Veiled Shadows

Chapter 2

I head over to Martha's around nine with a bag of clothes and a half full bottle of vodka. On my way there I pop by Li's shop. It's after hours but he's a workaholic and I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a family since he never leaves. The shop is boarded up for the night but I wrap on the metal and call his name. A few moments later there's a shuffling sound and the metal slides up.

"What?" he demands angrily.

When he sees me he grunts and holds out his hand expectantly. I dig around in my bag for a second until I find the little cardboard box. I produce it with a flourish.

"Tada!"

He snatches it out of my hand and pries the box open. Nestle inside, wrapped in tissue paper to keep it safe, is the pyrite charm.

"Quick work," he nods approvingly, "You're sure it works?"

"Li," I feign hurt, "You wound me! Of course it works. Money back guarantee."

I grin at him but he doesn't so much as crack a smile in response.

"If it doesn't work then next time you pay double." He says and, without saying goodbye, pulls the metal back down in front of my face.

"You're welcome," I grumble as I walk away.

Martha's apartment is above her shop and is filled to the brim with excess stock. Boxes of yarn, rolls of fabric, and leaning towers of planter pots fill the entryway. I carefully manoeuvre around them and make my way to Martha's bedroom, the clearest room in the house, while Martha fixes us some tea. When she comes in with the steaming mugs I have three outfits laid out on the bed.

"It's chamomile," She says as she hands me the mug.

I take the bottle of vodka and pour a generous amount into each cup.

Martha winces, "in the tea?"

"In the tea," I nod and take a bracing sip. It's disgusting.

Martha tries on each of the outfits I've brought her. She asked to borrow something long to hide her hooves and I've brought two floor length dresses and a jumpsuit. She decides on one of the dresses, a black number with a plunging neckline and jewelled belt. I help her arrange her hair into a complicated braid that hides her tiny horns and put on a little bit of makeup. She's already beautiful so I decide against anything too heavy. Instead, I dust some blush on her cheeks and apply mascara..

For myself I've brought a black sequin dress that barely covers my butt and shimmers when it catches the light. I wear my curly black tresses loose down my back and swipe dark eyeshadow over my eyes. My eyelashes are dark and thick already so the little bit of makeup is enough. Just for fun, though, I add bright red lipstick.

I force Martha to take two more shots of the vodka in addition to the shot I put in her tea so we can save some money buying drinks at the club. Not that we would have to buy anything if we didn't want to. Especially with the amount of cleavage Martha is showing tonight. But I've always hated the way men act like they're entitled to my attention for the whole night if they buy me a drink.

The Labyrinth, our favourite club, is in werewolf territory and the streets are packed with people dressed up and ready to hit the dance floor. We skip the line and head straight to the bouncer.

"Hey Derek," I smile, "Busy night?"

He gives us an approving once over. "Not so busy that there isn't room for two more."

He moves aside and lets us pass as the people in line protest behind us. Martha and I weave through the crowd, headed straight for the dance floor. The music is blasting. People jostle all around us. I grin.