"Hey fuck face!" Vox called out from outside of Valentino's room, pounding on his door so loudly that it made the Moth Demon feel like it was his skull that was getting smashed. He let out a groan, slowly lifting his head, red drool oozing from his lips and staining the white cushion he'd been resting his head on. Damn it, he hadn't even managed to reach his bed. "Get the fuck up already, would ya? You know today is family breakfast day and Velvette is looking for any reason to cancel! So get that pretty little ass of yours in gear!"

Valentino said… something. His mouth tasted like ass and it muddled his words. And not even the good kind of ass. Like a hobo's ass who hadn't showered in a year and who had moved from the Wrath ring so it was sweaty and covered in pimples. He worked his jaw and slowly got up, the world spinning. What had-

His foot hit a bottle and he grimaced. Looking down he saw it wasn't his usual choice, one of the many fine wines that he loved to partake in. No, it was a bottle of cheap Sloth-Grade booze; it tasted like shit but it got you so hammered that you couldn't even think straight.

And that was what he had needed after the week he'd had.

Valentino slowly rose up, body aching and not in the best ways. No… it was an ache that reminded him that even Sinner Demons could get old. He hated it… his entire brand was vitality. He needed to be limber and smooth, not shuffling about his room like some decaying mummy. He'd need to schedule a massage at some point, work out all the tension in his body. Maybe a facial as well? He deserved it after-

"Val!" Vox shouted.

"I'm up!" he got out, wincing at how that made his head ache. "Just give me a moment to wash up."

"Yeah… yeah, do that. Don't need Velvette complaining about you leaving crusty cum flakes all over the place!" Vox laughed at that and Valentino let out a sigh when he heard him walking away.

Moving to his bathroom he flicked the light on and stared at his reflection, grimacing at the sight. "Glasses will hide the bags under my eyes," he muttered as he wiped his hand over his mouth only to find that the red smeared along his jaw was dried. He grunted and grabbed a washcloth, slowly working to scrub it away… and then began to scrub the rest of his face. Harder and harder until it hurt. Trying to rip his skin off so he could get to his soul and clean it as well. Remove the filthy prints left by that bastard.

Edwin.

He had ruined everything.

Ever since the man had tricked him Valentino had tried to get back into the swing of his old life but found himself unable to do so. Music didn't seem as lively. His cigarettes didn't have the same kick anymore. Sex…

He groaned at that.

He had beaten two of his boys after he had cum prematurely. It hadn't even been a mighty blast… just a pathetic trickle that oozed out of his cock. He'd made sure both of them knew that if he even heard one whisper about him not being a fantastic lover then he'd know it was from them and make them pay. It served as not only a warning but also turning them into his most staunch defenders; they'd hear someone else say something and deal with them so he wouldn't blame them.

Win fuckity win.

"Except it fucking isn't," he muttered to himself.

Edwin hadn't come to see him since that day in the alley but had made his presence known. Angel had sent him a text that while he was going to keep working for him (Valentino was the best in the porn industry, after all) it would be an in and out thing… and not like… well, Angel had made several lewd comments that had made Valentino want to demand he come over and do his duty before remembering that wouldn't be happening any more. Because as Angel stated he would be calling the shots. Who he fucked. When. And most importantly when he got to leave. And Valentino would accept that.

When he'd begun to snarl at that one text message the manacles had reappeared and nearly crushed his wrists.

Finally getting his face cleaned off Valentino worked to make himself presentable. Get everything right in place and looking fabulous. Selecting the perfect coat. Donning the best hat for breakfast. Strapping a few guns to his thighs so that the cool metal made him shiver. He stopped just before he left his bedroom and stared at the MANY mirrors that showed his reflection and, just for a moment, felt like his old self again.

Except… he'd never be his old self again.

"There you fucking are!" Velvette complained when he entered the dining room, by that point having fully mastered his false smile that looked so real it could even fool himself. "Not sure what you were doin' up there but I'm fuckin' starvin' and this asshole said we had to wait for you!" She gestured towards Vox who was going over some paperwork. Velvette, for her part, was curled up in her throne-like chair, seemingly deciding to try every way possible to sit in it without sitting in it properly. "What were you doing up there anyway? I don't have ta call the cleaners ta dispose of more dead bodies, do I?"

"Cannibal Colony has been asking for donations," Vox pointed out. "Would look good if we passed them along your leftovers."

Velvette crinkled her nose at that. "Are you that fuckin' stupid? We give them Val's leftovers they'll get a taste for his sperm. Treat him like a ketchup bottle."

Vox chuckled at that. "So they'd also smack his bottom to get the last drop out."

"How charming," Valentino said with mock coolness. Honestly he wasn't feeling it at all and just wanted to eat quietly in peace. "Unlike some people in this room I care about my looks." He gestured at Velvette who glowered at that.

"What the fuck is that supposed ta mean?"

"Just that those shoe laces are terribly out of style."

Velvette growled at that. "They're retro. Retro shoe laces are in."

"Since when?"

She tapped a few keys on her phone. "Since now."

"You could have warned us you were going to do that," Vox complained. "We could have invested in whoever the fuck is making those laces and made a shit ton of money."

"Oh, like you can't invest now," Velvette stated. "Just do some expose that they are corrupt."

"…of course they are corrupt, they are in Hell."

