Amber felt something was wrong as a shiver traveled up her spine. Turning her attention back toward the inn, she felt James's soul brush against hers, but this time on accident. It was filled with lust and she suppressed her groan.

So, it's starting…

He was rebounding from the breakup and some woman was the trigger to start it. She wanted to be angry, but also knew he needed to get it out of his system if she was going to claim him herself.

Turning her attention back to the courtesan in front of her, Amber leaned in and kissed her neck. "I believe you were just telling me about your madam."

"Yes," the woman shivered.

Amber admired the tawny haired human. She was slender with curves in all the right places. She was also the more popular girl in the establishment, and she was all Amber's.

"Who does she report to?" Amber whispered. Running her tongue along the woman's neck, she purred.

"His name is Pom." Grabbing Amber's neck, the woman pulled her tighter until Amber nipped her neck.

"Behave," Amber chided. "We are going at my pace."

"I'm sorry…"

Working her way down to the woman's chest, Amber kept purring. "What does this Pom look like?"

"He's a human. Nothing remarkable about him, or at least me and the girls don't think so."

Biting one of her nipples, Amber asked, "when does he come around?"

Shivering again, the woman pressed Amber's face into herself. "Every Thursday at noon. He claims one of the women each time, even though we all know he is pathetic in bed."

"Unlike me," Amber teased.

"Yes!"

Pulling away, Amber let the woman stew. "What do you know about the king or queen of the demi-human district?"

Pulling open her robe the rest of the way, the woman invited her further down. "He is a mystery. No one has seen him in years. Only a select few like Pom interact with him."

Purring, Amber moved to please the woman fully. "Do you know where he operates out of?"

"No. I'm sorry."

Humming, Amber let her thoughts drift as she teased the woman. I'll need to be here on Thursday. If Pom claims one of the women, I'll need to take their place and question him. That's in two days. Two days to learn what I can and come up with questions. Jamie will need to know everything for her job.

Amber kept the woman occupied for nearly an hour before wiping her chin and promising to be back. Handing over a gold coin for the courtesan's troubles, she slipped out and started making her way back to James. He wasn't occupied any longer and she needed to talk with him.

Pulling her cloak over herself, she kept a steady pace until she reached the tavern she felt him in. The man felt content and happy, and flirtatious. It was odd.

Stepping inside, she smiled when he snapped his attention to her. Amber felt her heart start to race as she pulled off her cloak and added it to her ring. Sauntering over to her man, she ignored all of the people staring at her.

James stood and pulled her into a hug. "You smell like sex."

Scoffing, she kissed his cheek. "So do you. Tell me who she is."

Pointing out a skunk bartender, he smiled.

Waving at the woman, Amber turned her full attention to him. Pushing him back into his chair, she claimed his lap and rested her cheek against his. "We need to talk."

"We do," he whispered back. "We found something that you need to know."

Pulling away, she turned to Jamie and watched the woman nod. Amber didn't like the feeling she was getting as she faced James once again. "How bad?"

"Bad." Running his hand down her back, he stopped at the base of her tail. "We need a private place to talk."

"Your room," she stated. "Enchant it against eavesdroppers." Grabbing his hand, she pressed it against her ass. "And stop teasing me, mister."

Chuckling, he patted her a few times to get up. "Let's go. Jamie, you know the enchantment?"

"I do." Joining them, Jamie picked up all of the devices they had created and added them to her ring. "I'm ready."

James turned back to the skunk and winked, making the woman blush and shyly wave at him. Amber rolled her eyes at their byplay before taking his hand and pulling him out the building.

"A skunk?" she asked.

James shrugged. "It was fun. I promised Luna that I wouldn't make a move on my soulmate for at least a day."

Amber purred. "Do I know her?"

Bumping his hip against hers, he turned them toward the inn. "You might, but it would seem she has more work to do that might interfere with her relationship with me. It's a good thing I'm not jealous right now."

Amber leaned in and sniffed his neck, savoring the supple scent of his soul and body. "It's a good thing indeed," she whispered. "You'll have to talk to her about your future together. I'm sure she will explain a few things."

Jamie cleared her throat. "If you two are going to make out in his room, I'm going to watch and enjoy myself."

Bursting out laughing, James shook his head. "Way to ruin the mood, sister."

Giggling, Jamie took the lead up to the fourth floor. Once they were inside James's room, Amber watched them carve runes into the walls and door. They powered each of them, making gold and silver veins spread from the enchantments.

"We should be good," James announced. "Why don't you start, Amber."

Moving to his bed, she laid down. Explaining Pom and her time in the pleasure district only took half an hour. James and Jamie stood at attention, listening to every word.

"You are going back on Thursday?" James questioned.

"I am. I won't actually sleep with the man, so don't worry. But I might need to please a few women again tomorrow for more information."

