Always To Ashes

Gomorrah With Glitter

Chapter Eleven:

The water, where it parted in the wake of my trailing fingers, was cerulean blue and shimmery in the artificial lights that swung overhead. The warm air, thick and cumbersome with chlorine, clouded up the windows, painting a smoky picture of the Manhattan skyline in their glass panes.

"Enjoying yourself then?" The echo of Chance's familiar voice drifted throughout the hollow expanse of the pool room, glancing lyrically off of the slick tiles.

"I am," I replied, stretching languidly on my flat raft, the only object other than myself to occupy the great pool, as I glanced up at him. His eyes, obscured slightly by the golden fringe that slanted over his brows, were blue enough to make the water feel self conscious.

"We missed you at dinner," he said, the toes of his heavy boots ghosting the pool's edge as he stood serenely with his hands clasped characteristically behind his back.

"I find that difficult to believe," I said without malice. It was no secret that I wasn’t winning any popularity contests  among the Chasers.

"Well Tabby did," he amended. Despite the oppressive heat that had greeted us when we awoke that evening from our backwards slumber, Chance still wore his typical dark jeans, his only concession to the weather the thin white t-shirt that exposed his muscular arms.

"What about you?" I asked, propping myself up on my elbows to regard him more completely, blatantly enjoying the view. "Did you miss me?"

"Well, it would've been nice to have a distraction from Tabby and Gerard's bickering," he allowed and I didn’t press. I knew well enough by then not to ask more from Chance than what he was willing to give. "But we’re finished and now it’s time to head out, So get ready. The others are waiting in the lobby. I'll meet you there.”

He left promptly then, the fluorescent lights above rendering his t-shirt transparent as he retreated. Through the thin material I could see a faint outline of the thick scars that marred his back, ghosting briefly into existence before disappearing along with Chance as the door swung shut behind him.

I sighed then, for my own benefit, before slipping into the cool water, the ends of my hair trailing behind me like pale seaweed as I swam to the edge and pulled myself from the pool. I wrung out my hair as I wrapped my body in a hotel provided towel. I'd had enough foresight to pack my bikini, in hopes of finding a swimming venue as Arina had none, but had not thought of a towel.

Slipping on my flip flops and grabbing my pile of clothes, I padded into the ladies' locker room to shower briefly, rinsing my hair of the harsh chemicals before stepping out and dressing in a breezy, lively little dress of pink and white polka dots that tied behind the neck. My basic white flats, part of my collection of versatile shoes that matched just about anything, completed the outfit. I stood in front of the mirror, inspecting my makeup to ensure that my mascara hadn't smudged before stuffing my bathing suit into my backpack.

I left then, slipping into a nearby elevator and up to the room. Using the key card Gerard had given me, I stepped inside to find the suite empty, except for the dogs. I cooed at them, and they briefly looked up at me from the rawhide bones they were demolishing. I dropped off my bag making a few kissy noises of goodbye before leaving. Popping back into the elevator,  I made my way down to the air conditioned, lusciously decorated lobby. Off to the side, sitting impatiently on a cluster of overstuffed sofas was my party. Chance leaned against the wall, as per usual, preferring to stand for reasons I couldn’t fathom

"Have a nice soak Tinkerbelle?" Gerard asked, grinning cheekily at me as I arrived on the scene. Sleep had swept the shadows from beneath his stormy eyes and he seemed perky and prepared to harass everybody to his full ability.