Author note: Welcome back readers! I took a day off to celebrate my month-long anniversary of writing this story, but now we're back! Thank you for the 11-13 followers and favorites, plus the baker's dozen of reviews I've gotten, they always bring a smile to my face and keep this train rolling. Enjoy!
Chapter 28: Overlord overloads
"You can melt angelic steel."
Carmilla Carmine spoke incredulously as she regarded the petrified fire demon at her table. Then she smiled at the plethora of opportunities that had just fallen into her lap.
'I need to take care with how I proceed. This gift is too precious to fall into other's hands.' She thought calculatingly.
"Well! Dinner was lovely, but it's getting late and I should be heading back to the hotel, it's still a bit of a trek! Thanks for the meal and clothes Madam Carmine, Odette. Clara, I'm so glad you're feeling better!" Taylor said in a forced chipper tone as they bolted up from their chair and started inching back toward the exit.
"But we haven't swapped numbers yet." Clara interjected.
"Oh, darn it, it seems I forgot my phone at the hotel! Maybe next time when I'm in the area we can meet up." Taylor replied in an apologetic manner as they kept creeping back.
"But you called the Princess to tell her you were dining with us." Odette reminded them.
They tensed as they were caught in their lie.
"Oh, um, well. You see-"
"Wait." Carmilla said harshly, causing the fire demon to flinch and stop in their tracks. "Taylor, sit. We mean you no harm." Carmilla said with a noticeable edge to her voice that made their blood freeze.
They gulped thickly as they returned to their chair and numbly sat down.
"It seems like you have some sense of what this ability is capable of doing, so I don't need to spell it out for you." She leaned back and bridged her fingers. "I want to offer you a place here with us where you can develop this power for the benefit of Hell. You've likely seen what the Extermination is like, the death and destruction it brings upon us each year." She clenched her fist determinedly. "We normally can only collect the scraps and discarded angelic weapons left behind after each Extermination, and even then, we can only use a fraction of what we do find. But with your ability we can reforge the scraps and increase our arsenal and influence across the seven rings." She leaned forward and took on a softer tone. "In return, I will offer my protection. It's clear you are aware of the power of overlords and that I can be a great ally. I can shield you from those who would seek to exploit you for your ability."
Taylor contemplated the offer for a moment before asking.
"The catch?"
Carmilla smiled at the possibility of a way in as her scarlet eyes started to glow brighter.
"None. As I've said before, your ability can be a gift for all of Hell. All I ask is that you endeavor to help us achieve our goals."
She extended her arm out and offered her clawed hand. Taylor watched white electricity spark and crackle to life in Carmilla's hand as wind stared to howl and swirl around them, enveloping them in a miniature tempest as her red eyes gleamed like two beacons in a storm. They could feel the power of the overlord before them as it made the hairs on the back of their neck stand on end.
"Do we have a deal then?" She said intensely with an expectant smile.
Taylor already knew their answer before she had even asked, but it didn't make things any easier. Their soul was already bound to another, so they had no choice. They swallowed dryly and sat up straight.
"No thank you."
Taylor heard Odette and Clara gasp.
Carmilla closed her hand, dispelling the wind and electricity. Her smile dropped as her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
"I will not be taking you up on your very generous offer. I'm already happily employed and under Charlie's protection at the hotel. But thank you for the consideration." They said respectfully, heart beating so loudly they were sure she could have heard it.
Carmilla leaned back in her chair as she observed them silently. Taylor grew increasingly more nervous the longer they waited. After some moments, she spoke kindly.
"I understand completely." Taylor let out a measured sigh in relief before Carmilla continued. "Then perhaps I might entice you with something else: an offer of friendship and to be a part of this ménage."
Taylor was confused.
"Men-aje?"
"You said you found a family of your own at the hotel, so I want to offer a place here as part of ours." She indicated to her daughters, who came in close and Carmilla wrapped an arm around both warmly as all three gazed at Taylor. "It is clear you have a strong sense of duty and honor that is uncommon in Hell. Otherwise, you wouldn't have helped complete strangers as you did, and for that I am grateful." She gripped her daughter's hands. "I was appalled to hear what transpired between you and your parents, and I want to do right by you where they didn't." She smiled warmly as she added. "There are no strings attached for this offer either."
Taylor sensed genuine sincerity, but there was a part that remained skeptical. After all, they only just met and they might be using this as a ploy to get to their abilities. Seeing their hesitance, Carmilla added.
"You don't have to give an answer now, but come to get to know us better and when you are ready, we will accept your decision either way."
"Yeah, Taylor! We still have to go clubbing together!" Clara chimed in.
"And I want to get to know more about you outside of near-death experiences." Odette added demurely.
While Taylor was touched, they knew that so long as they could break soul contracts, there would be the looming threat of death by the overlord. Their clients had spoken ill about the arms dealer's network. And while the overlord was stern and intimidating, there was protectiveness and love behind the mask. Perhaps if they were careful, a friendship would be possible? They took a deep breath.
