Free Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo

probably help us a little more than kitty cat here, even if it is cute.” She pulled a lipstick from her purse and touched up perfect lips.
    â€œBlack is protective. I got one for you too.”
    Her head jerked up as she returned the tube to her bag. “Huh?”
    I dug in my purse and pulled out a crumpled paper bag and handed it to her.
    â€œIt’s pink!” she squealed when she pulled out an identical cat with paws upraised.
    â€œIndeed it is.”
    â€œWhere did you—”
    â€œâ€”the counter at Burger World when I paid the bill.”
    â€œAdorable!” Shar grinned, and wrinkled her nose in delight.
    â€œIt matches your outfit, too,” I chirped, looking her up and down; she was a walking rose, dressed head to foot in pink.
    â€œYou’re right,” she laughed, and fastened the kitty to the strap of her bag. “Let’s hope these bring good luck—we need it!”
    Shar gave the security guard our names, and he let us up.
    The sleek glass doors to the reception area were unlocked, so in we went and stood listening, but it was silent. I took a minute to survey our surroundings; a semi-circle of leather chairs bordered a glass table piled with slick magazines. It was almost like our latte-esque living room—beige and chrome, and more beige and chrome. I wondered if Hades had decorated this place too.
    â€œPerfect!” Shar whispered. She pushed her glasses onto her forehead, her hazel eyes glowing with excitement. “Let’s have a look around, and—”
    She was interrupted by footfalls in the adjacent hallway; we weren’t the only early risers. If it was Demi, then she’d have to acknowledge that we were eager to please, and maybe that would get us a gold star. Hastily, Shar plunked the sunglasses back down over her nose.
    A door opened, and out stepped Jeremy. I caught my breath. His hair was loose and hung over his cheek, brushing his chin and the collar of his slightly rumpled shirt.
    He halted at the sight of us. “You two here already?”
    Shar beamed. “Yes sir, bright and early and ready to work.”
    He looked at his watch, then pulled a band out of a pocket to tie his hair back. “Okay. Actually, this works out great because things will start to get busy fast around here once people start coming in, and that’ll be in about ten minutes. I’ll show you around.”
    He winked at me as he opened the door. The other side of the reception area was a different world. It was like stepping into Oz—there was no taupe or tan anywhere. Our feet bounced on a plush royal purple carpet as we walked, and I could see a distorted shadow of myself in the silvery foil pattern of the wallpaper. Every few yards, a glass case stood sentinel against the wall. Inside each one was a Faberg é egg.
    â€œThey’re fakes,” Jeremy whispered. “He keeps the real ones locked up somewhere. Hey, I have one of those!” He touched the cat hanging from my purse. “I’m always looking for good luck.” He started down the main hallway.
    I nodded and smiled vindictively at Shar, who scowled angrily while I tried not to gloat.
    Jeremy walked briskly, speaking rapidly as if there wasn’t enough time to tell us everything we had to know.
    â€œIt’s a real hive in here. Mr. Romanov is already in his office and he’s booked with appointments until eight or nine p.m., long after you’re gone.”
    Shar piped up. “We want to be as helpful as we can. If you need us to stay late, we’re good with that. Anything we can do for Ark—I mean, Mr. Romanov, we’re there.” Then she tripped over a lump in the fluffy rug and stumbled into the wall. We all stopped.
    Jeremy looked back and frowned. “Are you okay? Don’t you want to take your glasses off?”
    Shar looked panicked. She didn’t take off her shades—she didn’t dare—and she didn’t