EIGHTEEN
KEEPING HIDDENA man’s body on a cruise ship wasn’t an easy task. We couldn’t simply throw Oliver overboard. That would be horrible, even though he was a scoundrel. Not to mention we could be spotted doing the deed. We couldn’t let a body decompose in the cargo hold, and we couldn’t ask the captain to please moor somewhere so we could dump Oliver in a ditch.
TheSS Florentiawas sailing towards Ibiza under a shiny turquoise sky but in a strong gale. Due to bad sea conditions, it was taking longer than usual to reach the Spanish island. We were going to be stuck with a corpse for days. Also, there was no Royal Occult Bureau in Ibiza, and it would be hard to explain to the Spanish Unnatural Office what had happened.
The only reasonable solution was to let the lamia do its body-vanishing trick, as it’d done with poor Mrs Francis. Rennie didn’t have the power to cleanse people’s memories. If someone saw Oliver’s body, we would be arrested.
The lamia wrapped around Oliver’s body, its fur expanding and shining. Nauseating noises, like bones breaking and flesh being cut, resonated as the lamia emitted a faint silver light. Despite the glittering glow and the little silver stars shining around, it wasn’t a pretty sight. I turned around, trying to wipe the tomato sauce from my shirt with a handkerchief. It was a useless task. I would have more success dusting the Sahara.
Rennie draped his jacket around my shoulders, covering the stain. “As soon as we reach Ibiza, we must wire the bureau. After that, do you want to go back home?”
I peered at the lamia who was finishing its job. “What about the lamia?”
Rennie scrubbed his chin, staring at the lovely babies watching us with big, terrified eyes. “I think we should leave the lamia alone.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him on the mouth. “Will the bureau be a problem?”
He held me by the waist. “I’ll write a report and explain to my superiors the lamia isn’t an extremely dangerous creature. It does need regulation, since it can scare people to death, but it’s not a killer. Protection laws are very clear about which Unnaturals should be exterminated or restrained. It might take a bit of work, but I’m confident that with the help of some of my co-workers, we can build a solid case in favour of the lamia.”
I kissed him again, pressing my body against his. He broke the kiss, eyes shining with lust. “Not here, luv, not next to Oliver’s melted body and a litter of furry babies.”
Yes, five pairs of innocent eyes stared at us. Mommy lamia coiled around its babies and gave us a nod, as if thanking us. I waved and smiled, and the babies let out cute cooing sounds.
“Let’s go then.” I took his hand before he could protest and dragged him out of the cargo hold.
RENNIE’S SOFT CHUCKLE echoed down the narrow staircase that led us to the upper deck.
“I’m not sure why you’re laughing,” I said. “Because I’m very serious about what I want to do to you.”
“Oh, sweetheart.”
I liked it when he called me that. As we strode along the first-class corridor, I closed my hand around his. Breathless, I stopped in front of my cabin and fiddled with the key.
“Monia.” He tugged at my hand. I preferred when he called me sweetheart. “Perhaps we should wait.”
“Shut up. It’s the best idea I’ve ever had.”
“Your parents?—”
“They aren’t here.” Thank goodness. “And I need help to remove my clothes,” I added in a whisper.
Instant heat flushed through his gaze. “I would gladly help. But?—”
“Great.” I pushed the door open and yanked him inside none-too-gently.
He remained next to the door, hands in his pockets. “The fact the lamia and Oliver aren’t a danger anymore doesn’t mean the contract I signed is null.”
“We won’t tell anyone.” I removed his jacket.
“That’s the point. I want to tell everyone. I want your parents to know about us and to give us their blessing.”
My mother would never do that, and I was tired of waiting. So I undid the first buttons of my shirt. “Can you help me here?” I sashayed towards him.
His gaze flickered over the triangle of skin left bare by the shirt. He undid a few other buttons. The hem of my chemise was visible now.
“Is that all right?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I still need help.”
