"Not at all, because my plan is simple. I sell the property off. Piece by piece. To the highest bidder."
"Even though there are rare, beautiful unicorns on those lands?" Beth's voice cracked.
"Rare, sure. Beautiful? That's subjective. But yes, even with the unicorns."
Carol and I exchanged a look, both of us sickened. "You can't be serious," I said. "Unicorns are not just some commodity for you to trade?—"
"Everything has a price," he replied with a shrug, playing with his car keys. "And I intend to cash in."
"Those creatures... they're innocent." Beth stepped forward, fists clenched.
"Nothing's innocent in this game," he countered with a cold laugh. "Besides, they're not my problem."
"Maybe not now, but karma has a way of," I started, but he cut me off.
"Save it. I've heard all about karma, destiny, whatever you want to call it." He smirked. "Funny thing though, it never seems to catch up with me."
"Because you don't care," Beth said.
"Exactly," he said, popping open his car door. "I don't care."
"Killing unicorns..." My words hung between us, disbelief lacing each syllable.
"Of course," he said with a snort. "You think anyone's hands are clean in this? The committee, me, whoever gets those lands—the unicorns are as good as dead."
Deva’s eyes were wide, her face pale. "But why? They're not hurting anyone."
"You ladies seem smart, but, apparently, not smart enough.”
"How so?” Daniel asked angrily from behind me.
"Because you can’t seem to put two-and-two together.”
"Then, help us out,” Beth said, glaring.
"There are new werewolves in town," he said, almost casually, as if discussing the weather. "Turns out, unicorns are pretty damn important now."
"Important for what?" I was confused.
"Let's just say they've become quite valuable with the changes." He winked, a cruel twist to his smile. "More than you know."
I stepped closer, the gravel crunching beneath my boots. "But why? Why are unicorns so damn important?" My voice was steady, but inside I was shaking.
He tilted his head, green eyes narrowing as if he couldn't believe our ignorance. "You really don't know? Unicorn horns, they're part of the cure."
"What cure?" Daniel asked.
"The cure that keeps werewolves from turning. It stops them from losing control." He shrugged, the movement casual, but his eyes were sharp, watchful.
"Is that why they're valuable?" I asked, my thoughts racing.
"Among other things, yes," he said, a half-smile playing on his lips. "But it doesn't matter now."
"What do you mean?" Henry's tone was flat, direct as always.
"Those lands, they're protected as of today. Officially off-limits," he said, the smile broadening, yet there was no warmth in it. "So, all this talk, it's pointless. My part in this is done. All you’re left with is the committee and what they’ll do next."
I watched him, the man who once had claims to the lands now out of reach. His eyes were distant, his stance relaxed. The indifference rolled off him in waves.
