Lilith leads us through a dimly lit corridor, the music fading as we move further away from the main club area. She unlocks a nondescript door marked "Employees Only," revealing a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos outside.
The office is surprisingly mundane. A large wooden desk dominates the center of the room, its surface cluttered with papers and a lone computer monitor. The walls are bare, save for a series of surveillance screens displaying live feeds from the various dance floors. An intercom system sits on the desk, its red light blinking intermittently.
The absence of windows creates an enclosed, almost claustrophobic atmosphere, a far cry from the open energy of the club. It's a stark reminder that even in this world of shadows and secrets, there's still a need for order and control.
Lilith gracefully settles into the office chair, her movements fluid and feline. Mia and I take our seats on the loveseat, the plush cushions a welcome contrast to the starkness of the room.
"So," Lilith begins, her voice a playful purr, "you're Arlo's girl, huh?" Her eyes sparkle with a knowing glint as she studies me. "Haven't seen him around recently."
Her words sting, a reminder of the distance that has grown between us. I shift uncomfortably, my gaze falling to the floor.
I meet Lilith's gaze, my curiosity piqued. "How do you know Arlo?" I ask, my voice laced with a hint of suspicion. The intimacy of her question, coupled with her knowledge of my connection to him, raises a few red flags.
Lilith's lips curl into a knowing smirk. "Not as friends, if that's what you're implying," she replies, her voice dripping with a hint of amusement. "More like... rivals."
She leans back in her chair, her posture exuding a confident nonchalance. "He owns the Crimson Veil, I own this club, and then another demon friend of mine owns Club Elysium."
Her words paint a picture of a complex underworld, a network of alliances and rivalries existing just beneath the surface of the human world.
"So, that's what makes it more interesting that his girl is hanging out in my club?" Lilith continues, tilting her head with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Not that I mind you coming, both you and your friend."
Her words hang in the air, a playful challenge laced with a hint of possessiveness. It's clear that she enjoys the intrigue surrounding Arlo and me, the forbidden nature of our connection adding another layer of excitement to her already thrilling existence.
I meet her gaze with a smirk of my own, a hint of defiance sparking in my eyes. "I'm not here looking to steal trade secrets, if that's what you mean," I retort, my voice steady. "But other than not serving my drink of choice, I do enjoy dancing here."
I pause, allowing my words to sink in. "And," I add with a playful lilt, "it's not like I can exactly go to the Crimson Veil right now, can I?"
The underlying tension between us crackles in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the complex dynamics at play. Lilith, despite her playful demeanor, is clearly sizing me up, assessing my intentions and my loyalty to Arlo.
Lilith leans forward, her curiosity piqued. "Why can't you go to the Crimson Veil?" she asks, her voice laced with a hint of challenge.
I hesitate, a wave of uncertainty washing over me. How much should I reveal to a demon, even one who seems surprisingly friendly? I weigh my options, torn between the desire to confide in someone and the need to protect Arlo and myself.
"Arlo and I... we're kind of on the outs right now," I finally admit, choosing my words carefully. "And there's... someone else who's after us. Another vampire lord."
I watch Lilith's reaction closely, gauging her response. Her expression remains neutral, but a flicker of interest dances in her eyes.
"Interesting," she purrs, leaning back in her chair. "So, you're on the run, then?"
I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. I've revealed more than I intended, but the words are out now, and there's no taking them back.
Lilith's expression remains neutral, her voice a steady, chilling melody. "Well, it's good you came to me, then." Her lips curve into a knowing smile. "You see, I happen to know that Alistair is looking for you. He's reached out to many demons, offering a hefty reward for your capture."
She pauses, letting the information sink in. "Alive, if you're wondering," she adds, her eyes glinting with a cruel amusement. "So there's that."
A wave of fear washes over me, cold and suffocating. Alistair is actively hunting me, using the demon network to track me down.
Lilith leans forward, her gaze piercing mine. "Why are you here, Evie?" she counters, her voice a low purr. "Why are you coming to a demon club, seeking me?"
Her question hangs in the air, a challenge and an invitation all at once.
"How do you know we came here looking for you, and not just to dance?" I press, my curiosity outweighing my apprehension.
Lilith leans back in her chair, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "To be young," she begins, her voice laced with a hint of amusement, "is to assume you know more than you do, young vampire."
Her gaze sharpens, her demeanor shifting from playful to predatory. "Now," she continues, her voice taking on a business-like tone, "what are you seeking? And know that demons don't come free, or cheap."
"Assume I know nothing then," I retort, my voice rising with a flicker of anger. The implication that I'm naive or foolish stings, a stark contrast to the warmth I'd initially felt from her.
Mia shoots me a worried glance, her hand reaching out to gently squeeze mine. A silent plea for calm passes between us.
