Heidi was taller than me with blue eyes and naturally curly hair. She looked like she was made of sunshine and sugar, but she was nothing of the sort. Sure, she was kind and compassionate. But she also collected poison rings from the Middle Ages and had a passion for classic horror films.
She was exactly the right kind of weird. I loved that about her.
“What are you doing here?” She pulled me into an embrace and then stepped back, her smile fading quickly. “Something is wrong.”
She was also excellent at reading people. Sometimes I wondered if she had magical blood somewhere in her family tree.
“I wish I had more time,” I said.
“What is it?” Her brow furrowed.
“Something terrible happened,” I said. “I can’t explain everything right now but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Spill,” she demanded.
“Lola’s dead,” I said.
She covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. “No.”
“It’s bad, Heidi, I’m not gonna sugar coat it,” I said. “She was murdered.”
Heidi dropped her hand from her mouth. “Who would do that?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” I said. “Well, I’m working with the police so they can find her.”
Heidi didn’t know what I did or what my heritage was. I was hoping to keep it that way. At least for now. There were times I’d almost told her. She was so easy to talk to and didn’t feel the same as other humans. But that would have to wait. Maybe I’d tell her the truth later.
“I need a favor,” I said.
“Anything.”
I unclasped the necklace. “Please, keep this safe for me. If anyone comes by…”
“I never saw you,” she said as if she knew just how big this really was.
“Thank you,” I said.
She pulled me in for another hug. “I don’t know what you’re up to but promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I will,” I said.