18- An object in motion…

  -Chapter Start: Continuing, August 14th, 3:42pm

  Zylas stepped past me, and I could almost feel the tangible heat of her anger radiating in the air like charged particles. Before us stood a tall, otherworldly beauty. Entropy. I reached out instinctively, my hand lightly holding Zylas’s shoulder, an attempt to anchor her from the storm of rage swelling around her. To my surprise, she paused almost immediately, as if my touch had provided a brief respite.

  “How long have you been here?” I asked, tilting my head upward to meet the flickering intensity in her eyes. Her form shimmered, recalling the glisten of light on fresh snow, each movement catching and refracting the subtle hues of the late afternoon. Entropy smiled softly before clasping her hands, then slowly revealing the black envelope as if unveiling a secret. “That’s… Wait, since the CDS?”

  “You don’t remember her?” Zylas’s voice growled, raw and edged like a blade, her eyes locked onto the envelope with unyielding determination.

  “No… Well, yes. I do. She was my… my last delivery, yesterday.” My voice was hesitant as I let my hand slip from her shoulder. A quick rush of memories unfolded, reminding me of all the details of yesterday and today. The wave caught me off guard, as I physically stepped back from the overwhelming thoughts. Zylas, her gaze never wavering, extended her hand and grabbed my wrist to anchor me once more.

  “You- you’ve been here since the start. Duals, she was unsure it was good for me and you to partner, but I… I said it was fine. We’ve… I requested you? The envelope requested you to be a CDS agent, to… Spread your wings. But, I never wrote that.” I stumbled through my recollections, my thoughts a tangled web of what was written and what simply was, as I fought to catch meaning among the fragments.

  “No, I did in the future. After… after what?” I asked, shaking off the stupor and glancing back toward Entropy. She maintained a solemn smile that contrasted with the chaos of our inner worlds. Meanwhile, Zylas’s simmering anger was as palpable as the metallic tang in the air, her slowly expanding form a manifestation of her inner turmoil as she wrestled with the transformation.

  “Futures are always a flux in time. What you once asked for, never came to pass. Deals never struck, already paid in full. Before you was simply a being upholding their honor, so long yours continues.” Entropy intoned, her words laced with both sorrow and mirth, as her abyssal, ink-dark eyes swept over me. Her voice danced on the edge of solemnity and joy, striking chords that resonated deep within.

  “Is that why you’re fucking with my thoughts?” Zylas snapped, her temper spiking and echoing like a distant thunderclap. Entropy’s attention shifted smoothly back to Zylas. “This is my land, you’re just prey.”

  “As forgotten as the summer’s breeze, my reality is noticed only when required. My inquiries, my curiosity, humbles the deal never made. That will be the agreement, though it never shall be.” Entropy’s voice trailed, gentle yet firm, as she extended a hand forward. An invitation, or perhaps a challenge to both of us. “My words are truth, yet no longer exist. A millennium of thoughts sprung from that nothingness. Indulge your instincts, and you would understand.”

  “Sorry bitch, I was just topped off. Not interested in your vile innards.” Zylas’s retort sliced through the heavy air with the taste of bitter defiance, every syllable resonating against the charged atmosphere.

  “So let me get this straight.” I began, before an odd warmth began to saturate my throat. A tactile comfort that spread slowly like liquid moonlight.

  “A messenger from an Outer Deity, both remembered and forgotten countless times, formed a contract with us at some point outside of time.” Lilith’s voice spoke through me, authoritative and yet gentle, anchoring the space as if holding the very air hostage. At her words, I could almost see Zylas’s fur standing on end—a physical manifestation of the tension, the soft bristle that prickled with each whispered syllable.

  “Yet, you revealed yourself only after we made contact. Your curiosity is satiated with experiencing… Ooh. That’s intriguing.” Lilith’s tone trailed off, as if she was piecing together a puzzle of moments that blurred the present and future alike.

  “Don’t stop there, what the hell is the contract?” Zylas demanded, her gaze breaking momentarily from Entropy to fix on us with raw urgency.

  “Nothing comprehensible to you, pup.” Lilith replied with a playful cadence, and I felt a small, wicked smile tug at my lips as I shook off the residual oddness of the warmth. I looked back up at Entropy, who continued a slow almost ritualistic tracing of her porcelain-like arm veins, each touch sending out rhythmic pulses of cool blue luminescence.