Lilith, however, remains unfazed. Her composure is unnerving, her eyes gleaming with a predatory amusement. "Well, that's one of the smartest things I've heard from someone in a long time," she purrs, her voice a smooth, velvety caress.
"So," Lilith's voice cuts through the tension, her tone a mix of curiosity and challenge. "What are you looking for, young one?" Her eyes bore into mine, waiting for an answer.
A torrent of questions floods my mind, each one vying for dominance. What is the price? Where is Arlo? Are you working with Alistair? Why was Arlo working with the knights? Why am I so special? But the words catch in my throat, a tangled mess of confusion and fear.
It's Mia who breaks the silence, her voice surprisingly steady. "Lilith," she begins, her gaze unwavering, "we're wondering where Arlo is."
Lilith's lips curl into a predatory smile. "The brave little witch," she purrs, her gaze shifting to Mia with a newfound respect. "I like her."
Her smile fades, replaced by a more somber expression. "I do not know where Arlo is currently," she admits, her voice laced with a hint of concern. "I know he's been missing for some time, though."
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A wave of dread washes over me. Missing? My heart pounds in my chest, the fear I'd been trying to suppress now surging to the forefront.
"Has Alistair placed a contract on Arlo as well?" I ask, my voice tight with worry. The thought of Arlo being hunted, just like me, sends a chill down my spine.
Lilith's smile widens, a predatory glint in her eyes. "No, he has not," she replies, her tone deliberately casual. It's as if she knows exactly what I'm asking, what I'm hoping for, but she's forcing me to play her game, to reveal my desires piece by piece.
Frustration bubbles within me. She's holding the puzzle box, teasing me with glimpses of the picture inside, but refusing to show me the whole image. It's infuriating, this dance of power and knowledge.
Lilith leans forward, her eyes locking with mine. "So, what do you think?" she asks, her voice a soft purr. "Any theories, young vampire?"
Her gaze flickers to Mia, then back to me. A silent challenge hangs in the air, a test of my wit and intuition.
"I think Alistair has Arlo trapped," I say, my voice firm despite the uncertainty swirling within me. The thought sends a shiver down my spine, the image of Arlo imprisoned, at the mercy of his tormentor, fueling my determination to find him.
Lilith's expression remains impassive, her eyes giving nothing away. "That is a possibility, for sure," she agrees, her tone carefully neutral.
Her lack of reaction is frustrating, but I refuse to give up. I need answers, and I'm starting to realize that Lilith holds the key to unlocking them.
Mia leans forward, her aura shimmering with a mix of determination and defiance. "What do you think, Lilith?" she challenges, her voice steady despite the underlying tension. "Do you think Alistair has Arlo?"
Lilith's smile widens, a predatory glint in her eyes. "Now see, that will cost you, little witch," she purrs, her voice a seductive melody. "You want my opinions and what I can do? That won't come free."
The air crackles with tension, the unspoken bargain hanging heavy in the room. Lilith's words are a clear challenge, a reminder that in this world of shadows, nothing comes without a price.
Mia sinks back into her chair, her aura flickering with a mixture of defiance and apprehension. "I'm not willing to give you my soul," she declares, her voice firm.
Lilith throws her head back and laughs, a rich, throaty sound that echoes through the small office. "Oh, you poor fools," she says, her voice dripping with amusement. "You cannot sell your soul. It doesn't belong to you. It belongs to your maker."
Her laughter fades, replaced by a more serious tone. "But that doesn't mean there aren't other things of value," she continues, her gaze sweeping over us both. "Information, favors, services... these are all currencies in our world."
I can't help but feel a surge of frustration. "I'm lost," I admit, my voice tinged with confusion. "I thought demons took people's souls?"
Lilith's giggles fill the room, her amusement at my ignorance palpable. "See? To be young," she chides, shaking her head playfully. "You can't believe everything you see on TV or read."
Her tone turns serious, her eyes gleaming with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. "No, God gave you silly mortals free will to choose Him or not to choose Him. That is our goal: to persuade people away from God."
Her voice resonates with a dark power as she quotes a familiar verse, twisting its meaning to suit her own agenda. "'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)
A chill runs down my spine. The perversion of such a sacred verse sends a wave of revulsion through me.
"Our goal is for you to not find the way, or to sway from His path," Lilith continues, her voice a seductive whisper. "To lead you astray, to tempt you with the pleasures of this world, to make you forget the promises of the next."
Mia leans forward, her aura pulsing with a newfound confidence. "Why tell us this, Lilith?" she asks, her voice clear and unwavering. "Wouldn't it make it nearly impossible for you to persuade us now? You may have even made it more likely that we go to Jesus."
Her words hang in the air, a challenge to Lilith's motives. The demon's smile doesn't falter, but a flicker of surprise dances in her eyes. Mia, the once-timid human, is proving to be a formidable opponent.
