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?”
“Mahalo, Makana, Nali,” Leo smiles. “It’s always a pleasure being here.”
Makana waves a key card across the sensor on the door behind her and pushes open the double doors to the room. “Please, come in.”
The spacious suite is a tropical retreat, featuring rich, dark Ko’a wood furniture accented with woven rattan and bamboo details.
The cushions are patterned with hibiscus, plumeria, and lush foliage.
The walls are adorned with vibrant, original paintings of the Hawaiian waters with the sun setting.
On the private lanai, there are teak chaise lounges.
To the left is a small kitchen with open cabinets for easy access to dishes and glassware. A variety of small appliances sit on the countertop. A basket of fresh tropical fruits, adorned with a big red bow, welcomes guests to enjoy a taste of Hawai’i.
Victor walks further into the living room, over to the large window. Looking out the window, he can see the beach. A couple of dozen blue and white beach umbrellas are placed neatly next to each other with a set of chairs under each. Further in the distance, he can see Molokini Crater.
“We’re in Maui,” Victor says with amazement. “How did you know this was one of my favorite places in Hawai’i?”
“You mentioned how you enjoyed your layovers here. Lucky for you, we also have a hotel here,” Leo replies.
Nali walks over to the kitchen. “We have the kitchen fully stocked for you, and your massage appointment has been scheduled for later today on the lanai.”
Makana walks over and opens the double doors to the bedroom. “Your belongings will be here shortly, and your suits can be picked up at the cleaners in an hour.”
Nali and Makana walk to the front door. Makana turns around and says, “Please let us know if you would like anything else.”
“The luau is at 7 p.m. I made sure you got your favorite seats, Mr. Oliveira,” Nali mentions.
“Mahalo,” Leo says as the women leave the room. “So, what do you think?” he asks Victor.
Victor looks around and notices there is only one bedroom in their suite. “Are we sharing a room?”
“Yes. Will it be a problem?” Leo questions.
“I mean, we’ve always had two rooms everywhere we went. You don’t think it won’t be tempting to sleep together?” Victor asks.
Leo shrugs his shoulders as he puts his hands in his pockets. “I mean, yes, it’s a considerable risk. However, we’ve slept in the same bed many times already. Also, it’s a massive king-size bed. And, if I have to, I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“I’m not going to let you do that,” Victor remarks.
Leo walks past Victor to the bedroom. “Fine. Then you can sleep on the couch.”
Victor’s jaw drops. “Ouch.” He follows Leo into the bedroom.
He stops once he walks in, amazed at the size.
“I didn’t realize how large this room is.
It’s almost as big as my apartment.” He looks out the window with an unobstructed view of the sapphire waters below.
Victor walks over to a small silver suitcase.
“Is this one mine?” Leo nods in response.
Victor opens it and examines its contents.
“Looks like you packed light. There’s no swimsuit. ”
“We don’t need one,” Leo responds as he draws back large curtains on the other side of the room, revealing a balcony with a raised hot tub, perfect for soaking in. A set of chairs and a small table sit in the corner.
“But what if we want to go snorkeling?” Victor inquires.
“If we have time for snorkeling, then I’ll get us some swimsuits,” Leo comments.
“So, are we just here on vacation, or is this a business-slash-pleasure trip?” Victor asks as he unpacks.
“Well, practicing your magic with a large source of that element is best,” Leo explains. “And Hawai’i sits in the middle of the Ring of Fire that circles the Pacific. Plus, I enjoy feeling that the goddess Pele is helping provide the source.”
“Is Pele real?” Victor asks with skepticism.
Leo looks back at Victor. He gives him a wink before walking back into the living room.
Victor follows a few steps behind.
Leo walks into the kitchen and collects some fruit from the welcome basket and a knife from the counter. “Today, and maybe tomorrow, we will just relax, my young empath. You have been through a lot, and I think you deserve a break.” Leo starts cutting up fresh pineapple. “Would you like a drink?”
Victor plops down on the couch and turns on the TV. “Sure.”
There’s a knock at the door.
“The massage therapist is here,” Victor mentions without looking to see who’s at the door.
Leo gives Victor a stunned look. “You can sense her?”
Victor hops off the couch and walks to the door. “Him.” Victor opens the door, and a very handsome, toned man is on the other side wearing perfectly ironed light-tan slacks and a simple white polo. “Aloha,” Victor says under his breath as he takes in how stunning this man is.
“Aloha,” the handsome man says with a gorgeous smile. “I’m here to give you gentlemen a massage out on the lanai. May I come in?” Victor steps to the side, allowing him to enter. “It will take me a few minutes to get set up. Who would like to go first?”
“I volunteer as tribute,” Victor blurts out before Leo can get a word out. Leo laughs as he turns the blender on to make the drinks. The man smiles back at Victor as he heads to the lanai.
A few minutes later, the man walks back inside. “Okay, I’m ready.” Victor doesn’t hesitate, taking his shirt off before stepping outside. Leo chuckles as he sips his freshly blended cocktail.
After a much-needed massage and nap, Leo and Victor walk hand-in-hand to the luau on the beach.
Nali greets them again, waiting for them with fresh leis.
She escorts them to their seats close to the stage.
As they take their seats, two servers set a drink and a basket of sweet breads in front of them.
“I have never been to an actual luau,” Victor mentions as he picks up his drink.
Leo leans over and gives Victor a peck on the cheek. “You’re in for a treat.”
Victor does his best not to blush. “Are you sure you’re not in danger with what we are doing?”
“What do you mean?” Leo ponders.
“Holding hands, kisses on the cheek, sleeping in the same bed?”
“Nothing bad has happened to me yet,” Leo says as he sips his drink. “Also, the definition of adultery is slightly different in witchcraft than in the mundane. We would have to engage in intercourse without the other spouse’s consent. All these other gestures are harmless and friendly.”
“If you say so,” Victor worries. However, his worry dissipates when the food arrives.
A server sets a silver platter featuring generous portions of kalua pig, slow-roasted until tender, alongside lomi-lomi salmon and moist chicken long rice.
Sides of sweet poi, haupia coconut pudding, and fresh tropical fruit traditionally accompany the main dishes.
They enjoy their meal and the show as the sun slowly lowers into the water, turning day into night.
In the middle of the night, Victor tosses and turns.
His facial expressions show he’s having a bad dream.
Leo is on the other side of the bed and doesn’t move when Victor sits up abruptly, breathing heavily.
Victor is covered in sweat, and his hands are shaky.
He looks around the room to get his bearings.
Victor looks over at Leo, who is sound asleep.
He tries not to disturb him while quietly getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom.
Halfway there, Victor stops and stands straight up.
A chill runs through his body, causing his skin to break out in goosebumps and his hair to stand on end.
He takes in a slow, deep, and shaky breath.
There is a feeling that someone else is in the room with him.
Victor slowly examines the room and cannot see anyone.
He opens the door to the living room; he doesn’t notice anything.
He slowly walks over to the window, placing his hand on the curtains, trying to hold back his nerves.
Before Victor opens them, he closes his eyes and takes another deep, shaky breath.
He swallows dryly, opens his eyes, and slowly pulls back the curtains.
The bedroom fills with the bright light from the full moon.
As Victor looks around outside, his scans bring his attention to the water.
There is a figure of someone standing on the shore.
The figure has a dark glow to it. Victor can’t make out whether it is a man or a woman.
The waves crash against their feet. As Victor focuses on the figure, they look back up at him.
Their eyes glow a lime green.
“LEO!” Victor shouts as he runs to the bed.