Page 76 of Forever Together

In fact, he was afraid. Trapped in this house were the people he cared deeply for. They were not just coworkers, they were all his friends, and in Turney’s case, the love of his unlife. And really, they all were more than just friends…they were family. He had claimed them. They were his to protect, to care for. There was no doubt in his mind that Dayan had already succeeded in taking someone from him. And now he was at risk of losing so much more.

Octavius wrapped his arms around his waist trying to keep his emotions—his sadness and anger—in check. Godric was likely gone. Dayan had most likely forced his hand. There was no way he’d allow this many ghouls to be created if he was of sound mind. The zombie had either been turned into a ghoul himself…or was dead.

Octavius wasn’t afraid of Dayan, or even the possibility of his own death. But he was terrified of what the Knight had planned for those he loved. Why couldn’t Dayan have just come after him?! Why did he have to involve so many people Octavius cared about?! The bastard was infuriating.

Familiar arms wrapped around him, pulling him back against a firm chest. “It’s going to be okay, Octavius,” Turney whispered. “We’ll get through this, just like we have everything else.”

“You don’t know that,” he said grimly.

“Hey, none of that,” Turney shushed him. “Let’s be positive. We will get through this. Dayan will pay for everything he’s done. It’s fate. I just know it. We have gotten through so much already. There’s no way it will end here.”

Turning around in his arms, he peered into Turney’s eyes. There was fear there, yet…also hope. Octavius straightened his back and took a deep breath. “You are right. We will get through this!” He forced the doubts and the fear away, and smiled. “Let’s find that bastard.” He pecked Turney on the lips.

The zombie chuckled and gave him a kiss back. “Mm, let’s find him and end his shit, once and for all.”

Cormac made a loud gagging noise. “I swear you two would make out in a field of dead bodies. Like, is no situation off limits to your lovey dovey nonsense?!”

“Hey!” Octavius cried. “I bribed you with Henry’s number so you’d stop that.”

Henry gasped. “Master Octavius!”

Cormac chuckled. “I got it like days later from the vampire himself! Bribe me better!”

Octavius narrowed his eyes at the wolf, ignoring the glare he felt coming from Henry.

“Is…this normal too?” Theo hesitantly asked.

“Yes!” everyone said at once.

The older wolf sighed.

“If you two are done,” Scarlett drawled. “Let’s start searching. It’s a hotel…there are a hell of a lot of rooms to check. Dayan is no doubt cloaking.”

Octavius nodded. “Let’s go. Everyone stay close and be careful. The fact remains that this hotel is still what I said it was. A place of many traps and hidden rooms. I suggest we take one floor at a time. According to the building’s layout in the brochure, there are seven main floors, along with an eighth floor that consists of just a single wedding suite. But on top of those there are hidden chambers, and even pits beneath the hotel. However, I’m not sure how to reach any of that. I doubt Dayan is waiting somewhere in a hidden room if he wants me to find him. Though he could be…”

“Right.” Turney frowned. “I guess we look around each floor and then head up?”

“It’s as good a plan as any…” Scarlett shrugged. “What is on this floor?”

Octavius looked around, thinking it over. The area they were currently in was all faded carpet, peeling wallpaper, and a lot of exposed wooden beams. The ceiling was vaulted. There were plush worn-down, dusty chairs and sofas spaced around the room, along with coffee tables, for guests checking in to sit. Centered between two staircases that led up to the next floor was a large wooden desk. Behind it was a wall of keys. Further up there looked to have been a spot for a sign, the wood had been left discolored by whatever had hung there before. Then off to either side of the room were hallways leading to other parts of the floor.

“There is the check-in desk, but otherwise, some lounge areas, a few banquet halls, and the kitchen,” Octavius said. “To note…there is an elevator, but I would recommend avoiding it at all costs, as it has the ability to be turned into an oven at any moment.”

Cormac grunted, “Yeah…being cooked alive is for sure not on my list of things to do.”

Turney sighed. “It's not on anyone’s list, I imagine. What do we have left of our things that could be useful?”

“I still have all my supplies,” Min-ji stated.

“Those who still have bags, bring them along if they have something useful in them, toss them away if they don’t,” Scarlett instructed before saying, “They will only be a burden otherwise. Min-ji, get out what you think will be easy for you to grab and use in an immediate fight, and then give me your bag to carry. You don’t need it weighing you down as you fight.”

Min-ji nodded and shrugged the thing off. It landed with a heavy thud. How had she run with that thing on? As Min-ji started to dig into her bag, the wolves and Henry tossed their backpacks aside. A few minutes later, Min-ji had a smaller sling-type bag strapped to her front— there were many zippers and pockets.

“I’m ready,” she announced.

Scarlett picked up the backpack the witch had discarded and slipped it on. “Let’s be off then.”

“I suppose we just pick a direction?” Henry mused.

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