  “If L—” I caught myself, nearly biting my own tongue as I was unsure if I could speak her name.

  “If Lilith were to disengage, so too would you. Leaving a fierce warrior to rest upon their landscape before us.” Entropy declared, her hand gesturing imperiously toward the serene lake behind us. “Yet, clouds formed and washed away hidden sorrows. The trek back will be quiet, distant but close, like the lingering scent of rain on parched earth.”

  I glanced upward just as a low rumble reverberated from the heavens, a bass note to this surreal symphony as the sky continued to darken.

  “For fuck's sake, just shut the fuck up.” Zylas groaned, her voice laden with exasperation as she began to shrink back into a human form. Rubbing her temple, she exhaled a grumble of displeasure. “Seriously, keep up that celestial hymn and I’m gonna give you a reason to sing for a future that’ll never come.”

  There was a brief pause as Zylas looked back at me, her eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts as if weighing multiple choices. Finally, with a determined air, she turned and strode directly into the path of Entropy, prompting the ethereal being to step aside with graceful inevitability.

  “Next time you start preaching…” Zylas warned, her voice cool but sharp, every syllable honed with intent. “I’ll string your wings across the treeline and teach your god what silence really costs.”

  An awkward silence settled like static between Entropy and me, both of us watching Zylas fade into the dense forest.

  “Ferocity, in—” Entropy began, then stopped mid-sentence. Slowly, she turned her gaze back to me. Her expression was unreadable, but something behind her eyes churned… Something vast, unknowable. “Should I remain seen?”

  “I think it might be best…” I said, stumbling over the words that couldn’t keep pace with my thoughts. “Also… could you not do that… uh, skipping thing?”

  “Being known prevents skipping.” She answered plainly, as if it were self-evident. Her gaze drifted skyward. “May I suggest holding off on that which you’re fondest of… until last?”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t be seen…” I muttered as I peered down the main road from a narrow alley we’d just emerged from. We were deeper in Eerie’s Respite than I usually ventured, and the press of people filled the air with a kind of urban tinnitus—laughter, footsteps, voices layered on voices.

  “I am a mere female of similar complexion to you, in their eyes.” Entropy replied as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. Her words were matter-of-fact, but something about the way she moved was inherently dissonant—graceful yet unreal. Somehow, the crowd flowed around her, unfazed by her towering presence.

  “Well, that only makes this half as stressful.” I mumbled, reluctantly following her out into the open. The street unfurled in either direction, lined with a hodgepodge of businesses. Some buzzed with life, others sat shuttered and empty. People milled about, a few vehicles humming through the cluttered thoroughfare.

  I raised my Traveller’s Rune with a half-hearted flick and continued walking, Entropy matching my stride with unsettling precision.

  As we pushed deeper into the heart of the district, the crowd thickened—denser and louder, almost like Shinpo no Tō’s food sector during peak hours. The heat of bodies, the scent of roasted meats and spices, the clatter of dishes—it was a living pulse I endured for over an hour, awkwardly following the Traveler’s Rune’s trail. Suddenly, a tug pulled at my wrist, and I found myself inside a bakery, the warm scent of yeast and sugar crashing into my senses.

  “What are you doing here!?” someone hissed, yanking me close.

  Ainai.

  She was in her human form, face flushed and eyes wide with tension. A few patrons sat scattered inside the bakery, but none appeared to notice us. Her gaze darted between me and Entropy.

  “Especially with something like that!”

  “I’ve got a deli—” I started, but she cut me off with a sharp glare and a cough.

  “Come this way.” She ordered through gritted teeth, dragging me deeper into the store. The aroma of fresh-baked bread clung to the air, mingling with hints of cinnamon and clove. Before I could take another breath, Ainai released a pulse of her energy, discreet but powerful, wrapping the three of us in a bubble of veiled presence.

  She led us through a door marked Employees Only into a compact prep kitchen. A lone cook looked up, startled. Ainai snapped her fingers once, and the man blinked, then returned to kneading dough like nothing had happened.

  “What’s so important that you had to deliver it now?” Ainai snapped. “You were just at The Den. You could’ve—”

  She cut herself off, breathing in deeply to reel her voice back in. I used the opportunity to speak.

  “What are you doing here? Isn’t this place way more dangerous for you than it is for me? I’m just seen as lower class. You? You’re walking a tightrope.”

