Hank held the door open and with one massive hand gestured for me to go inside.
I felt the world on my shoulders and putting trust into two extremely crabby strangers was not how I expected to have my day end.
Helen stood in the kitchen, leaning against the countertop and holding a steaming mug. One of her eyebrows rose, and I marveled at the clear blue of her eyes. "Would you like a cup of coffee, vamp?" she asked, not very politely.
I nodded. "Please. It would be greatly appreciated."
She set her mug down to make a cup for me and Hank led me into the living room. A big dog lolled on the couch at me and wiggled her legs in the air to let me know she'd like a chest pat. I obliged, giving the soft fur a stroke. I sat down beside the animal and she abruptly turned and dropped her head into my lap.
"Friendly dog," I remarked.
"Careful," Hank warned. "She's way too smart for her own good."
Helen pushed a mug into my hand and sat down beside her husband. "Now tell me why you're here and annoying me to death on this nice, sunny day."
I paused, took a deep breath, and plunged into my story. When I'd finished both of them were staring at me open-mouthed.
"You managed to hide something that epic from Portia Kadish?" Helen asked.
Hank whistled low and shook his head. "You have a whole world of hurting coming to you."
I nodded. "If anyone finds out about this, I'm dead."
"Probably worse," Helen quipped. "You're already dead."
Vamp jokes. Hilarious.
She set her mug down and gave me a frank stare. "Listen, I'd love to help you, but there are some...odd things happening around this town right now. Things you may or may not have noticed. My powers have been somewhat off for several months and my appointments have been way down so I won't disrupt any of the weird magic currently swirling up in the atmosphere."
We had noticed some weirdness, but none of us thought it was too strange. It was, after all, a town full of paranormals.
"So you aren't raising at all right now?"
"I am, but only people I absolutely have to."
"I'll pay you."
She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I can't accept -"
I rattled off a number so astronomical, Helen and her husband both blinked and fell silent. For that amount of money, they could afford to close up shop and live the rest of their days out on a nude beach resort somewhere.
Helen leaned over and whispered something in his ear.
"She's going to be pissed," was all he said in reply.
"What's new about that?" she asked before she turned to me. "Half now, the rest after the raising. I have a contract enforceable by law which you will sign. Are we in agreement?"
"As long as it's added in that you will use the utmost discretion concerning what I've told you here today."
Helen rolled her eyes. "I don't give a crap what the vamps and wolves have going on right now. I have trouble of my own."
When I didn't respond, she snorted in amusement. "Fine, I'll add it in."
"Good," I said and stood. "We have a deal." I reached out my hand to shake on it. "I'll be back in half an hour with the first half of your funds."
"Wonderful," Helen said. "I'll be standing right here, planning how to spend all of it."
The ghoul slung an arm around his wife. "Anything funny and you'll regret it."
