Page 84 of Red Fire
“You have beautiful hair.”
“Thanks.” He’s just being nice. It’s who he is.
My heart sinks when I see the castle. It’s almost time to say goodbye. I don’t want to.
I have to.
I will.
I can do this. I need to be strong.
Minutes later, he pulls into a parking lot.
“I’ll go in with you,” he tells me, glancing my way.
“Thanks,” I mutter. I know I should send him away, but it feels good to draw this out a little longer. A few more minutes won’t hurt.
We go inside through a different entrance than the last time. This is clearly the main entrance to the castle. There is a porte-cochere and a grand set of vast doors that look to be made out of silver or platinum. Masked guards flank the entrance; they nod at us as we make our way inside. There are more guards inside who stand at their various posts.
As we step into the lobby, my mouth falls open. The place is massive, with towering marble columns and grand chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Tapestries must be a thing in the castle because there are more of them depicting dragons in various states of shift. There are also fight scenes. And a huge tapestry behind the large reception desk shows a person astride a huge beast. It must be of a Sky Warden. It’s quite beautiful.
There are four men behind a mahogany reception desk. They’re dressed in fitted suits.
The closest one does a double-take when he sees me. He elbows the guy next to him, who also does a double-take when he sees me.
“Good day to you, sir…um, madam. You’re the human we heard about,” the one says. His name badge says “Rockwell.”
“Yes, you’re Octavia,” the other one says. According to his name tag, he is Knox.
The other two start whispering together, eyes on me.
“I’m sorry,” Knox says. “We don’t get many humans on Mistveil.”
“You’re somewhat of a sensation after surviving in the jungle,” Rockwell says before looking around us. “There are rumors that you stood up to the colonel,” he whispers. “That you put him in his place.”
Knox rolls his eyes. “He’s so rude.”
“Not a very nice person,” Rockwell adds. “Glad you stood up to him.”
“What can we do for you today?” Knox asks.
“I was offered accommodation here at the castle until the flight back to the Mainland next Monday. I want to accept the offer, please.”
“Absolutely, madam,” Knox says, typing into a computer.
“Please call me Octavia.”
“Such a lovely name,” Rockwell says as Knox picks up the phone.
“I have the human, Octavia, here at reception,” Knox says, glancing at me, a smile tugging on the corners of his lips. “Yes…” He makes a noise of agreement and then nods his head and makes the same noise again. “Yes, perfect.” He puts the phone down, looking at me. “Star will be here in a few minutes to take you to your room and help you get settled.”
“Thank you,” I reply.
Creed and I move a few steps away.
“This is it,” I tell him.
“I’ll wait until Star gets here,” he says, pushing his fingers into his pockets and rocking back on his booted feet.