Then they vanished, replaced by regular humanoid teeth.
Either he was going crazy, or Una the Flappy Pixie had just threatened him with a mouth full of razors.
Fun. Just another day at the helm of my pack, apparently.
Ethan clicked his tongue to dispel some of his discomfort. “You got it.” He took the key, looked at the number, and lumbered his way to the elevator.
Much to his dismay, another creature was waiting there for him. An imp, by the looks of his red and leathery skin, tried to take Ethan’s luggage from him.
“Gimme, gimme,” it … he? … said with a high-pitched voice that was sure to plague Ethan’s nightmares for years to come.
Fucking hell. Literally. These things all belong in hell. Not in a fancy hotel.
Ethan hated to be here, but he needed to be. He would rather be in his own house, dealing with pack business, than in this strange place fixing a mess he didn’t even fully understand.
I just need to find a witch.Really, how hard could it be to find a witch in a paranormal resort? He hoped it would be as simple as could be, but the more creatures he met, the more his assurance slipped.
“No,” the imp stomped its hoofed feet on the floor, and the slap echoed through the spacious but crowded lobby. It held out its clawed hand. “Gimme, gimme.”
“I saidno,” Ethan snapped.
“Better to just give it to him. Ocho, here, won’t stop here until he is holding your luggage. Youdidbring stuff to tip the creatures, right?” The tall red-headed woman gave him an amused smile. Ethan wouldn’t have guessed she was a resort employee if it wasn't for the clipboard in her hands.
“I’ve got cash,” Ethan answered a bit defensively.
The woman threw her head back. “Cash! That won’t do you any good here. You can always go to the gift shop and exchange your human money for more savory things for creatures like Ocho and Una.”
He gulped. “Things? Things shouldn’t be savory.”
She laughed again. “Your name is?” the redhead asked, amused.
The hair on the back of Ethan’s neck stood on edge. This woman was not to be messed with. That much was clear. There was something heavy about her. Like she could suck out his soul if she wanted.
“Ethan Adair,” he answered with a nod that made him feel a bit more in control.
Her grin turned mischievous, and Ethan wanted to get as far away from her as he could. “I’ll see you around, Mr. Adair.” She positively purred before winking, turning on her impressively high heels, and walked away.
“What the hell was that?” he mumbled under his breath.
“Gimme, gimme,” Ocho clamored.
Relenting, Ethan gave the imp his suitcase. “Just don’t think I can tip you whatever it is you prefer to be tipped. All I have is human money.”
Ocho grumbled something under his breath, and though Ethan had his keen shifter hearing, he didn’t understand the clearly demonic words. Maybe when he went to the gift shop, he would see about getting himself a translation dictionary.
“I was so not ready for this trip,” he mumbled as the elevator door slid closed, effectively locking him in a six-by-six box with an annoyed imp.
FOUR
RUBY
The bed was by far the most comfortable Ruby had ever lain on. And that was truly saying something. It was soft, but not the kind of soft that would mean a hike out of the depths of the bed. It was soft-firm in that magical way mattresses could be … when made with a little magic or high-end materials.
Ruby turned onto her side, punching the pillow into her preferred shape.
“Rise and shine!” a voice sang, and Ruby jumped off the bed, grabbing her dagger from under her pillow to point it at the door.
Her heart halted when she saw it was Aunt Portia standing in her resort room. A quick look at the clock, and Ruby realized she had actually slept a couple of hours. Portia had let her rest.