After a night of revelling in rich food and a lot of drink, Clara awoke in the middle of the massive bed. The last couple of outings, starting with Dora, had done wonders for her mood. While guilt lingered, it was freeing to be out of hiding, even if only long enough to take a peek over the trench.

Her eyes flowed over the in-store selection until she spotted an assortment of dresses that made her swoon. 

“You have a good eye,” the clerk said in Parisian French.

“I haven’t seen such fashions like this outside of a—” Clara replied, reproducing the same accent to irk the clerk.

“Costume shop?” the clerk asked.

Clara smirked before replying, “I was going to say a museum.”

She had been tempted to answer ‘my closet.’ However, that would have set off several warning bells.

She considered indulging in room service. The image of her sinking into the tub with wings unfurled, while sipping on champagne excited the mind. 

“You can’t wash away your guilt,” Ethereal reminded her.

She decided against it; intent on enjoying the amenities of this hotel. Tonight, she would soak in the nostalgia, while gawking at the brass fittings, revolving doors, stunning chandeliers, and opulent carpets. This place brings me back to my time as a flapper.

The suite she booked at the hotel cost more per night than Elizabeth would pay in rent. She could not help but smile at the memory of cooking in that cramped kitchen. She loved it when Elizabeth checked her out thinking that the cook was otherwise too busy to notice. I just had to fuck it all up… and I still am.

The room, courtesy of Evelyn’s credit card, was also bigger than their apartment. The bathroom itself was a thing of wonder, with a tub big enough to swim in, and a shower that featured more jets than she knew what to do with. For a second I thought it was a carwash.

The opulence of it all left her a bit torn. She had indulged in luxury as a hunter, even within the halls of this very hotel, but this went beyond the pale. What counted as luxury in the Roaring Twenties had been relegated to bargain basement accommodations today. This seems a bit much. Still, I probably won’t complain after getting a good night’s sleep in that bed…

“Not even Zeus had a temple like this,” Silver said.

She booked a suite at the iconic Château-style hotel that overlooked the old city. Clara appreciated how this city held on to its rich history. This remained the only walled city on the continent, and several buildings who survived Wolfe’s onslaught were still standing.

Of course the scars had been covered up with stone and mortar, while the blood had washed away long ago. History had been made at the cost of many lives. A part of her sensed there were many ghosts haunting this city, but was not about to give into Ethereal’s urges. 

“You don’t seem to have any trouble abusing my sister’s magic,” Ethereal countered.

That morning, Clara woke up with a fresh dose of guilt. Once more she had betrayed Elizabeth, the woman she supposedly loved, for another quick release. Whatever bond she had formed with Dora over the course of the evening, they both knew this would be a one-night stand. 

“At least, it was more entertaining than watching you rub one off before bed,” Ethereal said.

Clara slipped out of bed quietly, got dressed, and vanished from Dora’s life.

“What are you doing after this?” Clara asked, her voice quivering slightly from a lack of emotional control.

“I had nothing planned…” Dora said.

That last word hung in the air and left Clara hopeful there was interest in moving forward.

“How about dinner and drinks? Nothing better than the company of a great gal to explore the city.” Clara said.

“I’d be up for that,” Dora said. “Are you looking for something wild or—”

“Intimate,” Clara answered.

“—more intimate,” Dora finished.

They both smiled, excited they had the answer they wanted.

“I really appreciate all your help today,” Clara said. “Do you need any help to carry these back?”

“That’s thoughtful of you,” the librarian said. “Take that pile over there and follow me.”

“Happy to do it,” Clara said. “I’m Clara.”

“Dora,” the librarian answered.That name made her smile, for reasons that she would never say aloud. A dumb Dora this gal was not. This was another expression that routinely confused anyone she came across, save Evelyn.

The woman approached and focused on the screen. There was no sign of recognition in those eyes, which was not surprising given how much time had passed.

“Let me get that for you,” Clara said.

The print was too small to make out, so Clara reached for the controls. The librarian must have had the same idea, and their hands touched. They remained like that for several heartbeats, before making eye contact, blushing, and pulling away.

“Oh… go ahead,” the librarian said. “I’m sure you’ve had plenty of practice today.”

Clara’s eyes twinkled, and she winked. It had been a while since she last felt the gentle touch of another, even if it was accidental. She zoomed in and panned for a view of the article’s text.