Page 177 of Sorrow & Strangers

Alice nods and pulls a folded piece of paper from her bag. She opens it and shows it to me. “He said Rafe just needs to step on this Infernal rune, and he’ll be protected for the half block to the portal.”

She hands me the paper, and I study it for a long moment before nodding and passing it back to her. I grab Rafe’s hand and slice his palm with the small Infernal dagger that I always have on hand nowadays in case of emergencies. “Rafe, stay here,” I say, scooping some of his blood onto the dagger and passing through the boundary. Alice holds the paper up for me, and I glance at it once more before crouching to draw it out on the sidewalk. It glows, and I stand up and nod at Rafe. “Okay, make sure your first step lands on it.”

The moment his foot makes contact with it, the light turns red and slides up his body, laying over him like a second skin. A shiver goes through Rafe, and he shakes his head as if settling into a new form.

“I think it worked. All my senses feel a little muffled, but I am functional,” Rafe says, smiling down at me proudly.

“Ah, once again our savant rune caster has impressed the masses,” Alice says.

We start walking, but I stay close to Rafe, unable to relax despite the rune until we get to the portal at the back of a dimly lit alley. Alice steps through without a second thought, and Rafe slides his hand into mine as we walk through it together.

The portal sucks us through, depositing us on the other side. I gasp and shield my eyes from the blinding sun as we’re enveloped in the heat of Paradis. It feels like the most comfortable hug, and there is the faint scent of suntan lotion and coconuts. Alice tilts her head back, basking in the sun, already in complete bliss.

Two attendants approach, one holding an empty silver tray and the other a tray with three tall glasses. They are filled with a bright yellow-and-orange liquid, with fluorescent straws and tiny colorful umbrellas sticking out of the tops.

“Welcome to All Souls,” the attendant with the empty tray says. “As you enter, there is a strict no-technology rule enforced by both the resort and the event. If you would please hand over your electronic devices, we will be more than happy to escort you to your suite.”

I look at Alice, wondering if she will balk, but she just pulls her phone free and kisses it before placing it on the tray. She notices my shocked expression and shrugs. “It’s how they keep it secret.”

Rafe tosses his on the tray without a second thought, and I reluctantly follow. For someone who could never afford a phone before and didn’t even have any friends to contact, it’s weird how attached I am to the little device.

Rafe picks up one of the glasses and studies it. “Is this brimstone?” he asks, looking at the gray dust rimming the colorful cocktail.

“Of course, Your Highness. We were made aware of your needs prior to your visit.”

Your Highness?

Alice picks up the other two glasses and takes a swig of hers. “Entrail alcohol? Incredible.”

I take a sip of my own drink, savoring the floral undertones. It tastes like something I’ve had before, perhaps in Eden.

“Miss Tuatha De Daanan, a pleasure. May I lead you to your suite?”

“You may,” Alice says, answering for me with a regal wave of her hand.

My lips twitch. “Lead the way.”

Chapter Seventy-Seven

Summer

The concierge leads us through the resort, giving us a tour as we go. “Paradis is, of course, the only piece of land in this realm, and the resort is only in existence due to Queen Morrigan of the Mere and her benevolence.”

I look around. The decor screams minimalist comfort, but I know this place must be extortionate to stay in, just from the furnishings in the lobby.

The concierge continues to talk about the building and the realm as we walk through the corridors. “The owner of the resort pays handsomely for the land, of course,” she says as we stop in front of a set of grand double doors, and she waves her hand over a scan pad. A lock clicks, and she pushes the doors open, unveiling a large, luxurious suite.

If I thought the parts of the resort we had already seen were luxurious, they are nothing compared to this. The room is large and bright. We must be in a corner room, because the two outer walls are all windows. Sheer curtains billow lazily in a barely there breeze, revealing a breathtaking view of the whole resort. The furnishings are cream with tasteful gold embellishments, and a massive white rug brings the whole room together.

Alice swans in. “You can go now,” she says to the concierge, obviously in her element among all this luxury.

“Alice,” I warn. I smile at the concierge. “Is the beach near?”

She nods, pointing out the window. “It lies just outside the resort doors and is exclusive to resort guests only.” She bows her head. “There is a formal dinner tonight in the grand ballroom. Our host looks forward to welcoming you.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

She nods again and then disappears through the doors, closing them behind her with a soft click.