Wolf sat in one of the metal chairs across from the humans, crossed his ankles, and said, “Maybe I could offer some options, though.”
“Oh?” Isaac prompted.
Shadrach settled on the armrest beside him, intrigued.
Wolf said, “I went over to visit Talon not just to check onhim but because I had a business proposition for him. He wasn’t interested, which I expected, so I thought I’d ask you two.”
“A business proposition? You want to go into business together?” Shadrach asked.
“What else are you doing with your fortune?”
Shadrach shrugged, smoothing a hand across Isaac’s shoulder blades. “Spoiling my human.”
Isaac ducked his head with a quiet huff of laughter.
Wolf smirked at them, his gaze dancing over to Ira knowingly. “Now that Lilith’s gone, there’s a vacancy in the city.”
Shadrach raised a hand to stop him. “I’m not fucking running the halfling show, if that’s?—”
“No, it’s not. Shut up and let me finish,” Wolf deadpanned.
Shadrach subsided with narrowed eyes, and Isaac snorted into his coffee and had to wipe it off his upper lip. People were a lot more afraid of him before he had Isaac.
“The vacancy is not the leadership, per se. It’s the club.”
Shadrach’s mouth made an ‘o’ of understanding.
“It’s up for grabs right now. I worked there for a hundred years. I’d like to buy it.”
Shadrach nodded. “You definitely could. I doubt you need a backer, though. You have the funds for something like that, don’t you?”
“I do, but I thought it would be wiser to go into that kind of investment with a partner. Someone I could trust to have my back. It might help the Sentinels with their business, to know the club is safe for them to go in and meet halflings and other demons when the need arises. It’d be nice for the club to beoursagain. We all used to spend a lot of time there.It would bring in some extra income for the Sentinels, and I don’t think I’m the only one who misses it.”
Shadrach hadn’t gone to In Extremis often enough to consider ithis, but he understood the sentiment. It was where most of them hung out before they met their humans. Hell, Talon used to go there often enough that he had a designated table. It wasn’t reserved; everyone just knew it belonged to him. Shadrach always knew he could find him there, if the need arose.
“Are you asking Shadrach or me?” Isaac asked.
“Both. Either. However you’d rather do things,” Wolf said. “I’m just putting options on the table.”
Isaac glanced up at Shadrach, who shrugged. He’d invested in plenty of things over the years, but this felt more personal. This wasn’t about making money. This was about staking a place for themselves here in the city.
“The club would need a new location,” Isaac said. “A place the paladins don’t know about. Especially if word gets back to them that we’re involved with it.”
“Agreed,” Wolf said. “I’m also thinking somewhere bigger, better. And warded against intrusion.”
“Like Ira’s protection spell here?” Isaac asked, pointing up at the little sachet hanging above the front door.
Wolf nodded. “That would work for a time. Those types of spells have to be renewed after a certain amount of time. Best option would be to hire a witch to maintain wards on the place. They could put up something stronger, because they can harness more power.”
“Why didn’t Lilith do that ages ago?” Isaac asked.
“Because she was a cheap bitch who didn’t care,” Shadrach said. “Witches are rare. A good one who can putdown solid wards will cost a pretty penny. Luckily, we have a few of those in our pockets.”
Shadrach peered down at Isaac, who was staring at the suitcase with a thoughtful look on his face. “What do you think, killer? Interested?”
“Maybe, yeah. I was also thinking I might invest in this place.” His eyes wandered the room. “It seems like this is the beginning of something new. I’d like to throw my hat in with the rest of you.”
Ira’s mouth quirked. “You’re right. We’re building something special here. We’d be happy for your assistance—and your money.”
