Page 5 of Shadowing Bright
Amy blinked.“Oh, right.”
“No, miss, not you.Trust me, we got paid well for tonight.”
“Right.”
Vaia grinned.“So, do you want to change here and then head to the faire?”
“Sure.You own this place?”
“Yeah.I might not talk to my family, but they do have a lot of kids, and that got me thinking.So, there is profit to be had.I have started buying and investing in small businesses for the last fifteen years.”
A goblin came in with two garment bags.
“What kind of businesses?”
“Oh, this and that.Three women’s shelters that I provide clothing to.That kind of thing.”
“Do you own a wedding coordinating company?”
“Sure.Don’t you?”Vaia gave her a sidelong glance.
“No.It never occurred to me.”Amy chuckled.“Life has been such a struggle just to keep my head above water.”
“Ah.Right.I had a jump start.He didn’t want my body, but he did give me a dowry to live my life with, so I lived it.Nice and quiet, out of the public eye, except for one day a year.”
“So, you need this?Tonight, I mean?”
“Yeah, I need what I can get there, or I can only get it at a strip club.And the clubs don’t have enough people.”
“Oh, so there is a quantity involved.”
“Yup.And it has to be this one day, so this is the day I dance at the faire.”
“Nice.And you have an office here?”
“Sure.”Vaia got some keys out and opened her office.It was clean, empty, and had a bathroom to one side.“Do you want the bathroom or the office?”
“Uh, how much room do you need?”
“I am good in either space.Your barbarian outfit fits in the bathroom.Yes, it will grow with you.”
Amy laughed.“Thanks.Okay.Hand it over.”
Vaia handed the garment bag over, and Amy headed into the bathroom.She heard shivering beads and a bit of a huff, and then there was stillness.
Amy got into the buttery-soft pale gold and blue leather, and she smiled at the feeling.There was power in freedom of movement.The cloak that came with the outfit was edged with fur, and her grandmother would have loved to wear it.It was a northern masterpiece.
She came out of the bathroom with her street clothes in the garment bag.Vaia was on the phone and looking businesslike in a cloak that moved on its own.
Vaia smiled and ended the call.“Just warning them that we are coming to the staff entrance.The timeline is eight thirty for the performance.”
“Well, then, we should get going.”Amy smiled.“I must say, I am having fun.”
“Good.Well, let’s go.”As she moved, a shiver of sound followed her.
“I must confess, I am curious as to how you dance in that.”
“I am wondering if I can drive in this.”She giggled.
