Chapter Five: Losing Battle

'You're a god damn idiot, Charlie.' The heiress mentally scolded herself, reapply sunblock on her snow white forearm, 'Alastor should only be your business partner, a friend at best, and Vaggie is your girlfriend! You've been avoiding talking to her about that incident. Tell her now before it gets worse.' It had been close to a week since the fridge incident and the guilt was eating at her. 'And for god sake, set boundaries!'

She sighed, placing the sunblock on the coffee table next to her, "But...He hasn't done anything since I stopped avoiding him." 'Because you want his touch again, you shameless slut. No better than Angel.' She slid her sunglasses back up the bridge of her nose so the woman next to her couldn't see the guilt in her eyes.

Charlie and Vaggie decided to take a day off and enjoy a day at the hotel's massive pool, refilled after Hell's Fire Day. Alastor had left for the afternoon as well to go with Niffty and Husk to pick out some furniture for the bar area and new cleaning equipment, or so that was what the plan was. Since the workload had remained stagnant after the completion of renovation and no sign of the new furniture delivery to rearrange the rooms in sight, Angel too had taken some time off and hadn't been seen or heard from since he announced he was 'going home' for a bit. At first Vaggie had been hesitant, but it was surprisingly Alastor who had reassured her he wouldn't get into trouble that was bad PR for the hotel. There was only a little over two weeks left before the highly anticipated move in day, and by then, no body expected any time off in the foreseeable future. She had reluctantly agreed.

Vaggie laid on the large, round covered day bed next to her, engrossed in a novel she had been reading. Between them a tray of fruit was laid out for them to pick at. Vaggie wore a grey halter bikini top with black horizontal stripes and black swim shorts. Her braided hair laid over her right shoulder and a large black brimmed hat shaded her face from the sun. In Charlie's eyes she was a sight to behold. The moth could be wearing a garbage bag and Charlie would still find her beautiful.

It was peaceful and Charlie realized that it had been a long time since they were truly alone in the hotel. She looked up at the towering behemoth she was expected to run and tried to imagine it lively with other people. She smiled.

Vaggie looked up from her book, "Sorry. Did you say something?"

Charlie, wearing a red one piece, shook her head, "Just mumbling to myself." She placed a hand on Vaggie's knee, "Can you believe it? In about half a month, this place is going to be occupied by more people than just us. Two months ago we thought we got lucky with Angel wanting to stay. Looking back, we were silly to think he'd be easy to change but truthfully, when we took the restrictions off him, he really opened up and he's probably for the better. So I've been think how we can start helping people and try getting Angel back in for rehab."

Vaggie placed a book mark at the page she was at before putting it away and looked up at the hotel as well. She adjusted her large bug eyed sunglasses.

"We're supposed to discourage sin." She said, leaning back with her hands behind her head. She didn't sound upset, but her voice sounded defeated.

"We will." She gave her significant other's knee another squeeze. There was a pause for a moment before Vaggie sighed.

"Why are you lying to me about Alastor again?"

Charlie eyes widened as the rest of her body froze. 'She knows? How!' She stiffly turned her head to stare at the other woman, "What do you mean?"

Vaggie gently removed Charlie's hand from her, "You've been whispering his name in your sleep lately." She removed her glasses, golden yellow eye filled with misery

Charlie's heart jumped into her throat as she sat frozen in place, her eyes wide in shock. Her wet dreams had mainly consisted of Alastor and various scenarios of them hooking up. Some weren't so bad, others were straight out of a BDSM live stream. Regardless of which it was, she woke up practically in a puddle of her juices and had more morning shower sex with Vaggie to help her somewhat focus for the day. However, there was a craving that couldn't be satiated by Vaggie and it frightened Charlie the more it grew.

"I... I have?"

Vaggie sighed sadly, "I feel like I'm losing you, Charlie." She moved a strand of hair behind her ear before staring at the love of her life, her princess, her only true friend. "Is there something going on that you're not telling me? You're no longer that silly, bubbly, musical junkie I fell in love with who's optimism could propel you into the pentagram sky. You've changed."

