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Chapter 42:

Second thoughts

The halls of the hazbin hotel were dimly lit as Charlie Morningstar was led through the main lobby by the angelic arms dealer Carmilla Carmine, who spoke as she gestured to several key areas "As you can see, as per yours and your partner's instructions, we have installed our finest, state of the art security systems. If anyone associated with the Vee's even as much as sets foot on the premise, everything will activate"

This comment was met with a nervous glance from the demonic pornstar Angel Dust, however, his concerns were quickly soothed by a following "Present company excluded of course" as one of the armsdealer's daughter's, Odette, would add "The advanced targeting systems are trained to obey both yours and your partners commands, and every turret is lined with angelic steel"

Looking around, Charlie couldn't help but look a bit concerned and uncomfortable before a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder "Don't worry babe, don't forget, we're doing this to ensure the safety of the hotel and its guests" Vaggie would soothe the princess's worries.

"Holy shit, guys" a voice spoke up as Cherrie Bomb approached "You really pulled out all the punches with this one hu?" as she observed the newly installed safety measurements as next to her, Frank the eggboy would add "Wowie, just like the boss used to make"

The tall overlord would smile "Only the best for the royal family"

As the small group was discussing, the front doors would swing open as in stepped the familiar form of the anarchy demon, Ashley, as Vaggie broke off from the conversation and approached her "Any news?"

Ashley would sigh as she took off her hat before rubbing her forehead "Only that tensions in the Vee tower have been at an all-time high, I think Vox and Val are finally realizing just what type of crazy they invited into their home"

Rubbing her chin in thought, Vaggie couldn't help but mumble "Lute's planning something, I KNOW it"

She was quickly snapped out of her thoughts as the shark-grinned sinner smirked and waved towards the newly installed, concealed security system "Ya kidding me? She wouldn't even be able to as much as fart into the general direction of this hotel and she's gonna be turned into Swiss fucking cheese. The bitch doesn't stand a chance"

Suddenly, the group was startled by a loud bang as the doors were forcefully kicked open.

Readying themselves for an attack, the small group would quickly lower their guard when the shape of Velvette would appear in the open doors, clutching what appeared to be a broken voxtech camera drone.

"I CAUGHT ONE OF THOSE FUCKERS" she proudly proclaimed as she walked to a nearby coffee table and dumped the broken device onto it.

"Uhm…..yaay?" Vaggie would pipe up, confused "I don't see how this could be useful to us" to which Velvette quickly responded "Well what if we can fix it and Odette here can soft-hack its circuits so we can use IT to spy on VOX instead? Use his own tech against him"

This caught the Carmines by surprise as Clara piped up "How'd you even knock that thing out of the air?"

Velvette would smugly cross her arms and smirk, before reaching to her left hip and whipping out her new blade "Let's just say I used a new skillset, poor fucker never saw it coming" as she exchanged glances with Vaggie, who absentmindedly rubbed the bandages over her nose with a proud expression, a still slightly painful reminder of her and the short fashionista's final training session.

As Odette approached the coffee table, clipboard in hand, she observed the device as Velvette would ask "Think you could make it work?"

The blonde Carmine would make some notes before speaking up "this will surely give us an edge, I'll see what I can do"

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Vee tower, later that evening, pride ring, hell:

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The sound of shoes on tiles echoed through the luxurious halls of the Vee tower as the tall, looming shape of the adult media overlord, Vallentino, made his way towards Vox's office, before stopping in front of the large doors and knocking a few times as he hastily glanced over his shoulders, his whole posture tense and his palms clammy with nervous sweat.

"Come in" a disgruntled voice rang from the other end as the tall moth demon softly pushed the door open, as if not to make too much noise as he slinked his way in, causing Vox to raise an eyebrow "Ok what the fuck? You NEVER knock, first of all, and second, why the need for all the secrecy?" before he gained a smirk "Wait…let me guess….one of your actors tried poisoning your drink again? Come on Val, who was it? I can have them taken care of" Vox was able to get out before he would be startled by Vallentino quickly covering his mouth with one hand as he made the hush gesture, before looking around in a paranoid way, as if listening for a sound.