James nodded. "Understood."

Amber's heart sank when he didn't protest. She wanted him to argue with her, but he seemed determined for her to get information instead.

James moved to her side and sat down. Pulling her into his lap, he kissed her ear. "I can't rush anything with you," he whispered soothingly. "That's what got me in trouble with Luna. Can you give me some time?"

Amber closed her eyes and rested against him. "Felt my soul?"

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"Yeah."

Sighing, she nodded. "Take me on a date? Or two, or three?"

Chuckling, he rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "We can go tomorrow after you are done. Just you and me."

Jamie cleared her throat. "Is this going to get spicy? I'm trying to warm up for my own date with the bunny."

Scoffing, Amber glared at the girl. "Just tell me what you two learned."

Jamie took over and explained the drug operation that they had found and how there was more of the underground. Amber started to growl in anger as she wrapped up.

"I should tear it apart!"

Jamie shook her head. "We are not here to fix the slums. We need to take over, and that will go better if we don't remove any elements."

Forcefully calming herself, she took a deep breath. "Okay. I'm starting to understand what I'm walking into. But for now, my day is done. I'm going to get a drink and you two are joining me."

"Let's go see Grace," James suggested.

"Her name is Grace?" Amber questioned. "At least you got her name."

Frowning, he poked her stomach. "Of course I got her name. I'm not that bad."

Smacking his hand away, she matched his frown. "You better introduce me to her."

Picking her up, James kissed her ear again. "Ready to go back to being serious?"

Sighing, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I suppose. I might leave for a bit and get you and Jamie some more pipe. I'll at least have one drink."

Jamie clapped her hands. "Is it my turn for a kiss?"

"Are you that wound up?" Amber questioned.

"Hey! You both had sex today. I'm feeling left out."

Laughing, James set her down and headed for the door. "Let's go. We still have to meet with the others tonight and put our information together."

***

James shared a drink with Amber for about an hour before they split up. She went off to gather pipes after learning that he and Jamie were upgrading a few places. Jamie went with him as they traveled across the district to the breweries.

The first one they came to was strictly for ale. The workers were not happy they were there to say the least. Many of them jeered or gave them the cold shoulder until James flashed his soul.

"Show me to your boss," he said as they cowered.

An elf was brave enough to step forward. She seemed pensive at first but quickly spoke up. "This is my brewery."

Jumping to the point, he asked, "how do you get your water?"

Frowning, she walked them over to a stack of barrels. "We fill these at the well and then roll them into the shop. From there, we pour what we need into the vats for brewing."

Smiling, James pulled out one of his devices. "How would you feel about an upgrade."

"Upgrade?"

Nodding, James showed her the device. "This can make all the water you need. Hot, or cold. All you have to do is give me a place to set it up. We can even attach it to the wall to fill the barrels, or even to the vats themselves. I have a few."

Eyes wide, the elf brushed back a few strands of her blonde hair. "And what will this cost me?"

Jamie cleared her throat. "We just need compensation for the pipes and a few silvers for our time. Also, we ask for a discount for the Blushing Maiden."

"The tavern?" the elf questioned. "What do they have to do with this?"

"They have given us a place to work on our craft and we want to repay them," James explained.

"You're humans."

James touched his face. "Huh. Imagine that…"

Jamie glared at him. "Really, James?"

Holding up his hands, he fended her off. "Sorry." Turning back to the proprietor, he held out his hand. "We'll attach one to each of your vats for the discount, the cost of the pipes, and five silver for each one. I guarantee that the water we provide will make your best ale yet."

Frowning, she gestured to the wall. "Show me what it does first before I agree."

James moved to the wall and hooked one up. Filling a barrel took next to no time and he walked her through how to adjust the temperature. When the barrel of gold water was filled, all of the workers were gathered nearby.

Offering up a cup, James gestured to the barrel. "Drink some and tell me that you don't agree it will only make your brew better."

The elf's soul was filled with nervous energy as she scooped up some of the gold water. Bringing it to her lips, she sampled it before her eyes shot open.

"What is this?" she asked. "It's amazing!"

Chuckling, James asked, "does it feel like your body is being refreshed like never before?"

"Yes!" Looking at the cup, she passed it off to another. "Will all of our water be gold?"

"Some silver," James stated. "Jamie has a silver touch to her enchantments. I have gold. All of the water will be like that though."

"Why are you willing to help me?"

James held her gaze for nearly a minute before answering. "I want to help repay those that have helped me. My party enjoys your ale and the tavern is giving me a place to work. The inn gave us rooms. Even though I'm human, you have been willing to talk to me. That's enough of a reason for me."

"You scared us when you came in," she pointed out.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I don't like that I scare people just by existing."

Reaching out, she touched his arm. "You're a good man, aren't you?"

With a weak smile, he shrugged. "I'm trying to be."