"Vaggie..." Charlie felt like absolute crap. Her eyes began to water and her guilt becoming too much.

"If... if you don't want me on this project, then just say so." Charlie snapped out of her guilt trip and felt her eyes bulge out of her head. Before she opened her mouth, Vaggie continued. "Clearly you're going with a different direction than what we planned and it's been eating away at me. This place isn't as pure as we tried to make it, but... I think I understand. We... we can't force people to go cold turkey on their sins. It has to be gradual, like weening off an addiction. It's hard, but possible and good for the soul. I would know... I sometimes wished I didn't relapse, but if I hadn't, I'd never have met you." She turned and smiled. "You were worth dying die for. Hell doesn't seem so bad in that aspect."

Charlie was aware of Vaggie's mortal life. She had looked into the hall of records with Vaggie's consent and seen the years of addiction, self harm, of domestic abuse, and burglary that landed Vaggie a spot in Hell. At that moment she wondered if she should look into her staffs' past lives but thought better of it. Their relationships were built on trust, and as much as Charlie wanted to know more about Alastor, she would rather he tell her what he could remember if anything at all.

"Vag... no, I would never kick you off this. This is still ours, Al just made me understand some things. He's right, our first version was impossibly childish, but then that made me realize there was still another way. You're right, we need to and we will discourage sin here but in levels. Not all at once. That's how relapses are likely to happen, is it not? You got to start slowly with a strong foundation and chip away at the badness. Make better choices gradually."

Vaggie nodded solemnly. "He also said that their life once lived was the only chance they had. The price they paid were the sins Heaven couldn't look pass. It's not like these people accidentally ran over a family pet or cussed at a preacher, they straight up murdered someone. Not in self defense. In cold blood. We have rapists. Child molesters. People who hurt and tortured for the sake of enjoyment. Do you think we can actually save their soul? They've committed some of the greatest sins known."

Charlie was silent. Skeletal crows flew overhead, cawing as they went by. She looked up at them and sighed, "It's worth trying. Didn't you say that when you were alive, you had been forced to confess your 'sins' in order to be absolved of your transgressions? I believe we can have something like that too. Some have suffered long enough, perhaps the time spent will help the holy trinity see they've repented and are worthy enough to ascend."

Vaggie smiled tenderly at Hell's Princess. She reached out for her hand and squeezed it, "I have your back, no matter what, ok? You're such a good person Charlie. If we had more like you, this shit hole known as our after life wouldn't be torture and entering the void wouldn't sound promising."

Charlie reached over and hugged her, "I love you." Her earlier panic attack over Alastor forgotten.

"I love you too, Charlie. I always will."

Charlie got up and dragged Vaggie with her, "I think being at the hotel for as long as we have has gotten to us. Let's go out to dinner, ok? Let's get fancy and... and..." Charlie was silenced by a dainty grey finger on her blacken lips.

Vaggie laughed, "I'm ok with dinner, just nothing fancy. I don't want to be around other people who are all hoity toity assholes."

The rosy cheeked demoness gave her a toothy smile.

Alastor sat at a table outside a cafe at the other end of town, enjoying a fresh brew of black coffee as he people watched. Husk and Niffty were off on their own and were instructed to call him when they were ready. He brought the porcelain cup up to his nose and inhaled deeply, sighing contently at the dark roasted richness.

It was a peaceful day, and an excellent time to be by himself after so long and mull over the memory of Charlie's bare legs in his hands and the way she responded to his touch. The sight had been beautiful, and dare he say, heavenly. Perhaps it was getting closer to end the game and go for the kill. He wanted her writhing beneath him, whispering his name like a prayer with that pretty little black mouth of hers, her large and wonderfully expressive eyes glazed over with pleasure, pleading for release. His heart jumped a little at the pleasant imagery.

