Page 5 of Dark Witch: Twin Destinies

"It's not that bad." She smiled up at him. "But I don't mind leaning on you." She kissed his cheek and then looked up at the imposing high-rises on both sides of the street. "Those look like office buildings. I never would have guessed that there are residences inside."

"Good observation," Edgar said. "Many of them used to be office buildings, but there is less demand for office space these days than for apartments, so they were converted." He leaned to whisper in her ear, "It's easy to get permits for a change of use when you can manipulate the minds of bureaucrats and alter city records."

It took a moment for Edgar's words to sink in, and when they did, she gaped at him. "Are you serious? All these buildings belong to your people?"

"Most of them."

No wonder they had so much money to spend on cruise ships and lavish weddings. These buildings would be worth a king's ransom.

Despite living in Los Angeles for years, Jasmine had never been to this area of downtown before, and as she and Edgar waited on the sidewalk for the other two taxis to arrive, she took the time to look over the broad boulevard. Well-tended trees adorned the sidewalks, and everything was spotless, as if it had been cleaned that morning. There were no homeless encampments like in so many other areas of the city, but then it was easy for the immortals to keep them away.

The ability to manipulate human minds was very convenient.

Jasmine was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that she was surrounded by immortals who were the descendants of gods and that her immortal lover had fangs and venom, which provided the best orgasms and psychedelic trips, and the secondary effects were improved health and vitality.

Her life had definitely taken a turn straight into The Twilight Zone, and the immortals weren't even the strangest part of it. Turned out that her tarot cards had been guiding her toward an alien prince who belonged to a people named the Kra-ell, and she was supposed to direct the immortals to where his pod had crashed.

It felt like she was living in a movie.

It wasn't what Jasmine had dreamt of when she'd imagined a career in Hollywood, but maybe that was where her life had been leading her all along.

When the other two taxis pulled up to the curb and the rest of their team got out, the nine of them headed inside the building.

As Kian's butler led their group toward the security desk, Jasmine took in the sprawling lobby with its high ceilings, sparse groupings of seating, and the café at the far end. "I like the minimalistic decor. It looks so elegant."

"Wait until you see the penthouse," Gabi whispered in her ear as they followed the butler past security and into the elevator. "It's stunning."

Margo and Frankie exchanged excited smiles and clasped each other's hands like schoolgirls on an outing.

They were adorable.

The elevator shot up, and when the doors opened on the penthouse level, and Jasmine took in the opulent vestibule, she squeezed Edgar's hand with as much excitement as Margo and Frankie had exhibited moments before.

It was like a miniature of the lobby in the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, but instead of everything being made from painted plaster, the columns, the mosaic floor, and the mural on the ceiling were all authentic. This was just the vestibule, which was a fancy name for an entry hallway.

A round granite table dominated the center of the space, its polished surface reflecting the intricate mosaic patterns inlaid in the marble floor. On top of it was an enormous vase overflowing with vibrant fresh flowers.

Kian's butler opened one of the two sets of doors. "This used to be Master Kian's residence, and across the vestibule is what used to be Mistress Amanda's penthouse apartment. The penthouses were leased out until quite recently," the butler explained. "Fortunately, both leases ended in time for Master Kian and Mistress Amanda to make them available for your use during your stay in the city." He smiled conspiratorially. "The previous tenant was a Saudi prince with four wives and numerous children."

Jasmine's curiosity was piqued. "A prince?"

The strange-looking butler smiled indulgently. "I was told that there are many Saudi princes. I do not know how important the one who stayed here was."

Jasmine nodded, trying to look unimpressed but failing. As she followed the butler and the others, her breath caught in her throat the moment she crossed the threshold into a world of luxury.

The first thing that struck her was the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows directly opposite the entryway, offering a breathtaking panorama of the city skyline. The view was spectacular, with the countless skyscrapers stretching as far as the eye could see.

The expanse of glass opened onto a sprawling rooftop terrace, where Jasmine could make out the shimmering surface of a long, narrow lap pool flanked by an array of stylish lounge furniture bordered by lush, meticulously manicured greenery.

The living room was designed in a contemporary style, blending sophistication and comfort perfectly. A trio of espresso-colored leather sofas surrounded a massive stone coffee table, its rough-hewn edges strikingly contrasting with the smooth, sleek lines of the seating.

Beneath her feet, the rich hues of the hardwood floor were softened by a vibrant area rug with a bold abstract pattern that provided a pop of color to the otherwise neutral palette. Like the floor, the walls were adorned with vivid large-scale artwork.

A contemporary fireplace anchored one end of the room, its clean lines and minimalist aesthetic a perfect complement to the oversized screen mounted above it. Large vases had been placed in strategic spots, brimming with fragrant blooms and beautiful colors to enliven the space.

Jasmine had no doubt that a professional had created the ambiance, and a crew of caretakers ensured that the building was properly maintained.

For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine living in a place like this, waking up every morning to that incredible view, spending lazy afternoons lounging by the pool, and hosting intimate gatherings with friends in the chic living room.

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