"I rescued you," he said. "That lamia was going to kill you."
"How much?" I said.
"What?"
"How much are you charging for the rescue?" I looked at him. "That's how it w
orks, right? You're a mercenary. A Huntsman for hire. Now that bank has run dry, so you're looking for a new source of income."
"It's not like that," he said, a gruffness in his voice that added, Not exactly.
"Which part? You are a mercenary, right?"
"I have to make a living," he said coldly. "My pack cast me out. Yes, I take money for the use of my skills, which do not involve murdering those who don't deserve death."
No, you just help others do it.
I managed to keep that thought hidden as he continued, "My deal with the lamia was not for money. She doesn't have enough for what she needed done. She paid in other currency."
"Please tell me it wasn't sex."
The look was almost a psychic blow in itself. "No. What they gave me is unimportant. I've terminated the contract because she tried to murder Matilda. I want nothing to do with madness like that. So I rescued you."
"Great. Thanks." I turned to the door. "Now, I need to--"
"--find Pepper before Melanie does. Yes. And the other one. The samhail."
"Aunika? She's down here?"
"They both are. But not where the lamia expects to find them. Once I have secured a promise of payment, I will tell you where they are. And give you these." He held up my gun and a penlight.
"What's the price?"
"A blood oath that you will return my hound."
"Hell, no."
"I don't think you understand the situation--"
"If I promise you the hound, you'll tell me where to find Pepper and Aunika, and you'll give me back my gun. Otherwise, I have to find them myself, unarmed."
"No, otherwise, I lock you--"
"Pointless. Gabriel or Ricky will come for me, so all that buys you is a head start. Here's my offer: I give you my oath to tell Ioan and his merry Huntsmen that you saved my life. They won't exactly thank you, but it'll give you a lot more time to run. In return, you do the same--you let me walk away. Personally, I'd prefer the deal where I don't give you shit, but being part fae, I understand the concept of a fair bargain."
"And I am Cwn Annwn, which means I don't bargain."
"Um, isn't that exactly what you're--?"
"I'm demanding payment for services rendered."
"If you honestly think I'd return the hound so you can abuse--"
"I will treat her better. I'll give my blood oath on that. You obviously have some method of communicating with her, so you will explain the situation to her. She stays with me and obeys me, and I will treat her well."
"No."
He stepped toward me, his eyes glowing with that wild light. "She is mine. I rescued her. I've taken care of her."