t entirely defenseless anymore—so long as I could get it to work without the jealousy part.
“Did he happen to mention what’s on the agenda for the day?”
Flo flopped onto the bed and shook her head. “Nope.”
“How did he seem?” my next more tentative question. The night we’d spent had been glorious. The sex spectacular. But in the light of day, would he see it as a mistake? Had he scratched the itch? Would he act indifferent?
Ugh. Look at me acting like some needy high school chick. It wasn’t as if we’d made any promises. I’d wanted sex. He’d wanted sex. We’d had great sex. Nothing more!
Except…I kind of wanted more. Sex, that was. Not love, though. Ulseere made it clear he wouldn’t be staying, and I couldn’t blame him. We belonged to two completely different worlds.
A thought occurred to me. “I wonder how Ulseere is supposed to get back to Infernal once he handles Gryvak.”
“By having you open a door, duh.” Flo rolled her eyes.
“Except the spell I used requires me to summon someone or something to open it.”
Her lips pursed. “I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe he’ll get you to summon a little bug we can squish, and as it comes through, he pops over to the other side.”
“How would he even know where it will open? The last one ended up being in the park a block and a half away from my place.”
Flo sat up. “Hunh, that’s true. Good thing it did, though ‘cause can you imagine the chaos had it opened in the living room?”
“But why the park and not say the street out front?”
Flo didn’t have a reply, and with Ulseere gone, only one person, make that cat, might know. I flopped out of bed, forgetting my nudity.
“Well, I see someone had fun last night,” Flo drawled.
“I had no pajamas,” I mumbled, my flesh heating as I dove for the robe.
“So of course you stripped out of even your undies. Makes total sense.”
Since I didn’t lie to my bestie, I whirled around as I tied the sash. “Yes, we fucked.” Blunt, but not out of character.
“Really?” Flo bounced. “And how was it? Do elves have normal dicks, or are the tips pointy like their ears?”
“Normal,” I snorted. “And before you ask, it was the best I ever had.”
“Are you sure, because I didn’t hear a peep, and we both know you’re loud even when it’s mediocre.”
I cleared my throat. “He might have put a spell around the room to muffle noise.”
“Handy. So does that mean you’re a couple now?”
“No.” I chewed my lower lip before adding, “Not sure what we are or even if there will be a round two. We didn’t really talk.”
“And yet it’s obvious you’re falling for him.”
“No, I’m not…” My voice faded, and my shoulders slumped. “How dumb would that be? I’ve known him like what two days. Most of which he spent insulting me. I don’t even know if I like him half the time.”
“Oh please. He is totally your type,” my friend exclaimed. “Doesn’t take your bullshit. Can hold his own in a fight. Has that gruff alpha vibe. Is easy on the eyes. And he’s rich.”
“He’s also technically another species and is planning to return to his place of origin.”
“He can only return if and when you allow it,” she reminded.
“Are you suggesting I hold him hostage?”
“Just until he annoys you enough you can’t wait to send him home,” her impish reply.
“Speaking of his home, I need to talk to Cedric.” I strode into the living and found the cat sitting on the backrest of the couch.
“I’d say good morning, but you seem agitated,” Cedric noted.
“More like curious about something. Gryvak wants me and the Grimoire so I can cast the summoning spell to bring over more demons, right?”
“That is the assumption yes.”
“And technically, once that door is open, someone from this side could pass through back into Infernal.”
“Also yes.”
“What if I needed to open the door without calling something from the other dimension? Is there a different spell for that?”
Cedric tilted his head. “You’re wondering how Ulseere will return.”
I nodded.
“Once upon a time, there was a spell that simply created a portal.”
“Was?”
“The page with the specifics disappeared around the time your mother got pregnant with you.”
“Disappeared how?”
Cedric shrugged. “I don’t know, but Alice lost her mind once she realized it was gone. She tossed the house upside down looking for it. Even accused your mother of stealing it.”
Before I could ask another question, a knock at the door had me shutting my mouth tight and staring at it. Friend, foe, hotel here to kick us out for squatting?
“You planning to kill the elf prince?”
“No.”
“Then cool your magic. You’re glowing as if you’re going to pulverize the door and everything beyond it.”
I was? A glance at my hands didn’t reveal anything, but I believed Cedric.
“You gonna let him in?” Cedric’s next dry comment.
Duh. I helped Flo heave the couch away from the entrance and let Ulseere into the room, a man who came bearing a large paper bag and a tray with steaming drinks.
“Ooh, coffee.” I snared a cup.
Ulseere shook head. “Not coffee. The female at the counter said females prefer something called a Frappuccino.”
“Even better,” I murmured, taking my first sip.
Flo grabbed her own cup of goodness before Ulseere headed for the dining table and set the bag on it.
We feasted on breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Ulseere even brought some cooked and diced chicken for Cedric. Busy eating, we didn’t speak much, although I kept sneaking peeks at Ulseere. He appeared focused on his meal. Not me.
No longing or smoldering glances.
No footsie under the table.
No attempts to have his hand accidentally brush mine reaching for the same donut hole.
Annoyed, I leaned back in my chair and huffed, “So Cedric tells me the spell to open a doorway to Infernal, and nothing else, is missing which means the only way I can send you home is by casting another summoning with no guarantee of where the portal will appear.”
“We can deal with that issue once I’ve handled Gryvak.”
My brow arched. “Aren’t you worried you’ll be stuck here?”
