RAFEL FREED ONE OF HIS HANDS to swipe his key card at his room door. Cora stood to the side and silently watched his movements; the key card was in the perfunctory maroon of his Arc, dipped at the sides in gold. Percival and he had agreed tonight was a no disturbance night. He had the spacious dorm to himself and hid out his apprehension beneath the glow of the door reading his mana print.
He was successfully identified a [Hellion], and the door softly swept open like a screen, with a click; never mind that it was four inches thick of dragon scale metal. The same iron of the first ancient knights who had lost many a head in the taking of the beasts.
Rafel took Cora's hand again and moved into the room with her. The door shut softly behind them.
"Feel free to look around. I'll get us drinks."
Rafel released her with a nod. He headed off the luxury lodging to the common area he shared with Percival. The chambers in Salem Hall could be equated to the exquisite and detailed lodges in the District of Lords at Titans Landing.
Styled in the architecture of one past Queen who had birthed twin boys and wanted them to share a chamber but not distract from the riches they were born with, the dorm rooms gave of the air of pompous strides and royalty.
It had to be the best of standards, considering the ilk of students at Corynthia.
Witches or not, the pupils of the [C. A. W] were the finest breed in all the land. Pureblood vampires, military heirs, daughters of naval Admirals; and as such their domiciles and quarters had to reflect this lavish lifestyle. Perhaps, even to a severe degree.
Rafel returned shortly with the drinks. He offered one to Corazón who still stood where he left her. She had not moved one bit. He said, "Grape juice. It's the only non-alcoholic we have in the cold room. I figure you'd wanna slow down after the party.
This will beat the hangover of the morning."
Cora nodded her thanks. They were standing in his section of the room. Rafel drank first and Cora followed with a sip. She noticed most of everything he had was black or some shade of it. No wonder he'd manifest for [Raven Arc] too. Cora's eyes dropped to the wide four-poster in front with the gilded canopy and red oak stabs.
The curtains were pulled.
For just the briefest of moments, she imagined the hot youth beside her, shirtless, with his head on a pillow, red hair streaking the sheets like flames. Cora dropped her eyes and cleared her throat. Read the latest on m_v-l'e|-novelhall.net
"Uh, why did you bring me here?"
Rafel smiled. He got her meaning. "I shouldn't have brought you to my bedroom first. What a gentleman I am!"
Cora smiled back. "If it helps, I don't think you are. . .a gentleman."
"Fair." Rafel moved his head. "Come with me."
He led Cora into the common area with the fine sofas and private fireplace. The pinnacle of his plan for the night rested just above the mantel; good ol' memory-restoring Lady Fyre's painting. Cora's eyes didn't meet the abstract mural immediately, but Rafel wasn't worried. She would look upon it at some time before her leaving.
He would make sure of it—even if he had to execute another failed seduction.
Otherwise, the plan was going on smoothly. He knocked off the markers in his head.
She lowered the ceramic holding plate to a near stool. "Uh, what are you doing?"
"What?" Rafel looked up at her mischievously.
"—sitting at my feet?" Cora started.
"Uh, I'm sitting ON THE RUG." He caught her narrowed blue iris. "What? You took the seat closest to the fireplace. I just need some warmth too."
"That's a lame excuse—even for you, Israfel," Cora said.
Rafel laughed a rumbly sound. It exited Cora to her toes. She knew she had to leave, quick. His lovely amber eyes under her was not a good idea. At all. Rafel, in his own head admired her.
Cora tried not to let her smile slip out. "What the hell are you laughing about?" she challenged.
Rafel leaned his head back on the couch. It exposed more the gold in his eyes to the flames of the fireplaces. His gaze burned wicked hot. Rafel answered, "Nothing. I just remembered that's why I liked you. You don't let me have it easy.
Even if you have no memories of it, Corazón, you were the sturdiest girl I ever met."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Oh, believe me it is!"
Rafel laughed that wolfish sound again, and Cora felt the smile push through.
"There it is, girl! Gimme more!"
They both went on chuckling for a few seconds.
"Ah, my god!" Cora played with her silver curls; her first girlish attribute.
"Did you get through?" Rafel pointed at the ruby crystal ball.
Cora looked to the device. "Oh, my girlfriend? Nah. She's probably dancing it out, still expecting me. But eventually, she'll get worried or bored and head for the nearest [crystal ball] booth. She'll find the message I dropped for her.
It'll be fine." Cora grabbed a fat throw pillow. "Now, quit stalling. Tell me why you've brought me into your room."
"I will," said Rafel, scooting in, "but first, tell me about Mr. Mortimer?"
He watched Cora settle into the love seat, her ocean eyes fading into thought. 'The painting works, but you have to ease them into remembering; find out what they already know. . .it's the first step.' Dr. Shetty had said, the last time he was at her office. And what better way to ease her into her forgotten memories than asking about her father.