Chapter 60

I have been mortal, and some part of me is mortal yet. I am full of tears and hunger and the fear of death, although I cannot weep, and I want nothing, and I cannot die.

―Peter S. Beagle,?The Last Unicorn

Charlotte didn't protest as Rurik took her into the lobby of the Grand Hotel Europe. She had to trust that he wouldn't hurt her after everything they'd been through.

He wouldn't, would he?

He took her straight to the front desk and spoke to the hotel steward in rapid Russian, then slid the man a black credit card. The steward's eyes widened as he took the card, then hastily prepared a set of keycards, handing them to Rurik.

"Come," Rurik growled, his grip on her wrist still tight as they headed to the elevators.

"Rurik, please" she begged as the elevator doors closed, sealing them in. "If you would just listen"

"Not now."