by Krista Walsh
Allegra crossed her legs and crunched down on a piece of lettuce. “News already?”
Cody nodded. “Kevin, one of the other concierges, has a cousin who works at the police station. He says they’ve confirmed the corpse was Penny Orlay, but Banks is denying everything. Rumor has it the cops don’t believe a word of what he’s saying, but they don’t have any evidence to hang him yet. Unless they find something quick, he’ll be released sooner rather than later, then it’s back to the job for him.” He cracked another peanut between his teeth. “I’m sure having the police poke around his hotel is going to do wonders for his temper.”
Allegra shook her head and bit into another piece of chicken. Relief warmed her insides that she would only be here for a little over twenty-four hours, and well away by the time Tim returned.
Beneath her relief, a wave of concern niggled at the back of her mind. Now that she was safe, she should be reflecting on how well the banishment spell had gone, but instead of the satisfaction she expected to feel, she found more questions tickling her thoughts. The draugrs had been stronger than she’d expected, stronger than any semi-corporeal spirits should be, especially with their source of energy as decayed as it was. Had they already formed a connection with something else in the hotel? Or was something else guiding them? She wondered about the draugr that had already attached itself to her. Was it truly gone?
If everything had wrapped up as neatly as it appeared, why did she still feel that sword hanging over her head?
A vague memory fluttered by of something Vera had said — another source for the draugrs’ presence — but before she had a chance to land on the idea, Lee said, “While I’m glad the man will be held accountable for what he did, I don’t see that it’s going to help us any. Banks doesn’t have anyone to leave the hotel to if he gets locked up, so there’s no one to take over the business. If he doesn’t come back to work, or decides to pack up and leave, my guess is the Garden will go up for sale. I hope that doesn’t mean I’m out of a job.”
Allegra looked around at the classic moldings around the doors, the antiquated style of the windows. The hotel was a beautiful building, and it would be a shame if it closed down. Especially after all the effort she had just put in to set everything right.
Cody laughed and tipped more snacks between his lips. “Whatever happens next, it’ll be a story to tell for the rest of my life, that’s for sure. Ghosts and murders and magic. No one’s going to believe me, but they’ll always ask to hear the story.” He tapped his temple. “I might even write it down. That could be my ticket out of the mountain of student debt I’ve built up.”
Allegra stared at him, taking in the amusement in his eyes and the life in his smile. She appreciated his quick thinking and constant cheer, and didn’t doubt he could make something of the story if he set out to do so. Since her arrival at the hotel, Cody had been the one bright spot of her day. She regretted that she’d put him in such danger with the banishment spell, and thanked the goddess that he hadn’t been injured by more than the bump on his head.
She might look down on herself for forming attachments, but that didn’t stop her from appreciating a rich, vibrant energy when she encountered it. Monique had been one of those people, someone who brought a sparkle into a room, and Cody was the same. She felt rejuvenated in his presence, even without feeding on him.
She wished it were enough to sustain her — that she could feed on their spark without taking anything away from them. Without turning something beautiful into nothingness.
She toyed with another piece of lettuce until Lee nudged her shoulder with his elbow. “What’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours?”
Allegra pulled herself out of her thoughts and grounded herself in the present, flashing him a bright smile. “Nothing whatsoever. I was simply thinking that Cody is correct. It has been a busy few days.”
“But it’s all over and done with now, right?” Cody asked. Then he laughed and shook his head. “I just can’t get over the biggest joke about all of this. All this time, people have been afraid of monsters stalking the dark hallways, when all along there’s been an actual body buried under their feet that they knew nothing about. Talk about stressing over the wrong thing.” He leaned forward on his crossed arms. “Not that it matters. The body’s gone now and, apparently, the monsters are, too. The curse is broken. I guess there’s nothing for people to be afraid of anymore.”
“Don’t be an idiot,” Lee said, flicking a peanut in Cody’s direction. “No matter how many mysteries are solved or how many ghosts get banished, there will always be monsters to fear in the dark.”
15
Allegra stood in front of her open wardrobe the next morning and stared at the remaining two outfits.
She yawned, then passed a hand over her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose to clear the haze from her vision. She’d slept poorly, waking every hour to suffer relentless arguments with herself about how she should have ended things with Matthew or how she should have proceeded with Tim. The shadows in her room had closed in on her as the hours passed, and at the break of dawn she’d rolled out of bed and taken her time getting ready for the day.
The last day of the shoot. Tomorrow morning she would pack up and go home, and her week at the Garden Hotel would become nothing more than an interesting story for the crew and the other models to share with their friends. It would become a Grace magazine legend, and Allegra’s involvement would never be appreciated. People would never know how hard she had worked to keep them safe.
Allegra had no delusions — every step she’d taken had been for her own advantage, not for theirs — but a thank-you wouldn’t have gone amiss.
The only person in her acquaintance who knew the truth was Matthew, and she doubted he would be quick with his gratitude now.
She shoved that line of thought away and reached into the wardrobe to pull out the first dress, a black ball gown that scooped to her navel. She stepped into the skirt and navigated her way through the series of straps that crisscrossed along her back.
