Chapter 10: Easier Than Lying

Each step I took towards the Hotel made my chest tighter and tighter, until it was almost too hard to breathe. Perhaps I was losing my mind, but it felt almost impossibly hotter than usual in the Pride Ring. My mind raced to come up with a Plan A, B, C, D, E throughout the entire journey. I had to get to my room as soon as possible to make sure the tape was still there. And start thinking of suspects if it wasn't.

"It's even bigger in person…," a demon to my left says in awe. The Charlie Angel on my right shoulder argued with the Angel Dust Devil on my left as I resisted the urge to tell them that's what their mom said last night. I'm anxious, but not so much that I can't crack a joke to myself.

"Wait until you see the inside," I tell her. Before we get too close, I pause and turn to the group. "Can I have everyone's attention please?"

The group of chattering demons halt their walking and excitement as they give me their full attention. I need to set the record straight before we pass the front gates. I can't have anyone here blow my cover.

"Let me remind you all that you are free now," I start, projecting my thoughts to each individual giving me their full attention. "That means when we pass those doors, our relationship changes. You are to follow and answer to Princess Charlie Morningstar on the path to your Salvation, as I've promised. As long as you are here, my name is Thorne, and I am nothing but a hotel maid and project manager. You will tell no one of what's occurred in the last two months. That is all I ask of you. Understood?"

Collective nods bob throughout the crowd, and they become rowdy once again, thanking me for having taken care of them since their release of their previous Overlord's captivity. They've been through more than I'd like to have known, but we are connected in that sense. All mistreated and abused in some awful way, and all having survived the worst of our days. Now, they get to experience a small taste of Heaven itself, until they get to the real thing. They are living my dream. I'd be beyond pissed if I did all this work just for them to fuck it all up.

"Lady Ophelia- I mean, Thorne." I shoot him a quick glare and the grandfather clock demon corrects himself. "Is… Is there any way we can repay you for all you've done? Anything at all?"

I can't help but smile at the gratitude. "Yes. Never sell your souls again. But above that, make me proud."

And with that, I helped close the gap between them and their new futures, cheering and laughing amongst themselves the rest of the way. As we near the entrance, I take a glance at the counter to the right of the large double doors. I almost brush it off, but I have to double, even triple take to see if my eyes deceive me.

142 residents. 0 visitors. 2 redeemed.

My eyes burn with tears. Finally, finally, someone has joined Sir Pentious in Paradise. And I missed it.

Excited as I was about the news, I couldn't distract myself from my main task. That tape contained damning evidence of my murders, a clear link to the massacre two months ago. If anyone got their hands on it, especially the corrupt PCPD, I'd be finished.

What a wretched twist of fate it was that the Pig I'd turned to bacon (literally) was some popular lieutenant. The Chief of Police did not take the news of his death lightly, but even so, PCPD Pigs were nothing if not incredibly unreliable. And unpredictable. They might not be actively looking for the culprit, or maybe they were, discreetly. All I knew is that if anyone here was an ass kisser of any kind, or even just an asshole, they would take great pleasure in making a public example of me, a lowly hybrid, for daring to insult and challenge their authority. And if word got to the Envy Ring, if she knew I survived…

I shuttered. Not right now.

Scanning the lobby, I immediately spotted Charlie, who beamed as bright as the sun at all her new guests. She, Vaggie, and Husk were distracted trying to get them in order, which left me with the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the chaos. With the massive crowd shielding me, I melted into a puddle of water—a new ability gained from the Shadow Demon's soul—and slid through the kitchen sink and down the drain. I navigated the pipes quickly, my anxiety mounting with each second.

After poking through multiple bathroom sink holes, toilet bowls, and shower drains, I finally found my bathroom sink. I was filthy when I returned to my solid form, gagging at all the muck and shit and food that stuck to me, but I would deal with that later.

My bedroom was spotless, with the broken TV replaced with a brand new one. Niffty did a damn good job, and I would have been more appreciative if I didn't think that meant what I thought it did. Unfortunately, my instincts were right.

The tape was gone.

A groan reverberated off my throat. I wanted to freak out and trash my room, I really did, but I knew that wasn't going to help me now. And I couldn't think straight with this horrific smell invading my nose. So while in the shower, I strategized my game plan on how to get that smiling freak alone to question him. No one knew I was here yet and I planned to keep it that way, at least until I could talk to him, so I couldn't go back downstairs to my office. And I definitely wasn't going to slip through the pipes again.

My only other option was up. To his radio tower that no one was allowed to enter.

The thought made me shudder. Him killing me would almost be a mercy.

My thoughts plagued me of memories of our last fight, how he almost choked the life from me. The darkness of his magic was so bitterly cold, it felt as though it was burning me. I'd wanted to devour that power and make it mine, to devour him and let his spirit infect me, become part of me. I was foolishly proud of my petty need to embarrass him, still sunken so deep in my own troubles that I didn't mind if he killed me. Freed me. I was so very, utterly, embarrassingly stupid.