  I glanced back at the cook. He didn’t even twitch. He just kept working dough, completely unaware of the scene unfolding beside him.

  “You work for the CDS and you’re carrying a magically active item.” Ainai growled. “Not to mention…” She gestured dramatically at Entropy, her expression verging on feral. “You brought a literal cosmic being with you. Just standing next to her would put anyone on the radar!”

  “Why are you even here, Ainai?” I asked again, pulling the envelope from my satchel and holding it out. She snatched it with a huff, still radiating frustration.

  “When we went through your memories, your… friend passed something along. I’ve been following up on it.” She said curtly, slicing the top of the envelope open with a claw that shimmered briefly with energy. The contract inside activated with a subdued shimmer—barely a flicker—just as the baker passed between us.

  He paused, nose wrinkling. “Whose perfume is that…?” he murmured, before returning to a machine humming quietly in the corner.

  “You both really shouldn’t be here.” Ainai said, stepping aside to keep clear of the man’s path. She reached into the envelope and retrieved a folded slip of paper. For a moment, the air itself looked to bend around her. Her presence flared, golden light prickling along her skin like fire catching on fur. Then it faded, and her expression returned to guarded neutrality.

  “That was… important.” She murmured, her eyes shifting back to me, then slowly to Entropy. “But you need to go. Give me your rune.”

  She ushered us quickly back through the kitchen door and sealed it behind us. Without a word, she traced glowing sigils along its frame. Her human form faltered, golden fur breaking through her skin in short, bristling patches as her fingers moved with practiced urgency.

  I reached into my coat and held up another envelope.

  She snatched it without hesitation.

  “I’ll message you when I’m done. We’ll talk about your situation then.” She paused, eyeing the name written across the front. “Seriously? Him?”

  Entropy was paraded through the door first, and I was ushered in right behind. Before I could speak, my Traveller’s Rune was tossed back through the doorway. I barely managed to catch it before the door slammed shut.

  I let out a sharp breath. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so… Anxious.” I muttered, turning toward Entropy.

  “You did just impede on her investigation into Cultist activities.” A younger, monotone voice replied from beyond Entropy’s silhouette.

  A cold jolt ran down my spine. I stepped forward, circling past her.

  “Lord? We teleported right to you?” I asked, surprised. We were back in the dim meeting room where he’d first taught me about the Infernal Contract Zylas and I had. He was once again draped lazily across the long couch, this time reading a worn, ancient-looking book instead of scrolling my phone.

  “Well, the fox has a few years on me. She’s bound to be accurate.” He replied without looking up, flipping a page. “You’ve been busy.”

  Entropy followed quietly behind as I approached. That same solemn, unreadable smile clung to their face. I didn’t know how to feel about how closely they watched my interactions… I felt a curious tug. There was an uneasiness at her unwavering observation, yet oddly reassured knowing precisely what she was learning.

  “I would ask why they aren’t delivering the mail.” Lord said, finally closing the book and setting it beside him. His pale, icy eyes stirred with a ripple of blue. “But I’m sure they’re a walking hazard to important documentation.”

  “Irrelevancies would be relevant.” Entropy responded in a low, melodic chant. They lingered just beside me, calm and still, while I stepped forward and handed Lord his envelope.

  The Contract flashed into existence the moment it touched his fingers, waiting with a faint, eager hum.

  “This feels a lot like obligations.” Lord said flatly, turning it over in his hand. The contract flared subtly, awaiting his signature.

  “It... might save you time on some of your side work?” I offered, unsure. Then a thought struck. “Technically, you could use it to give other people your work, so—”

  “Good enough for me.” Lord signed immediately, the Contract combusting into a brief flicker of flame. He looked up at Entropy, observing her for a few moments. “Please don’t make my job harder.”

  “Observe. Understand. Traverse.” Entropy recited in a hypnotic rhythm, each word like a chime. She turned to me, lowering herself with slow, eerie grace as her hands reached toward my satchel. Only three envelopes remained.

  Rather than take one, she pointed. I followed her gesture and retrieved the one she indicated.

  “Another courier would be better.” she murmured.

  “You don’t want to deliver to Staring Death?” I asked, curious. Entropy gave a slow nod, then rose.

