Page 33 of Eclipse Bound
It didn't work.
"Eclipse? Cool name." Stephanie tried to move further into the suite, oblivious to the tension. "So, are you guys hiding out here or what? And have you seen that hottie with the gold highlights? He was at The Crash Zone last night with the fire dancer. The whole place went nuts when the lights started flickering."
Eclipse maintained his diplomat's composure and dropped his arm. "Solar is expected to arrive shortly."
"Solar? Another space name? What are you guys, some kind of astronomy club?" Stephanie laughed, turning to go to one of the sofas as if to make herself at home.
Rowan grabbed her friend’s arm and pulled her toward the door. “You can’t just walk in here.”
“Ow, hey,” Stephanie protested, trying to pull away.
“Steph, I’m serious,” Rowan persisted, forcing her from the room. When they were alone outside, she said, “Are you trying to get me fired? They paid for complete privacy. Not even housekeepers. You can’t just walk into the guest suites unannounced. With all of the cancellations, we need to keep these guests happy.”
"Whatever. Fine, keep the hottie rich guys all to yourself.” Stephanie looked a little hurt. “I'm just glad you're not hanging out with corporate drones like the Milano people. They gave me the creeps when they checked in yesterday."
Rowan frowned. "Milano checked in? I thought they canceled. When?"
"The team building conference room package thing was canceled. I told you, the bigwigs came instead yesterday afternoon. They're all suits and serious faces." Stephanie shuddered dramatically. "They kept asking questions about the UFO sighting and whether any unusual individuals had been seen around the retreat afterward."
A cold knot formed in Rowan's stomach. "What did you tell them?"
Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Please. Don’t look so worried. Like I'd tell those Men-in-Black asshats anything. I said we get all kinds of weirdos in Duskrock, especially after UFO reports. They'd have to be more specific." She grinned. "Though I did mention my video went viral, just to mess with them."
"You what?" Rowan's voice rose sharply.
"Relax," Stephanie waved dismissively. "They seemed super interested in seeing it. I told them to follow my page. I swear I didn’t say anything to make them cancel the corporate retreat. Darren said that was their lawyers."
"Where are they now?"
"I don't know. Some of them checked out this morning. But one of them—James something—left his card at the front desk for you." Stephanie dug in her pocket. She handed over James Petersen's business card. It was the same one he'd left on their table the night before.
"Thanks," Rowan said, taking the card. "That’s helpful."
"I know, right? I'm not just a pretty face." Stephanie started backing away toward the main building. "Anyway, I should get back to the front desk before Darren notices I'm gone. Text me if the hot sparkly guy comes back. Or his dark broody friend. They're both totally my type. Those two can beam me up to their spaceship anytime, if you know what I mean."
"You're oversexed," Rowan teased.
"Don't slut shame," Stephanie scolded with a laugh.
Rowan watched Stephanie leave before returning to the suite. She collapsed onto the sofa, suddenly exhausted. "Milano's been at the retreat since yesterday. They're already talking to the staff."
"They move with considerable efficiency," Eclipse noted, his tone neutral but his body seemed to pulse with concern.
"We need to warn Solar and Lunar to be careful coming back before they walk into a trap," Rowan said, taking her phone from Eclipse. She had hired the woman to perform for the retreat and found her likable.
"Solar is aware of the danger," Eclipse stated, pointing at the hotel phone "He called that device when you were scolding the woman."
"I wasn't scolding her."
"You spoke to her for a long time, and I felt the annoyance in your energy patterns even through the door," he countered.
Rowan gave a small laugh. "Maybe I was scolding her a little. She's harmless, but she has boundary issues. And she's a complete gossip. The woman never met a story she didn't want to spread around the internet."
"We do not wish to be a story on your overlord devices," he stated.
"Noted. I'll text Poppy again and try to see where she and Lunar are at." As she typed, the door opened. Rowan jumped, but it was Solar who entered, wearing a hoodie topped by a cowboy hat, and sunglasses that barely contained his golden glow.
Dani followed close behind him. Her expression was tense.