When everything was settled and comfortable, she stepped back and looked at herself in the mirror. By her reflection, she was the same woman who had first stepped through the Garden’s front doors so many days ago. The same thick brown hair, the same dark eyes. She tilted her chin upward in a way that exposed her long neck as she stared down the length of her nose. With her shoulders drawn back and her posture erect, she stood like a queen — a woman who knew her desires and would brook no opposition to obtaining them.
And yet maintaining that self-image took more effort than it usually did. Inside, she felt smaller. Emptier. As though her time in the hotel had taken hold of what made her spirit impenetrable and stripped it down.
Her thoughts drifted to the lightness and freedom she’d felt with Matthew, but she wrenched them away and put her energy into blaming the draugrs instead. Only one had physically fed on her, but the strain of going after them, of tearing them down, had taken its toll. Over time, away from the hotel, she would recover what she had lost, and she would stand as tall and proud as ever. Until then, she would have to work hard to make sure her public image didn’t slip. She would monitor each of her words and expressions, her reactions and gestures, so that no one else noticed the differences she felt in herself.
So much depended on it.
A knock came at the door and she opened it to find Cody standing in the hallway in full uniform. At the sight of her, his eyes bulged and his pupils dilated. His reaction eased some of her concern that people would notice she wasn’t at her best.
“I’m going to miss you once you leave,” he said.
Allegra winked and cast him a teasing grin as she slid on the sandals that matched the dress. “Why are you here?”
He cleared his throat and stood up straight. “That producer lady asked me to come up here and get you. I guess you’re running late or something.”
Allegra waved her hand in dismissal. It was the last day of t
he shoot and no other bodies would show up to cause trouble, so no one had any reason to stress. “I am on my way.”
She grabbed the clutch that went with the outfit and followed Cody out the door. He offered his arm to help her down the stairs, and she accepted it.
“Did you hear the news?” he asked.
She glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. “More news?”
“They let Banks go.”
As though he’d tripped her down the stairs, Allegra’s breath sucked out of her body and her mouth went dry. She tightened her grip on the banister and forced herself to listen as Cody continued.
“According to Kevin, they were looking for reasons to keep him right until the end, but they never found anything. Still, they’ll keep looking. So I guess Lee was right — we’re one step closer to closing down. Chantal, our assistant manager, says he’s expected back today. You should be glad you’re leaving tomorrow. The hotel won’t need monsters while he’s still around. Hopefully it won’t be for much longer.”
Allegra nodded, unable to say anything in reply.
You’re capable of taking him, she told herself, but the encouraging words didn’t do much to bolster her confidence. Physically, she knew she could tear Tim Banks to pieces, but somehow he had escaped her allure, which suggested there was more to him than what she could see.
It’s possible the draugrs are being summoned by a necromancer, but it would require great power to maintain them.
Vera’s words came back to Allegra as though the vengeance demigoddess was standing right behind her to whisper them in her ear. She realized that Vera’s observation was what she’d been trying to remember in the kitchen last night.
Was that Tim’s secret? Had he known about the draugrs and been controlling them, using them to hold dominion over his hotel? Magic would explain his resistance to Allegra’s spell.
It would also mean her life was in danger if he returned.
Cody released a sigh, and Allegra glanced at him. His brow was furrowed, his gaze downcast. Unlike yesterday evening in the kitchen, when he’d played up the pain in his head to gain her sympathy, this display of dejection struck Allegra as genuine.
“I don’t know how I’m going to find another job quick enough to earn the money I need,” he said, and Allegra needed a moment to realize he was still talking about the hotel being sold. “I got this position because I knew people. Coffee shops won’t pay enough, and retail managers take one look at my resume and laugh. If I have to push my term back another session, I’ll be as gray as Lee by the time I graduate.” He gave himself a shake, then flashed Allegra a smile. “Sorry. Taking my problems out on the guests is kind of the opposite of my job description.”
Allegra rested her hand on his arm and offered a gentle squeeze. She had never put an honest effort into her work in her life, regardless of how the other models saw their careers, and while she usually looked down on people who needed to scrub floors to make a living, she occasionally respected their willingness and even eagerness to do so.
She scanned Cody over and once again admired the solid line of his jaw and the straightness of his nose. He had the potential to draw a younger audience to Grace readership, given the chance.
She made a note to suggest it to Courtney before she checked out. While she’d never imagined herself to be the sort of person to sponsor someone else’s career, she felt she owed Cody the favor. He had helped her with the draugrs even when he didn’t believe in them; the least she could do was put in a good word for him for a job that would provide the income he required. Maybe he would appreciate being the one doted on instead of the one doing the doting.
And she wouldn’t mind spending more time in his company. His presence beside her filled some of the void she’d felt that morning in front of the mirror.
“Since I know you’re leaving tomorrow,” Cody said, drawing her out of her thoughts, “can I just say that I really hope you change your mind about me. Not tonight or anything, but maybe when I’m all grown up and manage to reach my goals, I can come around and see you sometime. Take you out to dinner.”
