I'm the son of a merchant; haggle!

"Two thirds, and a free week at the inn. With meals." I said, fixing on my haggling face. It was obviously too much, but my father always said to start unreasonably high; sometimes people were stupid enough to accept. Beyond which, the higher you started the more room you had to wiggle before you reached the point you actually wanted.

Of course, sometimes people just walked away if the counteroffer was too high, but that just led down a different path of negotiations.

"You'll take half, and maybe two days at the inn." The elderman spat, looking at my ****. "Keep that one out of sight, and make sure she don't cause any trouble. "Maybe you eat free, but nobody going to feed that bitch."

"What's this?" A new voice joined the discussion, Nadia Aidana. The dark-skinned innkeeper was just as beautiful as I remembered and I could feel the slightest rise in my groin at the sight of her. With difficulty I supressed my demon, putting in the effort the moment I felt my teeth begin to sharpen and elongate. "It's not your inn, Elder Bowden. And I still need to make a profit, after that bad business."

"Bad business is over," I said with a smile, gesturing at the witch. "Took care of her, she won't be bothering anyone else."

"You caught the witch." She said, surprised.

"All in how you use it." I gave a smirk. Then I looked over to the elder and amended my terms. "I'll take half, and you'll pay for my food and lodging for three days."

"Well-"

I focused all my attention on him and Willed my blood to activated. Not much, and not for long, but for a single instant I focused all my thoughts on shifting my eyes from man to monster. Hunger pangs shot through my stomach like lightning, intense but transient, and I saw fear shoot through the Elder.

". . .Very well."

And so I returned to the inn on Nadia's heels, my purse laden with a substantial sum, for a farming village. Dozens of small silver and bronze coins, emblazed with the face of the queen. Enough to make up the price of two golden veldoroons. Enough to eat well and have comfortable lodging for most of a month. And for a sum of that, Nadia allowed me to lodge the witch in my room.

I had at least three days before Barley tried to run me out. Three days of soft bedding and full bellies, a thing unthinkable before my detour to Anna's barn. As I lay on the bed, resting my weary feet, with the witch idly licking my shaft, I considered my next course of action.