CHAPTER 5 — She Almost Walks

Irene looked from the photograph to Celeste. Then back to the photograph. Then back to Celeste.

"So..." She tapped the edge of the picture. "...what exactly does a vampire lord want with me?"

Celeste folded her hands over the folder. "That brings us to the position itself."

Irene sighed. "Finally."

"My client is Lord Ares Valcieri, Head of the Valcieri Coven."

"I gathered that."

"For a period of six months, he requires a contractual spouse."

Irene waited for her to continue.

Celeste waited for her to react.

"...You're serious."

"I am, Miss Potter."

"A contractual..."

"Spouse."

"He’s hiring a wife?"

"Correct."

Irene looked down at the photograph again. The man in the picture still looked as if he'd never once made an unnecessary decision in his life.

She looked back up.

"The marriage would be legally registered. But it would be temporary. Contractual. It would end after six months unless both parties mutually agreed otherwise."

"Unless both parties mutually agreed otherwise." Irene’s brows furrowed. “Wow.”

Celeste continued, “Your role would be to accompany Lord Valcieri at public functions, formal dinners, charitable events, coven ceremonies, and other appearances where a wife would ordinarily be expected."

"So..." Irene frowned. "I'd basically be pretending."

"You would be fulfilling the contractual role of his wife. The arrangement is professional."

"And the actual wife part?"

"The legal status exists solely to support the appearance."

"So..." Irene pointed between herself and the photograph. "We wouldn't actually..."

"No." Celeste answered before she could finish. "There is no physical requirement."

"Just to be clear… that means no sexual obligation."

"Yes, no expectation of consummating the marriage. The contract explicitly prohibits coercion by either party."

Irene blinked.

"...Seriously?"

"Yes."

"Then why all the questions about my sex life?"

"Because the contract also requires that you not be romantically involved with anyone else during its term." Celeste slid another sheet from the folder. "It is standard language."

Irene glanced down at several paragraphs of dense legal wording. One section had been highlighted.

"'The contracted spouse shall refrain from entering or maintaining romantic or sexual relationships with third parties for the duration of the agreement...'"

She looked back up.

“Great.”

"It prevents unnecessary complications."

"What complications?"

"Jealous partners." Celeste's tone remained perfectly even. "Lord Valcieri has no interest in boyfriends appearing at formal functions or creating public scenes."

"Well, I don't have a boyfriend."

"We're aware."

"I don't even have time to grow a houseplant."

"We're also aware."

Irene stared at her. "You people know an uncomfortable amount about me."

"We know enough to determine whether you're suitable." Celeste continued. "In return for your participation, compensation would be provided as follows."

"Yeah... compensation. Let's talk about that."

Celeste turned another page. "Your six months' rent paid in advance within forty-eight hours of signing."

Irene gave a slow nod.

"Six months of tuition for your sister. Six months of rehabilitation costs for your mother."

Irene gasped. "How do you know about Bella and my mom?"

"I thought you’ve already figured out how thorough we are in conducting out background checks."

"You know that's creepy, right?" Irene frowned. "I could probably report you for digging through my private life. My mom’s situations is not exactly public information."

"Plus a monthly salary of twelve thousand U.S. dollars for the duration of the contract," Celeste continued.

Irene nearly choked. "Twelve thousand... a month?" She caught herself and cleared her throat. "I mean... after taxes that's still..."

"Twelve thousand after taxes, Miss Potter," Celeste clarified. "Along with six months' rent, six months of your sister's tuition, and six months of your mother's rehabilitation expenses. We believe it's a fair offer."

"I'm not saying it isn't," Irene said quickly.

"In addition, you'll be provided private accommodation whenever your presence is required. Transportation. Personal security. A clothing allowance. Full medical coverage. And any reasonable expenses directly related to the contract."

Irene gave a real thought now. Twelve thousand dollars per month, for six months. That’s seventy-two thousand dollars. Before the bills they'd already promised to pay.

That wasn't life-changing money for the kind of people who apparently hired brokers to arrange temporary marriages.

But for Irene, it was almost impossible to picture. She'd never seen that much money.

"I think..." She cleared her throat and looked back at the photograph. "This still feels insane."

"I understand."

"No, I don't think you do."

"I've heard that sentence before, Miss Potter."

"I bet you have."

Irene tapped the picture again. "Why?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Why does a vampire lord need a fake wife?"

"The reason for the arrangement is not yours to know. It is confidential."

Irene leaned back. The coffee she'd ordered had gone completely cold. She hadn't touched it in twenty minutes.

"Can I ask something?"

"You may."

"I'm human, and he's a vampire. And vampires drink blood."

"They do."

"So…"

Celeste looked like she understood her question. She opened another section of the folder.

"There is a comprehensive safety clause. The contract contains legally enforceable protections. Lord Valcieri has no history of harming anyone acting under his protection."

Irene waited. "So?"

"Lord Valcieri is one of the most respected lords within vampire society. He follows laws. He conducts himself according to treaty obligations."

Irene sighed. "How many contracted wives has he had?"

Celeste answered without hesitation. "You would be the first."

Irene looked down at the photograph again.

The first.

That somehow felt more dangerous than if she'd been the tenth.

She slipped the photograph back across the table. Then she picked up her backpack and slung it over one shoulder.

"I need to think."

"I expected that."

She pushed her chair in. "None of this sounds real. I'm going to need longer than one conversation."

"You have forty-eight hours."

Irene nodded once then started toward the door.

Behind her, Celeste spoke again. "We approached you because you fit the profile precisely."

Irene stopped walking. 

"The next candidate fits it less well."

She turned around. "...That sounds like pressure."

"My intention is simply to help you make an informed decision." Then Celeste smiled. "I wish you a pleasant afternoon, Miss Potter."

Irene wasn't sure she could manage one. She pushed open the café door. The bell above it chimed softly. She'd taken only three steps onto the sidewalk when her phone rang.

Bella.

Irene answered immediately. "Hey, Bell."

Bella wasn't speaking. She was crying and sounded frightened.

"Irene..."

"What happened?"

Bella struggled to get the words out. "M-Mom..."

Irene stopped walking. "What about Mom?"

"She..."

Bella sucked in a shaking breath. "She walked out of rehab."

Everything inside Irene went still.

"What?" she whispered.

"They can't find her."