  “Whenever you’re ready to follow that directive and see yourselves ‘O. U. T.’.’” Lord said, already reclined with his book in hand again. “I can get back to ignoring the people who need me.”

  I turned toward the door, a few stray thoughts stirring in my mind.

  “This was a shorter meeting than Kalth’s.” I said, a small smile tugging at my mouth.

  “A humbled Faefolk rewarded more than a convinced Overseer.” Entropy cooed. The sass in her tone sent a shiver down my spine. The words themselves bent something in the air, like they were shaped to pierce through reality.

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  I froze mid-step, then physically shook out my shoulders and arms, trying to rid myself of the feeling that had just tried to settle in me.

  “Whatever that was, please don’t do that again.” I muttered, rubbing both arms.

  “Emotional deliverance…” Entropy mused, pressing a finger to her lips. “Perhaps leagues beyond… still.”

  Then, in a softer tone, as if addressing the world itself: “The Guardian Lion awaits.”

  “Oh, perfect.” Lord’s voice rang out as a bolt of crystallized mass shot past us with unnerving precision. A massive thud resonated along the wall, where the crystalline cluster rapidly spread like infectious ice. A light clap echoed, and within seconds, the crystals began to evaporate. “Give that to Dio on your way there.”

  The book Lord had been perusing materialized momentarily below the cascade, and I lunged to catch it before it tumbled. Despite its imposing size, its weight was surprisingly slight. I glanced up to see Lord now stationed at an open, tall window.

  “Later.” Lord called over his shoulder with a nonchalant glance, before casually falling from view.

  “Honestly… still not the weirdest chain of events.” I said aloud, glancing back at the double doors. “At least this one will be straightforward.”

  “O-oh, h-hello Dio, sir…” I stumbled as the door behind us closed, a bit shocked we once again arrived directly in front of our target. Dio’s weighed presence was felt long before my eyes met him, as a mountain of a man sat before me once more. He glanced upward, his gray eyes boring into both me and Entropy. He raised a hand, offering a seat to both of us as I walked forward.

  “Business, I see. What do I owe the pleasure of meeting such a force?” Dio asked, his voice never dropping the authority he carried.

  “Observe. Understand. Traverse.” Entropy recited with hypnotic rhythm; her presence clearly intrigued by Dio’s.

  “Keep to the CDS guidelines, and there won’t be problems.” He spoke clearly, eyes reattending the work in front of him. “I see an Overseer pawned the book onto you Daegon, not even through proper protocol.”

  “Y-yeah, L is definitely unique in that regard.” I spoke aloud sitting the book on the desk in front of us as I took a seat. Dio raised an eyebrow at my statement, giving a quick glance.

  “How’s the new Observer?” Dio asked simply, as he moved several documents to the side and pulled the book forward with a single hand. I looked over to Entropy, who was still carefully observing Dio. Something about him pulled her in, and kept her attention much differently than how I did.

  “She’s… Fine, so long as she’s observable.” I spoke as Entropy turned slightly to look at me, and gave a small nod reaffirming she’d stay as such. Dio flipped through the book at unnatural speed, either verifying or scanning for something.

  “And of Valia?” Dio asked, closing the book and slipping it somewhere under his desk. His unparallel stare landed back on me, keeping me rooted firmly where I was.

  “W-we’ve been doing g-good.” I began, rolling up my sleeve to show the pink tree still in perfect condition. His gaze didn’t budge, expecting more. A small churning turned in my gut as a flurry of thoughts and emotions rushed through me as I felt my face get hot. I also felt Entropy’s long gaze find me as well. “W-well. Th-things are fine between us. B-but, I might be a bit of a problem.”

  “Oh?” Dio simply muttered, his full attention was well beyond any mountain I could possibly climb, and felt like it would crumble onto me with a single wrong move.

  “I-I… I’ve had some trauma I’ve been getting through.” I confessed, breaking my gaze and lowering my eyes for a reprieve. “Our shared world was too much to adapt to initially. I re-lived my past and had to face it head on. I—I…” My words faltered.

  “No simple task.” Dio interjected gently, granting me a momentary reprieve.

  “No… and I told Valia I couldn’t be what she needed at the moment… I needed time… about a week ago, by now.” I continued haltingly.

