The girl pressed the glossy bag to her chest and stepped out of the car. Dense firs grew thickly by the roadside, and that’s where she headed. As soon as she hid in the prickly thicket, she heard the car door slam and the click of a lighter. Sam probably decided to smoke again.
She pulled the dress over her head, and left with nothing on, felt someone’s burning gaze. She immediately turned around but saw no one. However, just in case, she began to dress as quickly as she could. The Order hadn’t issued her any underwear, so the jeans, which hugged her curves tightly, weren't very comfortable. But there was no choice. Lina put on the top and black laced shoes. She decided to let her hair down; she had had enough of tight ponytails and stiff braids.
The abbess hated the silky, silver hair of the girl, which proclaimed that she was not like everyone else. So she forced her to braid it and hide it under scarves. Now there was no abbess, no Order, and the guides were progressive men, so Lina didn’t worry about their reaction.
She left her old dress hanging on a branch since the shapeless black robe would definitely not be needed and stepped out onto the road.
- Wow, what beauty was hiding under that shapeless piece of black fabric, - Sam commented on her new outfit. - You look hot.
- Thank you, - Lina smiled and froze again, admiring the man.
He seemed so handsome to her. Even all those jokes and lewd comments did not diminish his attractiveness in her eyes.
- Do you like me? - he asked, letting out a puff of black smoke.
- Possibly, - Lina replied, and surprised by her own boldness, returned to the car with her head held high.
- Don’t pay attention, that’s just his usual way of talking, - Nathan said, not taking his eyes off his mobile screen.
- Are all dark ones like that?
- His origin has nothing to do with his character. For Samael, sex is a hobby, a game, a way to have fun and spice up immortality. Of course, if you want to give in, I can't stop you. But the question is whether you’ll be ready for his indifference the next morning.
- I don't know, I haven't thought about it...
- But you should think about it.
When Sam returned to the car, he was no longer in the mood. Silently, he started the engine and drove the car forward. The weather also began to deteriorate rapidly. Dark clouds quickly covered the sun, and a cold drizzle started to fall.
An hour later, they entered the town of Roseburg. There, they refueled the car and began looking for a motel to stop for the night. All the buildings in the town looked alike: rows of low buildings made of reddish-brown bricks. Therefore, it was impossible to distinguish which one was a hospital, school, restaurant, or motel. The only thing that helped was the signs and the friendly cashier at the gas station.
- Drive down this street, then turn right and on the left side, you’ll see a small hotel with a bright sign. It’s the only place you can stay, - the plump woman smiled.
Lina looked at her white-toothed smile, not believing that people could be friendly just like that.
Having refueled properly, Sam drove in the indicated direction. And in ten minutes, they were already at their destination. He parked the car under a two-story building. Above the low door hung a sign that read "Motel." There were no other cars in the parking lot, so they were lucky.
Lina climbed out of the cozy front seat and walked along the stone-paved path, following Nathan and Sam. The rain felt unpleasant to her. It was cold and annoying. Even when she tried to avoid direct contact with her body, the drops still landed on her bare skin.
Inside, the room turned out to be cozier than expected. A small hall had floral wallpaper and upholstered folding chairs. There were many plastic pots on the windowsill, and the wall clock had long stopped. Behind a cracked desk, immersed in solving a crossword, sat a skinny, wiry woman in glasses.
She looked up:
- I’m listening.
- We need a room with two luxury classes, - Nathan said.
- Luxury class? - the woman asked.
- Or presidential, - Sam chimed in. - The best you have.
- All our rooms are the same. With one room, one double bed, a TV, and a bathroom. If you need luxurious conditions, you should go to Portland, - the woman replied and went back to her crossword puzzle.
Samael immediately turned to the doors, but Nathan grabbed his hand.
- Stop it, we’ll have to spend one night in this hotel.
- Who will have to? I didn’t sign up for this.
- Nothing will happen to you, your crown won’t fall. And Lina needs to rest! Look how tired she is, - the light one said, and both men shot her piercing glances.
- Lina, it's up to you, - Sam finally agreed. - If you like it, we’ll spend the night here. And if not, and I hope it's not, we’ll go to Portland; I have a great loft there.
- I like it here, - the girl shrugged.
- So it's settled, - Nathan said, placing several hundred-dollar bills on the table. - No change needed.
Sam frowned and shot the unlucky woman a glare filled with hatred, as if it were her fault that the hotel wasn’t five stars.
- Thank you, - she stammered immediately, and searching in a drawer, pulled out an ancient, long-worn key. - Room eleven. Do you want me to show you?
- No, that won’t be necessary, - Nathan replied.
After that, he immediately headed for the stairs to the second floor, and Lina slowly followed him.