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Ten years didn’t make much of a difference in the human world. The technology had advanced, but not to the point that I didn’t understand any of it. Cell phones were thinner and apparently smarter, but it wasn’t anything I wouldn’t be able to handle. Wi-Fi was everywhere. And I meant everywhere. People were walking down the streets and able to use Wi-Fi, no longer needing to be in specific places to have access.
Clothes were flashier, cars sleeker, buildings taller. We were in the middle of New York City. Still hustling and bustling. Millions of people lived there ten years ago, and it looked like it had only grown busier since.
“Stay at my side,” I whispered to Berry. “Dogs off leashes are already dangerous. If you move from my side, it will be worse.”
A leash? Berry made a sneezing huff noise to show his distaste. I do not like this place.
“You may return if you wish.”
No. I stay with you.
His quick response had me grinning. He’d never voluntarily leave my side.
Our first stop was a little spot on the other side of Central Park. There were a few fae who lived in this realm, acting as our contacts. They were Independents by choice, but we kept good relationships with them. That was becoming useful now as I grabbed the hidden bundle in one of the trees. I unsealed it with a drop of my blood, and it unwound. Only fae blood would have worked.
Again, more validation that I wasn’t human. I hated it. Hated that I had lost something so precious about myself. It had been easy ignoring it when I was in Faerie, but back in this realm, I felt like I stuck out. I felt wrong. And there wasn’t anything I could do to fix that.
“Come,” I said, looking at the sky through the trees. “I don’t like how full the moon is.” It felt ominous. Something bad was happening out there. The humans were oblivious to fae, but it didn’t mean the fae weren’t there, and not all of them were good. Most fae weren’t good if I were being honest. I was trying to change it, but it was something that would take lifetimes to change. And until then, the fae loved nothing more than preying on humans.
A gorgeous hotel stood proudly before us. I took a deep breath. My first interaction with humans after so long. Hopefully, I didn’t mess it up.
People gave me odd looks, nervousness thrumming through them as they glanced at Berry. He was using a glamour so he looked like a big dog, going up to my hips.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, no pets are allowed,” the man at the counter said.
Smiling, I pulled on my magic to add in a little compulsion as I said, “He’s my service dog.”
His dark eyes glazed over for a moment before clearing back up. “Oh, of course. I apologize. How may I help you?”
“My name is Joslyn Naevana. I’d like to check in indefinitely. One of your penthouse suites.”
The receptionist eyed me warily. “I will need a credit card.”
I smiled playfully as I pulled out my wallet. It was full of all the things a human would need to live in this world. “Well, it’s a good thing I have a card for you.” I grabbed the black credit card. The glossy covering reflected the hotel’s soft warm lights. The guy’s eyes widened completely.
“I apologize, madam. I will get you checked in as soon as possible.” He tucked his phone to his ear and dialed a number. “Hello, we have a special guest. I request Mr. Monterey. He’ll want to meet with her.” He listened for a moment as he typed away on the keyboard. When he hung up, he gave me a big smile.
“Welcome to The Plaza. We have space in our penthouse. Would you like a one-bedroom or two-bedroom?”
“Oh, you didn’t need to contact anyone. I do not wish to have any special services. I only want a warm bed right now. And privacy.”
“Mr. Monterey prefers to welcome our most special guests personally.”
“Oh. Well, okay. A two-bedroom, please.” I patted my dog. “We’ll need the extra space.”
The receptionist looked down at the dog and smiled. It was amazing how money changed everything. “Of course, Ms. Naevana.”
He quickly got me settled, and by the time he was done, a man in a sharp navy-blue suit had come out. “Thank you, Thomas. I’ll handle it from here.”
The man smoothly took the room card from the receptionist and then turned to me with a wide grin. There were dollar signs in his eyes. “My name is Oliver Monterey. I’m the owner of the hotel.” Monterey nodded to a man dressed like a butler. “Zack here will help with your bags.”
“This is all I have,” I said.
Monterey’s polite smile dimmed a little. “Then he will carry that for you.”
I smirked. “I don’t mind carrying it myself.”
“He insists. It’s his job.” The last part of that was aimed at the butler.
Knowing it was a losing battle and since I wasn’t up to having a silly argument in public, I gave in, handing the bag over. Zack carried it like it was the most precious cargo in the world.
“If you will follow me, Ms. Naevana.”
“Please, call me Joslyn.”
“Joslyn. It’s a pleasure having you stay in our hotel. May I ask, is this pleasure or for business?”
“A mix of both. Unfortunately, I don’t know how long I will be here. It can be as little as a week to as long as three months. It all depends.”
“Of course. That isn’t an issue with us. We are more than happy to have you stay in our grand penthouse terrace suite. It has a gorgeous view of Central Park and the city skyline. I promise, you will not be disappointed. Zack will be your butler for the duration of your stay. If you ever need anything at all, he will be the one to help you.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
Monterey led me to the private elevator, signs warning those not in the penthouses away. He used the card to lead me directly to my floor. The entire time, he kept a steady stream of a one-sided conversation going, telling me about everything I was going to love about the room, about the security, and the other services they had available for me twenty-four seven.
By the time we arrived, I was ready to slam the door in his face and go to sleep. It was late at night, and I used a lot of magic to get there. My limbs felt too heavy as I moved around.
The penthouse was two floors, the place warm with its soft cream colors, soft blue furniture spread throughout to accentuate it. It was nice. Didn’t match with what I used in Faerie, but in the human realm, this was what wealthiness probably looked like.
It took a bit to get rid of Monterey and the butler, but once they were gone, I didn’t bother looking around, instead going upstairs and flopping onto my bed, falling asleep almost instantly. The last thing I felt before dozing off was Berry curling against my back, his heat giving me a sense of peace and comfort in a world full of heartache and iron.
