Chapter Twenty
“ B ut if there are three adults in the room, why wouldn’t you want the two queens, or an adjoining room?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and work really hard to calm my irritation.
After everything I have had to deal with today, this human is still the worst.
Ok maybe not the worst . That prize probably goes to that putrid burning scent.
Just thinking about that smell makes my stomach garble again. I seriously fear that horrible stench will be burned into my memory for life.
“Listen, like I said before. One big bed will be just perfect for us.”
The woman–who is barely more than a teenager–in front of me cringes and I resist the urge to reach across the counter and slap those ridiculous fake eyelashes right off her face.
The prudishness of humans just astounds me.
And why are they always so fucking nosey about who is fucking who?
The thought sparks inspiration and my patience snaps.
“Yeah, we want one big bed.” I slip her an extra fifty dollar bill. “And this is a special gift to you for ignoring the orgy going on in that room. Maybe one with less occupancy around it. You know, for the noise?” I wink at her and she blushes.
They clutch their pearls at the thought of three or more adults in a happy relationship together, but oh my Gods do they get an excited twinkle in their eye at the thought of some crazy sexcapade.
The woman ducks her head a little while seductively biting her bottom lip. When she catches me observing her actions, she flutters her eyelashes at me.
Seriously, why do humans use those things? How do they even stay attached? I heard someone say they glue them on, but I truly hope that humans wouldn’t be so stupid as to glue things to their bodies for the sake of–I don’t even know what the purpose could be. Flappy eyelids? Extra dust protection?
She gently tugs the fifty off the pile of cash I offered as payment for the room and tucks it into her cleavage with a flourish.
Gross.
She pulls down the rest of the money and clacks at her computer for a minute before sliding a tiny envelope with two cards in it.
“You are all set. Let me know if there is anything else. I uh– my shift… ends at ten, so… I could swing by and help with anything?”
Gods give me strength.
Did she just offer to join my fabricated orgy?
I repress my gag as I snatch the card keys off the counter and turn, yelling over my shoulder.
“Thanks. We got everything covered. Do not disturb and all that.”
I push through the exit, sending the chimes above me into a frenzy, and hear her irritated huff before the glass door closes.
I already scoped out the layout of the motel, so when I see the number on the keycard envelope, I know that the human at least took my request to heart. We are in the very last room, furthest from the office. And judging by the position of the cars parked in the lot, I would say we have a few rooms empty beside ours as well.
Good.
Not that I actually plan an orgy. I just don’t want to deal with any more humans than I have to.
The door opens without having to fight with the key card much. Whatever happened to those reliable metal keys they used?
I look around the room and see exactly what I expect.
The room is spacious and it looks relatively clean. The large bed has a tacky floral blanket, but it looks more comfortable than the ground, so I won’t be too picky there. The dark green carpet looks old, but is not terribly worn.
The door shuts louder than anticipated and I jump a little.
Dammit!
I run my hands down my face and try to just breathe for a minute.
My nerves are so fucking frayed.
When I pull my hands down, I get a glimpse of dried blood.
My mind slips back to the forest. Dealing with that creature was so much more of a mind fuck than I ever want to admit. Seeing it– no, seeing her like that was like opening an open wound. One that was deep and long forgotten. I wanted her dead. I craved it like a mad man. Needing that closure, that final punctuation mark on the last chapter that was Euyriale Tynnan’s life.
I’m sure there is more blood than just the bit on my hand. I won’t sugar coat things and pretend that I didn’t get a couple of injuries myself.
Thankfully, my usual darker colored attire does wonders to hide all the yuck from today. I also managed to slip into a gas station restroom to wash up a little so I didn’t freak out the locals, or get denied a room.
Fuck, a shower sounds glorious.
I walk to the bathroom and flip on the light. I expect a standard bathroom. What I got was clearly the only upgrades to this place.
Now soaking in a tub would have been glorious, but as I move closer to inspect the multiple shower heads and the massive stall that can only be meant for four adults comfortably, I can’t complain.
This will give us all a chance to get cleaned up while Lucian and I care for our mate.
When I turn to leave, I catch a glimpse of my face in the mirror.
Who is that goofy fucker with a dopey smile?
Oh yeah, that’s me.
I guess that’s what love looks like.
You know, when you aren’t elbow deep in monster goo.
“Alright Blake, time to go bring back your family.”