Enticed (29 page)

„What"s the plan once we get there?" Lincoln called out to Griffin.

„We need to talk with the local Grigori. They"re expecting us, but they don"t know exactly
why
. We thought it best to keep everything quiet as possible until we were here. This is a big thing. Where we went to go is a sacred place. It may not be asy."

Like any of this ever is!

-

We reached the city of Madaba and kept driving through. I"d never been to Jordan before, I"d never really been anywhere. It was fascinating. I pushed down the window the tiny amount it would allow. Searing heat blasted through the opening dry and crisp. The town was busy and not what I would have expected. The streets were full of cars and small trucks that were open at the back with locals sitting on the edges, feet dangling. The whole city was the colour of desert sand, all the buildings stone or concrete and not more than a few storeys high. Every now and then we would pass something more modern, made of brick – usually a hotel – but they just looked out of place.

Everything was king of monochrome. Even the signage was predominantly dark brown with white words written in Arabic and some other languages I didn"t recognise. The only ones in plain English? The bright red Coca-Cola signs.

„Madaba is famous for its mosaics," Rudyard said, looking back at us. „There is an entire school here dedicated to restoring and preserving the mosaic discoveries that have been made in recent history."

I loved mosaics. I"d done a study on them in art last year. Somehow, though, I was betting we wouldn"t be doing mush sightseeing.

We drove on in silence, but as we reached the edge of the city, I tasted apple. Oddly, I didn"t feel the other senses. I looked out the window, trying to see what or who I was sensing. We drove past the last corner building and a man in faded brown robes stood hunched over, all alone. As our minibus rattled by, he raised his head. He was wearing a hood so I couldn"t see his face, but I could have sworn I felt his eyes on me.

Before I could even think to say anything to the others – before I had any idea what it was I
would
say – we turned the corner and hit open road again. I looked back to see the man in the robes had followed us around the corner and watched as we drove away. I stared through the dirty glass, watching Madaba and the stranger disappear as the lingering flavour of bruised apple slowly dissolved in my mouth.

„Oh. Come. On!" Zoe called out, breaking me from my trance.

I swung around to see her pushing her way to get to the front of the minibus. Obviously, I"d missed something. Nyla and Rudyard were laughing hysterically.

„You need to appreciate all types of music, Zoe," Rudyard said, blocking her path to where Griffin was guarding the stereo controls.

„Here – I brought my iPod. You can pick any song from is, any song at all – just turn off that crap you"re listening to. I swear, you people have to move with the times!"

Griffin turned up the volume. He was playing some old song I recognised but didn"t know the name of. It was one I could remember being tortured with as a kid when Dad actually had control over the radio. I fully agreed with Zoe. Even Salvatore seemed offended by the music selection.

Zoe slumped back into her chair, muttering something about how she would whip up a sandstorm. I just leaned my head against the window, which was warm and uncomfortable, matching the feeling from the vinyl seat coverings, which had stuck to my thighs. I had little doubt that wherever we were headed in the mountains was going to be a bare-minimum kind of place.

My mind drifted again as we continued through the desert. It was impossible
not
to think of the last time I had been in a place like this. Death felt dangerously close. At least I wasn"t alone this time. Then again,
this
time I knew who was waiting for me and I had no idea what I was going to do about him.

Or, what he was planning to do about me.

„
This who hate most feverently, must have once loved deeply;
those who want to deny the world, must have once embraced
what they now set on fire."

Kurt Tucholsky

„Wow."

I don"t know who else said it. It sounded like a chorus though – maybe all of us.

Wel , when I"m wrong, I"m
totally
wrong.

„Are you sure this is where we"re staying?" I asked, standing in front of the most incredible building that I"d ever laid eyes on. Nestled in the gigantic stone mountains with waterfalls cascading behind it, the entire place –
palace
is the only word for it – was built of heavy sandstone blocks and crowned with domed rooftops. It was somewhere between Aladdin"s Palace and Steph"s ideal getaway.

