Page 49 of Ashes

“You’re getting better,” Luther says quietly. “More control.”

“With small things, yes,” I tell him. “Big things… when I’m fired-up.” I pause and shake my head at myself. “No pun intended.”

“You mean you lose control when emotion takes over?”

“Yes.”

We’ve reached the bottom of the steps. Luther moves around me and follows a similarly dark corridor past a series of doors with no numbers or handles. “It’s harder for fire mages. Our emotions live closer to the surface. We run hot.” He glances at me. “In more ways than one.”

I’m trying to figure out whether Luther just flirted with me or if I completely misinterpreted what he said when he stops and points at a door. It looks no different from any of the others.

Luther takes the key and, holding it in his hand, whispers, “Uvam kur ka, e roqa sra daae.”

A keyhole appears. He slots the key into it and turns, this time muttering, “Lisrar Rukk.” He repeats the incantation until the door clunks and swings open.

I hold my breath and follow him inside.

“This is it?” I ask, staring at the room. “This is the top-secret room?”

Luther throws our bag onto the bed. Just one bed, I’ve noticed. “What were you hoping for? A waterbed and a fancy bathtub?”

I walk across the room in just a few paces. It’s tiny and contains nothing but a small double bed, a minibar, and a dark wooden desk. A door to the right of the bed opens onto an ensuite with one sink, a toilet, and a shower. “I just thought—top secret hotel, fancy magick key.” I shrug and sit down on the end of the bed. “I thought it would be less… basic.”

“Basic is kind of the point.” Luther skims his hand over the desk. “People who use these rooms want security, privacy, and anonymity. They’re not so interested in creature comforts.”

“Right.” I cross one leg over the other and cock my head. “And you’ve used this place before?”

Luther’s eyes narrow.

“Your friend said theusual.”

He doesn’t reply, just takes out his phone and turns it to me. Pointing at the map on the screen, he says, “The club is here. We’re here. It opens at midnight.”

“Itopensat midnight?” A yawn scratches at my throat just thinking about having to stay up that late.

“If you’re tired, you can sleep while I go fetch some supplies.”

“Supplies?” I un-cross and re-cross my legs.

Luther stands back as his gaze trails down my body. It warms my skin and makes me shuffle uncomfortably. He’s still mad at me—has been since I arrived in town—but now and then something else flickers in his face. Whatever it is makes me more uncomfortable than his anger.

“Nova, your brother works in a supernatural fetish club. It’s not a jeans and tank tops kind of place.”

Color rushes to my cheeks. “So, you’re going outfit shopping? For both of us?”

“The less you’re out and about, the better.” Luther shoves his wallet into his back pocket. “I won’t be long.”

He’s at the door when my embarrassment fades and I call to him, “Wait…”

Luther’s shoulders ripple; he’s sighing at me. “Yes?”

“How will you know what size to buy?”

He turns around, presses his lips together, then rubs the back of his neck. “I’ll guess.”

I stand up and put my hands on my hips. “That’s a terrible idea.”

“Nova, we’re not picking out a prom dress. We just need to fit in.”

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