As the cab pulled away from the curb, Jiang wriggled again, his flippers pressing awkwardly against Aylin's chest. "We're almost there, right?"
"Almost," Aylin whispered, nudging him gently. "Just keep quiet for a few more minutes. You don't want the driver to start asking why my chest is making weird squeaking sounds."
Jiang let out a soft, resigned squeak from within the confines of her oversized sweater, doing his best to stay still. His small penguin body was squished uncomfortably, but he kept quiet, trusting Aylin to handle the situation.
As the cab pulled up to the Cardinal Hotel St. Peter, Aylin thanked the driver and quickly grabbed their luggage from the trunk. She hurried inside the hotel, doing her best to avoid any curious stares as she made her way toward the check-in desk. The sleek, modern interior of the hotel contrasted with the ancient architecture of the city outside, and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica loomed large in the background.
The receptionist greeted her with a polite smile. "Welcome to the Cardinal Hotel St. Peter. How may I assist you?"
Aylin flashed a quick smile, still feeling the slight pressure of Jiang nestled against her chest. "I'm checking in. It should be under the name Jiang."
The receptionist nodded, typing away on the computer before handing her a key card. "Your room is ready, and we're just a short walk from St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican. If you need any recommendations for local attractions, feel free to ask."
"Thanks," Aylin said, her voice tight as she clutched the key card and headed quickly for the elevators.
Once they were inside the room, Aylin let out a sigh of relief. She gently pulled Jiang out from her sweater and set him on the floor. "There you go, safe and sound."
Jiang stretched out his flippers, looking slightly ruffled but relieved. "That was... not my favorite form of travel."
Aylin laughed, flopping down onto the bed with a yawn. "You'll live. I'm about to pass out, though. It's been a long day."
Jiang, however, wasn't ready to relax. "I don't think we should be alone too much. The Yokai creature could still be following us. As long as we're in public or around people, it won't make a move."
Aylin frowned, propping herself up on her elbows. "You're serious?"
Jiang nodded. "Yeah. I don't want to take any chances. We've been lucky so far, but I'd rather not test our luck in an empty hotel room."
Aylin sighed heavily, rubbing her eyes. "Great. I was hoping for some rest, but I guess keeping you alive takes priority." She stretched out on the bed, her muscles aching from the long day. "But I think we've got a little time. I'll just nap for a couple of hours."
Jiang tilted his head, watching her settle in. "Fine, but stay close," he muttered, waddling over to the corner of the bed. Despite the urgency of their situation, Aylin's calm breathing was contagious, and soon enough, Jiang found himself dozing off as well, his small penguin form nestled nearby.
A few hours later, the sun had risen high over Rome, casting a golden hue across the city. It was just past 1 p.m. when Jiang stirred, blinking groggily as he glanced out the window. The bustling streets below were full of life—tourists, locals, and the steady hum of Roman traffic. But something caught his eye.
His blood ran cold as he spotted the faint, hazy form of the Yokai in the distance. The creature moved slowly, almost gliding through the busy streets, its ethereal form barely visible to those around it. But Jiang could see it, and it was coming straight toward the hotel.
"Not good," he muttered to himself, waddling over to Aylin and nudging her shoulder with his beak. "Aylin, wake up."
She stirred slowly, stretching with a sleepy groan. "What is it? Let me guess, no nap time?"
Jiang's voice was tense. "Look out the window. The Yokai is moving toward us. It's still in its hazy form, but it's definitely coming this way."
Aylin jumped to her feet, moving quickly to the window. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of the figure Jiang mentioned. "That thing doesn't know when to quit."
Jiang nodded, his gaze still fixed on the approaching Yokai. "Well, I think it's time we go get some info on that shrine rod the priest told us about."
Aylin grabbed her jacket and quickly checked Jiang's phone for directions. "The priest said the cardinals should be able to give us more details. I just hope they have the answers we need."