“Not really.” He continued to eat, and his nonchalance—and the fact he acted as if nothing happened—pissed me off.
“I’m going to shower and dress.” I flounced off in my robe and, once the shower got hot, stood under it, soaking myself.
“Would you be upset if I were to stay?”
The unexpectedness of his voice and the question had me squeaking. Ulseere stood outside the shower, leaning against the vanity, arms crossed.
“I thought you wanted to go home.”
His shoulders rolled. “I do, but if it’s not possible, then it is what it is.”
“I am willing to try the summoning spell again if you can suggest something not likely to start killing people.”
“We’ll figure something out. Eventually. Perhaps I’ll stay for a bit once Gryvak is handled.”
“Oh, what for?” Yeah, I played it cool and coy, totally at odds with my racing pulse.
“It would be good to make sure I didn’t miss any demons. Even a small one can eventually get large enough to really cause trouble.”
“Wouldn’t want that to happen.”
“It’s also been a while since anyone has done reconnaissance on Earth and much has changed that my king will want to know about.”
“Gotta keep your boss in the loop,” my acerbic and somewhat sulky reply as I turned my face back into the spray. So much for him wanting to stick around because of me.
“And then there is you.”
I stiffened. “What about me?”
“I fear one night was not enough to sate my lust for you.”
“Sounds like a you problem.” I was back to playing it cool.
“Are you going to lie and say you don’t feel the same way?” he purred.
“The sex was good, but—”
I never got to finish my sentence because I ended up with a big elf in the shower with me. A naked one, although how he managed to strip that fast I couldn’t have said, but I did enjoy what came next.
Once he had me purring and knees trembling, he lifted me and pressed my back against the shower wall then fucked me until I died in his arms.
Not literally, but damn, it turned out last’s night epic orgasm wasn’t a one-time thing and even better, he no longer appeared to be in a rush to leave me.
So when we finished our shower and he said, “It is time for us to plan our next move,” I readily agreed.
Because, after all, once we got Gryvak out of the picture, we wouldn’t have to mesmerize our way into getting free rooms in hotels or steal food and clothes, which meant more time to fuck.
We dressed and exited into the main area to find Flo flopped on the couch watching television.
“About time,” she exclaimed. “There’d better still be some hot water.” Flo headed off for her own shower with her filched clothes in hand.
Cedric jumped from the windowsill to the couch. “The news overnight showed nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Meaning Gryvak was likely conserving his remaining demons,” Ulseere murmured.
AKA plotting to come after me. But two could play that game. “What’s the plan?” I asked.
Ulseere began pacing, thumb and forefinger pinching his chin. “Leaving this hotel for one. Charlotte, you and I will be relocating somewhere more conducive to a battle with Gryvak and his minions.”
“What about Flo?”
“Given her lack of magic and fighting ability, I think it best she not join us.”
Not have my bestie by my side? I wanted to gasp and tell him in no uncertain terms where I went, she went. Luckily my one common sense braincell intruded. Did I want to put Flo in danger? As her bestie, I had to protect her. However, I also knew her as well as I knew myself.
“She’ll never agree.” I glanced at the closed bedroom door and made a spontaneous decision.
“Cedric, you’ll have to explain to her I’m doing this because I love her.”
“Explain what?” the cat asked as I scooped the Grimoire from the coffee table.
“Tell her I’m doing this for her own good, and if I don’t come back, then she is to go on that road trip we spoke about.” The one we’d planned that would have seen us crossing Canada visiting every corny tourist spot.
“Shouldn’t you tell her yourself?”
I shook my head. “If I don’t leave now, she’ll follow, and I love her ass too much to see her caught in demonic crossfire.”
“You do realize by entrusting me with this message, I won’t be joining you either,” Cedric pointed out.
“Duh.”
“It also means you can’t tap me for extra power.”
My lips twisted. “Unlike Grams, I am not going to use you, or anybody else, for power. It’s gross.”
I swear, if Cedric had brows, they’d have hit the ceiling. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a witch say that.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not your regular witch.”
Cedric tilted his head. “I might have judged you too quickly and harshly. There are hidden depths to you, Charlotte.”
“And to you, Cedric. I’m glad I didn’t stuff you in a cage and get your balls chopped off.”
“As if you’d have managed to do so without losing an eye,” he hissed.
I smiled. “That’s my kitty. Take care of Flo for me, would you?”
“I will do my best, but she is as stubborn as you.”
“One last thing.” I flipped open the book until I found the right page and tore it out. “Just in case shit with Gryvak goes sideways, probably best he can’t get his hands on this. Make sure you and Flo hide it somewhere good.”
“You expect me to fail?” Ulseere’s dry response, the first thing he’d said since his declaration we had to leave.
“Just not taking any chances. I’d rather not be the reason for a demonic invasion of Ottawa.” I paused before adding, “Again.”
“I do believe the shower just shut off,” Cedric announced.
“We’d better get going.” On impulse, I patted Cedric’s head—and he didn’t rip off my hand. If I survived what was to come, I’d to do my best to untether him from the Grimoire because no one deserved to be forced to serve.
We hightailed it from the room, the Grimoire tucked in the paper bag that brought breakfast, our pace rapid as we hit the stairwell, not waiting for the elevator. Only six floors to ground level. Even I could handle that.
What ended up being hardest? Walking away from the hotel not knowing if I’d ever again see my best friend.