Alias Books Sawtelle Novels & Stories

Chapter 60: Finding the Stories The next day, Bella and Luke spent the morning getting footage around the island of Saba, venturing into the capital, known locally as The Bottom. The town of about five hundred was home to government offices, a few churches, a handful of shops, a hospital, and a medical school.

It hits me that, without him, I’d be working brand deals for months to pay off what I’ve booked. Keys click onto the counter—gold, heavy, engraved with a laurel wreath. We herd the crew toward the private‑guest elevators. Teddy squeezes my hand and smirks. “Hawthorne & Sinclair—partners in neon crime.” I roll my eyes, but my heart’s a bonfire.

“Is he so very different from what he wrestles with?” I didn’t want to admit to myself that I saw it, because that would mean admitting that I considered myself superior to mortals. Before returning to Mayfair, Salem took me to a black stone building. The sign stated Le Boudoir des Ténèbres in flowery writing, and from the sign hung a red lantern. Between the spiraling black towers and the entirely-red stained-glass windows, Le Boudoir looked more like a church than a brothel, but the red lantern made the establishment’s purpose clear.

“The first letter read: ‘I, Prince Habeb, the Prince of Suramy demand from you, Banabella, whose name I discovered in my dreams. I beg you in the name of your own god, grant me my wish, and avoid being uprooted from the face of the earth.” The second parchment read: “Because you have hidden Banabella in an unidentifiable place, with the intent of deceiving me, I’ll tread upon your bodies and make your kingdom bare like ordinary earth. Till I see Banabella, the people of Muzagah shall not be privileged to take in air into their nostrils before the sun sets tomorrow. Prince Habeb speaks!’

Alpha Sebastian sat in the backseat, arms crossed over his broad chest, his eyes fixed on the pink-lit establishment. He lowered the window, studying the facade with growing curiosity. "Sawyer, what kind of place do you think this is?" From the driver's seat, Beta Sawyer squinted at the building. "Some kind of beauty salon or wellness center, I'd guess." Alpha Sebastian's jaw tightened. "What else?" Beta Sawyer looked more carefully, noting the floral decorations. "Maybe a dessert shop? The rose scent is quite strong - could be one of those places that makes rose pastries."

Barnald is a very efficient person, and he admires how smoothly his assistant brought up the subject. "Have you heard of the SSL Hotel in Makati?" "Yes, I have been there before. Is that your hotel, sir?" Barnald burst out laughing. "No, my business is only within the Hotel, not the hotel. Have you heard of Casa de Lujuria, the exclusive nightclub in Seven Sins Luxurious Hotel?" The young lady's eyes widened. "Oh, my goodness! Is it yours? My wealthy blockmates frequently mention your nightclub, sir. I've been to SSL Hotel before, but I've never been to Casa de Lujuria."