Page 70 of Caressed By Sin
While I didn’t have the hotel’s address in my head, I remembered the scent of that room and followed the trail. The smell was a hint of polished wood and newly washed cotton sheets mingled with the different scents of the past people who’d been there. Fatou’s lovely fragrance was buried in there, too. Along with the scent of her needles and the stank of the khaki pants she had me wearing earlier.
I flew in the air faster.
The wind blew through my hair.
The city passed under my feet in a never-ending stream of bright lights, honking car horns and the rushing of flowing water. Traveling humans and murderous creatures strolled in the shadows. The moon was full, and its glow filtered through the trees that lined the streets, creating moonlight that danced on the water. It was a moving landscape, quietly slipping by like an ocean wave.
A soft moan left Fatou. She squirmed in my hold.
I looked down and called leather straps to wrap around her, nervous that she might be cold.
Soon the scent grew stronger and the hotel appeared in my view. I found the right balcony, used my magic to force open the glass door, and carried Fatou inside.
It took me twenty minutes to cloak the space from demon eyes and noses. It was an elaborate spell, requiring me to spill my blood and envision a space outside of the realm of demons. Therefore, I created my best interpretation of the Paradise— Eden—the area where Adam and Eve lived.
I thought of the details I’d overheard from fallen Angels.
Ribbons of illusions spun from my mind and decorated the space. The enchantments easily came to life, so real I could barely tell the difference between it and reality. Carpet transformed to grass. Tables shifted to forbidden fruit trees. The ceiling above was no longer white but a rich blue limitless sky. The fragrance of paradise lingered on the breeze. It smelled of flowers and fresh rain, new life and the mystery of adventure. Although the soothing sounds of birds filled the area, none existed.
I inhaled and added more to the space’s fragrance.
Soon the air grew thick with soft chiming bells, more birdsong, and the scent of life itself. Every breath was like drinking a sweet wine. A wall of jasper sprung up and surrounded us. On top of the wall, red and white jewels glowed.
I often wondered if the jeweled wall was a small symbol of God’s magic. But then wasn’t the entire world His creation and symbol too.
I continued to paint my Eden in the textures of paradise.
I placed holy crosses at every entrance and the illusion of Angels on the balcony. None were real, but it was enough for Ferkos’s minions to avoid the area and look somewhere else.
There. We’re safe.
In the bathroom, I spent an hour slowly cleaning my lover. Fatou slept the whole time, exhausted and limp. Her arm lay over the side of the bathtub. The jet of warm water rushed down the hollows beneath her collarbones and over the sharp curve of her shoulder blades. By completion, perfumed soap scent covered her entire body and her wet dreadlocks clung to her back.
Fatou was so beautiful. It made my heart ache when I looked at her.
You’ve captured me, Hunter. Do you know?
I wrapped her dreadlocks and body in towels, carried her over to the bed, and then lay her down.
How long will you rest?
Watching Fatou sleep, I held her in my arms. Her body, contoured against mine. She was a living sculpture of warmth and softness, and I savored every inch.
We had fun today, Fatou. I hope you’re ready for more.
I listened to the steady sound of her heartbeat.
Hours later she woke and fluttered her eyes open.
I watched her with utter fascination. “How do you feel?”
“Fine.”
I kissed the tip of her nose. “You should rest some more. The Boto Brothers won’t be easy to capture.”
“I already feel renewed.”
“Perhaps, I should give you more of my blood.”