Golden hair fanned around her head, her tits bouncing with every deep thrust into her tight body. He wanted to feel her nails dig into him, scratch him until blood was drawn, as he firmly applied pressure to her delicate pale neck to illicit those cute little gasps of air. Or would he ram into her from behind, pulling her hair with one hand and smacking her perky little ass while it bounced on his throbbing cock with the other? He smiled devilishly to himself. Was she into anal play? Was she a sloppy slut or pillow princess? Did she taste as sweet as she smelt? Damn that wretch for interrupting them. He had been so close to sampling but perhaps it was for the better. In the end it would all be worth it and he shouldn't ruin his appetite by indulging so soon.

The dapper demon was confident he was close. Vaggie didn't stand a chance in heaven or hell in keeping him away from his prize. He saw the doubt in the moth demon's eye when she stared at Charlie. She was losing her, and rather quickly. Alastor just needed to play a little more hard to get while at the same time, awaken her desire for him. It was how he played his game and made his pets obey. He knew his touch, his voice, his eyes -his very being- was irresistible and exotic. He couldn't count how often the female populace and those like Angel threw themselves at him on the regular. With such choices, Alastor only ever picked the dames that could offer him the most. It had been much too long since an opportunity arose, and who would of thought it'd be Lucifer's sole heir? Alastor was practically giddy.

"Alastor, dear? Is that you?" Alastor stopped himself from sighing exasperatedly as he looked up toward the voice, the appendages on his head swerving to listen better. It was Rosie. She tied up her parasol and took the seat next to him without asking permission, "Fancy running into you here. I thought you be busy with that hotel of yours. Your prisoners arrive soon, don't they?"

"Two weeks, more or less." He smiled as kindly as he could at her but there was a hint of annoyance in his stare.

Rosie paid it no mind as she tilted her wide brim hat up more so her hollow eye sockets could stare at Alastor. A wicked smile crossed her lips, "How exciting."

"What can I do for you, my sweet?" Alastor crossed his legs. Her adjusted his monocle before folding his hands on his knee, "I've seem to have neglected you the last few weeks, dearest friend." He knew the demoness had no intentions of leaving anytime soon. Reluctantly, he pushed the filthy images of his business partner toward the back of his mind until a later time. What would his mother think of him of having such unsavory thoughts?

Rosie hailed down a server. After requesting her drink and entrée, she returned her attention to Alastor, "No worries, darling. It gives us great stories to tell, though I must warn you, Mimzy is absolutely furious you're living there. Is that true?" Alastor nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "How has it been with that royal brat? Aren't you tired of her happiness and rainbow bullshit?" She sneered, disgust dripping from her voice.

"Actually, it's been exhilarating." He smiled mischievously, taking another sip from his cup. "I haven't felt this alive in decades. She's very entertaining."

Rosie's mouth dropped slightly as her eye brows flew toward her hairline, "No... are you...?" She let out a chortle. "I should have known! Alastor, you naughty boy!"

Alastor waved his hand, "Rosie, please. If anyone can claim to know me, it's you. I get bored rather easily and it's been so long since I've had a play thing like her. I'm still a man with certain needs." He adjusted his monocle again.

"And what of Mimzy? I thought you two were rather chummy the last decade."

Alastor laughed boisterously at that along with the ghostly radio audience, his arms crossed over his abdomen as he held his sides, "We've been over this. Her obsessive infatuation with me is strictly because of her own devices." He wiped away an imaginary tear from his laughter, "No, never would I ever consider her as she is too easy to play with and it's no fun if they're already in love with me. Charlie on the other hand is stronger willed than I anticipated, which is refreshing and makes the hunt all the more exciting." He shrugged his shoulders and took a moment to sip his coffee, "At first, I was a little surprised how easily she agreed to let me 'help'. Seems she was desperate after a stellar performance on the picture show. I didn't think she'd last this long before I had my way with her. It's been very amusing thus far, indeed." A tray of raw meat was set before him along with cutlery. Rosie's tea and scone soon followed.