  A surprisingly human sigh escaped Dio, catching me off guard. He shifted in his robust chair, and for a moment an odd energy passed between us. Before I could gather my thoughts, a heavy door swung open with a resonant thud. Dio leaned forward as I heard the sound, then after a pause, placed an ornate, colorful ball onto the desk with a slight bounce. On closer examination, the ball was metal, tightly wound and etched by a master craftsman… A cherished item, no doubt. Next to it lay a long-woven band of brown and blonde, frayed by time yet exuding quiet meaning despite its faded hues.

  “Long ago, there were two humans. One, a brilliant and strong woman. She took what she wanted, gave to those in need, and had a hell of a mean streak. Disrespecting her or her circle meant a swift end.” Dio began, folding his hands together as he looked over the band.

  “Then, there was a steadfast, stubborn man. No one questioned his devotion, his duty, his conviction.” He paused, changing his glance to the metal ball. “No matter who stood before him, be it man, creature, or God, he never wavered in his service. Even when she proclaimed her rule over his temple, and the others fled, he remained.”

  Dio paused, leaning back once more, his eyes drifting to the ceiling.

  “They fought, both in battles of intellect and with their lives. She was faster and more cunning, but he remained stronger and resolute. No matter what honeyed words she promised, what scars were inflicted, what battles started or sleepless night occurred, even when his own mind had turned, he never budged.”

  A longer pause, laden with deeper contemplation. I didn't realize I'd stopped breathing until the weight of silence reminded me, I was still here.

  “Over time, their bouts became less, but their time together grew. A second grew to defy his post as well, one who could not fight with claw, sword, or cunning, but one with emotions. Day by day, year by year, his stubborn resolve persisted. Others in his stead came and went, yet he alone remained.”

  A final, deep sigh escaped Dio as he sat upright, his gaze meeting mine once more.

  “He sat, day after day, waiting to be released from duty. Those he grew so fond of drifted further away—until finally, his post was deconsecrated. Honored with countless accolades, with praises and blessings wherever he wandered, yet he could never reclaim the closeness of those early days. Even as he buckled under the pressure and sought aid, they remained elusive, no matter how far word spread.”

  Dio picked up the ornate ball again, cradling it before carefully placing it underneath his desk. All that remained was…

  “For a century, he trekked and traversed across his land, and beyond. For a century, he sought only one thing. When he finally returned to his once guarded temple, he discovered the truth. His story had transformed into legend, his most treasured moments recast into mere text. Only the memory of their fights survived; only their end was told, far removed from his presence. It was to honor him… For his unyielding, devoted service.”

  Dio carefully picked up the small band.

  “Had he left his post, as many others before him, his life would have been finite. His life under scrutiny. Yet, none would dare deny his happiness.”

  A deep, sincere feeling engulfed the room. Words lacked any foothold to express the weight of emotions from the story. While the story was told like a fairytale, it was obvious it was more personal than one.

  Dio slowly returned the band back under the desk, as the solid door underneath closed once more. I glanced over at Entropy, who looked surprisingly moved by the tale. It was impossible to say why or how, but they understood on a deep level.

  “A cadence of flowers.” Her voice a whisper, yet carrying the weight of dying stars.

  Dio didn’t speak, and simply unbuttoned his sleeve collar, rolling it up with some trouble. Scars lined his arm, most healed with time, but most importantly exposing a fairly similar contract to the one he helped place on me and Valia. The difference; the tree laid barren. Not even the pedals at the bottom of the tree retained their color. Despite its deathly appearance, it remained stalwart and continued to grow and reached further up his arm past what he showed.

  “The past can never be changed, and we dance with fleeting futures every day. Regardless of your actions, or inactions, it will go on with or without you.” Dio stated with finality, pulling his sleeve down and looking at me once more.

  “What business did you bring for me?”

  “O-oh, right. I-I have a letter from m-me to you.” I stated, a bit blindsided from the switch back to the reason I came here. I scrambled reaching to my satchel, and finding Dio’s envelope. But I paused, realizing I had three left, not two. Staring Death, Dio and… Valia?

  “Is there a problem?” Dio asked once more, his gaze yet to leave me.

  “O-oh n-no! Here. The message explains an idea I had, uh, have.” I stumbled, hastily handing over the envelope. The contract didn’t have time to form, as blue flame overtook it as it manifested.

  “Very well, I’ll attend to this later.” He stated, placing it on top of a stack of documents. “If that’s all, I would recommend getting some food before your departure.”