"I'll consider it."
Clara and Odette beamed while Carmilla's smile broadened minutely.
"Excellent. With that out of the way, I'll arrange transportation for you back to the hotel and we hope to have you back here soon." Carmilla replied cordially.
Within the hour, Taylor made the climb up the hill back to the hotel. They still couldn't believe they made it out of the whole ordeal in one piece. 'What a day. I need a drink and a moment to relax.' They thought tiredly. When they made it to the lobby, they greeted everyone before Angel wolf whistled at them from the bar.
"Looking smoking there Fuoco! Where were ya? Get yerself a sugar daddy and had dinner with 'em tonight? Did ya give them a show too?" He asked bawdily as his eyebrows quirked in interest.
Taylor laughed at the insinuation as they ambled over to the bar. Giving Husk a nod in greeting, they took a seat and sighed wearily. They replied casually.
"Nothing so exciting as that, I'm afraid. Just ran into Carmilla Carmine's daughters and ended up having dinner with them and the Overlord herself. "
Taylor heard a gasp then shuffling from the parlor before an irate Vaggie was standing before them in an instant.
"What the fuck, Taylor? You said you met some friends and were having dinner, not rubbing elbows with a fucking overlord!"
Taylor held up their hands in surrender as they leaned away from the raging demoness.
"I didn't seek them out intentionally! I got caught up in something and before I knew it, I was having dinner with them!" They tried to clarify.
Vaggie grasped them by the ear roughly and started dragging them to the parlor.
"You're going to explain yourself right now. Come on!"
Taylor groaned as they glanced longingly back at the bar space. Angel sniggered at the display and made his way over as well.
"Ow! Can't I at least get a drink first?"
Thus, they gave an amended recounting of their evening fighting off shark mobsters, playing medic, dining with the Carmines, and Carmilla's offer for protection. Taylor purposefully left out or altered some details, such as their heat exhaustion ability, Clara's whirlwind return from the brink of death, the second offer for a friendship, and the angelic steel incident, instead saying that Carmilla simply offered a job and protection to reward them for helping her daughters.
Sir Pentious looked awestruck that Taylor got to meet with an overlord while Husk looked worriedly over to Alastor, who stood in the corner with a tense smile and narrowed eyes. Angel looked impressed with the fire demon's pluck to refuse an overlord's offer and Nifty lost interest when she learned that Carmilla was not, in fact, a bad boy.
"Don't worry Vaggie, I rejected the deal in no uncertain terms." Taylor assured a still fuming Vaggie.
Charlie became teary eyed that Taylor turned down Carmilla's offer of protection down because of her. She jumped over and crushed Taylor into a hug.
"Oh, Taylor! The fact that you believe in the hotel so much that you'd turn down an overlord is just, is just…" she wailed as she couldn't find the words.
Taylor grunted as they felt their breathing being restricted.
"Of course I did. Charlie, can't breathe!"
She released them with a yelp and apologetic giggle.
With the interrogation finished, the group dispersed to finish their evenings. Taylor finally got their nightcap, a scrumptious hot toddy that relaxed them after a nerve-wracking day. They played a few rounds of poker with Husk, Angel, and Sir Pentious, who Taylor wondered if they were a natural at the game or they used their extra eyes to see their cards, as he won a surprisingly decent proportion of the time. Bidding the group a good night, they departed for their room.
When they got to their floor, they heard a jazzy tune start up in the empty hallway as the lights flickered spookily. Taylor scanned the hallway cautiously in anticipation of Alastor being in the vicinity. With a huff, Taylor called out in an annoyed tone to the hidden Radio Demon.
"Come on out, Alastor!"
"Evening, chum!" Spoke an animated voice from beside them, causing them to jump slightly at the suddenness. The red demon chuckled amusedly with a smug grin.
"E-evening." They stuttered before they cleared their throat. "What is it this time? You finally gonna take me up on that book club suggestion?"
"Ha ha! No." He adjusted his monocle before his Cheshire grin perked up some. "You spun quite the scintillating tale of your exploits this evening. Very entertaining!"
"Hm. Glad you liked it." Taylor replied neutrally, waiting to see where he was going with the compliment.
"Yes indeedy! There aren't many that land in the lion's den that is an overlord's home and come out unscathed!"
Taylor shrugged.
"Guess I'm one of the lucky ones."
He summoned his microphone and stood up straighter as his spirited tone became strained.
"Quite so. Carmine is quite the formidable overlord, one with significant connections to weaponry and ancient beings alike."
Taylor sighed irritably, having had enough of the roundabout talk.
"Get to the point, Alastor."
He leaned forward as his eyes glowed red and his grin grew predatory.
"My point is, do take care who you choose to ingratiate yourself with, chum. You could find you meet a sticky end if you play your cards wrong."
