Meanwhile, Alastor and the other two members of the Spider Family returned to the grand ballroom where the kingpins and other overlords were dining away.
Arackniss and Henroin watched Alastor nervously as he approached Vaggie. That anxiety was not lost on the three V's sitting next to them, and the other kingpins and overlords seemed to quickly catch onto it as well.
Vaggie was too preoccupied with her dinner to notice at first, but she soon noticed the others staring at her.
Vaggie's only response was to cock an eyebrow annoyedly and disinterestedly from the unwanted attention and wonder what was going on.
Suddenly, Alastor placed his hands on Vaggie's bare shoulders and said, "I know what you did, dear."
Vaggie could tell from his tone and from the strength of his grip that Alastor was fuming. He knew. He had to.
"Don't. Lie. To. Me," Alastor replied, tightening his grip on Vaggie's shoulders with every word.
Vaggie stood up, turned around, swiping Alastor's hands off her shoulders as she did so, and exclaimed proudly, "If this is about Angel, then yes! I admit it! I left Angel a note in the vent to warn him about what you were going to do to him!"
If any kingpin or landlord wasn't paying attention to her, they certainly were now. All of them, except for Valentino who had just noticed the keys in Arackniss's coat pocket.
Despite his anger, Alastor didn't let down his smiling façade.
His only response was to tut at Vaggie and say, "Vaggie, Vaggie, Vaggie, I am quite disappointed with you, dear."
"I don't care!" Vaggie shouted proudly. "Angel's my friend! I was not about to let him get whisked away with no idea of what he was getting into! I don't care what you do to me! It was worth it!"
Alastor stood silently for a moment and looked angrily through Vaggie, never dropping his smile, but shaking almost unnoticeably from what Vaggie knew was jealousy and rage.
Vaggie looked up into Alastor's eyes and felt her blood run cold. His eyes were trembling, as if he wanted to cry rage-filled tears but was using all his power to hold them back.
For Alastor to even show this much emotion was unprecedented. For Alastor, any demon who showed such emotion was pitiful and weak. And for himself, that was unacceptable.
Vaggie knew that and everyone else knew that. Everyone waited anxiously to see Alastor's response as much in fear as in curiosity. Even Rosie looked concerned.
Everyone, except for Valentino, who slyly slipped his hand into Arackniss's coat pocket.
Finally, Alastor looked down at Vaggie and simply asked, "Oh, really now?"
Vaggie, despite being much shorter than Alastor, looked up to him and snarled, "Yes, you pompous, arrogant asshole! And I'd do it again! I will never submit to you! Angel won't either!"
Molly, who had just re-entered the ballroom, turned invisible and backed up against the wall to see what Alastor would do.
"Are you quite done?" Alastor asked, as his familiar emerged from his shadow and approached Vaggie. "I think it's time for you to learn your place."
The familiar grabbed onto Vaggie's arm and began pulling her towards the backstage hallway.
The rest of the ballroom was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
Some of the other demons in the room watched in amazement and sick pleasure. Others turned away in fear and pity, waiting for the event to end.
Even the Spider Family, Vox, and Velvet were stunned into inaction, transfixed by the scene in front of them.
No one in the room noticed Valentino holding the keys and dashing out of the large ballroom.
The Radio Demon stood in place and watched gleefully as his familiar dragged Vaggie back towards the backstage hallway.
Vaggie tried to break free, but her efforts were futile since the shadow familiar was stronger than her.
"No! Where are you taking me?!" Vaggie cried.
"Somewhere to reflect on your actions until the auction is over," Alastor replied. "I'll see you later, dear."
The familiar dragged Vaggie towards the backstage area. Molly camouflaged herself and crept silently against the wall while Alastor's familiar dragged Vaggie into the backstage hallway.
Vaggie stopped fighting, hoping against hope that the shadow would imprison Vaggie with Angel.
But unfortunately, the shadow stopped at a random, unmarked door on the left side of the wall that stood out against the hallway with the marked dressing room and storage room doors.
The familiar unceremoniously swung open the door and flicked on the light switch revealing a plain room with four concrete walls, a vent, and a chair inside.
Vaggie attempted one more time to break away, but it was completely fruitless.
Without having to extend any effort, the familiar dragged Vaggie into the center of the room and pushed her down into the chair.
Once Vaggie sat in the chair, black tentacles wrapped around her, forcing her arms down on the arm rests and tying her legs to the legs of the chair. One last tentacle wrapped tightly around her mouth.
Having finished his work, the familiar opened his mouth and Alastor's voice came out of it, saying, "Fear not, my love. You'll only be here until the evening has concluded. Until then, please take the time to reflect on your behavior."
The familiar gave one more demonic smirk as he exited the room, shut the door, slid the lock shut and walked away.
Vaggie sat alone in the dark. The only light came from under the door.
Vaggie was completely immobilized, but she did not lose her cool and mentally prepared herself for the hours of loneliness she had ahead of her.
After all, despite her circumstances, Vaggie had one thing to be happy about. Angel had received her warning. Even if he was helpless, Angel now had a fighting chance.
Then suddenly, before she had time to think anymore, Vaggie heard the door unlock and looked up to see Molly standing in the doorway.
Vaggie gasped in surprise and gasped against her bindings.
"Vaggie," Molly said. "I could use your help, and it looks like you could use mine."
Vaggie looked into Molly's eyes and nodded.
Molly smiled as she entered the room, flicked on the light, summoned a knife, and let the door shut behind her.