They walked through the quiet streets, Ayaka leaning heavily against him with every step. She was fading fast, her legs barely able to support her weight.
"I can't go back to Rosewood like this," she mumbled against his shoulder. "Mia will see me. She'll know something happened."
"I know." Akira scanned the street ahead. They were in a commercial district filled with closed shops and dark windows, where only a few scattered neon signs still glowed in the late-night air.
Then he saw it a discreet sign just two blocks ahead with soft pink lighting. The kind of place designed not to draw attention… a love hotel.
"Can you make it another block?"
Ayaka followed his gaze, saw where he was looking. Her eyes widened slightly. "Akira, we can't…"
"You need essence recovery. Now. Not in an hour when we get back to Rosewood."
"But a love hotel?"
"It's private. Anonymous. No questions asked." He adjusted his grip on her waist. "Unless you have a better idea?"
