“All of the sorcerers, of course. Some of the high-ranking members of the coven. I’d guess a few of the independents as well. You also have to consider a witch working in partnership with another. I’d say maybe fifteen.”
Fifteen? That was too many. It would take forever to narrow it down from there. Still, it was the only clue I had. I figured if I found the person who made the dampening spell I’d be able to follow them to the culprit. I do that and my sorcerer problem goes away.
“I don’t suppose you’d give me the names of those fifteen?”
Miriam gave me another enigmatic smile. “For a price.”
Great. Another deal. The last one had gotten me into enough trouble.
“What’s your price?” I asked. This was a bad idea, but I was between a rock and a hard place. I could walk away, but I’d be back to square one. I had video from the security feeds, but there was no guarantee anything was on it.
“This isn’t me agreeing to the price,” I clarified, quickly. I had learned something since my last interaction with a sorcerer. “I’m just trying to understand the terms.”
“Very good. Maybe you’re capable of surviving in this world after all.” Miriam gestured for me to take a seat beside her. I took the chair and hoped this price was something I could give.
“If I do this, you’ll owe me a favor to be called upon at a time and place of my choosing.”
That was too open ended. I’d read the original Grimm Fairy Tales when I was a child. Not those Disney approved ones that always had happy endings, but the twisted, violent ones. In those fairy tales, when someone agreed to an open-ended favor, things always went sideways for them. She could demand I carve out my heart or give her my sister’s first-born child, and by the terms of the agreement, I’d have to comply.
“No, that’s too vague.”
She inclined her head and smiled. Another test. Miriam seemed content to help me, but equally happy to take advantage of my naivety to trick me into agreeing to something that would benefit her and bite me in the ass. It made her both trustworthy and not. I’d have to be on my guard to not be lulled in by her helpfulness.
She was not a potential friend or even an ally against a common enemy. This was a transaction. Plain and simple.
“One favor, to be called before Jan 1.”
“One favor, to be called in the next 30 days. It can’t involve a crime, the death of anybody I know, including myself, dismemberment or anything that involves souls or demons.”
I remembered her insinuation about using me as ingredients for some of her spells. I had no idea if witches actually trafficked in souls or demons but thought it best to protect myself from even unlikely scenarios.
“How specific,” Miriam said. “I see you’ve been reading some of the Urban Fantasy novels mortals write about us.”
I shrugged. There may have been a few movies in there too. It’s how I conducted most of my research. There was usually a grain of truth in even the most fantastical of tales.
“Very well. No ingredients, murders, dismemberment, souls or demons. Do we have a deal?”
I paused. Did I really want to do this? I barely knew Miriam. It was highly likely that what she asked of me would be something I could not easily give.
“The favor cannot be called in until after I finish my task for the sorcerer, but yes, we have a deal.” I needed help. One thing at a time. I’d worry about what I owed when I got out of my current predicament.
“Wonderful. I’ll get a pen and paper.”
Miriam stood and walked over to an antique desk hidden behind several potted ferns. She pulled out a notepad and scribbled on it.
What favor could a witch ask of a vampire? I wasn’t equipped to do magic and being practically an infant in this world meant I had almost no power. Just strength and healing slightly above that of a human’s. Not much for a witch as old as she said she was.
This was such a bad idea. Too late to back out now. The deal had already been struck and judging by the itchy sensation on my bicep, I had a feeling I had a mark to show for it.
I touched the area lightly. It was high enough on the arm that I would have to pull my long-sleeved shirt off to see it. I’d have to wait to see what her magic had inscribed in my skin.
She stopped in front of me, looking down with a guarded expression. I waited, wondering if she’d follow through on her end. It would be hard to hand over names of people you’ve known for years to a person you’d just met. Part of me hoped she’d back out. It would free me up from the favor hanging like an albatross from my neck.
“Some of these names are friends of mine,” she told me, setting the paper on the table but keeping her hand on it. “We’re a very secretive people. Events of the past have taught us the value of keeping the extent of our abilities hidden from those who mean us harm. I am trusting you will use this information in the way it’s intended and not for some other vendetta you or another may have.”
I looked at the folded piece of paper. I couldn’t speak for the sorcerer, but for my part I only intended to find the witch who cast the spell. After that, I had no use for the rest of the names.
I slid the paper towards me. “I understand. As long as the one who cast the spell means no harm to me, I will not bring harm to him or her. The rest of them don’t matter to me.”