"What of her friends?" Rosie broke a piece off her food to nibble on. She had been shocked, even tickled, when he told her that he intended to 'help' run the hotel, but knowing him, it was a game all along. He enjoyed building houses of cards for his entertainment before taking what he wanted as it came crashing down. She speculated that this endeavor involved gaining more power by devouring souls of the damned that entered, or possibly getting a kill shot for the King and Queen and seizing control of Hell quicker than anyone thought possible. She sipped her tea. Or perhaps he was just passing the time. Alastor had never been the predictable type and he only divulged enough information when he saw fit.

"They haven't a clue. Not that it matters, soon she'll be wrapped around my finger and mine to do with as I please."

Rosie giggled, "Oh Alastor, you are a naughty one." She sat her cup on it's matching saucer, "Tell me more."

"Guilty as charged. However, no. I don't think I will my dear. This game is between her and I and I'm afraid I've said enough already that it could ruin the surprise." He cut into his venison steak at last.

Rosie tsked but knew better than to press the subject anymore. Instead, she opted to recount some gossip she heard and that suited Alastor just fine. His mind was elsewhere as he thought back to the pale skinned, rosy cheeked demoness back home. What game should he play with her next time?

Angel stepped out onto the rooftop and slammed the door behind him. Lighting up a cigarette, he took a large drag and cursed under his breath. With a shaky breath he exhaled and tried to not let an anxiety attack take over. He walked toward the edge and looked down at the city, the neon sign of Porn Studio's flashing, casting shadows on his face that accentuated the bags under his eyes.

The door creaked open. Angel stiffen and his heart leaped into his throat.

A large canine like demon emerged, followed by a slender figure in a comically fluffy long coat, wide rimmed hat, and heart shaped sunglasses. His lips were stretched into a disapproving scowl. With a nod, his doggy goon approached Angel.

"I'm only taking a smoke break, dammit." Angel bit out, glaring over his right shoulder with his normal pink colored eye, sunken in from fatigue, "I've been at this for almost three fucking days, can't a guy get some rest for fuck sakes?"

"Don't talk back to me, you fucking bitch ass slut. You haven't been pulling your weight and recouping the money you lost. I allowed you to take some time off, then I come to find out you were at some fucking hotel trying to get clean or some shit? Working for that clown's deadbeat daughter? You were supposed to be 'recovering' for the next shoot." He slammed his cane down, it boomed louder than it should have been possible in Angel's ear, making him wince.

Valentino was a powerful demon in Hell and one of its many overlords who seized power away from the ancient ones long ago. Together with his business partner Vox, a television like demon, the duo owned nearly every strip club, brothel, and porn studio in Hell's first two circles.

Angel gritted his teeth. He felt two of his fists clench tightly and had it not been for him wearing gloves, he would have surely drawn blood from his palms. His third hand flicked away the butt over the edge as the forth was rested across his torso. He looked down from his spot on the edge, and for a brief moment, thought about jumping.

"Isn't like that," he started, turning around to face his boss, "Just needed to lay low for a while to clear my head and I did make some money. Think of it as a hobby I started and I do like to go back." He sat on the edge, crossing his long boot clad legs. "Val, baby," Angel said sweetly, trying to charm his way out, "You'll get your money, but I'm tired. I haven't slept because you keep recording new shit and my ass is so stretched out right now, I'm surprised I can walk without shit leaking out." He did his best to smile sincerely, "I'm sorry for walking out, baby. Forgive me? I promise I'll behave." He batted his long thick lashes at the mob boss and blew him a kiss, shimming his chest a little as he leaned forward. "You should know by now that I always come back to you and Daddy Vox."

The pimp grunted, "Perhaps I have been... a little... too harsh." Angel tried not to roll his eyes, "You better be inside in ten minutes or your next film is a snuff. Do this, and I'll let you 'go home' tomorrow with a little less off your debt. Be glad I like you, bitch, or else I'd have had you whipped until you bleed out. That kinda shit pays top dollar live." With that, he left Angel alone to finish his smoke break. The spider sat there wide eyed. His alternative wasn't much better.