Normally, Vox would not have cared about his colleague's weird behavior, but something about the way Vallentino looked around send the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end…..well….that is if he still had any.

"Ok Val what the fuck is up with you?" he whispered, trying to match the tall moth's energy.

"You invited crazy into out home, Vox" Vallentino whispered through gritted teeth, sounding frustrated but most of all…..we was…afraid….

"I woke up in the middle of the night to the fucking angel, sitting on her haunches on the foot of my bed, twirling her sword around and just…looking at me….." as he said this, he once again would glance around, as if he was half expecting her to still be there "….and when she noticed I was awake, she just …..sat there…..and looked me right in the eyes….she didn't even fucking blink, Vox ….not…even….one…...for HOURS…."

Vox took a deep breath as he straightened his bowtie, got up and put one arm around his colleague "Val Val Val, so little trust in our new business partner. Have a little more faith in the fallen birdie" he said, his words honeyed "Sure she's got some…."quirks" but I'm certain she's harmless…..well, to us….we shook on it, remember?"

This did very little to ease the nerves of the moth demon as he kept looking over his shoulder.

Vox would add "She's probably just confused and curious, everything down here is new to her, she's just learning how life in hell works….in her own "Lute" way"

"Voxy, you don't fucking get it" Vallentino spat out "Sure, Velvette threatened to turn my wings into a fucking coat, but that pintsized bitch was all bark and no bite….but this…."Lute"….she's a different level of crazy…..she might actually go through with it….and I don't want to be turned into a fucking hunting trophy" he took a deep breath as he quickly locked Vox's office door, just to be sure.

"I trusted your instincts when we first procured this deal with her but….i'm having second thoughts about this, Voxy"

Vox tried to calm his colleague's nerves but as he looked into his eyes, he saw it again…genuine fear….he'd only see this look one other time before….in Vallentino's actors, mainly the spider demon, Angel Dust…..but never in Val himself…..the image of this tall overlord….being afraid for his life…..it triggered something in the TV headed demon…..a primal fear.… "I'll…..keep an eye on her" the TV overlord mumbled, now slightly more disturbed.

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Vox wasn't sure what had stirred him but that night, something awoke him from his deep sleep.

He would turn on his side and tried to drift off into sweet slumber once again…that was…if there wasn't something making him feel….off….

He tried to ignore the feeling as he closed his eyes…..but something….a very subtle noise…..send shivers over his spine….he knew the usual sounds of his room…..this was NOT one of them….it was barely audible, but it was DEFNINITELY there…..as he slowly got the creeping feeling…..like he was being watched…..

"Uhg, Val's probably making me paranoid" He's mumble to himself in an annoyed tone as he tried turning onto his other side, facing the window.

Bad decision…

His eyes shot wide open as there…..next to the window…..was a shape….a shape he was damn well sure that was NOT there when he went to bed…as within the pitch black silhouette….something stirred…..and 2 sickly, greenish yellow eyes opened up…..and looked straight at him…

"You're awake" the telltale voice of Lute spoke.

Like the gaze of a lion on a gazelle, Vox felt Lute's eyes glide over his form, only to once again settle to look right into his own.

It was now that the TV overlord understood why Vallentino looked so afraid…she was sizing him up…..she was accessing how much of a threat he was…eyeing him up like a shark would with a seal, drawn to the scent of fresh blood…..

"You uhm….k-kinda…..woke me up….Vendetta…." Vox would stutter out.

Lute would not move….she just….kept staring at him…."….just….go back to sleep…." She spoke, her voice emotionless and cold….

Vox wasn't sure what possessed him, but he'd just answer her "y-yea…..sure….i-if you say so….." as he once again turned to face away from the angel.

Hearing rustling behind him as Lute left, the TV overlord could only think to himself "Fuck…..what have we gotten ourselves into….." as, suffice to say, no one got much sleep that night…..

Author's note: You know someone's psycho when even Vallentino is afraid of you.

Let's say Lute is slowly becoming more and more unhinged, i "might" be basing her descend into madness of Azula from avatar, the legend of Aang, to give a frame of refference to just how bad she's coping with her current fate.