2. 4 Horses

H oly shit I'm in Vegas… I actually fucking did it.

Taking a moment, I study the lobby. It has sleek black tiles with a thin white outline on each tile. It's just enough so the black is not too overpowering. White walls and black pillars break up all the black, red, white and green horse statues and pictures. It's classy and sleek and I fit right in here.

My steps carry me to the biggest of the hulking statues. I pause to study it. The carving of the marble is exquisite, they definitely didn't spare any expense. If I didn't know any better, I would think that this horse was real.

I stand and admire its beauty for a few more minutes like the tourist I am, but I can't avoid the humans forever. I'm dreading the ever growing line of people but I have no choice.

My foot taps on the tile impatiently as I wait which earns me more than a few dirty looks.

Don't they know I could burn them alive for that? Usually humans have a healthy amount of fear around me, an innate ability to tell that I'm other and a danger to their delicate forms.

After a few minutes of waiting, I notice that all the humans in line are staring at their phones. I don't have much use for these stupid things, but I pull mine out just to blend in. I'm grateful that Lainie keeps up with all this new technology and passes it on to me.

I do not want to look like a fool in front of these mortals.

As if I'm actually distracted, I glance up from my phone from time to time as the line slowly inches forward.

A rumble of annoyance escapes me as the time ticks on. This is ridiculous. Waiting in this line is more tortuous than judging souls in the Underworld.

Sighing, I throw my useless phone back into my bag, my foot continuing to tap.

Lainie's going to get an earful for this later. This place is nice but the newness hasn't faded yet, meaning it's far too crowded in here.

The only thing needed to send me over the edge would be the wails of a baby.

My magic ripples under the surface as I long for the safety of the Underworld. The living, breathing people in this lobby that grows smaller by the minute is too overwhelming for me.

Yes, the Underworld is full of dead people but it is my job to boss them around.

Just as I finally give up and decide to leave, I look up and realize I've made it to the front of the desk.

How did I get here?

Behind the counter is a well dressed male, hair perfect, not one piece out of place. He smells strongly of cologne and his shining silver watch has a brand even I recognize. A smile is plastered on his face as he greets me .

"Hello Miss, welcome to 4 Horses. My name is Alec. How may I help you today?"

"Hayden Underwood," I say, returning his smile and giving him my alias, "checking in."

I hand over my ID and he takes it, giving it a once over before he begins to tap on his keyboard. He takes so long I almost start to wonder if he sees right through the lies.

Making eye contact with me again, he finally smiles and hands my ID back along with my room key.

"You are on the sixth floor in room sixty-six. I hope you enjoy your stay at 4 Horses."He points me to the elevators with a dismissive wave.

"Thank you," I manage to say without burning him alive. Gold star for me today.

My heels click on the tile as I make my way around to the lifts. I arrive just in time to join a couple in the only open elevator but she holds up a hand and sneers at me before I can step inside.

"Sorry, this one is full. You'll have to take the next one." She plasters on a fake smile and adjusts her skin tight dress. If it were any tighter she'd pop out of it. Of course, the action has her male friend staring right at her chest.

I scoff, "Your ass needs all that room?"

A majority of mortal women always seem to have an aversion to me; the last time I was topside, I was disguised as a homely old lady and was treated the same.

This time I have no intention of letting some insecure mortal push me around.

With a sickly sweet smile I walk on the elevator, hitting the number six as I slide to the back.

The woman huffs again and I give her a look. She's a pretty thing, a little too much makeup on and obviously insecure as she clutches her man a little tighter.

"The nerve of some people. Why do they let sluts into this fine establishment?"

I have to bite my laughter back seeing as how she already used her body to get his attention off of me.

Trying to pretend that I didn't hear her, I watch the numbers light up as we pass each floor. It's a relief when they exit on the fifth floor. I don't need her attitude on the same floor as mine.

She gives me one last glare before they disappear down the hallway.

If only she knew I was Hades… she would be shaking in her heels.

Usually my temper would have come out to play but I needed to fit in, not cause problems. That and I'm focused on my mission, not one rude bitch

The elevator dings as it reaches the sixth floor and as the doors open, I step out into the hall.

The color scheme here matches that of the lobby. I skim the numbers on the room doors as I move along, not stopping until I reach number sixty-six.

The reader lights up green as I insert and remove the keycard, and I push open the unlocked door.

