Chapter 4
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting shadows across Pentagram City, Vox strode into V Tower with an air of triumph. The neon lights that adorned the sleek skyscraper seemed to pulse with excitement as he made his way to the control room, where Velvette was already waiting.
"Velvette, darling!" Vox exclaimed, his voice reverberating with excitement. "That Post-Extermination 72-Hour Live Stream was a smashing success! The ratings are through the roof!"
Velvette beamed with pride, "I knew it was going to be a hit, Vox. Thank you for trusting me with it," her voice oozed with pride.
"And having the 'We Survived the XXX-Terminiation' stream was a hit too, Val," Vox sing-songed to Valentino who was off to the side looking less than pleased. "The ratings absolutely skyrocketed once we got Angel Dust on screen! I mean, I was a little pissed that his dumbass survived. But hey, people loved watching him get railed after he helped kill actual angels. Oh the irony…Where is that little twink anyway?"
"He left as soon as the stream ended," Valentino growled, taking a long drag from his cigarette. "He went back to that silly little hotel."
Vox chuckled dismissively, waving a hand in Valentino's direction. "Oh is that what's got you all pissy?" he said, his tone dripping with condescension. "Remember, Val, you own his soul. He's not going anywhere."
Valentino's anger simmered beneath the surface, but he knew Vox was right.
"Now, let's focus on planning our next big event," Vox plopped down in his control room chair and propped his feet up, "I have a feeling that Hell will be eager for more entertainment after that thrilling battle."
Before Vox could delve into the details of their next big event, Velvette cleared her throat, her expression grave. "Vox, I need to show you something," she interjected.
Vox raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Velvette's sudden shift in demeanor. "What is it, darling? Don't keep me in suspense."
With a few swipes on her phone, Velvette casted her screen to the monitors on the wall. "We may have a little problem on our hands…" she said coyly.
Vox's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean 'a little problem?"
On the screens, Velvette displayed several different angles of vox-tv video showing Alastor at various locations in the city over the last few days. "I don't have all the details yet, it looks like Alastor is back. Not only that, but he seems to have made a full recovery."
A myriad of emotions flickered across Vox's face – surprise, intrigue, disbelief, rage.
"Seems like our little Radio Demon is a lot tougher than you thought, Vox," Valentino purred, his pouty attitude seeming to have shifted to one of amusement.
"Interesting…" Vox mused through gritted teeth. How the fuck did Alastor bounce back from his injuries that quickly? And why was he already parading himself around town? "Keep an eye on him, Velvette. We can't afford any surprises, especially not from that prick," he growled.
Velvette nodded in agreement, "Consider it done, Vox. I'll monitor his movements closely and report back with any updates." She typed something into her phone before continuing, "But I do need to go now, boys. The world of fashion waits for no one. Love you! Kisses!" she winked before quickly disappearing out the door.
Valentino strode over to Vox and began massaging his shoulders, "Don't worry about Alastor, Voxy. He means nothing."
Vox leaned back, allowing Valentino's touch to soothe his tense muscles, though his mind remained preoccupied. "He may mean nothing to you, Val, but he could still be a thorn in our side," he replied, his voice tinged with irritation. "We can't underestimate him."
Valentino chuckled dismissively, his hands still working at Vox's shoulders. "Relax, Voxy. We have bigger things to worry about than that washed-up Radio Demon."
Despite Valentino's attempt to reassure him, Vox couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the back of his mind. Alastor's survival posed a potential threat to their plans, and Vox was determined to stay one step ahead of him. They had tried planting a spy before, but that plan failed miserably due to their spy being a complete imbecile.
As Valentino continued to massage his shoulders, Vox's mind raced with possibilities. If he was going to stay ahead, he would need someone on the inside. Someone cunning, someone with insider knowledge of both the hotel and Hell itself. And then it hit him like a bolt of lightning.
"Hey, Val," Vox spoke casually, his tone deceptively nonchalant. "You know, we might have a solution to our little Alastor problem."
Valentino raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what might that be?"
Vox leaned back in his chair, a sly grin creeping across his face, "I think we should revisit the idea of using your Angel as a spy for us.
Valentino's countenance briefly darkened before he composed himself. "Angel?" he questioned skeptically.
Vox nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Think about it. He's got connections all over Hell, and he's already in Alastor's inner circle. Plus, with his... let's say, unique abilities, he could gather information for us without raising suspicion."
"It's Risky, Vox. Angel is… unpredictable, to say the least. And his loyalty has been questionable, especially as of late," he added with a hint of venom.
"Granted," Vox conceded, rising from his seat to meet Valentino's gaze. "But desperate times demand daring measures." He drew closer to Valentino, a playful glint in his eyes. "We may need to offer him a more enticing incentive to secure his cooperation." He trailed his fingers teasingly up Valentino's chest.
Valentino's gaze sharpened, intrigued. "And what did you have in mind?" he chuckled darkly.
Vox's grin widened as he leaned closer. "Let's start by clarifying some of the terms of your contract with Angel, shall we?" As always, he was prepared to adapt and overcome any obstacles that stood in their way. After all, in the world of Hell, it was survival of the slickest.