"Let me grab my purse." Letting him go, she waved for him to follow. "I have five vats that will need devices. I'll go to the Blushing Maiden tonight and talk with Grace. I'm sure she'll be excited to know you helped her."

Jamie snorted a laugh next to them. "Very excited."

Cocking her head at them, the elf asked, "do you know Grace already?"

"I've met her," James admitted. "She's pretty friendly…"

"She is." Holding out her hand, the elf finally introduced herself. "Mave."

Shaking her hand, James introduced himself and Jaimie. "We're siblings that work in the same trade. Let's get started."

Clapping her hands together, Mave took them around the brewery and pointed out where she needed the devices. Jamie helped him set them up and within an hour they were paid. Earning the goodwill of the demi-human district was just starting and it was going well.

With a few coins in their pocket, James returned to the tavern with his sister. Jamie happily bought her own drink while he felt out the rest of his companions around the city.

Linda felt like she was in a deep conversation with Bronson and a few other souls. She was jumping between angry, happy, excited, and solemn. It was confusing. All the while, Bronson was terrified. Whatever was happening, James didn't want to get involved.

The other two Elson brothers were working with a large group of souls, likely building something. They were learning earth magic and wanted to study architecture and construction for their future home.

Mender was calmly sitting with a bunch of children in what was likely the hospital. The man felt serene as James brushed against him.

It wasn't until he got to Luna that he felt bad. The woman was overwhelmed and frustrated. Anger ran rampant through her soul as dozens of souls followed her as she tried to head toward him. It got to the point that James sent Jamie to help her. Once they were close enough their auras would cancel out.

Left alone, James touched Amber and found her happy. She was brushing her soul against his and for the first time, he paid attention to it fully. Like Luna, hers mingled with his in a way that felt perfect. Although with Amber, it felt vastly above what Luna's felt like.

He realized how much he had been missing over the last few weeks. Amber wanted nothing more than to hold him tight. Her soul melded with his in a way that he would never be able to replicate with another and she knew it. The others knew it. He was just blind.

She pushed back against him, breaking them apart with a jolt of happiness. They were going to take things a little slower and they had work to do with the people of the demi-human district. Plus, they had dates to go on before they declared anything.

Turning to Grace, he caught her watching him with a sly grin. He could feel her longing for him as well. She wanted a repeat of their earlier foray. Even though she knew he belonged to Amber, she was determined to get her tail pampered again, among other things.

That's when he realized that he really did have a lot to learn about society. Growing up sheltered in both home life and the sect didn't do him any favors.

Rubbing his head, he felt the morning of emotions come back to him. If he had known better, he wouldn't have jumped into things with Luna. If he had known more, he wouldn't feel like his heart was torn out. He didn't want to regret what he had with Luna, but it was a learning experience. He was immature to the world. He needed to change that. Diving feet first into this city would help.

***

Zenaria was livid when she returned to Tian. Her mind raced with the sights she had seen under the city. Her targets had led her to a secret operation that had been supplying the city and especially the humans with the drug known as Emerald Glow.

Tian's surprise at her entrance was matched with his question. "Did you lose them already?"

Snarling, Zenaria slapped her hand down on the desk. "Your targets!" she emphasized. "Led me to a drug operation! The one that has been supplying this side of the city. They investigated it like it was just another day for them."

"They aren't part of it?"

Dropping her snarl, she shook her head. "No. They are just as angry as I am, but they didn't tear it apart, even though I watched James knock people out by simply looking at them."

Crossing his arms, Tian leaned back in his chair. "What else did you learn?"

"The drugs aren't enough?" Her anger started to grow brighter.

Resting his head on his hand, Tian waited for her answer.

"Fine," she snapped. "James spent the day making more of those devices. Between screwing the bartender and helping the brewery, he didn't get up to much. Jamie helped him, but they retreated to his room with a third member around midday. A nekorian named Amber. Somehow, they enchanted his room to prevent my eavesdropping."

"They enchanted an entire room?" Tian asked, his expression shifting to curiosity.

"Yeah," she said with a long sigh. "It appeared to me that James and Amber were an item, even if they both smelled like sex from different people. It must be the nekorian thing where she's bound to him."

"Go back and learn who else is with them. Find out why they are suddenly drawing attention to themselves. Also, learn what happened between them and the sect. I find it hard to believe that they would let two enchanters like them go."

Suppressing her annoyance, Zenaria turned away. "I'm charging you double for this. The man you are having me follow is dangerous. He suppressed entire rooms without lifting a finger, nor stirred any Qi. He also knew that I was there the entire time. I don't think he even sees me as a threat."

"Is protection from the sect not enough?" Tian questioned. "That was our agreement. If you want to renegotiate…"

Growling, she flipped her tail at him and bled into the walls. She had her job, and for the time being, safety.

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