Mortal 02 - Mortal Seductions by Allyson James

Author:Allyson James [James, Allyson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-07-22T04:00:00+00:00

13

WHEN Demitri and Val returned to the hotel in Luxor for lunch, Demitri’s friend Karim gave him a sealed envelope. “A well-dressed German asked the manager to make sure you got this,” he said. “I thought I’d deliver it myself.”

Demitri thanked him. Karim looked curious but would never pry, a trait that made him easy to be friends with. Demitri found a note, in German, asking to meet him inside the Old Winter Palace Hotel. Alone.

“Might be our thief,” he said, showing the note to Val.

Val raised her brows. “A far cry from an archaeology student wishing to make extra money.”

“This man might be the fence, who can lead us to the thief. I should meet him.” He hesitated.

“I’ll be fine. I planned to take Felicia shopping, anyway. She called me and said she had a free afternoon today. She’s going to meet me here.”

“You might be safer locked in your room.”

“Aphrodite wants me to shove Felicia and Remy together, which I’d do even if she didn’t insist. I like this part of my job, Demitri. I’ll make sure Valenarian doesn’t take over.”

Val spoke glibly and hid her worry. Valenarian’s voice had been strong this morning, stronger than it had ever been. Val sometimes heard the demon’s voice faintly, but usually Valenarian either took over completely or vanished. Never had Val felt a duel existence inside her.

“All right.” Demitri reluctantly rose, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Meet me back up in the suite at four. If you’re late, I’ll take the town apart to find you.”

“I’ll be fine,” Val repeated.

She met Felicia as the young woman entered the hotel lobby looking for her. Felicia wore a plain shirt and pants, and she’d washed up from the dig, but that’s was the extent of her effort.

“Come with me,” Val said, tucking her hand under Felicia’s arm. “We’ll make you beautiful.”

“I’d like to see that,” Felicia laughed.

Val decided to ignore Valenarian and enjoy herself that afternoon. She took Felicia to a dressmaker, and they entered a private, cushioned, closed-off room that was feminine and comfortable.

A beautiful Egyptian woman sat down next to Felicia and looked her over while an assistant ran back and forth to bring out assorted dresses, shirts and slacks, tunics, and jewelry.

“I don’t know what to get,” Felicia said, bewilderment in her eyes. “And I know I can’t afford it.”

“But Demitri can,” Val assured her.

“He won’t want you buying clothes for me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. He wants me to spend the money on whatever I wish, and today, I wish to spend it on you.”

“I’ll pay you back.”

“No, you will not.” Valenarian snapped forth in that moment, her rage mounting. Stupid, vapid girl. Couldn’t she see that Val was trying to help her?

Val gasped and Valenarian was gone. The shop owner and Felicia looked at her in concern.

“I’m fine,” Val said, fanning herself. “I’m warm, that’s all.”

The shop owner called to her assistant who instantly returned with cool drinks and a cloth for Val’s head. Val accepted graciously, too shaken to protest she didn’t need them.

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