  Dio paused, turning his attention to Entropy. “Observing?”

  “Traversing.” Entropy replied, as a single envelope floated from my Satchel and hovered above her hand. “Deaths Stare to Duals, to relinquish the duties of us today. Caretake needs, and leave dismissal to me. Until next time, Daegon.”

  An odd feeling rushed over me, as I turned to watch Entropy walk to the door. She paused, looking back and passing along her solemn smile once again.

  “Worries forgotten, for some comprehension is better as a tale.” Entropy spoke as they turned back around and… Where did they go?

  A light sliding sound came from atop Dio’s desk as I turned around to see a metal card now laying in front of me.

  “Since you’re off the clock, give this to Ronnie and take some time for yourself.” Dio said, already back to work. I looked at the metal card, I had to turn on Lilith’s Eyes to read it.

  “Luxury Pass?” I asked, confused.

  “This is a club after all.” Dio simply stated, a menacing grin gracing his face.

  The general club of Dionysus’ Haven was noticeably livelier than before, now buzzing with a mix of supernatural patrons and actual humans. Even though it was just a little past 6 PM, it felt like the night was only beginning to stretch its limbs. I wandered through the crowd a bit aimlessly, keeping a careful distance from most people. I suddenly felt a familiar warmth wrapping around my arm, the telltale sign of the contract. My attention shifted away from the crowd as I instinctively placed my hand over it, returning the warming touch Valia was passing along. In that moment of distraction, Ronnie slithered up behind me, nearly making me jump out of my skin.

  “Easy there, sweetheart.” He laughed, clearly delighted to see me again. “You’re lucky I didn’t decide to sneak up with more flair.”

  He launched into an enthusiastic rundown of upcoming events, dropping names, themes, and rumors like confetti. He was especially thrilled that Valia was back to regular shifts. Apparently, their chemistry was a big hit with the regulars. Eventually I fished out the sleek, carved card Dio had given me. Ronnie leaned in to examine it, I could tell he was beaming with excitement.

  “My, my… You really are something, huh?” He said, running a finger along its edge. “Dio doesn’t pass this out lightly. This area’s reserved for folks who can set their baggage aside and actually enjoy themselves.”

  He tilted his head, thoughtful. “I wonder… Who was the last one he gave this to?”

  The Luxury Lounge was on an entirely different wavelength. The music that echoed faintly downstairs now had a presence. It would soon be played live on a small, elegant stage at the far end. Some larger tables were built with poles rising from the center, while smaller, more private setups nestled in corners, perfect for disappearing from the world. The room wasn’t crowded yet, but Ronnie assured me it would be brimming by the time dawn threatened the horizon.

  It was easy to spot the staff as compared to downstairs. Here, they were dressed to a different standard. Not just alluring, but sharp, tailored, and unmistakably upscale.

  Ronnie led me to a reserved booth close to the stage. It was more intimate than the larger setups and had a chrome pole installed at its center. When I raised an eyebrow, Ronnie simply chuckled. “Purely aesthetic.” he said, clearly lying through his teeth.

  He handed me a black leather-bound menu. It was sleek, refined, and unmistakably distinct from the casual one downstairs.

  “When you're ready, hun, press the button under the table and flash that card. Don’t worry about the bill.” He winked, tossed a breezy “ta-ta” over his shoulder, and left me to it.

  I let out a low chuckle as I looked around. “This… is almost as uncomfortable as the crowd downstairs.”

  But the seating was plush, ridiculously so. The arrangement gave me an excellent view of the main stage and the smaller one nearby. I shifted, eventually angling myself toward the latter. The curtains were still drawn, shadows moving faintly behind them in preparation. I figured the music might help ease my nerves once it started.

  The menu was intimidating: everything from bite-sized gourmet plates to decadent multi-course meals. I was halfway through debating a starter when I felt a presence approach.

  “Well, look at you. Today’s VIP, and a fresh face too.”

  A crimson-skinned demoness had appeared beside my table, pen and notepad in hand. Her two-piece leather outfit was luxurious and unapologetically bold, perfectly matching the confident glint in her eyes. Those eyes, glowing gold against pitch-black sclera, pinned me to the seat with one look. I quickly redirected my gaze before I fell too far under her spell.

