James had moved to the restaurant in the inn when Luna and Jamie returned. The Fenrir dropped into the chair next to him, and rested her head on his shoulder, confusing him slightly.

"I'm so tired," she muttered.

"Bad day?" he questioned.

Nodding, she pulled away and he noticed her eyes were slightly glazed over. "So many people…so many gifts…"

Chuckling, he rested his hand between her ears. "Anything I can do to help?"

Coming back to focus, she grabbed his hand and pressed it firmly against her head. When he started scratching around her ears, she melted. "That's perfect." When she started sniffing the air, she inched closer to him and focused her senses on him. "You had sex!"

"I did," he admitted.

"Amber? I thought you promised to wait."

Shaking his head, he didn't stop scratching around her ears. "Not Amber. The bartender from the tavern next door. I don't know what I did to entice her, but it was fun."

Cocking her brow, Luna started to question him. "How did Amber take it? Am I going to meet her?"

Sighing, James turned to Jamie. "Can you handle this?"

Frowning, Jamie shook her head. "You're a big boy. You can handle a small conversation like this."

Huffing, he turned back to Luna. "You can meet her when we go for drinks later. Besides, Amber had sex today too. We agreed to take things slow and build up to a relationship. We both have too much to do in this city to jump into something."

"She has more people to sleep with?" Luna asked.

"She does. It's easier to convince someone to tell her the truth if they are occupied with pleasure."

Dropping the topic, Luna waved down the server, who happened to be the same bunny as earlier. Jamie beamed when their eyes met and she hurried over to help them.

"Jamie!" the bunny chirped. "I thought we already had plans for dinner?"

"We do!" Jamie chirped back. "I'm just sitting here until you are ready."

"Can I get food?" Luna asked tentatively.

Pulling off her apron, the bunny quickly grabbed Jamie's hand. "I'm off work! Sorry!"

Laughing, James waved at the couple. "Treat her well, Jamie."

Glowering, Jamie huffed at him. "It's going to be the perfect date, dear brother."

"Can I get a new server?" Luna asked meekly.

The bunny watched her for a few moments. "I suppose." Turning, she waved down the second server. "The Fenrir needs food!"

The raccoon demi-human hurried over. "What can I get you, miss?"

James tuned the two ladies out as he focused on Jamie. "Will you be sleeping in? If you are, I'll meet you next door."

Tapping her chin, she turned to the bunny. "Are we sleeping in?"

Smirking, the bunny gently touched Jamie's cheek. "Depends. Are you good with knots?"

Eyes wide, Jamie nodded. James snorted a laugh as the bunny gained a smoldering gaze before she pulled Jamie away. He never did get his answer.

Mender was the next to show up, arriving as Luna's feast was set down. The woman had ordered ribs, steak, and several potato side dishes. Not only did James look at her oddly, but Mender did as well.

"How did the hospital go?" James asked. "I felt that you had children around you."

Waving down the server, Mender sat across from him. "It was good. I enjoyed calming the children today and helping them through some problems. But I fear there is a greater problem going on."

Luna stopped eating. "What sort of problem?"

Mender ordered his food before answering. "Children are disappearing. Both on the human side and demi-human. I'm going to need your help, James."

Scowling, James nodded. "I'll find them." He didn't fail to notice the bristling rage of his shadow in the corner of the restaurant.

"I'll be ready," Mender said. "Pull on my soul once you find them and I'll find you."

The shadow's anger turned to curiosity at the statement, and James pushed on her in warning, making her shiver. Turning his attention back to Mender, he agreed to the plan.

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When Linda showed up with Bronson, he was about to smile when he noticed it looked like Bronson had aged a dozen years. His soul felt wrung out as Linda smiled brightly.

"How did your day go?" James gestured to the chairs across from him.

Sitting down, Linda summoned several purses. "I made a fortune!"

"Doing what?" James questioned. "I noticed Bronson looks near dead."

Waving at her boyfriend in dismissal, she explained, "many of the demi-humans played a game called darts. Needless to say, my skill came in handy. Bronson had to diffuse many instances of poor sportsmanship."

"My knuckles hurt," Bronson muttered.

Tossing James a purse of coins, Linda leaned back in her chair with a smug expression. "How's that for a day of work?"

Checking the contents of the purse, James whistled. Several silver and bronze coins filled the bag. It was enough to hold him over until he was paid by Tian. Adding the purse to his inventory, he watched Linda wave down the server.

"How many more are coming?" the raccoon asked.

"Three more," James stated. "Just bring a variety of food. Fill the table."

"I'm buying!" Linda announced. "Do you have ale?"

"No, sorry." The raccoon shook her head. "We have homemade juice and water."

"Juices all around," Linda ordered. Tossing the woman a purse of coins, she smiled. "That should cover it. Keep the change."

Eyes wide, the server quickly checked the purse and gulped. "Y-yes, ma'am!"

Amber walked in with the Elson brothers. The two siblings were covered in dirt and dust, and looked exhausted. Amber ran over to James and claimed his lap.

"Did you miss me?" she asked.

