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“Water’s shut off too,” she rasps before taking another drag.
For good measure, I flip the switch down and back up again.
“No, no, no,” I chant.
“When is it expected to be back on?” Damon asks the Crypt-Keeper.
“Don’t know. Something about a sewage leak, so they shut the whole place down. Maintenance has to call in reinforcements from Keerah. Could be days; could be longer.”
I sputter before turning back to the darkness of my room. “Keerah? You mean the city on the other side of the island?”
“That’s the one,” she croaks.
“Okay,” I breathe unsteadily. “This is fine. I can just stay here overnight and hope they’ll be here in the morning.”
“Absolutely not.”
I flip back around to Damon. “I’m sorry?”
“You’re not staying here, Kate.”
I hear more than see him cross his arms.
Exasperated, I stumble inside, fishing for my phone to turn the light back on. Shining it around the room, I quickly search for the thermostat.
I know there’s no use, but just like the light switch, I toggle the little lever back and forth as if hope alone is enough to get it to budge.
Damon’s stepped into the room now, all big-brooding-male as he surveys the small space with disdain.
“Anyway, thanks for walking me,” I say by way of dismissal.
When he doesn’t move, I toss my phone on the bed, illuminating the room with light, and join him in a good old-fashioned stare down.
“I’m not leaving you here.”
Men.
“Contrary to popular belief, I am capable of handling myself.” And I’m determined to prove it, curveballs be damned.
Damon—arms still crossed—takes two casual strides toward me.
My heart pumps and pumps, making me dizzy.
How does he make something as simple as a T-shirt and plain swim trunks look so delectable?
“What are you trying to prove, Miss Harris? It’s eighty degrees in here. You have no AC and no running water. You won’t even be able to charge your phone should you need help.”
The subtle command behind my name scurries up my arms before tickling down my back.
He’s got a point. Staying here is going to be nothing short of miserable.
Reaching into his pocket, Damon retrieves his phone and begins typing.
“Here,” he says, showing me a webpage full of listings for available rooms for hotels in the nicer parts of Tauntuma. “Why don’t we call one of these hotels and get a room for you? You can figure out the rest in the morning, but at least you’ll be safe tonight.”
My throat tightens painfully when I spot the price. Knowing my status, I’m sure two-fifty a night seems like nothing for me to handle to Damon. But I can’t afford to pay that for the rest of this trip, or I’ll completely deplete what savings I have.
“I… can’t.” Cupping my hands under my elbows, I drop my gaze to the stained carpet between our feet.