„Steph is going to flip," I said, thinking of her.

Salvatore nodded, looking around confused. I followed his gaze.

The only thing there wasn"t, was people.

„I"l go find someone," Griffin said, heading towards the massive wooden entry doors.

Lincoln gave my shoulder a squeeze.

„Hang on. I"l come with you," he said, running after Griffin.

He was final y letting us be what I"d always dreamed of. So why was I freaking out?

Once he and Griffin had gone through the main doors, the rest of us slowly followed with the bags. When we made it into the main lobby area, again, I was amazed at how beautiful it was. We were in the middle of nowhere and yet here was this spectacular hideaway.

We dumped the bags just as Griffin and Lincoln walked over with a man and a woman both wearing a similar kind of outfit. Not exactly robes, like the ones I had seen covering some of the women in town, more like baggy yoga-wear or something. Black wide cotton pants that finished above the ankles, revealing the almost matching sandals underneath and a wide-cut top with half-length sleeves in the same fabric. I didn"t know if it was a culture thing, a religious thing or just … comfy.

„This is Azeem and Ermina. They are Grigori partners and the owners of the hotel. Azeem is of a Seraph."

Azeem was freakishly tall and well built. Everything about him seemed huge, and when he put his hand out in offering, everyone else"s seemed to get swallowed in his hold. Ermina was the opposite, petite in every way.

We all said hello and understood that since Azeem was of the Seraphim, Griffin had just introduced us to the leader in these parts.

„We are not open for normal business at the moment. We have been taking a break from the public – some time for prayer. We are not due to re-open until next month. The hotel is almost entirely locked up but we have arranged for the northern wing to be opened for you.

You will find everything you need there and meals will be served in the dining room," Azeem said, in a deep, rounded voice.

Rudyard gave a small bow of respect. „Thank you, Azeem. We were sorry to impose and wil not be here for long."

„It is no trouble, though we
would
like to know your intentions."

Nyla stepped forward. „We"d be happy to discuss this and hope we may then ask for your assistance. Perhaps we could get settled and then have a walk through your security systems first, though."

Always thinking tactically, Nyla was going to make sure we were safe first. I had to admire her direct approach.

Azeem and Ermina exchanged a glance and for a moment I thought we might have a problem but then they nodded.

„Ermina will show you to your rooms and then I wil arrange for a tour," Azeem confirmed.

-

When it came to picking rooms, panic set in. I couldn"t look at Lincoln. Griffin took the first, then as we walked down the hall, Ermina allocated suites one by one. I was impressed she"d remembered all of our names from the brief introductions. She presented so meekly, especially for a Grigori. If I hadn"t known better – looking at her fragile frame, mousy hair and small features – I would have thought a gust of wind could take her down.

Griffin walked into his room but just before he closed his door, he gave me a look. I was sure he wanted to say something but seemed to restrain himself.

Yes, it"s immune. Yes, it"s
something
inappropriate. Yes, my mind should have been out of the gutter. But when Zoe ducked into her room, departing by giving me a sly grin, I was burning hot.

The remarkable thing is how much quick thinking can happen in a short walk down in a corridor after Zoe disappeared, Salvatore was allocated the next room.

Will Lincoln say something? Suggest we share a room? Do I have an answer?

Lincoln seemed so sure all of a sudden, but was that just because everything had gotten so crazy?
Maybe he wasn"t himself
. And with that, came another sickening though. Maybe, when I"d healed him, sent him my love, it overshadowed his real feelings. Maybe he was just mirroring my own feelings. That I put there. Was that even possible?

There was so much I stil didn"t know.

Or Ermina"s instruction, Rudyard took the next room and then Nyla the one after. They had no qualms about being together and letting everyone know it, so I wondered why they did this. Nyla looked at me and I waited to see if she would say something. But she just gave me a knowing smile, which made me blush, as she closed her door.

Ermina opened the next door. „Lincoln, this will be your residence," she said.