Ignoring her, he asked the Elson brothers, "construction?"

Boris nodded. "Spent the day putting in a sewage system. Learned quite a bit."

"They were happy we could use earth magic," Brakin added. "We'll be back to it tomorrow."

"Hey!" Amber growled.

"Who are you?" James teased.

Smacking his chest, Amber pressed her forehead against his. Sniffing, she nearly started to salivate as she started rubbing against him.

"Get off him!" Luna nearly yelled.

"I don't have to," Amber countered. "I can savor his scent as much as I want now."

Grumbling, Luna went back to eating. James regarded her for a moment before scooting Amber into the chair next to him. "Let's not make things harder right now."

Sighing, Amber nodded. "Sorry, Luna. You know I get excited around him."

Looking up, Luna started to smile again. "It's fine. I just need to get used to it."

James blew out a slow breath. "Now that we are all together, let's eat."

"Where's my sister?" Mender asked. "Is she still out?"

Snorting a laugh, Luna shook her head. "The bunny took her away. Something about knots."

Groaning, Mender watched the server return with several glasses of juice. "Good for her…"

Picking up his juice, James sampled it and found it delightful. Sadly, his body wanted to reject it, and he had to force it down. He didn't dare try the food as he was already pushing things.

"Now that we are all together," he started. "We have much to discuss. Starting with…" James went on to explain the drugs, the deal with Tian, his shadow, and upgraded a few places.

Amber cut in to explain that he slept with Grace while he pointed out she visited the pleasure district for her own fun. Luna talked about the market and how she needed more products to sell. That's when James told her to sell the gifts she's been receiving.

Mender talked about the missing children and earned anger from everyone. Once James explained they were going to work together everyone relaxed. They knew James would find the kids before long.

Amber promised to find answers through her own channels, and Luna said she was going to ask her followers to help as well. Once they had a plan in place, they started eating.

Between bites, The Elson brothers and Linda talked about their day and how they were going to repeat everything tomorrow. Linda also mentioned setting up her tannery and working on some of the hides she had collected in the forest. She also planned on working with a leatherworker to learn more.

Bronson planned on joining his brothers, working the sewers and anything else the city needed built. That was everything.

"Who's getting drinks after this?" James asked.

Everyone raised their hands. Amber wrapped her tail around his back, holding him tight. Luna frowned at the two of them before wrapping her tail around him as well.

James ignored both of them as he watched everyone finish up with their meals. Once they were all ready, he urged everyone to head next door and claim his usual table. Amber knew what he meant and took the lead.

He went to follow when he lingered behind. Moving to the corner of the room, he whispered, "I'll find the children, but I wouldn't mind some help."

Anger pulsed through the shadow before he felt their acceptance. It would seem they had come to an agreement.

Leaving the shadow behind, James followed his friends. It didn't take long for them to enter the tavern and for Amber to call out drinks for all of them. Grace was serving again, and beamed when she found him.

Luna growled lowly at both of them before Amber rubbed her shoulder to help calm her down.

"He's not yours anymore," Amber whispered. "You chose this."

Huffing, Luna took her seat, making sure James's chair was next to her. Amber sighed before taking his other side. As for James, he moved to the bar, ignoring both of them.

"How's the new sink treating you?"

Grace slid him an ale. "My staff love having hot water. But um…did you talk to Mave today?"

"I did," he admitted. "Did she come by already."

Reaching across the bar, she grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss. When she came up for air, she had a hazy look to her eyes. "You are amazing! How did you get me a discount?"

"I solved their water situation," he said with a laugh. "I thought that you deserved a little something for letting me use your tavern."

"I'll keep your table empty for you!" she chirped.

Amber joined his side. "James, dear. We are all waiting on drinks and you are holding Grace up."

Grace had the decency to blush before kissing him again. "I get done in an hour."

"I'll be free." Picking up his ale, he wrapped his free arm around Amber and led her away.

Melting against him, Amber started to purr. "Date tomorrow still?"

"I'll find a place for us." Sitting down, he pulled Amber into his lap. "My morning is going to be busy with the contract and details, but I'll call you once I find a place."

Burying her face into his neck, she hummed. "You do that."

Luna cleared her throat next to them. "Are you really flirting with Amber after your promised to meet up with the bartender in an hour?"

"Grace knows Amber and I are not official yet," James explained. Scooting Amber off his lap, he took Luna's hand. "I'm sorry. I'll try and tone it down."

"Thank you," she whispered.

When the drinks arrived, Luna downed hers as quickly as it showed up. Grace had to hurry and pour another as everyone started to relax after a stressful day.

Mender wandered over to another table and started playing dice. Linda joined him and James had to remind her not to cheat. The Elson brothers found a group of Oni to set up with, while Luna drank as quickly as she could.

Amber sighed. "I'll make sure she gets back to her room."

"Thanks," James said softly. He was still on his first mug, and so was Amber. It wasn't long before Grace joined them and the next thing he knew, he was being led away. The skunk claimed she needed another bath after a long, grueling day, and he was more than happy to oblige.

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