"I was trapped over there for a year," Vicky started defensively. "We kind of got our funding cut off. I mean, the host agency helped us with food and housing and everything but . . ."

"But what?" Veronica asked.

"Well, you know how a lot of places, especially the vampire provinces, feel about same-sex encounters, so finding . . . companionship . . . wasn't always easy."

Veronica flopped back in the comfort of the sofa and covered her face. "PLEASE don't tell me you spent money allocated to you by the government on prostitutes!"

"Absolutely not!" Vicky said. "I spent the government's money on my troupe. I spent...