Sergei nodded. “Yeah, I’ll probably take a quick nap after you guys leave. I’m pretty wiped from lack of sleep and that locator spell took it out of me. I’ll pack up a few grimoires in case you guys need me again and head out later tonight.”
“Do you need a place to stay, or do you have something in mind?”
“I should be good. There’s a coven house not far from here that I’ll probably hole up in.”
Luc reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and handed it to Sergei. “Put yourself in my contact list."
As Sergei typed away on Luc’s phone, a curtain of air began to shimmer on the far side of the room. A moment later, Amir was stepping in, leaving the doorway between dimensions open behind him.
“Sorry to break up the family reunion, but we’ve really got to head out,” he said, shooting a sympathetic look at Katia and Uriel.
Katia turned toward her father and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. “Will I ever see you again?”
Closing his eyes, Uriel breathed in her scent as though he were trying to permanently imprint it on his memory. “Heofon-willing, we’ll see each other again very soon. I’d like nothing more than to finally get to know my daughter. We’ve already lost so much time together and there’s so much I’d like to tell you about your mother.”
Katia pulled back and smiled at her father. “I’d like that very much.”
Luc nodded at Katia and she took a deep breath. Together they rose and made their way to Amir. Turning back one last time, Katia raised her hand in farewell to both her father and Sergei. Both men waved back to her as she placed her hand on Amir’s shoulder and they stepped into the shadow world.
“So, where are we headed?” Luc asked Amir as they began their walk down the misty corridor.
“Little out of the way place I found in a small town far, far away from here. Trust me, it’ll be the last place anyone will look for you guys.”
“Sounds good. Lead the way.”
Chapter Fifteen
As Katia stepped into the room, Luc moved to shut the door with a click behind her. Room thirteen — it figured. Not only were they now stuck in the crappiest motel known to man, Amir had dropped them in room thirteen — his idea of a sick joke. Luc hoped it wasn’t some kind of omen for the rest of their plans. As Katia walked around inspecting the room, Luc walked over and tossed the room key with the gaudy orange plastic tag onto the dresser. The Red Roof Inn was most certainly not a five-star accommodation. The décor was nineteen-seventies chic, faded and scratched with the passage of time. Water stains decorated the ceiling like a large-scale Rorschach test. As he looked around, Luc made a mental note to slap Amir later for bringing them here. Turning to face Katia, who was now inspecting the bed sheets for cleanliness, Luc cleared his throat.
“Amir said he would stop by both our apartments to pick up some of our stuff. He’ll be by tomorrow to drop off a bag.”
Glancing up at him, Katia gave him a tired smile. “Sounds good.”
Taking another look around the room, Luc realized they had another problem on their hands.
“You take the bed. I’ll sleep in the chair,” he said, pointing to an exceedingly ugly orange armchair placed next to a table by the window.
“No, you won’t,” Katia said shaking her head. “We’re both adults here. Either I’m taking the chair or we’re sharing the bed. You’re already doing so much for me; you should at least be comfortable.”
Hearing the determination in her voice Luc nodded in agreement. “Alright, but we’ll share the bed. I don’t want you sleeping in a chair.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. I’m just going to take a quick shower. Between kidnapping, drugging, dimensional travel, and the drama at Sergei’s...” She trailed off.
“Go for it. I don’t blame you.”
With a laugh, Katia turned and headed into the bathroom, closing the door softly. A moment later Luc heard the sound of running water. Grabbing the television remote off the dresser, he turned it on, lowered the volume, and set the channel to the news. He hoped background noise might help lull Katia into sleep.
It had been a horrendous couple of days for her, and Luc knew he was a big part of the stress. With any luck, he could also be a big part of the solution. Some good had come out of this whole nightmare. Katia now knew where she came from; hopefully that would bring her some kind of peace, that is, if they could get out of this mess without one or both of them being tortured or killed.
Frowning and lost in thought, Luc took off his jacket and t-shirt, tossing them over the back of a chair. He was about to strip off his jeans, then stopped, and re-thought that plan. Katia was stressed enough without worrying about sleeping next to a half-naked virtual stranger. The jeans were staying on. Luc figured he should put the t-shirt back on too. He didn’t want to invite any questions about his Sigil. It wouldn’t be the most comfortable night’s sleep, but it was the right thing to do.
With a half-smile, Luc laughed at his own train of thought. Being a gentleman and putting someone else first, that sure wasn't how he had thought of himself in a long time. The funny thing was, the more he turned it over in his head, the more he liked it. He liked that he liked her. He was starting to like that he wanted her to like him. Turning toward the mirror with a smile on his face, Luc froze as he took in his reflection. It wasn’t possible. Raising his hand to the blackened sigil over his heart, he traced a vein radiating outward.
