“Does it go up all the way to the Vale?” I asked out loud.
“Yes—it’s five floors high above ground,” Lucian answered as we walked in. “But the older safes are all down here.”
By that he meant mine would be here, and I didn’t doubt it.
Inside, the hall seemed rather small, and rectangular, despite the building being circular. I concluded that the space between the walls must be where the safes were stored.
We’d only taken a couple of steps into the Gold Bank when a pale, slender blue-skinned woman dressed in a sharp black suit sashayed to us, reverently bowing. “Sir Regis. A pleasure as always.” Her voice felt like warm ambrosia on a summer’s night, sweet and full of promises.
“Likewise.” Being a wise man, he quickly wrapped his arm around the redhead’s shoulders. “Helena, my wife, Kleos,” he introduced.
The being didn’t lose her smile, but had the sense to redirect her gaze to the rest of us—taking us in one by one, and lingering on Silver. “And the loveliest of company. An honor. How may I be of assistance?”
Lucian gestured towards me. “Our good friend here needs to locate his account.”
“Certainly. If you’ll follow me.”
She glided left, her body floating a few inches higher than the polished white stone flooring.
“This branch should absolutely give some tips on customer service to the upper floors,” Silver whispered to Kleos, who chuckled.
“Pretty sure we get the hot wraith because Lucian’s with us,” she retorted, keeping her voice just as low.
Said hot wraith turned. “I serve at the leisure of all our valued customers, fair ladies. And you’ll find that my body temperature runs quite cold.”
Kleos chuckled. “I meant hot as in attractive.”
“Oh. In which case, I’m flattered.” She tilted her head, eerie pale eyes turning to Lucian. “If it pleases both of you, outside of working hours, I’d be delighted to?—”
Lucian didn’t even let her finish, his voice low. “I don’t share, Helena.”
She blinked. “Since when?”
“Since Kleos,” he replied easily.
“I see.” Entering a half-circular office, she gestured to the empty space in front of an imposing mahogany desk, where four leather wingbacks shimmered into being. “The head of the guild will be with you shortly.”
“Thatis a Regis perk,” Lucian clarified, leading his lady to one of the chairs.
A completely ordinary man with salt and pepper hair, wearing a fedora hat, the head of the banking guild was a bit of a letdown after Helena. What he lacked in preternatural beauty, he made up for by carrying a heaped platter of sugary goodness.
“Sorry for the wait,” he said, although he arrived rather promptly. “I was just in New Orleans. Sir Dayn, at your service. Please, help yourselves!”
None of us hesitated. Silver took advantage of the fact that she had two hands, and seeing the wisdom in the action, I imitated her, securing a second beignet.
“You came all the way from New Orleans in a few minutes?” Kleos asked, between polite nibbles.
“All our banks are outfitted with permanent portals, for our convenience. As esteemed clients, you’d be welcome to use any if the need arose.” He sat behind his imposing desk. “It’s as easy as stepping through a door. You’re lucky I’d just asked my secretary for these. So, how can the Eternal Gold Bank be of assistance?”
I swallowed a mouthful and replied. “I know I have an account with you. I’m not certain which.”
“I see.” Unperturbed, he opened a few drawers, glancing inside. “That happens more often than you’d think.”
“It does?” Silver cocked an eyebrow.
“Of course. We primarily cater to immortals, and across the eons, many people forget things such as bank accounts, phone numbers, or identification details for a kingdom that rose and fell eons ago. Here it is!” He victoriously produced a long, thin wooden wand, adorned with an intricate serpentine design and several stones. “May I?”
I shrugged, and the banker pointed the tip towards me, before letting go of the device.
