Rays on the Pond

"This is great and all, but my rule of thumb is that high prices equal high risks. What problems are you expecting us to run into?" I asked.

Collette's smile grew into a Cheshire grin rivaling that of the Mad Hatter.

"Oh, honey, all of them." she chuckles light and low. "Expect anything that can go wrong- to go wrong. But- that's why it's gonna be so goddamn fun for you."

Beside me Mina leaned forward in her seat, her excited energy growing to match Collette's. Before I could even come up with a counter to that statement Mina had her hand out and Collette reached out to take it.

Mina grins as they shake hands. "We accept."

My jaw dropped and my gut seized with nervous energy demanding I shout out the opposite, that scream for details, that I say we need to discuss this- But I don't- can't.

At the very least, it'd be a change.
And by the Gods do I need a fucking change.

Collette's hand reached for mine across the dark mahogany of the desk and I took it, the cool metal of her rings pressing firmly into my palm. "I'm very excited to be working with you both. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty shall we?"

Mina and I looked at each other and for once I was actually afraid of the mischievous look in her eyes. "This is gonna be great, Myra," she whispered.

"I hope you're right, Al, I really do."

"When am I wrong?"

"About every third Thursday and when it'll fuck me over the worst?"

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Mireia Rivera and Almina Lapel are the only members of Creative Mediators, a Boston-based small business. At least that's what their business card says. In reality, they've been helping others in their community make business deals with humans since they graduated. Oh, didn't I mention that they're not human?

Well, Reia is hoping that this next job will allow her to retire early. All they have to do is set up a deal between a Boston-based talent agency and a suspected cult-easy enough for two women with their skill sets.

Until it's not.