I took a deep breath, then another, and another, begging my nerves to steel themselves as I dried off and dressed myself in a casual, floral blue and white dress. I made my way with what felt like heavy steps to the radio tower. I don't know what frightened me about facing him this time, I don't know why I felt so ugly inside, like something awful was about to happen, but I couldn't let it stop me. I had too much to lose now. I needed that tape.

When he didn't answer when I knocked the first time. Or the second. And after the third, I assumed he wasn't in. The "ON AIR" sign above the door was off, and I wasn't about to wait for him. Making sure the hallway was clear, I melted into a puddle of water and slipped under the crack of his door, solidifying myself again once inside.

I always wondered what it looked like in here. I marveled at the swamp-like decor that cast eerie shadows on the walls, and the air was thick with the scent of moss and something metallic. The hum of old radio equipment filled the silence, creating a dissonant background noise. The green of hanging vines and willow trees added a nice bit of color against the red walls. There was almost a faint greenish-blue kind aura I could barely make out, like water was being reflected off the walls, though there was no water to be found.

On a desk, a photo of him and Rosie sat next to a broken staff. I hadn't known he and Rosie were so close as to allow a clear photo. Everyone knows you could catch him in a photo, or even on camera, without his permission. I walked closer to the desk, cursing my curiosity.

It was the same one in the photo, and I raised an eyebrow as I picked it up to take a closer look at the damage. Had it broken during the war? Was it important to him? It must be if he still kept it after all these months. Why hadn't he taken it to get fixed? Why didn't he fix it himself? He was powerful enough, wasn't he? I twirled it around a bit, lining up the jagged edges until it fit perfectly in the crevices of its damaged parts.

A green flash of light startled a gasp out of me, and I jumped when an electric surge of magic suddenly burst from the connection of the two halves. I dropped the two parts on the ground and held a hand to my chest, as if that would keep my heart from trying to escape through my ribcage. I wasn't given the chance to calm myself, as a prickling feeling made its way up my spine. The feathers on my shoulder stood up like the hairs on my neck. I didn't breathe. I couldn't.

A sickening crack sounded behind me, the smile in his voice obvious. "Are you lost, dearie?"

I shut my eyes, willing every bit of courage back into me before I opened them and faced him.

He looked down at me with glowing red radio dials in his eyes, his neck resting at an impossibly crooked angle. Green symbols of magic surrounded him, happy to be given the opportunity to kill something, anything. He squinted at me when I said nothing, his eyes narrowing with a deadly kind of curiosity. He scanned me, searching for something I couldn't begin to imagine, and upon seeing my stitched lips, all the murderous intent was gone as fast as it arrived. His body relaxed, the tension in his shoulders easing as he took a step closer. The murderous smile relaxed into something more lazy, more amusing, more boyishly playful. I might've thought it handsome if he didn't make me feel so ugly, so angry, more than half the time.

"Thorne!" He says cheerfully, as if he's happy to see me. "I was wondering when our little hummingbird would return. You should know better than to trespass in my quarters, I was this close to killing you, ha ha ha!" He gestured the small amount with his thumb and forefinger.

Seeing him in front of me now, I realized the ugliness I felt wasn't because I was afraid of him. I was afraid of what he'd done while I was gone. My gut was twisting into knots, turning my bowels watery. It was in his smile, the gleam in his eye, as if he'd been waiting for me. Why was he waiting for me? What did he do?

I went to open my mouth, uncharacteristically forgetting that I'd been forbidden from ever doing so. He raised an eyebrow at my attempt, smiling wider. "Come again?" He turned his head a bit, listening for words that would never escape me. "You'll have to speak a little louder than that."

Damn him. Damn these threads. Damn them and the bitch that did this to me to the deepest depths of all 7 rings, and beyond.

'Did you replace the TV in my room,' I signed, my hands trembling slightly with a mix of fear and anger. He has to have it. What has he done? What has he done?

"Of course! It is my job, after all. Quite a mess you left behind, you know. I wonder what could have upset you so terribly." His voice dripped with mocking concern as picked up the two halves of his staff and moved around me to put them back on the desk.

'Did you take anything from my room?'

He faced me again, leaning back on the desk, inspecting his finely sharp, red claws. "You'll have to be more specific than that."

I took a deep breath, steadying my shaking hands. 'A tape,' I confessed. 'I forgot to return it to the store before I left. I need to give it back.'

"Interesting," he drawled, though he couldn't have sounded any more bored. He purposely didn't answer me. I folded my arms and started tapping my bare feet to the floor, waiting.

After an eerie silence, he says, "Hmmm, I suppose I may have found something of the sort."

'May I have it back, please? It's important that it's returned to me.'

"Oh, I know how important it is."

I wonder if he knew how tormentous his smile actually was. How did he master turning something gently and pleasant into something so wicked? How is it possible for one person to have so many teeth?

