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

"will be here shortly."
    "Ahem?"
    Miranda set her hands on her hips.
    "Oh, you must be Miss Raven.  Delighted." He didn't offer a hand to shake.
    "I'm sure.  I'm here for–"
    "Miss Maxwell.  Right this way." His pursed, thin lips bothered Miranda.  Something about him besides the fact that he was undead made her not trust him. 
    The man pushed open the large wooden double doors to Connie Maxwell's office and let Miranda enter.
    The doors closed behind her with a loud thud.  The room was empty except for a large black leather chair, desk with a glass top, liquor cabinet and a large window that offered a great view of the city.  Two metal chairs sat in front of the desk. 
    "Wow." Miranda whistled. 
    The room was quiet.  Stepping closer to the large window, Miranda couldn't help but gaze out into the skyline.  Admiring the beauty of San Francisco, she could easily see the ocean from her vantage point.  It was amazing.
    Vampires had used capitalism to gain pleasures that the living had cherished for so long.
    How annoying.
    But Lucy was sweet, non-judgmental. 
    Of course, the male who let her into this room was a dick.
    The door opened behind her with a loud creak.  Jumping, Miranda let out a breath when she turned to see a tall woman come through the door with a large file folder in her hand. 
    "Miss Raven, I assume?"
    "Miss Maxwell?"
    "Indeed."
    Connie Maxwell was dressed impeccably to the nines.  Her auburn hair was done in the latest style, long and in a bun on top of her head.  Black-rimmed glasses hid oval green eyes.  Connie's narrow face looked distrustful but Miranda couldn't put her finger on the reason.
    Connie's blue green skirt complemented her pale skin.  Full, pert breasts jutted out proudly.  Long, slender hose-covered legs walked across the carpet.  Connie stood a few inches from Miranda.  Extending her hand, she tilted her head to the side.
    "Truce?"
    Setting down the briefcase, Miranda smiled weakly.  Hesitant, Miranda took the other woman's hand and shook it.  "Sure."
    "Have a seat, Miss Raven."
    "Please, call me Miranda."
    "Okay.  Miranda, call me Connie.  As you can see by looking at the file," she said, handing the thick file to Miranda, "our practices are well documented.  Why is the SEC so interested in us?"
    "That's a very good question, Connie.  I have to tell you, I was a little stumped when my boss asked me to come out here and take a look at X Corporations' balance sheets."
    "Does he think we're pulling an Enron?"
    "Again," Miranda sighed, "I'm not sure."
    The phone on Connie's desk rang.  "Excuse me," Connie picked up the phone.  "Hello?"
    Nodding, Connie stood.  "Pardon me for a moment, Miss Raven.  My assistant has something for me that I must open."
    Miranda's stomach tightened.  Knots formed and tugged at her.  Adrenaline started flowing through her, making her nerves jumpy.
    "I'll return in just a second and we'll see if we can sort this mess out.  I presume you brought everything the SEC gave you?"
    "Indeed." Miranda patted her briefcase. 
    "Good.  I'll be right back."
    Connie turned around and walked to the door.  The large doors swung open and then closed with a loudness that echoed throughout the room.
    Miranda's heartbeat picked up, becoming the only sound in the room. 
    A click behind Miranda brought her attention to the window.  Spinning around, she faced a large flying creature, flapping gigantic wings.  Long fangs protruded from his beaked nose.  Thin yellow eyes glowed. 
    Miranda was shaking.
    The beast's body was more man than animal, but she wasn't around to see if he had cognitive reasoning skills. 
    "Oh.  My.  God..." Turning to run towards the door, Miranda tripped over her shoe.  Picking herself up quickly, she grabbed the briefcase and flung it at the creature as hard as she could but didn't wait for the sound of leather connecting against flesh. 
    Bolting for the door, Miranda reached the doorknob in time to turn the handle and