The Invitation

Drake

The next morning Alice awoke to an empty bed. Disappointed, but understanding, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. Slipping out of bed, she walked over to her dresser set on brushing her hair, only to see a folded note was placed under it.

Sorry I couldn't stay to tell you good morning. Drake found the culprit from last night and I have to leave immediately to handle it. Today, Hana has planned a spa day for the bridal party, and has included you. Relax and enjoy the pampering. I will see you later this evening.

Liam

On the backside of the note were written directions to get to the spa from her room.

She sat the note down and brushed her hair thoughtfully. If they caught the culprit that meant it was a person. For some reason that didn't set as well with her as it would if it had been a monster. Who would want to scare her? Or hurt her even?

She pulled her hair from her shoulder and turned her head to look at the place where she was bitten. As Liam had promised, there was no red mark; instead, she only saw a small pink scar that could be easily covered with makeup.

Knowing that a spa day included a facial, she didn't bother with makeup as she got ready. With her hair up in a braided bun, she pulled a sundress on that would be easy to remove if the spa room had a sauna.

She was looking forward to a relaxing day at the spa, a chance to rejuvenate her body after the stresses of the week. It was a little confusing why she was being pulled into a wedding party affair, but at least she would have Hana to talk to. She hoped Olivia would be too busy to join them, or would consider it beneath her.

After eating a hearty Scottish breakfast, she made her way down to the spa. The spa was located underneath the dining room and kitchen area. The manor had been built on top of a hot spring, a maid told her when questioned, and the man who built it took advantage of the fresh supply of warm waters.

The whole room was made of stone, as she expected of a manor as old as Applewood; the once oil fed torches had long ago been replaced by false torches with flame shaped light bulbs. The path suddenly opened to a large open room with a steaming pool in the center, nearly taking up the whole floor. A variety of flowers floated across the top of the water giving the room a sweet and calm smell. The far wall was lined with massage tables, a few women lay there getting their backs rubbed by handsome young men. The wall nearest Alice was where she found Hana and a few others getting their nails done with mud masks on and their hair pulled up in towels.

"Oh, you made it," Hana chimed with a smile.

"Yes, sorry it took so long."

"Sleep in again, did you?" Olivia's sneer cut across the room from the massage tables. "I heard you had quite the fright last night. Are you alright?"

Alice glared at the mop of red on the middle table, "I'm fine."

"Good. Don't want you running off into the woods alone."

Hana shook her head then pointed to a lounge chair on the opposite side of the pool.
"You can change int that robe over there. Then someone will come to give your hair a deep condition and put your mask on. Unless you'd rather get the massage first?"

"No," she answered a little too quickly. "I'd rather my nails get done first."

Hana smiled brightly, "oh good. Just change there, you can leave your dress on the chair."

Alice glanced at the chair then looked back at Hana. "But it's in the middle of the room. I can't change in front of everyone."

"Don't be a prude, dear," Olivia scoffed.