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himself dissolve the oath."
    "But – I don't have anything of value." Then it hits me. "Other than my ten thousand dollars. And maybe Mr. Whitman's fifty thousand?"
    "Money is good," says Hui. "Cash is king."
    "But how do I call Harold?" I feel on the verge of panic. "And I don't even have the fifty thousand yet. If I gave it to Harold I'd go to jail."
    "Hmm." Rachel taps her lips. "Here's what I suggest. Offer him the ten thousand and a partnership in your bakery, giving him a large percentage of the profits for a set amount of time. It's a bad situation, but with hard work and time, you'll be able to get him out of your life."
    "Anything. I don't care about the money. How do we reach him?"
    Rachel cocks her head to one side again, and then looks surprised. "Simon has his phone number. Harold's been around awhile. He and Mama B had arguments back in the day. Simon doesn't... think too highly of him. Here." She digs out her smart phone. "You ready?"
    I nod, smoothing my hand over my dress. "Yes." Am I? I have no idea.
    Rachel dials the number, then hands me the phone. It rings and rings, and just as I think it's about to go to voice mail, somebody answers. "Who the hell is this?"
    "Mr. Harold? This is Anita Hall. David Hall's daughter."
    "Ah," says Harold, and I get the image of a crocodile opening its mouth wide with satisfaction. A smile that's really a prelude to a bite. "My future daughter-in-law. It's so lovely to hear from you."
    "I want you to break the oath. I want you never to talk to my father and me again."
    "Really? Well, that's interesting, I suppose, but it ain't going to happen. You're Gerry's. You have been since I reached into the dark and pulled your spirit back into your broken body. An oath sworn in blood is an oath carved in stone."
    I shiver. His voice is chilling. "I'll give you money."
    A pause. "How much?"
    "Ten thousand dollars."
    Another pause. He's thinking about it! It's not a completely ridiculous offer. "Nice, but not enough."
    "And I'll make you a partner in my new business. I'll send you a monthly check, up to the amount of –" My mind whirls, trying to think of an impressive number. "One hundred thousand."
    An even longer pause. "You'll put that in writing? Make it legal?"
    I nod, then realize he can't see me. "Yes."
    "One hundred and ten thousand dollars." He muses. "Well, that's a tidy sum. I'll agree to that. With a couple of conditions. Each month you pay me three thousand. And if you fail to make one payment, I keep everything you've paid me so far, and you marry Gerry on the spot."
    I gulp. I feel like I've been dunked in ice water. "OK." Do I have a choice?
    "Very good. Have a lawyer draw up the contract, then call me. If I don't hear from you within seven days, your daddy's dead. Got it?"
    "Got it," I whisper, and hang up. I hand the phone back to Rachel.
    They're both watching me with concern. Hui's still holding her mop. "What did you agree to?"
    "My ten thousand up front. Three thousand each month, to the tune of one hundred thousand total. If I default, I have to marry Gerry that month."
    Rachel's face blanches. "My god."
    "I can do it." I feel a steel resolve arise within me. "I can make that money. I will make that money, if it means saving my dad. He saved my life. I'll save his."
    We sit in silence. "You really need to find that honey now," says Rachel.
    I nod. I feel like I've been hit on the back of the head with a shovel. "I know. But. I've found someone who knows the werebear. Arthur. A really nice guy. He's going to take me to the valley tomorrow morning."
    "Arthur?" Hui frowns.
    "He saved me from Gerry. He's – he's really nice. I trust him."
    Rachel and Hui exchange dubious looks, and then Rachel puts away her phone. "If you're sure. Do you want us to come with you?"
    A storm of conflicting emotions arises within me. I immediately want to say yes. Please come! Don't let me face this alone! Rachel would be able to convince the werebear. I could just hide behind her and