“He’s alive. You can find some comfort in that while we get ready, call the Royals, work out a plan,” Nira added. “We need a bit, given the changes, to work out the logistics. In the meantime, go get yourself showered. I’m sure it will help, not only to clean up, but as a distraction while you wait. I will show you to the bathroom and grab you some clothes I had someone fetch for you. Everyone will be waiting to discuss the mission with you after.”
Chapter Eleven
I’d followed Nira to what she’d termed the bathroom. This sectioned-off area, more a suite, to me seemed bigger than the whole of my apartment. Of course, I was easily overwhelmed at the moment, too. There was a sitting area with a love seat and all, like one would find in a spa. The colors here were basic, but more natural and warm than the rest of the loft. It felt like walking outdoors, all earthy, with lots of plants, not only sitting around, but hanging from the ceiling, as well. There were even groupings around the furniture like one would find done up in a rooftop garden. I didn’t have a green thumb myself, but I did love nature. I felt I could suddenly breathe easier in here.
A double sink sat across from the grouping of seats. A dressing table with a high mirror sat in a corner. Big potted trees framed both sides of it, with a few smaller plants around them. A hairdryer, and everything else you could think of to primp with, from creams and makeup to brushes and sprays, sat on a table waiting to be utilized. Beyond the wall that divided off this section was a toilet and tub or shower, I assumed, but through the open doorway, all I could see was a shelving unit full of fluffy towels and bottled items, probably shampoos and body washes.
“Who lives here?” I asked, not able to stop the thought from flying out of my mouth due to the shock of this part of the loft. I’d not thought anything could top what I’d already seen, but here I was in the private spa of the place. I had to wonder if it had been photographed for magazines.
“Well, I do, for one, but I share it with two others. Each vampire has their own apartment. This is our central meeting place. In exchange for caring for the place, me and two others live here rent free. It’s a good gig that lets me tend to our group’s business on a daily basis, rather than having to find a job to fit into the world. Wait until you see the tub.”
If you continued on, you came to a wide open expanse that housed a shower with seats and two shower heads. To the other side was a whirlpool tub you could swim in alone or fit four within comfortably. The place was decorated to the hilt, like the rest of the place, with all the same earthy tones as the seating area, browns and greens to accent all the shades of soft white. All very neutral and natural, it made me feel right at home, and took away that usual unease at having to shower at someone else’s house that I usually felt, outside of Chloe’s. Even in here, flowers and candles were everywhere, along with some decorative rocks. I did raise my eyebrows at the plasma screen TV that hung on one wall, so you could catch your favorite show why you bathed, I guess.
“After we get Lex, can I rent this place for a day? I mean, it isn’t just a place to shower, but a place to indulge, hang out.” I half joked out loud.
My body and mind longed for this all to be over so I could pamper myself, hopefully in Lex’s arms. I couldn’t imagine sharing the place with him. Well, I could, but probably shouldn’t just yet. It would only serve to make me miss him even more, if that was even possible.
She laughed, then excused herself, without giving me an answer. As I undressed, I heard her moving around in the seating area. In another full-length mirror, I caught my reflection, marveling that not a scar, or so much as a red mark, appeared anywhere on my body.
“Nira? Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure,” came her voice from the other side of the wall. “You want to set a date now for that rental?”
“No. I was just joking. At least, I think. What I want to ask is about how I healed. I mean, you talked about blood and magic and herbs and all that healed me, but my leg was broken and I had a gash I assumed would require stitches, so how is it that there is not a mark on my body, when only a day or so has passed? I don’t even have so much as a bruise.”
“One usually does not heal as fast as you did from what we do, the blood and magic. It’s fast, but not that fast. Especially not from a broken bone. But, with you, your magic sort of shimmered inside you as you rested. We could feel the power of it raging. And, we discussed it, and believe even with your newly discovered powers, ones you can’t control yet, they mixed with what we did to heal you completely. Honestly, the plan had been that the Royals rescued Lex and the others, and brought him here to you while you recovered fully. But, you surprised us all. Continue to, I should say.”