Page 11 of BeWolfed

"Well, well," his voice was surprisingly melodious. "The lone wolf and Rose's niece. How very... unexpected."

The way he said "unexpected" made it clear it was anything but. My witch senses prickled with warning. And how did he even know who I was? I’d certainly never been to the strip club before.

"We're looking for Rose," I said directly, refusing to be intimidated by his unnerving stare.

"So many people looking for so many things." Mr. Cash's fingers—short, pudgy, with too many joints—steepled under his multiple chins. "Information is valuable in Shadow Valley."

"Name your price," Rudy's voice was tight with barely restrained impatience.

Cash's gaze shifted between us, calculating. "A favor. Unspecified. To be called in when needed."

"No deal," Rudy said immediately. "Open-ended favors are too dangerous."

Cash leaned forward, his chair groaning under his weight. "Then perhaps a more immediate arrangement. I have a... situation requiring resolution."

"What situation?" Rudy's suspicion was evident.

"The fairy dancer, Elspeth, spoke to your aunt last." Cash's multiple chins quivered as he frowned. "She's been living in my protected quarters since. Pack enforcers have been watching my establishment continuously, waiting for her to leave."

I studied his expression. "You've been protecting her?"

"Protection costs," Cash said bluntly. "Rooms that could generate income, security resources diverted, potential business lost from wolves who disapprove. She knows too much about pack and witch business, and keeping her safe has become... unprofitable."

"So you want us to what—extract her?" Rudy asked.

"I want this situation resolved." Cash's golden eyes blinked rapidly. "Take her with you, convince the wolves to leave my establishment alone, I don't care which. But my business suffers while she remains, and the pack grows more aggressive by the day."

Now his offer made sense—pure self-interest. "You're not concerned about stopping the ritual."

"I'm concerned about my profit margins," Cash corrected. "Blood magic rituals, supernatural politics—none of my concern as long as business flows. But recently, business has not been flowing."

Cash pressed a button, and the fairy hostess appeared with a tray bearing three crystal glasses filled with glowing blue liquid.

"What's this?" I asked, my witch senses instantly alert.

"Twilight Spirit. A specialty of mine." Cash's smile widened unnaturally. "Someone very interested in you two specifically requested I offer it. Paid handsomely for the privilege."

Rudy stiffened. "Who?"

"Client confidentiality," Cash demurred, though his eyes gleamed with amusement. "Let's just say there are... factions... who find the idea of a witch-wolf alliance intriguing."

"You're working for someone else," I realized. "Someone who wants to influence us."

"I work for profit," Cash corrected. "Sometimes that means negotiating between multiple interested parties." He gestured to the drinks. "The Twilight Spirit is harmless—it simply enhances natural connections. Makes what's already present... clearer. My benefactor believes you two might benefit from seeing certain... possibilities more clearly."

"And why would we drink something offered under such suspicious circumstances?" Rudy challenged.

Cash shrugged his impossibly wide shoulders. "Because I won't let you talk to Elspeth unless you do." His smile turned sly. "Besides, I will drink first."

He lifted his glass and took a substantial swallow, making a show of it. "Perfectly safe. Just illuminating."

I exchanged glances with Rudy.

"Who exactly is your client?" I pressed.

“Some think the old boundaries between species need to be broken. Some think new ones should be made. Me?” He shrugged. “I just sell information.”

Reluctantly, I took the smallest possible sip of the glowing liquid. It tasted of blueberries and starlight, with an underlying wildness that warmed as it went down.

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