Husk entered a pub and looked around, surveying the crowd for someone. He spotted a four horned Ram demon sitting by himself in a faintly lit booth at the corner, smoking a pipe and reading a paper, a half empty pint of dark beer next to him. The cat made his way over and slid in the other side of the booth.

"Long time no see, old man." He nodded to the bartender, removing his hat and smoothing down the fur at the top of his head.

"It has." The ram didn't look up from his paper as he turned the page, "Did you bring what I asked?"

Husk looked into his hat and removed a piece of folded paper, sliding it across the table. The elderly demon took hold of it and examined it. With a nod he placed it in his shirt pocket and sighed, "What can I do you and your master for?"

Husk growled and bared his jagged teeth, "He's not my master. Boss, at best." A bottle of whisky and two shot glasses were set on the table, "So, what's the scoop, Baph?"

The two spoke for a while, catching up and traded information. When it had all been said and done, Husk slid a list across the table.

"Since I work at the hotel now, I'm also gonna need some supplies, maybe some new furniture. Got these in stock?"

Baphomet let out a laugh that was akin to a goat bleating, causing some heads to turn, "I'll have one of Purson's guys deliver this and I'll add a few more items for your personal use."

"Cost?"

He waved his hand, "No payment necessary this time. Just promise me Charlotte is safe should anything happen. She is not of my dominion so I am powerless here and her parents can be harsh with their life lessons, and many do not take kindly to what she's trying to do. Plus the turf wars on this circle are getting much worse than others."

Husk took a large gulp from the bottle and requested yet another to be brought, "Tell me about it." Husk knew it'd be a matter of time before the fighting reached the hotel, and when it did, how did Charlie plan to protect it?

Niffty finished her errand just after nightfall and had been picked up by Alastor who drove them to the store to get groceries. The two roamed the the aisles to buy items for the following week. The Radio Demon enjoyed selecting his own food rather than depend on a delivery company, but he knew he would have to change how he shopped once there was more people at the hotel.

His housekeeper, who had been matching items to her checklist, nodded to herself and smiled up at him, "Everything is here. Let's check out and go home."

"So our new cleaning items will be delivered when?" Alastor asked as they entered a checkout line and began to unload their cart, "I don't understand why we need so many vacuums, but I suppose we could upgrade the wash. The linens you picked out are quite lovely."

Niffty loaded the items back into the cart in an organized fashion as they were rung up. The cashier had a nervous sweat once he realized who was before him. In all his years working, he never had an overlord do their own shopping. He did his best to stay quiet and scan as quickly as possible. The Radio Demon was unpredictable and the stories about him varied, depending on which side of town you were at. One thing was for certain, it was unwise to upset him. That was how the carnage began decades ago.

Once the transaction was complete, Alastor and Niffty headed home. The radio demon drove a red 1930s Bentley with burgundy details and black leather interior. The chrome bumper were glowing, having been polish to a point any light was reflected back.

As they pulled up, Husk swooped in and landed in front of the porch.

"Ah, Huskers, my boy. You're just in time to help us unload." The radio crowd cheered. Husk grumbled, but helped nonetheless. Just as they were about done removing everything from the car, Charlie's limo pulled up. She stepped out first to assist Vaggie. Both were dressed normally, but he was curious at to where they had gone. This whole time he couldn't remember them going anywhere outside of the hotel.

"Need help?" Vaggie asked as she approached him, finally a little more relaxed around him. Charlie had spent a good portion of their date putting Vaggie at ease when it came to the red clad demon. The moth even decided that's maybe she should put her hostility to the side and actually give him a chance.

"If you don't mind grabbing the last bag, darling, it would be much appreciated." Vaggie nodded and grabbed the stuff before heading inside, a content smile on her face as she basked in the after glow of her date.

Charlie and Alastor were the last ones left outside. There was a moment of awkward silence before Charlie spoke.

"Hey, Al?"

"Yes, love?"

She blushed, "I've been... I've... ugh," she cleared her throat and sighed, "I've been meaning to talk to you about somethings." She wrung her hands together, trying to piece together her thoughts.

