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"Welcome to the No Spell Hotel," I said to the werewolf. He was new. Carefully targeted. And for now, still in human form. "I have the silver-free room reserved for you, safe from all allergens."
"And you got my note about the cage?" he asked.
"A lovely suite with all the amenities needed for a gentleman such as yourself on a shift."
He exhaled a deep breath of relief. "I had heard that your hotel specialized in pampering during this time of the month."
"We like to think of it as a night spa for the lunar inclined," I replied. I motioned with my arm toward his suite on the ground floor. "Right this way."
We entered. The walls were made of river stone. A bed and soft armchair sat to one side, Persian rugs dotted the floor. A steel cage took over the middle of the room. Precious and I did our best to make it appealing, filling it with red velvet cushions and blankets.
"No security deposit?" he asked. He pointed at the cage. "Everything in there will be destroyed."
"All a part of our Moon Shifter's package," I replied with a winning smile. "Better to tear the skin off a pillow than your own arm, as my mama used to say."
"A wise woman," he replied. He walked around the cage and tested the bars. "And you swear that if I get out for some reason, I won't be held culpable?"
"It is all a part of our Other Side promise," I replied. "Now, make yourself at home. Can I help you with your things? I'll be back with midnight room service."
He raised his eyebrows.
"Steak tartar?"
He scratched his belly. "The rarer, the better."
"It will be practically mooing." I stopped myself and checked his reservation. "Actually, it may be mooing."
He took off his jacket and draped it across the bed. He rolled up his white sleeves and took off his shoes. "And what time is check out?"
"Whenever you are ready," I answered with a smile. I opened the door to the cage. "Now, in with you. Music? Wine?"
"All I need is a little time," he replied, walking in. He reclined on his elbow and looked at me, dare I say with a wolfish grin. "If we didn't know exactly where things would lead, I'd invite you in with me."
And it was that little comment that eased any compulsions I had about what we were about to do to him. "You may find the evening is full of surprises," I replied sweetly.
And I shut the door with a clang.