Wolf Magic: A Fantasy of Werewolves and Witches in the Twilight by Sascha Illyvich

York time, she yawned.  It was 8 AM in California. 
    Hitting street level, she hailed a cab.  Inhaling the smell of brine and sea air, Miranda pulled her jacket over her shoulders.  This was the weather she loved.  Cold and windy, compared to New York's blizzards, the weather of California was easy to deal with. 
    Stopping in front of a large multi story building, Miranda paid the cab driver and grabbed her briefcase.  Her luggage would arrive at the hotel later that day.  The meeting she had scheduled with Connie Maxwell was at 10 AM sharp.  She thought it better not to piss off the ancient vampire accountant. 
    The building felt ominous, angry and dark.  It looked like every other building nearby, large, multi-windowed and tall, but felt different.  It was as if being inhabited by vampires made all the difference to Miranda.
    Slicking her hair back, she smoothed her hands over her red skirt and adjusted her suit coat.  Faking confidence, she strode past the large glass double doors, looking up at the sign that plainly read "X Corporation." A banner with words inscribed stood under the large X. 
    Her shoulders tensed up, tightness could be felt in her spine.  Clutching her briefcase, Miranda walked towards the elevators, but a hand on her shoulder made her spin around.
    "May I help you?"
    Miranda stared open-mouthed at the elderly woman dressed in a plain blue dress.  Her hair hung loosely over her shoulders.  Her pale skin contrasted with the lively look of her deep blue eyes.  Hell, even her lips were plump, red. 
    "I don't know.  I mean, I'm uhh," she saw the elderly woman's fangs in her smile.  "I'm looking for Connie Maxwell's office."
    "Top floor dear.  Shall I alert her of your presence, Miss," the woman looked at Miranda's nametag, "Raven?"
    "Please."
    That wasn't so bad.  In fact, the secretary seemed downright polite except for the fact that she was a blood-sucking vampire. 
    "You know," she escorted Miranda to the elevator, "we're not all bad."
    Miranda blushed.  "I don't know what you mean."
    The elder woman smirked.  Reaching for the phone at the desk, she picked it up, dialed four digits and waited.
    "Miss Maxwell, a Miss Raven is here to see you.  Shall I send her in?" Nodding, the elder woman hung up the phone and turned to face Miranda.  "You may go see Miss Maxwell, Miss Raven.  She's been expecting you."
    Her face flushed, she felt heat from embarrassment over her skin.  Bowing, Miranda forced a smile.  "Thank you."
    "You are welcome, child.  Do try to remember that not all of us are evil, angry or power-hungry.  Some of us have even retained certain human qualities."
    Nodding, Miranda felt somewhat at ease.  "What's your name?"
    "I'm Lucy.  I'm slightly over two hundred years old and have seen much.  Humans can be cruel if they choose.  Or they can ignore their darker nature and live a wholesome life."
    "When all you've seen is death, it's hard to hold onto the idea that vampires can be good."
    Lucy smiled.  "I know dear.  But have hope.  And trust your instincts.  They will guide you a long way."
    "Thank you," Miranda bowed again. 
    The elevator doors opened and Miranda stepped inside.  The thought occurred to her that for a large medical supply company, the building seemed rather empty.
    Turning to face Lucy, she realized that the woman may have been just over a few hundred years old, but her heart told her that Lucy had only done what was required of her life.  The wear on Lucy's face said plenty about her life. 
    New anticipation bubbled in her stomach.  Would Connie Maxwell be as kind?
    The elevator rose to the top floor.  The doors opened in a smooth motion and Miranda stepped through.  Spotting a wooden desk, she saw what looked like a human secretary sitting with her hair in a bun.  She was busy typing at the keyboard.  A man walked past her, leaving a file on the woman's desk.  "These are due today.  The person," he said with in a mocking tone,