Cool air greets me, sending a shiver down my spine. The Underworld is never cold.

Lucky for me, the control for the air conditioner is on the left wall just inside the door. I push the little arrow up after sliding the lever to heat and sigh happily as the rush of cold air stops. How do humans live this way?

As I walk further into the room, the lights pop on, illuminating the suite. It's not as nice as the torches in my chambers back home… but it will do for now.

The room has white walls but everything else is black. I approve of my little home away from home, as I linger in the sitting area that is complete with a black tile fireplace.

Snapping my fingers, the fire sparks to life and starts to warm not only my chill but also the room.

Continuing my self-guided tour, I open the double doors that lead into the bedroom where I'm greeted by a king size bed. The black and white theme is not only carried on in here but in the bathroom as well.

Lainie definitely picked a high end hotel. That means I'll have all the hot water I want and room service at my beck and call. There could be worse vacation spots.

From the depths of my purse my phone chirps. I reach inside and feel for the infernal device. The screen is still lit up with a line of messages from Lainie.

How's your room?

Tell me all about the hotel, seen any hotties yet?

Stop ignoring me. I need details.

Me: So far the hotel is beautiful, a little on the cold side. I lit the fireplace so it is starting to warm up the suite. I've only seen the lobby and my room though. Unfortunately this hotel is full of humans.

My phone chirps again with her instant reply, and her message brings a smile to my lips.

Change into a bikini and hit the pool. There are bound to be hotties there and plenty of sun.

That's an excellent idea, this room is still too chilly. I'll update you later.

With a plan in mind I toss my phone back into my purse and drop it on the bed. The pool sounds like the perfect plan and I head to the bathroom to change.

Stepping in front of the full-length mirror, I picture the bathing suit that I saw in one of Lainie's magazines. I snap my fingers and my dress converts to the azure bikini with matching sandals. Damn, I made the right choice.

The pretty blue is the perfect color to complement my hair.

My blue skin, too bad that I have to change it to pale here and toned body were something I'd always taken pride in. I worked hard to keep my body strong, especially as the queen of the Underworld, but it may not be wise to wander the hotel searching for the pool dressed in only my suit. Sure I could ward off any unwanted advances, but I also don't want the headache, so I snap once more so a simple black sundress covers me for now.

Grabbing my purse, I make my way back toward the elevator, tapping my foot impatiently as I wait for it to arrive. Everything here is so slow. In hell, everything is nearly instantaneous. A snap of my fingers and I had whatever I wanted. It's only been a few short minutes and I already miss it.

After a few minutes of the floors ticking off one by one, it finally reaches my level. The door slides to the side revealing a group of couples holding hands. They stare up at each other with disgustingly adoring looks. All except for one single male in the back corner.

He's at least 6'4", with blond hair cropped short on the sides and the longer top is combed over, not a stray hair out of place. His blue eyes are nearly as icy as mine. His dark suit on his lean but muscular build and the slight stubble on his razor sharp jawline is very alluring.

My fingers make a subtle sweep across my mouth to check for drool as I scoot to the corner near the front and keep my gaze forward.

The compulsion to continue gawking at him starts to rise, but I push it down. I'm here to find a man but that's not going to happen if I make a fool of myself with the first hot guy I find. Even the queen of Hell needs options.

Now the elevator feels even slower. With his presence so close, time seems to stand still. Each second has the tension rising. It may be one sided but damn if every cell in my body is ready for him.

A few couples exit every time the elevator doors open, slowly emptying as each floor passes.

Even as the space opens up, the hottie in the suit is still tucked into his corner.

His eyes are locked onto me, I can feel a warmth spreading through me at the idea. The urge to turn to him and throw myself in his arms is so overwhelming I have to force myself to stay in my spot. My palms start to sweat as I ball them into fists, refusing to let him see what he does to me.

Every fiber of my being is yelling for me to go to him.

In an attempt to keep it together, I hold my breath for what seems to be an eternity, until the doors open to the lobby and I make my exit quickly, not daring to look back.

What the fuck is wrong with me ?

No mortal or soul has ever affected me in such a way. Could he be the one I've longed for all these years? My mate? My other half? Will I finally be complete?

Even when I was with Seph, my body didn't feel a pull to him, just to be near him or have him touch me.

Is this what desperation feels like?

Damn, Lainie was right, I need a man.