Page 2 of Coral Prince Conundrum
I pull back my long, dark hair and look down at the dark metal desk. A shiny object catches my attention—I know this device! I tap the button, and a loud, high-pitched sound echoes through the hall.
“Coming!” a voice calls from the hallway behind the desk. After a moment, a woman appears, wiping her hands on a white towel. She’s wearing a dark button-up blouse with the sleeves rolled up. Her graying hair is cut short, and she has a round face.
“Sorry about that, stranger.” She grins and tosses the towel away. “I believe in fixing what needs to be done with my bare hands, even if I’m the owner. You want something done right, you do it yourself, amiright?”
Her American accent and garrulous nature already put me at ease. “You are the owner?”
“I sure hope so, that’s what the deed reads.” She laughs, and I smile. “What can I do for you, sir? Checking in?”
“I hope to.” I bite my lip and look around. “I…do not have a reservation.”
“Really?” She clicks at the computer on the desk, then her brown eyes fix on me. “That’s unorthodox.”
Her tone isn’t filled with judgment, but it’s inquisitive. At least, I hope she does not find my predicament off-putting. I pray to the ocean gods that the rumors are true.
“Well, my situation is not…orthodox.” I clear my throat and clutch my knapsack. “I need a place to…runaway.” I bounce my eyebrows at her.
“I see, Mister…” She looks at me expectantly.
“Searoy—” I shut my mouth. My name literally gives my title away. “Seero. I would prefer not to use last names.”
“Nice to meet you, Seero Nolastname.” She snickers. “I’m Layla Fisher, owner of the Renversé Hotel.” The woman swipes a plastic card in a slot near the computer, then turns to me. “This is a business, so I’m not accustomed to taking in strangers off the street for free.”
I nod quickly. “And I have funds. Many funds. I just need to convert them.”
“I would hope so. We don’t accept Corali silver here.”
Her knowing look gives me pause; clearly, this woman is aware of my people. “Um, uh,” I stammer, trying to find an adequate lie. I touch my neck, but no, my gills are absent since they only flare out in saltwater. Still, I feel completely exposed.
“Don’t worry.” She lowers her voice and winks at me. “Your secret is safe with me. One second.” She leaves to the back and quickly reappears with a larger white towel. “Wrap yourself with this and follow me, son. Don’t want you showing off the goods to all the guests.”
I do not know what goods she is referring to, but I do as she says and cover my torso in the soft fabric. She walks aroundthe desk, and I follow her down a hall. “How did you know?” I whisper.
“I may appear to be some American bumpkin.” She looks at me and smirks. “But I’ve been to many, many kingdoms. I’ve had more than my share of run-ins with royalty.” We walk down several corridors, passing by other workers. “And secrets.”
My mouth goes dry, but I follow her up a staircase. She strides forward, and I keep up, ignoring the fascinating paintings and patrons mulling about. This is my first time meeting land-dwellers, after all, and they look so different. Not only are their clothes so colorful, but no one here has the bronze skin or facial features of my people.
“Now, Mr. Seero, we have some rules in place if you are to stay here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She snickers as we come to a stop in front of a nondescript door. “This ain’t a monarchy. It’s Layla, please. My rules are as follows: no violence, drugs, or illicit activities. Got it?”
I bow, my dark hair draping forward. “Yes, Layla.”
“And, in order to stay, you gotta work. We could always use more help here at the Hotel Renversé, what with the west wing under construction and all.” She inserts the card, and the door clicks. A moment later, she’s striding forward, and I follow.
When she turns on the lights, I gaze at the small room. It’s modest, with a mattress, white sheets, and a one-person desk in a corner. I am used to more ornate quarters, typically underwater, of course, but I could get used to this dwelling space. It’s so nondescript and private, no Corali guards would ever think of searching for me here.
“So, what do you say, Seero?” Layla smiles at me as I gaze at all the generic fixtures. “You’ll need to pitch in.”
“Gladly.” I gulp, and my face flushes. “Um, do you need me to cook?” I refuse to admit that I have almost no skills of use for a hotel.
She guffaws. “No, not that. Though we do have some leftovers in the back of the restaurant. No, how about we get you started at the pool? Something tells me you’d make a great aquatic exercise instructor.”
We exchange smiles. “That sounds wonderful.”
“Meet me at the front desk in an hour.” She leaves the key card on the desk and walks away. “Oh, and Seero?”
