Chapter 54

Zara

I don’t know why I expected crossing the barrier to feel more intense, but I did. It tingled, faintly, but that was it. You’d feel more from a static shock after walking across a carpet and touching something metal.

We drove for another hour after we passed the barrier. At first, there wasn’t much to see, just more trees and then some fields. I think they might have been farmland, since I identified corn and wheat. Then we passed more houses, and then other buildings. They were taller, and closer together, than the houses, and there were many more cars on the road.

“I think this is a city,” Kieran said, peering out the window. “Wow, but humans really do live all packed in like sardines.”

“Well, some do,” I said.

“Is this the correct city?” Lucian asked.

I consulted my phone, and shook my head. “No, it’s the next major city. Looks like it’s about a two hour drive.”

“It’s late,” Lucian said, “it will be dark soon. We should find someplace to eat, and lodgings for the night. We can continue to the correct city in the morning.”

I wanted to move on immediately, but he was right. I could see the sky getting darker, and street lights were turning on. Lunch had been a while ago, too.

“Okay,” I said. I looked around. “Any idea where we’ll find food and a place to sleep?”

“You’re the human fanatic,” Kieran said.

“I guess we want a restaurant,” I said, “and a hotel. I should be able to search on my phone and find something.”

“Go ahead,” Lucian said. He looked around. “Nothing here looks like one of our dining halls.” He shook his head. “And we can’t just pick someone to follow, there are too many of them.”

I nodded. There were so many people. Some packs were crowded, but even a large pack would only have a few hundred members. A city this size must hold thousands of humans!

Searching with my phone presented me with a long list of places to get food. I listed the first few out loud.

“Steak house,” Kieran said, “Can’t go wrong with a good steak, right?”

Lucian agreed.

“It might be expensive,” I warned them.

Lucian shrugged. “We have the money, don’t worry about it. Which way do I go?”

I directed him through the streets. We pulled up to a well lit, slightly crowded building with a bright, neon sign declaring it a steakhouse.

“Well, let’s go,” Kieran said. He paused. “Hey, Lucian, remember to keep your eyes blue. Humans might freak out about the gold.”

Lucian nodded. “Right. We are passing as humans.” He paused. “I guess that shouldn’t be too hard for you, Zara.”

“No, I guess it won’t,” I said.

For once, being reminded that I was part human didn’t feel like an insult.

We found a line leading into the building, and waited at the end of it. A waiter led groups of two, three, or more people to tables scattered around a large, brightly lit room. Our turn came quickly enough, and we were guided to a table near a long, wooden bar.

A young human woman approached our table.

“Hi,” she chirped, “I’m Maddie, I’ll be your waitress tonight. Can I get you fine folks something to drink?”

“We’re not sure what is available, Maddie,” Lucian said gravely.

“Oh! Well, we have soda, tea, water, and beers.”

“Tea,” I said, seeing some confusion on both twins’ faces. We had tea and alcohol, but soda didn’t get brought through the barrier often. I only knew about it from ads.

“Sure, darlin’,” Maddie said. “What about you two?”

“Tea,” Lucian and Kieran said together.

Maddie grinned and left.

Kieran leaned close to me, to whisper, “Is it normal for servants here to greet their Alphas without bowing?”

“She’s a waitress, not a servant,” I said. “And they don’t have Alphas. Be polite, please.”

“Polite, right,” Kieran said. “I’m very charming. Lucian, maybe don’t talk too much.”

Lucian growled at his brother.

“Maybe don’t growl,” I suggested. “Humans mostly don’t do that.”

“Right,” Lucian said. “No growling.”

Maddie returned with our drinks, and several leather bound booklets, which proved to be a list of food offered in the steakhouse.

We debated for a few moments, then decided on a large house special steak each.

“You folks must be hungry,” Maddie said when we ordered. “Wonderful, I’ll have those right out to you. Would you like some rolls while you wait?”

“Yes, please,” I said.

We had to wait a few minutes, as apparently the food was prepared when it was ordered, not made all at once and handed out when patrons arrived the way it was done in pack dining houses. The steaks were delicious, tender and juicy and hot when they arrived.

After we ate and paid, including a tip which was fun to explain to Lucian, we needed to find a place to stay. Luckily for us, Maddie walked over to return Lucian’s bank card right when we were discussing the list of options I found on my phone.

“Oh, you folks are from out of town?” she asked.

I nodded.

“Well, the places on that list are all fine,” she said, “but I’d have to say the Three Willows Lodge is the most comfortable place that doesn’t require a reservation.”

“Thank you,” Lucian said.

Maddie gave us directions, and we went to find the Three Willows Lodge. It was only a short drive away.

We went through the main door, and found a smiling woman behind a wide desk.

“Hello, how may I help you?” she asked.

“Lodgings, for three,” Lucian said, then with a glance at me added, “Please.”

“Of course, let me check our availability.” She hit a few keys on her computer. “Well, I’m afraid we only have one room available right now.”

“That will not be a problem,” Lucian declared. “We will take the room.”

“Very good. Give me one moment and I’ll check you in.”

The woman at the desk gave us a paper pouch with three little plastic cards, and told us our rooms were “just down the hall.”

Lucian, Kieran and I gathered our bags, and found the room. Then Lucian handed me the packet of cards, clearly expecting me to know what to do with them.

I took out one of the cards and studied it. Then I examined the door. There was a little black box next to the door latch.

With a little trial and error, I managed to get the door open. And then I realized there was a small problem.

There was only one bed.

Lucian and Kieran crowded in behind me.

“What’s the problem?” Lucian asked.

“There’s only one bed,” I pointed out, in case he’d forgotten how to count.

“So?” Lucian asked.

“So there are three of us,” I said.

“Kieran and I are used to sharing,” Lucian said. “It’s not a problem.”

“Yeah, well, I’ll take the floor, then,” I said.

“No, you’re small. You’ll fit,” Kieran said.

“You expect me to sleep with you?” I yelped.

“Yes,” Lucian said, as if it was obvious. “You may use the bathroom first, if you need to.”

“Uh, thanks,” I said. “I really can just sleep on the floor though.”

“No,” Kieran said, “You’re still recovering.” He smiled. “Don’t worry, we’ll be perfect gentlemen.”