Hidden Hallows

Sure, they aren"t the best company but for the most part, they don"t posses people. Not anymore. They prefer other methods of doing things and torturing people. Mrs. Tanner s.h.i.+fts uncomfortably in her seat before saying "He uh... he started acting strangely last week when he came back from his trip to Egypt."

"It started out with not sleeping well... then I kept catching him eating weird things and talking to himself... now... now he"s hiding in our closet. The one time I tried to pull him out, he hissed at me and... and... crawled up the wall backwards."

I stay completely still but my insides were turning. I hated dealing with demons... I slowly nod my head and make a few notes before saying "Well, it certainly sounds like your husband may be possessed but I"d have to see him in person before saying for sure."

Mrs. Tanner nods her head and nervously asks "Can... can you help us?" I watch her closely, almost turning her down but when I see the desperation... I just can"t do it. I make a few more notes and say "I might be able to but I can"t know for sure without seeing him."

"There"s a five hundred dollar, nonrefundable deposit and if I do save him, it will be two thousand in total. Do you still want to proceed?" Mrs. Tanner opens her purse and pulls out a wad of cash, slamming it down on my desk as she says "Just save him and I"ll pay you as much as you want."

I smile at her awkwardly and stand up saying "Very well, please follow me. Sh.e.l.ly will handle all the payments and set up a time for me to come." She suddenly shoots to her feet and says "I will pay you two thousand now, nonrefundable deposit, and another two thousand if you come and save him tonight."

I look at her in shock before saying "Very well, Mrs. Tanner." I walk out to the front of the office and say "Sh.e.l.ly, please take care of Mrs. Tanner and clear my schedule for the rest of the evening." Sh.e.l.ly nods but says "Ambrose will be here any minute though..."

I sigh with a nod and say "Cancel the rest. I"ll meet with him before going over to Mrs. Tanner"s." Mrs. Tanner runs up and gives me a large hug, instantly making me freeze. I awkwardly pat her as she says "Thank you! Thank you! I"ll be waiting for you."

I step back and awkwardly smile at her as the front door opens. The powerful Vampire himself walks in with a s.e.xy smirk as he takes in the office. I turn around and say "Follow me" to the Vampire as Sh.e.l.ly finishes things with Mrs. Tanner.

Ambrose follows me in and takes in my small office with that same s.e.xy smirk. As soon as he"s in the office, I use my magic to close the door behind him. He casually walks over to the chair before my desk and plops down.

I sit in my own chair and ask "What can I do for you Ambrose?" He watches me with dark blue eyes, filled with mischief as he says "I"ve been here for over three hundred years and I never knew this place existed. You know, until now, it was like you didn"t even exist."

I silently watch him and wait. His smile grows as he leans back in the chair and says "It"s like you"ve intentionally kept yourself hidden this whole time. To think, I had someone like you under my nose for... how long have you been here?"

There"s no point in lying. Supernaturals like Ambrose and Xander have the ability to sense and smell a lie a mile away so I lean back in my chair and say "About a hundred years ago." Ambrose looks genuinely surprised as he says "To go that long without being seen... quite a talent you have, Eris."

"What can I do for you Ambrose?" I ask wanting to bring this to an end as quickly as possible. He gives me a knowing smile and says "Oh, yes, my apologies. I came to you because my men keep dying without a trace. No matter what I do, I can"t seem to find out who"s killing them. I want to hire you to find them."

For the second time tonight, I sit at a complete loss. Me. It was me who was killing his men and he came here to ask ME to find ME!? Wait... was this a trap? Does he know it was me and he"s testing me or is he fis.h.i.+ng?

Maybe he has a hunch but he"s not entirely sure... Yeah, I didn"t leave any clues so there"s no way he can know it was me. Should I refuse? Would that make me suspicious? He watches me closely but I keep my heart rate and breathing even as I say "What makes you think I can catch this person if you can"t?"

Amus.e.m.e.nt dances in his dark blue eyes as he says "Something tells me you have many hidden talents. I"ll pay you ten thousand now and fifty thousand when you find the ones responsible." My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline before I mentally try to not freak out.

Am I cheeky enough to screw with this Vampire? Yes, yes I am. The way I see it though, if I don"t take the job I"ll look suspicious. He seems to be hiding something and if he does already know it"s me, then I"m willing to play this game with him to find out what he"s really after.

I slowly nod my head as I say "I"m not one to turn down money but just know that the ten thousand will be a nonrefundable deposit and there"s no guarantee that I can find this person." Ambrose"s smile grows large as he nods and says "Of course"

I stand up and point to the door but he doesn"t move from the chair. Instead, he tilts his head to the side and asks "Will you have dinner with me?"