"What's funny?" Adonis asked?
She pointed up at the white wooden building with blue shutters and door. The third floor had a balcony that offered shelter over the front step. Like many of the buildings in the historical district, the front door was on the second floor. Bars on the downstairs windows prevented easy break-ins. "The local ghost stories about this place making sense."
"Ah." He came to a stop and gestured for her to go up the stairs ahead of him to the door. When Adonis joined her, he rang the doorbell three times while staring down at one of many hay barrels stacked about the front porch with pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns on top of them, lit up with flameless tea lights. Orange string lights wrapped through the displays, giving the porch an eerie glow.
Curtains swayed at the closest window without revealing the person behind them. "We're not open," a woman said, caution evident in her tone.
"It's Adonis. Melancton told me to—"
He didn't finish his statement before the door was unlocked and flung open. A gorgeous woman with long dark hair flowing over her shoulders gawked at him. "It is you. I thought he made that up."
Adonis snorted. "Melancton?"
The woman giggled and waved them in. She wore a soft lilac dress that stopped above her knees and a pair of silver flats. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, falling nearly to her waist. Something about her seemed almost familiar even though Sage had never met her before to her recollection. "He does have a sense of humor. Most people don't ever get to see it though."
"I'll take your word on that." Adonis waited for Sage to go ahead of him. She stepped inside and looked around at the many shades of blue, white and gold. The rooms themselves must have been even more beautiful if the décor in the lobby had anything to say for itself. The only hints of fall decorations added were gold and white ceramic pumpkins and garlands of fall leaves around the front desk.
Another brunette entered the lobby dressed in jeans and a red sweater; this one had been crying. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she sniffled. "Daphne, who—?" She looked from Sage to Adonis, and her eyes widened. "Wow, you do look just like Ariston."
Adonis' jaw tensed. "Well, we are twins."
Sage scowled at him. He hadn't mentioned a twin brother. Another reason to remember she was not welcome in this paranormal world even though she clearly was a part of it. "There's no need to be rude about it." She stepped forward and offered the girl her hand. "Sorry about him. I'm Sage." Out of the corner of her eye, he stared at her, mouth agape. She ignored him.
"London," the woman replied and shook Sage's hand quickly. She looked between the two of them as the woman named Daphne came forward to shake her hand as well. "Are you two…dating?"
She glanced back at Adonis, who appeared stymied by the three of them. London's question finally sank through to his comprehension as he vehemently shook his head and snapped, "No."
Sage glowered and he had the good grace to look abashed. She'd had enough of his bad attitude. "We met yesterday. Though, now that he has you all, I can go home."
The other women exchanged a glance, and then Daphne leaned in closer to her. "You're a nymph."
"Yes." What else could she say? "You can tell that by looking at me?"
Daphne shook her head. "Not by sight. Not…exactly. You're a wood nymph as I am. Your magic calls to mine. Kinship." She lightly squeezed Sage's shoulder and the familiarity she'd felt when entering the inn and seeing her the first time made more sense. "Think of me as your extended family." Then she turned her gaze back to Adonis. "Such fortunate timing to have found yourself a satyr."
The brief happiness at knowing another person with abilities like hers faded as Adonis made a noise that sounded half like a growl and half a groan. "Can we talk about this later? I want to help find Jacen."
At this, London broke down into tears and sat in one of the chairs by the window. "I agree with Daphne. It is lucky that you found each other now. Pan was trying to find out if he could, make me…a nymph. So Jacen could be human again."
Sage sat next to her and patted her hand. It was a much-needed reminder that other people had real problems other than being attracted to a person who didn't want anything to do with them.
Adonis, oblivious as usual, bit out, "Jacen's still being immortal is probably saving his life at the moment. Regardless, we'll get him back."
London nodded. "Yes, but that doesn't mean they can't kill him if they wanted. Melancton said Theron wants Calix. But, once he figures out Calix isn't here and we don't know where he is, what will he do to Jacen? What reason does he have to keep him alive?"
So…immortal didn't necessarily mean unkillable. Good to know. Also good to know? She wouldn't have to look Calix in the eyes tonight and explain what she did to him. She had time to sort that out, assuming she ever saw him again. The way things were going—she might not be around them all much longer.
A commotion at the door behind the front desk had everyone turning toward it. A tall man with long black hair barged through. The front of his light blue shirt was streaked with blood. London cried out and stood. "Is he…?" She paled, obviously too afraid of the answer to ask the question.
"Alive," the man said with a slight nod. "Injured. He is in his bedroom."
"Are you hurt?" Daphne asked, crossing the room to pat down his torso where the blood soaked his clothing.
Melancton's lips twitched but his face remained otherwise expressionless. "I am fine, my
