Falling for the Shifter

5

She dropped the key into his hand, and her features darkened, going from light and harmless to downright terrifying. “But call me Flappy one more time, Scooby Doo, and I’ll drain your spinal fluid faster than you can say sorry.” She opened her mouth in a smile, only it wasn’t actually a sign of mirth. Una was showing him her mouth was full of tiny sharp fangs.

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 said no,” Ethan snapped.

“Better to just give it to him. Ocho, here, won’t stop here until he is holding your luggage. You did bring 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.

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.

Shit. I must look like crap if she’s being this nice.

“Are you gonna drop that dagger now?”

Ruby shook the sleep from her head. “Yeah. I’m just … still waking up.”

Portia threw her head back with a laugh, going so far as to wipe tears from her eyes as she continued to laugh. “I scared the hell out of you, didn’t I?”

“Ya think?” Ruby waved the dagger around before dropping it onto the bed. “What are you doing in my hotel room, Aunt Portia?”

“Just checking in on my favorite niece. You will never guess what.”

“We need boundaries, Portia. If I can’t call you aunt, you can’t break into my room to watch me sleep. That’s creepy, and not to mention illegal.”

“Illegal?” she snorted. “You do know this is a resort for Hell’s creatures, right? There is nothing illegal here.”

“Fine. Then come over here so I can murder you and go back to bed.” Ruby lay down, snuggling her pillow with one hand and her dagger in the other.

“Aw, sweetie. You’re still not a morning person. That’s too bad. You’ll have to get over that while you’re here.” Portia stood and riffled through Ruby’s opened luggage. She pulled out a little emerald-green dress and threw it at her niece. “Put this on.”

“This is a work dress. I’m on holiday.”

“Don’t care. You’ll look hot in it, and there is someone I want you to meet.” She shimmied her shoulders. “You have nearly all of eternity to lounge in heavy sweats! But here, you will look your best. You’ll thank me later.”

“Highly unlikely,” Ruby grumbled, stuffing her head under her pillow.

Portia sat at the foot of the bed and tapped her leg, just like she had when Ruby was a little girl and Roja made her cry.

Oh, let’s be real. It was her mother that made her cry.

Those were the times that Aunt Portia always snuck into Ruby’s chamber to comfort Ruby with a little guidance and maternal advice that was actually useful.