Healing Kisses (Sophia and Santiago) novel Chapter 197

196

This hotel is a minimalist white fluorescent nightmare.

Upon entering the lobby, the high ceilings and cement greet us like an old parking garage. There's a waiting area framed by a huge white rug with matching metal-framed chairs. This looks like the kind of place where what happened to me during my treatment happens. It's definitely giving "we're all going to die here" vibes. Before we can get to the front desk, I spin around and head back towards the cars, not caring that the paparazzi are outside.

"Is everything okay, your grace?" Ana asks from behind me.

"I'm not staying here. It looks like a morgue in there," I shake my head. Kaylee immediately starts laughing, and Ana presses her lips together and nods. She motions for me to get in the car. "I'm looking for somewhere a little less creepy that can accommodate all of us."

"Thirty-two, my grandmother opens my door. It's so weird how they just blend in.

"I agree," Kaylee says, taking in a deep breath.

"Call me paranoid, but that set off all my red flags," | shake my head. I get a new place, and it takes about forty minutes for us to get situated. As were checking in, my phone begins to ring. I look down to see it's an unknown number. "Hello?"

"I picked that hotel for a reason, Ragnar growls on the other end.

"Was the reason to freak me out with how fucking creepy it is?" I scoff. There's silence for a moment. "I hope you can get a refund or a discount for yourself when you stay there!'

"Sophia, don't hang up," he says just as I was going to hang up on him. I shut my eyes, feeling angry with this already, and then put the phone back to my ear.

"What?"

"We own the hotel," he states.

"That sucks. I'm sorry, I clear my throat.

"Just go back," he sighs.

"I meant I'm sorry that you own that creepy ass building, not sorry for leaving," I roll my eyes. I can hear Ivar laughing in the background.

"Fine," he growls.

I hang up and tuck my phone away because I really don't want to speak with him at the moment. I can feel my phone buzzing in my pocket all the way to get my key.

Kaylee looks over at me when it keeps buzzing in the elevator. As soon as we step into the suite, her phone starts ringing.

"Hey," she answers, trying her best not to laugh. "She's in the bathroom," she says, looking right at me. "I think her phone is on the kitchen counter, Ana laughs as she drops onto the couch with me. "Yeah, I'll tell her. Bye."

"You are a menace," Ana sighs.

"I don't want to listen to him rant about this. I prefer the silence. It gives him time to miss me," I roll my eyes.

"This isn't the first time this has happened?"

"No, and he started it. On far worse situations," I say, remembering when he avoided me because he didn't want me to know we were mated. "I also didn't know he picked the hotel. I thought it was Oroboros.

"Me too, Kaylee says, tapping away at her phone. "Ivar says he's really mad."

" know, I feel it,"I sa, placing my hand on my chest.

The four of us stay in not wanting to inconvenience the guards any more than I already had. The next morning, I put on the outfit Ana had prepared for me. As soon as I walk out of my room, they all turn their attention to me.

"Wow, my grandmother nods with approval.

"Do you guys not like the way I dress all the time?" I ask, feeling a little judged.

"Of course, I do. Except you're usually dressed like Elder Baldr Axel's daughter. Right now, you look like the Lycan Queen," she smiles smugly. "I mean no offense. You just look like you re leading your guards to victory, not the King's most precious possession."

I hate that I understand what she's saying. I take a deep breath and sit at the table to have breakfast. The four of us walk out together and head down to the cars. No one updated the paparazzi on where we would be staying.

"I second that, Ana agrees.

If this is the case, it doesn't matter how many guards I have with me. They're dangerous. I reach into my bag and hold up the face masks I brought with me just in case it stunk here.

"Don't take these off. I'm texting the team now," I say and do just that.

"Did you know?"

"No, and these don't guarantee anything. We'll be more prepared when we come back tomorrow. Best behavior.

Everyone," | look over at them. They all let out a heavy sigh in sync.

My grandmother gets out of the car first, and then Ana.

Kaylee and I take deep breaths and step out of the car together. The cameras all flash as the two of us make our way inside. They want this to be public. That much is clear. It's the only thing keeping me at ease.

Kaylee takes my hand when we reach the spinning door.

The weird thing about these camera parasites is that. none of them is asking questions. All they're doing is taking out pictures. The moment we get inside, I feel my affinity come to life, much like it does when I let go back home. It's accepting the atmosphere like automatically linking to the wifi.

"Lycan Queen Sophia Axel. It is an honor to meet you," a girl who cant be any older than sixteen bows in front of me. She's wearing overalls under her lab coat, and her hair is pulled back with two thick French braids. When she straightens up, her eyes flash bright blue before settling to the most beautiful aquamarine gems I've ever seen. Sirens. "Your reputation precedes you, your grace."

"My reputation?"

"It's not often that an immortal breed outside of our own develops a siren affinity, she smiles, flashing us her sharp teeth.

"Your eyes are glowing like hers, Kaylee whispers.

"You didn't know," the girl grins, and her teeth give me goosebumps. "It's all right. Why would you? Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Svetlana Siniya. Am the Notsrum of my school. The alpha, if you please."