They reached the bottom of the stairs. Allegra rested her hand on Cody’s chest, then leaned in to kiss his cheek.
“You are a very sweet young man, but believe me when I say it’s in your best interests if you keep your distance from me. The men in my life always end up in trouble.”
He winked. “That’s kind of what I’m counting on.”
She laughed and pushed him away, then headed back to the salon for the morning shoot.
As she approached the archway into the room, she was struck once again by the familiar heavy energy pressing down on her shoulders. She closed her eyes to make sure nothing was watching her. No unusual energy reached out to her from the shadows, but the oppressiveness continued.
As she opened her eyes, Matthew stepped into the lobby. Her heart stumbled and her breath hitched, but she caught herself before her expression gave away any of the feelings that had haunted her the night before.
He stepped to the side to stand out of her way, but she’d already moved to avoid him. They repeated the dance twice more before he chuckled, rested his hands on her shoulders, and shifted to the opposite side, allowing her to pass.
He said nothing, asked nothing, just treated her as though she were any woman that he worked with, and walked away. She refused to allow herself to check over her shoulder to see if he looked back at her. She raised her chin and stepped into the room, determined to focus on nothing but work.
***
Like the day before, Allegra’s thoughts kept veering away from what was going on around her, but today she forced herself to pay attention. Movements that usually came naturally to her felt stiff and awkward, and more than once Courtney had to direct her as she would a new model.
“What is happening here, Allegra?” the production manager asked after the third interruption. “This isn’t like you. I know it’s the last day, but we’re not done yet. Focus on the job so we can all get out of here.” She nodded to the photographer. “Patrick, let’s try that one again.”
Frustration grew like a ball in Allegra’s chest, and she wished the session had been outdoors. It had started raining again over the course of the morning, but at least she could have had some fresh air. As it stood, she couldn’t even open the windows for a breeze.
When they stopped for a break, Katie appeared in front of her with a glass of water. Allegra’s gaze shot up to the makeup artist’s face. “What is this for?”
“You looked like you needed it,” she said. “Are you all right? You haven’t said a mean thing to me all morning.”
Only once Katie mentioned it did Allegra realize the woman was right. Clearly, the effort she’d put into behaving normally had been useless. All she wanted was to return to her room, pack her few items, and go home to the quiet of her apartment. Her face was starting to ache from all her stiff smiles.
“I am fine,” she replied, and turned the water away. “Thank you, but I believe I need some air. Tell Courtney I’ve gone outside and will return in a few minutes.”
“But —” Katie started. Allegra didn’t wait to hear what else she had to say before she slipped out of the room and crossed the lobby.
She’d just reached the stairs when the front doors swung open and a ruffled Tim Banks stepped inside, rain water dripping off his jacket to pool at his feet. A hush fell over the people passing by as all eyes turned toward him.
Allegra’s blood turned feverish and her palms went clammy. Her feet remained glued to the marble floor, and for a moment she believed he’d grabbed her by some spell. With no small amount of shame, she accepted that it was fear holding her back.
Compared to the charming, confident man Allegra had met on her first day at the Garden, Tim now reminded her of a raging ogre, one who was dragging the remnants of his dignity behind him like a club. His hair had been pressed down and lay pasted over his forehead. His jacket was creased and his tie was cr
ooked, but he didn’t appear to notice his disarray.
His flared nostrils danced as he heaved a few deep breaths, and his wild eyes scanned the lobby. When his gaze settled on Allegra, the flush under his skin deepened. Her breath caught in her throat, and her desire to flee fought against her wish to appear strong. To run would show weakness. Any good hunter would take it as an invitation to chase. She had to stand her ground and prove she wasn’t worth the pursuit.
He strode toward her and drew his shoulders back so he towered over her. So close, his rain-cold skin burned like ice against her heat. She cast out her mind to search for any otherness about him, but either he masked himself well or his anger was disrupting his energy, because she couldn’t get a clear sense.
“You stay out of my way, do you hear me?” he growled, keeping his voice low. “I don’t know what you said to the cops to make them come after me, but you better not cross me again. Don’t push me.”
He stormed off, and Allegra licked her dry lips as she stared at his retreating form. He disappeared into the hotel bar, and the tightness around her chest loosened enough to allow her to draw a breath.
I only need to see this through for one more day.
Maybe less. With Tim back at the hotel, she considered whether it wouldn’t be smarter to leave that evening after the final shoot. Anything to limit her contact with him.
The thought only went so far to relieve her tension. Her earlier need to escape outside had increased over the last few minutes, so she ducked under the police tape and stepped into the garden.
The cold air blew past her face and she sucked it in, the taste of the rain sweeter than any champagne. Yesterday’s downpour had returned only as an easy drizzle, covering all the leaves and flowers in sparkles under the soft gray light.
Ignoring the inevitable effects on her outfit, she stepped down the covered walkway and ran across the lawn toward the gazebo in the corner opposite the crime scene. The grass squished beneath her sandals, oozing cold water over her toes.
