Page 5 of Havenfall Harbor
“A little showy, huh?” Alice pushes the single button nestled into the wooden panel. I’m tempted to run my fingers over the burnished gold etching that covers the two doors. A ding rends through the air and the sign above the doors lights up, highlighting the scrolled wordsthis car available.
“I have to admit, this place is pretty damn amazing so far.” I keep my tone low as we step onto the tiled floor and get a good look at the metal used to construct the walls.
“Most of us take the stairs.” Alice leans against the wall and hits the button with a three next to it. “But it comes in handy for moving things.”
The door closes, and the metal that’s revealed is so polished it’s like looking into a mirror. I stand up a little taller and brush my hand over the front of my t-shirt.
Alice leans in close and examines her face, turning to the left and right. Seeming satisfied, she focuses back on me. A slow grin tugs at her lips. “You know, I knew we were getting a human liaison, everyone’s been talking about it.” I readjust my grip on my bag and nod my head.
Alice’s eyes trail over me from head to toe. “I think you’re going to come as quite a surprise for most of us though.”
I brush my hair back and swallow. “Why is that?” My stomach dips as the elevator drops slightly before coming to a stop.
“Well, Ms. Quinn Shaw, I think everyone was expecting you to be a man.”
The elevator doors open before I have a chance to respond, revealing more shiny hardwood flooring, but the wooden walls from the first floor are replaced with a dove grey plaster. The texture alone shows its authenticity. “After the way Wes reacted to me, I’m not that surprised, it happens.”
“Yeah, well, don’t let anyone give you a hard time about it.” Alice steps out of the elevator and turns to the left. I follow behind her, trying not to make a big deal about how enamored I am with the older building, but my neck must look like it’s on a swivel.
It’s a short walk to a heavy door with an oval plaque next to it, the number 330 scrolled across the shiny surface. “This is you. All the rooms up here are set up like studios, you’ll have a bathroom and a small kitchen,” Alice explains, while leaning against the wall next to the door. “You’ll probably catch some shade for getting one of the premium rooms, but don’t let it bother you. They’re just staking territory. Most of us are pack animals anyway. We do almost everything in groups.” The corner of Alice’s lip tips up and her eyes twinkle before she adds, “Everything.”
I dig the keys out from my pocket and lean my luggage against my leg. “Good to know, thank you.” The key slides smoothly into the lock, and the latch clicks open as I turn the tumbler.
The heavy door swings open with a short whine, opening to darkness. The light from the hall pools on the floor of the entrance, barely penetrating the gloom.
Alice pushes off the wall and saunters over to the entryway I’m still standing in. She waves her hand in front of her face and sneers, “It’s dusty.”
I don’t notice the dust, but there is a feeling that the room isn’t empty, that I’ll be walking into someone’s space without an invitation.
Alice steps into the dimness, and I see her arm reach over to the right. Within seconds, a light flares to life, illuminating an already furnished room. I let out a soft sound of appreciation. “Not too bad.” Alice scans the space from left to right. The far wall is stone and has heavy maroon drapes hanging over three large windows—if the size of the curtains is an indication.
Alice steps onto the plush grey carpet a few steps away from the hardwood entrance, and her heels sink in without a sound. I don’t even bother with my luggage, instead I follow behind her and cast my eyes over the space. “Damn, are all the rooms this nice?”
“Pretty much, this is bigger than mine, but…” Alice leaves the rest hanging, and gives a slight shrug, not seeming overly impressed.
I lick my lips nervously. This totally wasn’t what I was expecting. I was thinking crummy bed with drafty windows and icy floors. I glance down at the carpet and the fluffy rug in front of a sofa.
“You look surprised.” Alice’s eyebrows drop a tiny bit as she tilts her head to the side.
I drag my eyes off the small fireplace nestled into the corner and focus back on her. “I was thinking more dorm room, and less…posh studio,” I tell her honestly.
The corner of Alice’s eyes crinkle as she gives me a smile. “Everybody’s in for surprises today. Grab your stuff so we can go get dinner.”
With a quick shake of my head, and the promise to explore every nook and cranny later, I rush back out to the hall to grab both of my suitcases.
* * *
Back on the first floor,Alice leads me in the opposite direction of the lobby entrance. “Every floor has a lounge, but most of the community areas are on this floor.” I rush to keep my stride paced with her long-legged gait.
I look down at my sneakers and jeans again. “Are you sure I shouldn’t have changed?” I mutter just louder than a whisper when I start to hear the voices of several others drifting out of a heavy, wooden door that’s propped open.
Alice dismisses me with a wave and a snort. “You’re fine.” She stops abruptly and turns slowly to face me. “Unless you’re looking to get noticed?” Her brows are high as she peers at me. As her eyes scan over me, she adds, “Not that you’ll need much help being noticed.”
“I just don’t want to look too out of place, that’s all,” I insist a little defensively.
Alice grabs my fingers and begins walking again, towing me along with her. I haven’t held hands with another girl since I was in grade school. Right before we reach the door, Alice drops my hand and looks over at me again. “You went to a mixed school, right?”
I know she’s asking if my school allowed supernaturals without her elaborating. “I did,” I confirm.
