Page 18 of Magical Melee
At the moment, it just felt a little frosty from the crisp autumn air.
We stepped into the hotel lobby, and my breath caught as the heavy oak doors closed behind us with a soft thud.
The hotel was breathtaking. A charming blend of elegance and old-world mystique floated through the atmosphere, creating an ambiance that felt like we had stepped into a gothic novel.
And I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to leave.
“Isn’t this a kick?” She squealed and squeezed my arm.
“Beautiful,” I whispered, taking it all in.
Chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling above with crystals glinting like candlelight in the dim room. Shadows playfully danced across dark mahogany walls lined with intricately carved moldings. I squinted my eyes to get a better look, and a smile touched my lips.
“Are those gnomes or…”
“They are the woodland creatures that protect our lovely establishment,” a woman’s voice interrupted my focus. “Dryads, kelpies, bats, serpents, and, of course, the occasional dragon entering the battle never hurt either.”
My gaze flicked to the woman behind the counter talking to us.
She smiled graciously at me and nodded. Her blonde hair, curled in large waves, hung below her shoulders. She wore a magenta velvet dress trimmed with gold filigree. A pearl choker clutched her neck. She looked like a Victorian ghost. “There are countless other creatures that have come to our aid in the past, but those are the ones protecting the lobby right now.” She waved her hand around the room and smiled.
Each sconce flickered with their faux candles, and a chill skated over me.
The special effects in this place were dynamite.
I definitely ate up what they were dishing out.
“I bet,” I smiled, totally into it.
“I’m Ember,” she said, smiling. “Please let me know if you need anything tonight. I’m here until the morning.”
“You’re here all night?”
She nodded pleasantly. “It suits me.”
“Do you know when room service shuts down?” I asked.
“Midnight for the full menu, but we’ll serve the hot sandwiches all night, just chips instead of fries.”
“Oh, wonderful,” Skye said happily.
“Enjoy your evening,” Ember said, turning her attention to her monitor.
“You too.” I waved and followed Skye deeper into the hotel.
“Stairs or elevator?” she asked.
I glanced at the ornate staircase, spiraling gracefully from the lobby’s polished marble floors. The dark mahogany banister gleamed, and the ornate wall sconces resembled mythical creatures.
Burgundy carpeting rolled along each step, held down tightly with a brass rod. Every part of this hotel screamed another era, and I loved it. Even the chandelier sparkled majestically.
Skye started first and I followed behind. I was in awe of this hotel, and it kind of made me proud to know Keegan ran it. As we ascended the steps, we came to a landing that harbored a large stained glass window.
“I didn’t even notice that outside,” I said, shaking my head.
“What?” Skye asked, glancing in the direction I was staring. “Oh, wow. Beautiful. Is that a dragon?”
I nodded in awe. “Yeah…. They didn’t leave a stone unturned.”