  She leaned forward, setting her notepad on the table with a teasing click of her nails. A soft breath followed, closer than it should have been. And then I caught it. Her scent was a slow-blooming trap. Not heavy or obvious, but coaxing. Hints of warm spice and crushed petals drifted beneath the surface, laced with a velvet-soft musk that curled at the edges of thought. It was the kind of smell that made your breath hitch without knowing why. A scent designed to tempt, not just entice.

  “Need any suggestions, love?” she purred, one manicured finger trailing lazily across the menu. She flipped a page with practiced ease, tapping one dish without breaking eye contact. “I’m especially fond of this... cut of meat.”

  Before I could stumble through a response, Lilith surged forward, her voice smooth and commanding. “I think we’ll be fine deciding on our own.”

  The demoness flinched, just slightly, straightening with the grace of someone used to masks. I felt the telltale flicker in my eyes as Lilith receded again.

  “O-oh, my.” The server recovered quickly; her tone silkier now. “Well, if either of you ever need an extra pair of hands… just ask for Vex.” She winked, her smile returning with playful sharpness before gliding away.

  “Thanks...” I exhaled; pulse unsteady. Lilith’s laughter bubbled in my mind, amused and smug as ever.

  It took about ten minutes, and a good deal of prodding from Lilith, before I finally settled on my orders. Part of me wished I had someone to share the meal with, but at the same time, the solitude had its own strange comfort.

  I found the button Ronnie mentioned and gave it a press. The response was almost immediate.

  “Greetingsss, I am Selvyn. Welcome to Dionysssusss’ Haven.”

  The woman who arrived was mesmerizing: tall, curvaceous, with smooth olive-toned skin and a long, emerald snake tail that shimmered in the low lighting. Her golden eyes, slitted like a viper’s, met mine with unflinching ease, and her thick brown hair cascaded freely—no serpents in sight, unlike Ronnie.

  She offered a pleasant smile. Not flirtatious, not rehearsed, just purely genuine. The kind of smile that made you feel seen rather than sized up.

  “I-I, uh… wow.” I fumbled, eyes darting from her face to the menu. “Yeah, can I get… this one? And, um, these two?”

  “Of courssse.” she replied smoothly, jotting it down with a pleased hiss. She repeated the order back, her pen stilling for the briefest second as she read the second dish aloud. Her eyes flicked toward mine. Not accusatory, just… curious. A trace of amusement played at the edge of her lips, subtle and short-lived. There was a stillness in her that felt… mildly entertained. Not mocking. More like the kind of smile meant for someone who flirts with danger, unaware they’ve done it well enough to be interesting. A soft sway rolled through the tip of her tail before she nodded once, resumed writing, and tucked the reaction away behind her usual grace.

  Realizing what came next, I quickly pulled out the carved metal card and handed it over. Her expression shifted the instant she saw it. Surprise at first, then something more thoughtful. Her tongue flicked the air, subtle and instinctive, before she made another note and returned the card with a respectful bow of her head.

  Her smile lingered, just a little softer this time. “Your meal will be out shortly.”

  “You’re going to be popular tonight.” Lilith cooed inside, her voice dripping with playful heat.

  -

  Over the next half hour, the lounge truly began to bloom with life. The murmured elegance of polite conversation and clinking glass became a steady hum, refined yet electric. Not the wild pulse of the street-level club, but something more curated—a masquerade of murmurs, flirtatious laughter, and velvet-draped secrets. A warm buzz of contentment drifted through the room like incense. Patrons lounged in comfort, dressed in glamour, while staff moved with deliberate grace—each one a thread in a living tapestry of allure.

  More servers filtered in from the back in elegant procession, their attire shifting slightly. Some dressed for seduction, others for ceremony, none for utility alone. I couldn’t help but notice the glances. Curious ones. Measuring ones. A few warm, a few far more calculating. I eventually leaned back against the booth, some of the tension finally slipping from my shoulders. Lilith, never one to stay quiet in a room full of people, kept a running commentary in my head—flavorful judgments and bet-like musings about which staff member would come flirt next. I chuckled under my breath.

  Then, for a moment, quiet.

  I let my eyes fall closed. It wasn’t sleep, but something close. Just enough to let that rare feeling of peace crest gently over me like a wave. A faint sound reached me: the soft squish of someone settling into the seat across from mine. I opened my eyes to find a drink glowing soft blue before me, like bottled moonlight.

