by Jill Jaynes
The reservation attendant at the desk smiled as Valentine approached.
“May I help you, sir?”
Valentine handed the attendant his reservation. “Yes, I have two rooms reserved.”
“Yes sir.” The attendant glanced at the document. “Would you like to keep the charges on the same card?”
“That will be fine,” Valentine said. “I expect your establishment will be busy tonight due to the storm.”
“As of your check-in we are completely full.”
Sahayak pulsed his wings from inside Valentine’s jacket pocket. The reservation attendant jumped because of the loud noise. He stared at the moving pocket of Valentine’s jacket.
Valentine placed his hand over the pocket that continued to move. “Phone,” was all he said.
He knew what worried Sahayak. Valentine had checked the sequence of events in Venus’s library before his Vacation. Sahayak had also confirmed that one room would be available for Erica and Brett during the storm. Someone had changed that. Whether that was incidental or on purpose, it should not have been possible.
The reservation attendant coughed. Valentine’s attention flooded back to the present. He looked down at the golden card keys that were on the counter.
Valentine slid one of the keys back toward the reservation attendant. “I’m sure, due to the storm, you’ll have at least one more party looking for accommodations.”
The attendant began to shuffle papers behind the counter. “Well, I don’t know, I need to speak with the manager.”
“Yes, I would hate the thought of someone turned away on a night like this.” Valentine glanced at the name on the office door behind the counter. “Tell her my concern and that I expect to keep the charge for the room on my card.”
When the attendant left, Valentine turned toward Marcella. “Remember, in an emergency, money can be a useful tool but the method must be subtle.”
“In all situations?” Marcella asked.
Valentine drummed his fingers on the counter. “People have an interesting saying. It’s a cliché by now but still useful. ‘Money talks but don’t let it talk to law enforcement.’” He smiled. “To answer your question, in most situations.”
The reservation attendant returned, same smile still on his face. “We’ll be happy to accommodate you, Mr. Valentine.”
“Thank you, could you please have a rollaway bed delivered to my room?”
“Yes sir, but the couches in your suite fold out into beds. Extra bedding will be in the closets.”
“That will be fine,” Valentine said.
“Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?”
“No, you’ve been quite helpful.”
Valentine walked toward the stairway. The polished redwood glowed in the light that shined on it.
There was an elevator at the base of the stairs. Its elaborate twisting and winding wrought-iron bars made Valentine think of it as a large birdcage.
Sahayak poked his head from Valentine’s pocket. “Are we going to take the elevator?”
“No, not tonight. Someone is keeping Erica and Brett in sight and I suspect they are here. It would be best not to use the elevator. It could become a trap.”
Sahayak frowned as he watched the elevator ascend to the upper floors.
Valentine had begun to take the stairs when Sahayak tugged on his lapel. “Venus, look.”
Valentine turned as Venus came through the inner set of lobby doors. Raindrops dotted her braided hair. Caught in the lights overhead, he thought they sparkled like diamonds.
Venus was wearing skinny black jeans and light gray hiking boots, both items appropriate for the local terrain. The emerald green silk blouse was an item more to her liking, Valentine thought.
She slipped off her black leather jacket and draped it over her shoulder. Her head jolted back when she caught sight of Valentine.
Valentine had already begun walking towards Venus and they met just inside the lobby.
Venus frowned, then whispered. “The Transition left me miles from Moonlight Cove. When I tried to reenter, it wasn’t there.”
At that revelation, a tingling fluttered through Valentine’s chest. It ran down both arms to his hands. He looked into Venus’s eyes. “Are you unharmed?”
“I’m fine.” She said as she shook her head.
Marcella put a hand on Valentine’s shoulder. “The Transition, that’s not possible.”
“Yet it is.” Valentine said as he kept his eyes on Venus.
Venus gave Valentine a quick nod. “There is more happening here than you know.”
Valentine became still. Holding his chin between his thumb and forefinger for a moment before he spoke. “Apparently.”
* * *
Valentine slid the gold key card into a slot above the doorknob. He heard the sharp click when the door unlocked. He let Venus enter first.
The light-green carpet felt firm as they walked into the room. He noted that the living room had enough space, and it would accommodate him and Marcella once the couches folded out into beds.
A short hallway, its polished wood floor gleaming in the warm light of the suite, led to the main bedroom that Venus would take. Valentine felt the suite was compact but adequate.
Valentine walked over to the window and looked out. He could hear the soft whisper of the rain beat against the glass. “I believe our assailants who took out the Transition are here.”
“Just because of a taken room. It could be a coincidence,” Marcella said.
“It’s no coincidence, not tonight,” Valentine said.
Marcella looked at the ceiling and let out a breath. “I wish they would stop playing around.”
“There’s been no playing. Incompetence or impatience, maybe, but not playing.” Valentine closed the drapes.
Venus hung her leather jacket on the back of a chair, then sat down at the dining table in the suite. “What happened in Ireland wasn’t because of you, Valentine.”
Valentine walked over to the table and sat down looking at Venus.
“We have evidence of the Vehementem’s use in Is Brea. That spontaneous love was the outcome implies unfamiliarity with its operation.”
Valentine raised his eyebrows. “Who do you think is using it?”
Venus tossed a few loose braids back over her shoulder. “Unknown. A cloaked figure, definitely female.”
Marcella walked to the front door. “I’m bringing up the rest of our bags. Do you need something from your car, Venus?”
“Yes, front passenger seat.” She held up her keys as Sahayak swooped in and took them. He darted into Marcella’s coat pocket as she left the suite.
After the door closed, Venus looked down at the table. She dropped both hands to her lap and interlaced her fingers.