"Oh?" They walked into the foyer together. Charlie closed the door behind them.

"Y-yea. Um... what happened during Hell's Fire Day, it... it should never have happened. I shouldn't... we shouldn't be fooling around." She closed the door behind them. Her eyes were down casted. "I'm... not a toy a-and I am royalty s-so you shouldn't be doing that. And you know I'm with Vaggie." She wanted to look up at him but she knew she sounded pathetic and weak, her argument had no weight behind it. Standing there alone with him and smelling his natural scent made her wish he'd touch her like that day again.

Alastor didn't answer. Instead he grabbed her chin and forced her to look up at him. Her eyes were filled with mixed emotions. Sadness. Guilt. Confusion. Desire.

"If you want me to stop, all you need to do is tell me. Command me to, Princess." He said amusingly. "Do sound more forceful though, deary." his grin widen as he couldn't help but mock her, "You're royalty after all."

Charlie gulped though she felt a bit of anger as he chuckled, her brows furrowing, "I..." she hesitated, breathing harder than she should have. There was a pause before she sighed with a heavy heart, "I don't know w-what I want. That's the worse part." She admitted. She closed her eyes in shame.

He chuckled and let her chin go, running a long gloved finger along her chin before bopping her nose playfully with his index finger, making her eyes pop open. "Then try to resist. I do enjoy this little dirty game of ours and watching you struggle. I'll stop if you want me to, but you must tell me so and mean it." He smirked at her and stared at her intensely.

There was something in his voice that made Charlie's breath hitch. Her mouth tried to move but no words could form. She knew she needed to say it, whisper it at least, but the way he had touched her left a dull ache at her core that needed to be satisfied. As much as she loved Vaggie, it really wasn't enough anymore. A simple touch shouldn't make her falter like so. Her supposed crush was becoming a physical obsession but she'd be damned if she let herself cave in.

Her shoulders slumped as she sighed again, "Did you use voodoo on me or something? I've never done anything to hurt V-Vaggie like this. It-it's not like me." She looked away from him and rubbed the back of her neck.

The Radio Demon laughed half heartedly, "Trust me, that's not how it works. Are you sure it's not like you? Perhaps you just never found something or someone who could take you to new heights, my dear. While I'm sure she's skilled, I can be far better." He leaned down to whisper in her ear, his hot breath causing her to shutter, "Just imagine. You and I. Alone. Nothing, not a shred of clothing between us. I know you want me Charlie. Are you getting wet again?"

Charlie wanted to scream and run away. His voice dripped like honey when it wasn't hidden behind the radio static: sweet, smooth, and seductive, and washed over her in a slow, torturous yet warm feeling. Her stomach flipped and thoughts of the days before flooded her head. She knew it was wrong.

She desperately wanted to kiss him now, despite it all as she turned to face him. She wanted him to drop the bag of produce and ravish her. Tears stung her eyes at the revelation. This was a game to him and she was unwillingly playing along. What kind of example was she setting? Why was her body responding to him? He was polluting her and she had no filters to stop it.

It took every ounce of will power to tear herself away from him and his sexually charged aura. Charlie didn't say anything as she walked away from him, knowing damn well she's be lying if she asked him to stop. The excitement was addicting. Perhaps if she just resisted a little more she'd snap out of it or maybe he would get tired. She had to last. Just a little longer.

'Vaggie,' her heart broke, 'I'm sorry. I'm trying, I'm really trying, but I can't get the words out. Dammit. I won't let him win, I can't.'

'But he did. Don't you feel yourself drip with anticipation? Give in.' The voice in the back of her head whispered, 'Sate your needs and be done with it before this fire consumes you.'

"No..." she whispered.

The way Alastor smiled as she moved passed him made her regret ever letting him in. What had she done and who was she fooling? She craved him more than anything now and Vaggie was none the wiser.


Hey everyone! Hope you're enjoying yourselves. Please don't forget to leave a review, they're greatly appreciated and help me gauge my story's progress. Thank you!