  Across the table sat a breathtaking, absolutely flawless, silvered-haired man. His features were sculpted like a statue that had been kissed to life: a sharp jawline, smooth skin that held an unnatural softness, and a teasing smile beneath two perfectly pristine canines. His clawed finger rose to his lips with a soft “Sshh.” and his turquoise eyes gleamed with impish delight, flitting briefly to the side of the booth.

  Just then, a captivating female server arrived. Her golden-red hair and layered, shimmering dress blended tradition with illusion. As she approached, the man sprang up in mock alarm, causing her to recoil and nearly drop the small platter she carried.

  “B-brother!” she gasped, barely recovering the dish in time.

  He broke into a melodic, theatrical laugh, clearly entertained.

  “You shouldn’t be forcing guests to play along with your charades!” she scolded, voice feather-light but sharp beneath the silk.

  “Forgive me dearest sister, but you’re always so dreadfully tense. Have a drink. Flirt with a guest. It’s called living.” He replied, his words a honeyed melody—spoken with the elegance of nobility, yet delivered with the casual mischief of a practiced rogue.

  She sighed through her nose, composed once more in a blink. “I’m terribly sorry for Yaozhi’s incessant liveliness.” She said with an apologetic dip of her head. “I’ll be sure he’s... properly punished later.”

  “O-oh, no, he’s fine… as long as you’re fine.” I managed, realizing this situation had me smiling.

  Yaozhi raised his paired glass of blue moonlight in silent toast, his eyes alight with mischievous delight, while across the table the server’s measured smile conveyed both warmth and subtle challenge.

  “You heard the man, Meihua, so long as you’re fine.” Yaozhi spoke with a curious edge.

  Lilith stirred again, amused. ‘Oh good’ she purred. ‘You’re finally warming up.’

  With practiced grace, she set the small platter down in front of me. Three delicate arrangements sat upon a dark ceramic tray, each no larger than a palm and plated like something out of a dream.

  I blinked, realizing I had no idea what I was looking at. One bite looked like tiny mushrooms, glossy and caramel-toned, crowned with flecks of green and something that glittered faintly like salt. Another was a slice of dark, smoky meat nestled on crisp bread, some kind of fruit glistening beneath it. The third was a tangle of vibrant root threads cradling a creamy spread dripped in a faint balsamic sheen that smelled faintly sweet.

  I hesitated, picking up the piece with mushrooms. The sweetness surprised me, rich and strange, with a whisper of salt and something nutty that lingered pleasantly at the back of my tongue. I hadn’t expected to like it. As I chewed, Yaozhi watched me with the pleased amusement of someone who’d just taught a stray how to sit. “Delightful, isn’t it?” He asked, chin in hand. “The chef here has such a subtle cruelty. They always give just enough to make you crave more.”

  I swallowed, trying not to feel seen. “It’s... good. Just not what I expected.”

  “Most pleasures aren’t.” Meihua replied sweetly, taking a seat next to her brother and folding her hands before her. “Though I am curious. What were you expecting?”

  “Uh.” I glanced at the plate again. “I don’t know. Maybe... bread? Soup?”

  Yaozhi snorted into his drink, spilling some on himself. “Oh, darling, you are precious.”

  Meihua offered a diplomatic smile. “We can have something plainer sent up later, if you'd prefer.”

  Before I could respond, Lilith purred into my thoughts, her tone all velvet mischief. “Don’t you dare. Eat the fancy things. Let them wonder if you’re a prince in disguise.”

  I bit into the next one; smoked meat and soft fruit. The flavors wrapped around each other like lovers in the dark. I had no clue what I was eating, but it made me sit back with a small, involuntary breath. Yaozhi’s eyes glittered, as he passed the drink to his sister.

  “I think he’ll do just fine.” he murmured.

  and topping it off with a Cryptid R&R session in a luxury club you clearly don't belong in? We've sprinkled in almost everything in this chapter. This chapter took me longer than normal, tripping up on Dio's story rather harshly (and surprisingly the Huli Jing siblings at the end as well), but I'm rather happy it took me the extra days.

  Lilith, but we've got at least two more dishes to come. What else do you think this 'Luxury Lounge' has to offer?

  honestly not a main character just yet. But, over these last few chapters I feel like he's finally taking leaps and bounds to truly enrapture us, but keeping that 'true-to-humanity' feeling.