Lincoln walked over and then looked back at me. Why was I panicking so much? When I started fidgeting and tucked a few strands of hair behind my ear, he smiled warmly and came back to me. I was so edge I flinched when he brushed a hand across my cheek, igniting my desire. He leaned close and I couldn"t help but gravitate towards him.

„Remember, Vi," he turned us slightly so his back was to Ermina and he mouthed the next word with raised eyebrows, „devout".

Then his look changed. A whole lot more intense, private. I was still panicking, knowing that while Ermina couldn"t see Lincoln"s face, she had full view of mine.

Lincoln smiled, obviously pleased with my reaction, before he turned and went into his room without looking back.

Ermina watched me with a strange, distinctly disapproving expression, which morphed into a stern look when she opened the next door on the other side of the hall.

„Violet, this wil be your residence throughout your stay."

I nodded and started to take a step forward, but from the glare she gave me, I knew to stop.

„We are in a time of prayer. Unless you are married to someone here, we expect you wil not enter another"s person"s private chambers."

That"s why Nyla had been smiling. It seemed totally obvious now but I"d had my mind in another place. A little warning might have been nice – they clearly knew the rules.

„Of course," I said, nodding profusely. „I"m … um … I"m Catholic," as if that were supposed to mean something. As soon as I said it, I wanted to die.

Ermina cleared her throat. I had definitely started off on the wrong foot with her. I decided on a fast exit and gave her my best attempt at a respectful bow before scooting into my room.

I waited, like a statue, back to the door, listening for footsteps. Once I was sure she was gone I took a few deep breaths to try and stave off the hyperventilation that was brewing and banged my head against the wall.

The suite was a continuation of the beauty we had already seen. I thought of Dad, how he would see its many merits. Then I thought of Steph. She was going to kill me when she found out the kind of place we were staying. I actually wished for a moment she was there –

before I remembered
why
we were there.

I"d barely unpacked my bag and splashed some water on my face when I heard a knock. I went to the door and opened it, still patting my face dry, but no one was there.

I heard the knock. I went to the door and opened it, still patting my face dry, but no one was there.

I heard the knock again and this time looked around to see where it was coming from.

There was an internal door. When I opened it, Nyla was on the other side.

„You could"ve warned me," I said, taking in her smug smile as she leaned against the doorway. In spite of the satisfaction, she really did have the air of an ancient goddess.

„You"ll know for next time," she said, stil grinning.

Great, another person that gets their kicks at my expense.

„Did you come to gloat?"

„No. I"m headed off to do a security lap. Thought you might come in handy. Interested?"

„Sure."

She tilted her head towards the door, „Let"s go."

„Just us?"

She nodded. „It"s easier. Men always get in the way."

I followed her back down the hal , the same way we"d come in. the hotel was huge and it was unsettling to be in a place designed to house so many when it was empty. The corridors all looked identical. I was glad Nyla seemed to know where she was going.

„I can see you love him," she suddenly said, from nowhere.

I didn"t know what to say, so I changed direction. „Did my Mum love my Dad?"

She nodded once, definitely. „She was a procrastinator. Never thought herself worthy of anything good. When she met James, she tried to talk herself out of it – you know …" she said, honing in on me with a knowing look that made me want to run away. „She was worried about bringing him into this world. But your Dad, he just kept coming back and, well, she loved him. In the end, love will rule the mind."

I felt relieved to hear this. I had wondered since discovering my mother was Grigori if she were still the person I"d imagined. Dad misses her so much – he"l never get over her. I didn"t want that to have been for nothing. It didn"t make all the rest okay, the lies and betrayal, but it was something.

„Is that what happened with you and Rudyard?"

Nyla smiled and steered us towards the hallway that veered to the right.

„Our choice was simple. There was no other option."

I envied her.

„Do me a favour, Violet?"

I gave a non-committal shrug. The truth was, although I liked Nyla, I stil didn"t
know
her.

My instinct was to trust her. Zoe and Spence clearly did. But I"d been wrong before.