Chapter 11 #2
There was a faint click, and the knob to the service door turned easily at Lee’s touch. Three seconds flat. That was nearly impossible, something I’d scarcely been able to do even at my best. I tried not to gape like an idiot, but Lee’s shit-eating grin widened at my expense.
“Pick your jaw up off the floor. I can show you a thing or two when this is finished,” Lee said, winking.
I shot him a withering look and shouldered past him. “I don’t need your damn lessons.”
He was still smirking to himself as we slipped into the hallway.
Once we were sure we wouldn’t need to make a swift getaway, we bolted the door behind us to prevent further entry.
This hall was dimmer than the main ballroom, but the interior was as elegant and eerie as the rest of the hotel.
Dark paneling, warm sconces, and the air of nostalgia.
I had no doubt that a ghost or two roamed the halls of a place like this, but we had bigger fish to fry.
The building’s blueprints were accurate and dead useful, I had to admit. We turned a corner and found ourselves in the designated VIP hallway without incident. I tensed when an armed guard on patrol passed us, but I could feel the look Lee was cutting toward me: Act as if you belong here.
Luckily, we were near enough to the elite guests who were moving between the open rooms along the ambient hall. We fell into stride alongside a few of them as though we had all come through the main designated entrance together.
The shift of atmosphere from the main event was staggering.
Where the ballroom was extravagant and noisy, this area’s sounds were more concentrated and intimate.
Fewer people to hide amongst. I tried not to stare at anyone for too long, lest they look at me with too much scrutiny.
But I couldn’t help but wonder what these people had done to win their place here.
Money, of course—but what had they done to earn it?
There were several meeting rooms in use along the hall, doors flung wide open. As I trailed behind Lee, I glimpsed inside one of the doors, trying to play the part of a VIP exploring all my status had to offer
The first room appeared somewhat relaxed.
A few small groups of elites were socializing at tables and expensive-looking sofas.
Lavish items were on display within glass cases—swords, busts, pottery, even polished monster parts.
Toward the back, I swore I glimpsed the bars of a cage, but I couldn’t get a good look without walking inside.
The gathering across was much more rowdy.
Laughter and loud, inebriated voices spilling through the threshold—the kind of behavior that would probably get someone kicked out in the main gala.
Like the other room, there were strange artifacts within, though a few had been taken out.
My gait staggered when I saw someone doing a line of coke off an ancient-looking shield.
I stopped altogether when the guy straightened—a face I’d only ever seen on screens.
I grabbed Lee’s shoulder and hissed, “Is that Tom Cr—”
Lee urged me forward. “Don’t stare. But yeah, he’s got a reputation at these things. Thought Delilah said he was booted years ago for being too spirited.”
The final room in the hall caught my attention.
I heard it before I laid eyes on it. A chorus of groans and sighs coming from within made me cautious as I stepped up to the threshold.
The intimate space was draped with indigo velvet, dimly lit crystal chandeliers, and exotic furs lining the floor for comfort.
Even in the dark, with the pulsing lights synced to vibrant music, it was cripplingly obvious the purpose of this room.
There were about a dozen or more guests, all of them naked and entangled in an impressive range of positions.
Of course there would be an orgy room. I imagined Sylvia would get a kick out of my flustered state if she were here.
I nearly walked right into Lee as I tried to banish the vile images from my mind.
“Slow down,” Lee muttered, but there was a small smile in his voice as I charged down the hall. “You’re going to blow our cover by being a prude.”
I threw him a glare. “What, you expect us to join them?”
He snorted. “If I wasn’t sure they were selfish lovers, maybe.”
We paused near the end of the hall, pretending to consider our options of rooms. Lee reached for the pendant around his neck and breathed in sharply.
“It’s yellow,” he announced. “They’ve gotten past the bouncer and will be meeting with Eros any minute now.” He eyed the diamond for a second longer—vibrant and promising that Delilah was still alright.
I touched my azabache bracelet, trying to imagine Sylvia’s heartbeat linked to one of the charms. Maybe Delilah would be willing to toss that spell our way as a freebie.