Valentine walked over to the counter at the room divide. He held up a bottle of wine and two glasses. “The hotel has provided this, red and a rather good year.”
Venus looked up. “Thank you, yes.”
Valentine filled both glasses half way and set one in front of her as he sat down again at the table.
She swirled the red wine in her glass, then took a sip. “Yes, a good year.” Then took another longer sip.
“Valentine, I need to apologize. I knew of the Vehementem’s use in Ireland before our meeting. I should have told you. I’m sorry.”
Valentine relaxed back in his chair. “It seems unimportant now.”
“The Vehementem requires strong emotional force to spread its effect. I hoped that by limiting you to observing there’d be no repeat of what happened in Is Brea.”
“Yes, about that…” Valentine started.
“I appointed Marcella as your apprentice to keep your attention on her training. Not the new project you planned while on vacation.”
“Yes, about the first point…” Valentine began.
“I put my library off-limits. Then you wouldn’t have access to information to start the project with that couple. Eric and…”
&nbs
p; “Erica and Brett. Yes, about that…”
Sahayak flew through the open door into the suite as Marcella began to open it. The Cherub landed on the table between Venus and Valentine. “Erica and Brett are here.”
Venus raised her eyebrows while looking at Valentine. “The same couple you mentioned this morning?”
“Well, yes. About that…”
“Is this coincidental? If so, how could that be?” Venus asked.
Sahayak flew up and hovered in front of Venus. “We were actively observing. Marcella told me all about it.”
“Actively observe?” Venus shifted in her chair so she could look around Sahayak to see Valentine. “Is there anything else I need to know?”
Sahayak hovered into Venus’s line of sight. “I’m on the project too.”
Venus remained looking at Sahayak. “A project now.”
Sahayak thrust out his small chest. “Yes, I went to your library.”
Marcella coughed loud enough and got everyone’s attention. She blushed. “Sahayak, let’s check the situation outside.”
The hum from Sahayak’s wings got louder. “More project?”
Marcella was already opening the door. “We’ll talk about it outside.”
Sahayak darted out the door and Marcella stepped through and closed it behind her.
Venus took another sip of wine before she spoke. “I’m not surprised you know.” She set her wine glass down and moved it in small circles on the tabletop. “You tend to bend the rules.”
Keeping her eyes on the wine glass she then spoke. “It won’t work you know. Maybe short term, but no.”
Valentine sensed she had moved onto something else: them. “All right, that sounds reasonable. Tell me what works.”
“Is that an offer to tell my life story?”
Valentine remained silent.
“It’s a short story.” Venus began. “I like predictable, safe, steady.”
Valentine crossed his arms. “Keep going, I’m listening.”
“That’s all. Oh, what’s the use? I should never have encouraged you, but I…”
Valentine raised his eyebrows. “You encouraged me? I like that.”
“No, I meant…” Venus began.
Valentine cupped his hands behind his head. “You admitted it.”
“You’re the least predictable man I know.” She finally said.
Valentine grinned. “I like it when you say it that way.”
Venus drew her eyebrows together, looking at Valentine. “It wasn’t a compliment.”
Valentine brought his hands from behind his head and laid them on the table, one over the other. “I think there have been many predictable characters in your life.”
“You don’t know anything about me, Valentine.”
“I’ve got a good idea already.” Valentine said, his voice deep and steady.
Venus squinted her eyes at him. “No you don’t. I came here to make you feel like a fool.”
Valentine cocked his head. “Many would tell you that would be easy.”
“Instead, I’m the one who feels foolish.” She whispered.
Valentine leaned forward. “Venus…”
Venus looked up at him. “I’ve never felt this way before. Please, Valentine, before I make a complete fool of myself.”
Valentine got up and gently touched her cheek. “I understand. I see the hurt you remember and hate myself for it.”
Venus placed her hand on his. “Sometimes, you make me so mad. Then there are other times like this…”
Valentine smiled as he looked into her eyes. “Only sometimes? I’m encouraged.”
Venus looked down. “You can take your hand back now.”
“You’re the one holding my hand in place.” Valentine leaned in closer. “You’re trembling.”
Venus swallowed. “It’s been a long day.”
“Is that all?”
Venus remained silent.
Valentine leaned in closer and breathed against her neck. “I’m predictable when it’s about you, Venus.” He could feel her warm breath quicken against his cheek. He turned towards her and his lips ever so lightly brushed hers. A slight gasp, almost a whisper, almost a sigh escaped through her parted lips.
They both rose in an embrace.
Valentine tightened his arms around her. “I want more, so much more.”
Valentine felt a shiver quake through her body. Then she pressed her lips more fully onto his.
Their kiss deepened. Valentine felt his heart ache, its pounding so powerful, he was afraid it would stop from one beat to the next.
Venus then looked down. “I’m, I’m afraid.”
Valentine put his fingers under her chin so she would look up into his eyes. “Of me?”
“No, don’t think that. Never that. Of, myself.”
Valentine smiled, “Then we’ll go slow.”
--- # # # ---
Authors’ Notes
We hope you enjoyed reading Secrets of Moonlight Cove. We all enjoyed writing it and hope to visit again soon.
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Visit www.NicobarPress.com to learn more about all of the authors who contributed to this anthology, as well as to post your thoughts and comments.
You can also visit the following additional author websites to subscribe to their newsletters and get more information about other releases:
A.G. Reid at www.WhatIsLove.zone
Kathleen Rowland at www.KathleenRowland.com
Jill Jaynes at www.JillJaynes.com
Shauna Roberts at eepurl.com/Fr3Hf.
