The rest of the convoy had already disgorged its passengers. The girls spilled across the wide marble drive in loose, glittering clusters, received by hotel staff who moved with the flawless, choreographed grace of a five-star opera that had rehearsed this exact welcome for decades.
Maddie was twirling slowly in place, mouth half-open in pure theatrical awe.
Sierra performed a more dignified version of the same motion, though her eyes betrayed the same quiet wonder. Cherry clutched both of Landon's hands and emitted a series of tiny, delighted squeaks.
Even Elena — who had grown up inside actual Ashford-money architecture — tilted her head back, lips parted in rare, unguarded appreciation.
No matter how many they saw it, they came her almost every year... Infinity Chaos Hotel was still a beast they could never get used to.
A single figure detached from the receiving line and crossed the marble with measured haste.