Taylor stared back with a frown.
"Well, no need to worry about that, I don't have plans on getting friendly with more overlords. You are more than enough. Good night, Alastor."
Taylor saw his eyes narrow angrily as they moved past him and toward their door. Before they walked in, they glanced back and the hallway was empty and the lights had stopped flickering.
'What's his problem? Always in my business, he reminds me of that Vox he messed with a while back." They brooded testily. After getting ready for bed, they got settled in and uttered a weary sigh before they dropped off into sleep.
They awoke to the feeling of being their heart racing, shortness of breath, and wind brushing their face as they panicked momentarily. Thinking they were somehow doing their physical training with their patron, their eyes flew open and darted around, searching for the fiend. Instead, they spied themselves speeding through a golden promenade with colorful arched buildings accented with gold and halos on each side. They saw fluffy clouds in the distance that were all colors of the rainbow. The area looked empty, with the beginning rays of sunshine reminiscent of daybreak streaming in.
'Heaven again? What's going on?' Taylor questioned as they tried to take in the environment while they hurtled toward a towering red building with a tall central purple and white patterned window that traveled up the entirety of the building. They entered a lobby with high ceilings and white marble floors with scattered seating areas with couches, reminding them of the Heaven Embassy in Hell. Not lingering, their body hastily glided to the main elevator and pressed the floor button several times anxiously, as if it would make things run faster.
'What's the rush about? I've got a bad feeling about this.' They worried. The doors to the elevator closed and Taylor gave a startled gasp.
The shut doors offered a reflection of their entire body. They saw a series of disembodied rings within rings with eyes along the sides that contained a blazing ball of orange flames that floated where their head would be. In the center of the flames and rings was one prominent yellow eye that had a look of fear and apprehension written all over it. Along the side of their head were four feathery white wings gently flapping to keep them aloft. They wore the familiar long white robes and had black clawed hands that were clutching some papers to their chest tensely. Taylor hadn't ever seen an angel that looked like this before, so they focused to drink in as much as they could before they reached their floor.
'Four wings this time? What kind of angel is this? How would I even describe this? And where do they speak from?' Taylor contemplated as they memorized the finer details to research later.
A few seconds went by and the elevator dinged and opened into a blue hallway with several doors on one side. They seemed to know where to go, for they quickly flew over to one door and threw it open forcefully. Inside the familiar looking blue room from the last time was the handsome six-winged angel lounging in a chair with his feet on the table, working on something in their hands. He looked up at the abrupt entrance and smiled waggishly as he greeted them merrily.
"Hey there, Nim! You're early today!" He tilted his head slightly as his blue eyes looked down enthusiastically. "Are those the finalized revised proposals we've been working on?"
"What did you do?" They heard their tuneful voice say in a distressed tone.
The angel's wide smile soured as they looked back to tinker with the item in their hands.
"Oh, that. Guess word spreads fast." He said disdainfully.
They moved closer, dropping the papers haphazardly on the table and stood before the angel who hadn't looked up from their work.
"Did you truly sneak into the Garden and give the Apple of Knowledge to the second woman? Why would you do that?" They disbelievingly questioned.
The angel huffed as they glared up angrily at them.
"First off, her name is Eve, Nim. And second, yes, I did offer the Apple to her. I had to; you didn't see how the Council designed her! Completely subservient, no thoughts or aspirations of her own besides what that jerk Adam wanted. Lillie and I couldn't see a flicker of anything resembling an independent spirit in her! It was killing the both of us to see her coast along like a husk of a human." He stood up, depositing his item on the table and turned to gaze out the window as he smiled proudly. "So I provided the Apple to give her free will. And you should have seen it! For the first time, we saw a light behind those eyes as she came into her own person and she was happy! She laughed, Nim! She cried, she got mad, all the range of emotions crashed down upon her, but she was truly alive!" He turned back to face them with a determined look. "I don't regret what I did, it had to be done."
Taylor was awed at the passion the angel espoused before they realized who he was. This was Charlie's father, the same one from her story, though he looked different here than the portrait that Taylor had passed by so many times on their way in and out of the hotel.
'How could I have missed the resemblance?' They chastised themselves.
Their body began to shake as they felt heated.
"My Phim, the Elders are most furious! You introduced evil onto Earth and the Council is scrambling to contain it and salvage the project!" They cried out.
Lucifer shrugged nonchalantly as he flopped back into his chair. He smirked as he picked his project back up and resumed his mucking about.
"I wouldn't worry, the Council will just slap me with a stern warning and they will sort it all out. Trust me."
They felt themselves fall into their chair as they shook their head. They heaved a sigh as they looked over at him, the tension in their body relaxing before they felt their face get warm and their stomach do somersaults.
"I do."
Taylor awoke and practically jumped out of bed. Throwing on some slacks and a button up quickly, they rammed their shoes on and made their way downstairs. They needed to get to the hotel library before they started to forget again.