Lilith's smile widens, her eyes glinting with a mischievous challenge. "Let me ask you, young witch who wears pagan amulets of protection," she purrs, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "what has God done for you?"
The question hangs in the air, heavy with unspoken accusations. It's a deliberate provocation, designed to test Mia's faith and expose any vulnerabilities.
Mia bristles at Lilith's challenge, her aura flaring with a protective energy. "By your recollection, he made me," she retorts, her voice firm.
Lilith remains unfazed, her smile unwavering. "Yes," she concedes, "and he has been unheard of for over 2,000 years. So, even though you know there is a promise of an afterlife if you go to his son and believe in his son, that doesn't help you here." Her voice takes on a seductive tone. "We demons give people what they want, what they crave here on Earth. Without us, this life would be more miserable than it already is."
She leans back, her eyes gleaming with a knowing light. "As for telling you both the truth," she continues, "I figured you already knew it. A vampire, damned from salvation, and her little witch friend, visiting a church of Seraphina, looking for answers." A hint of mockery creeps into her voice. "I'm sure they said some crazy things about how we can all be saved. Well, I'm older than any vampire, and no one has saved me or anyone I know."
I lean forward, my curiosity outweighing my apprehension. "If it isn't our souls, then what is the cost of your thoughts and information?" I ask Lilith, my voice a mix of caution and determination.
Lilith's smile widens, revealing a hint of predatory satisfaction. "You work for me," she declares, her voice firm. "I need someone on the inside. Someone who can give me information about the vampires and what they're doing."
She leans forward, her gaze intense. "You agree to this, young one, and I'll tell you what I know."
I turn to Mia, seeking her silent counsel. Her eyes, filled with worry, mirror my own concerns. I take a deep breath and address Lilith once more.
"Do you have information that could help us find Arlo?" I ask, my voice laced with a desperate plea. The thought of him being trapped or hurt gnaws at my heart, fueling my determination to find him.
Lilith's smile widens, a sly glint in her eyes. "I may or may not," she purrs, her voice a tantalizing whisper. "But if you work for me, I'll make sure to give you any information I have that you wish to know."
The offer hangs in the air, a tempting proposition laced with uncertainty. It's a gamble, a risky bargain with a demon, but the possibility of finding Arlo outweighs my reservations.
"How long is this agreement going to last?" I ask, my voice firm, a hint of suspicion lingering in my tone. I need to know what I'm getting myself into, what the terms of this deal truly entail.
Lilith's smile widens, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "As long as you wish to keep it going," she replies, her voice smooth and alluring. "You stop giving me the information I seek, I stop giving you the information you desire. It's a simple exchange, young vampire."
A sense of unease washes over me as Lilith retrieves the parchment and quill. Despite her assurances, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this agreement than meets the eye. Demons are known for their trickery, and I'm wary of falling into a trap.
She takes a quill and paper and writes down in cursive what we have agreed to.
I glance at Mia, her eyes pleading with me to reconsider. But the thought of Arlo, lost and vulnerable, spurs me on. I take the quill, my hand trembling slightly as I carefully inscribe the terms of our agreement onto the parchment.
Lilith watches me intently, a predatory glint in her eyes. Once I've finished, she gestures for me to sign. I hesitate, my gaze scanning the document one last time. To my surprise, it's exactly as we discussed, no hidden clauses or loopholes.
I sign my name, the ink sealing my fate. A wave of both relief and apprehension washes over me. I've made a deal with a demon, a dangerous bargain that could have unforeseen consequences. But for now, it's my only hope of finding Arlo and bringing him back to safety.
Lilith's demeanor shifts, a flicker of sincerity crossing her features. "Now, remember, this is to help both of us," she emphasizes. "I expect you to meet me here each week to share information and ask any questions you might have. As long as you work for me, you'll be safe from all demons."
Her gaze softens as she looks at Mia. "And the little witch will be safe too," she adds, "even though she didn't sign any agreement."
Her generosity feels calculated, a strategic move to further bind me to her. It only deepens my unease.
"Where is Arlo?" I ask, my voice urgent, cutting through the pretense.
"Don't worry," Lilith purrs, a cryptic smile playing on her lips. "You'll be with him soon."
Before I can react, a heavy helmet is forced over my head, plunging me into darkness. My aura, once again, is trapped, its protective warmth extinguished. Panic surges through me as I hear Mia's terrified scream. My hands are bound, rendering me helpless.
"Don't worry, young ones," Lilith's voice echoes through the darkness. "This will get you all you want. I have a feeling you'll survive to continue our agreement."
Her words offer little comfort as I'm dragged away, the world fading into a terrifying abyss. Betrayal stings sharper than any vampire's bite, and a cold dread settles in my heart. I've made a deal with the devil, and now I'm paying the price.