'You've seen it?'

"I have."

I stiffened. Of course he did. 'Then you realize you have no use for it. Give me the tape.'

"Hmmm… No."

My heart sank at his response. I wouldn't dare let him see it. I wouldn't dare give him the satisfaction of letting him know he's rattled me. I won't have it.

'You're being unreasonable.'

"I'm being very reasonable. After all, this tape could ruin your pitiful life. In fact, it can kill you! You should be thanking me for keeping it safe this long." He tapped his chin, looking up in almost child-like wonder. "I must say, your little rampage was quite entertaining! I always wondered how you were able to sustain yourself without eating anything. Color me impressed. Though as a professional, I'll have to fail you for your careless-"

I shot a hand up to stop him, only being able to take but so much of his chronic yapping. I already sensed what he was getting at. 'I'm assuming you want something in return?'

He looked down at me again, gracing me with an unnervingly satisfied smile. "Bingo."

'I have no soul to give you,' I reminded him.

"Who needs you when I have 77 new residents to choose from?"

My shoulders tensed. On the surface, I was as calm as still water, but inside me, a raging storm bellowed in my core, shaking my bones. The blood in my veins felt cold under my skin. How dare he, how dare he, threaten my people. Undermine my power, insult my intelligence. I did not stay away for 2 months and make all those connections, just to come back here and have him continue to think of me as his impish little play thing whenever he gets bored.

"Make a deal with me."

I was done using my hands. I broke the only rule I made for myself just a couple hours before arriving. It was a last resort, I probably didn't have to, but I couldn't think straight. I was desperate. I didn't want to lose everything I've worked for because it's Tuesday. I either needed that tape back or it had to be destroyed. And even more importantly, I would rather have someone as powerful as Alastor be my ally rather than my enemy. This may not guarantee that, but it must be a step in some uncertain hopeful direction.

At first, he gave me nothing. Then, a satisfying slack of his shoulders and a proud raise of his chin as he said, "You certainly are full of surprises, my dear… What kind of deal?"

Games. He liked to play games.

Well, I can play games.

I stepped closer, reaching behind him to retrieve the two halves of his staff. "Destroy the tape. Burn it to ash, and wherever copies you might have made of it. Burn it all, and… and I will repair your staff."

It was small, but I saw it; the slight widening of his eyes and the thought of being blessed with his powers again. He recovered quickly, as he always did, but I saw him. I half-expected him to laugh at my absurdity, but he just stood and smiled. Wildly, quietly, murderously, like he always did.

After a beat too long of silence, he says, "Why do you assume I need you to fix it?"

"I assume you're tired of being weak." His eyes twitched at the word. "I assume that staff gives you the majority of your power. And while you are still very strong, you don't have nearly enough power to repair it, or you would have done so already."

"And I am to believe that you have said power?"

"You'd be surprised."

"How do I know you're not lying?"

"I wouldn't be offering a deal with you if I couldn't do it."

His grin became strained. "... I suppose it is of equal value. Though, I'll need to file for some insurance."

"State your terms."

"If you cannot follow through, I'm sure you won't mind if I take those poor unfortunate souls off your hands as compensation. After all…" His sharp nails tap, tap, tapped in a sinister rhythm on the wooden desk, each tap chipping away at what little resolve I had left. "These dogs need a new owner."

I struggled to swallow the lump in my throat. "... Fine."

"I would like to know of your whereabouts the last two months."

"That is for me to know. I'm already giving you enough as it is. You'd be a very stupid, stupid man to decline due to your own greed."

He claws the table in one swift curl of his fingers. "... Fair enough. State your terms. Clearly."

I nodded, choosing my words carefully. Magic is a very specific thing. "You will destroy the tape and any copies along with it, and as a favor, I will fix your staff in return. Failure to do so gives you the right to collect the souls of our 77 new residents, through any deal you wish, completely undisturbed by me."

"Immediately."

"Immediately."

He studied me, piercing red eyes battling my inverted colored ones. I let my mind wander for a moment, thinking how it must feel to be bigger than everyone else. If it hurt his neck to look down on me as much as it hurt mine to look up at him. I wondered how I looked in his eyes, if I was really just some small, insignificant thing to play with when he was bored. How surprised he must have been, how stupid he must think I am, for someone as insignificant as me to offer a deal to the most notorious deal maker in the Pride Ring.

Perhaps, I was just a bit stupid. Or brave. I couldn't tell anymore. This is one of the few times I'm grateful not to have a soul. To not be immortal. If I fail, all the trust I've built is gone in an instant. And perhaps I wouldn't have to live with it long. Perhaps I'd die before I could hope to be forgiven. Perhaps… perhaps it would all work out in the end.

This had to work. I had to make it work.

Slowly, cautiously, he holds out his hand before me. "You've got yourself a deal."

It will work.

I seal my fate with a shake of our hands, the knot in my stomach never once unclenching.