"I meant more corrupt!" Velvette snapped. "Or I don't know… they ain't corrupt." She suddenly smirked. "mmmm, that's somethin' I never thought about. Rumors that certain people are actually all saintly and sweet. Real Heaven Suckers." She glanced at Vox. "That demon you have a problem with… he was gone for seven years, right?"

"The Radio Demon?" Vox said before his smile grew wide. "Oh… oh fuck yeah that would work." He rubbed his hands together. "Get just enough fake evidence that he was really off helping Heaven with things… maybe claim that's why he's so big and bad now. Cut a deal with the Exterminators… that would get people in a tizzy."

"Or," Valentino stated dryly, "people would see through that bullshit and begin questioning you."

"Uh, people don't ever see through my bullshit," Vox reminded him.

"Yet," Valentino said with a smirk. "Everyone has their limits, Vox, even you. Be wise not to push it… or else you'll end up in trouble."

"What, the people rioting against me?" Vox snarked. "I'd like to see them try. I have an entire empire to protect me!"

Velvette chose that moment to rejoin the conversation. "Yeah and if they rebel too?"

"Then everyone loses their precious TV," Vox replied. "I go down and I'll tear down that system."

"TV is dead, luv. Internet is the thing."

"Never," Vox said with mock sweetness. "And speaking of people that need to be worried… you should be the first to worry about being turned on." Velvette merely raised an eyebrow at that but refused to say a word or take the bait. Not that Vox didn't try to keep egging her on. "I mean… the internet is so fickle. You never know when you'll get canceled. Say the wrong thing about the newest group that the drudges think needs to be protected and all your deals will go poof." He chuckled. "And then what will you do?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Velvette said slowly.

"Listen, ya know I love ya-"

"Gag me."

"-but you don't have a lot in marketable talents." Vox shrugged. "No offense but if you came for me asking for a job I don't think I'd even put you in charge of the mail room. Maybe assistant to the assistant janitor-"

"Wot the fuck?!" Velvette roared, leaping to het feet. "I have very marketable skills!"

"Playing on your phone isn't a skill.'

Valentino tuned them both out, focusing on his breakfast. It felt… almost the same. Them bickering at each other but knowing that by the end of it they would say goodbye, most likely with a few threats, before agreeing to meet up again later that day. Perhaps discussing what they were going to do. If there was an enemy to defeat discussing how to unite together…

An enemy to defeat.

'Tell them,' his mind whispered. 'Tell them about Edwin.'

"Let's face it," Vox said, cutting into Valentino's thoughts, "if the entire internet died tomorrow you'd last a week before you sold your soul to someone just for a warm bed and a hot meal."

"Like I'd ever be that desperate or stupid," Velvette said with a roll of her eyes. "Only the worthless give up their souls. I ain't no dog ta be put on a leash. Meant ta rule. Same as the two of you."

"That's for fuck sure."

Valentino… merely continued to eat his breakfast, even as one of the servants came in with a small box.

"This arrived by messenger today," the hellborn demon said, presenting Valentino the box that was labeled with his name. He frowned and opened it up, finding within a simple bit of jewelry. Golden, it was half an orb with a C shape wrapping around it, a small pin on the back. He frowned as he looked it over, only to notice the note in the bottom of the box.

MAKE IT FAMOUS

The manacles suddenly tightened and he forced himself not to wince, dropping his hands down below the table before anyone saw them appear.

"What's in the box?" Vox asked. "Another admirer send you their dick?"

'Tell them,' his mind said again. 'Tell them how you were tricked into selling your soul and now you belong to another demon, one you know almost nothing about. Ask them to save you.'

"…a gift for Velvette," he said with a smile as he passed the box over, grateful that the manacles had once more disappeared. "A bit understated-"

"I'll say," Vox complained. "Dear lord, you couldn't spring for diamonds or rubies?"

"Oh piss off!" Velvette snapped. "That's what makes it beautiful. Its simple… it knows how ta look good without going all out and being too busy." She paused. "Mad he didn't get you one?"

"…no."

Velvette laughed. "Oh Val, gonna have ta get Vox a prezzie too."

"I… can do that," he said, realizing that it would mean gifting both of his fellow Vees Edwin's jewelry.

"Who made it?"

"An… up and comer. Very unknown."

"Not for fuckin' long," Velvette said as she pinned the jewelry to her shirt. "Once people see this on me in all my shots today they are gonna want one of their own!" She smiled mockingly at Vox. "How's THAT for marketable skills?"

Valentino smiled at that… even as he felt worry gnaw at him.

~MC~MC~MC~

Yugi glanced over at the empty chair one row to his left and one back and let out a sigh.

"Didn't come back?" Joey asked as he swung by Yugi's desk. Normally he didn't get to school early like Yugi did, liking to stroll in just before the bell rang (or rather he liked to sleep in and that made him stroll in almost late) but that day he'd decided to get there early to talk to his best bud.

"No. I called her house but her mom said she was still out. Didn't seem really that interested, honestly." He frowned. "Think that is a godly thing or…"

"Man, I have no idea." Joey shook his head. He too looked over at Tea's desk. "I'd hoped after a week…" He shifted. "Ya hear from her at all?"

"Just the email she sent us all."

It had been short and to the point: she was safe and she would find Ishizu. That was it. So formal that it had utterly hurt Yugi's soul. He was used to Tea's emails and texts rambling on, going on for seemingly forever. To have one so short? It… it just hammered in that the Tea they knew might truly be gone.

"How is Serenity handling everything?" Yugi finally asked.

"Man," Joey said, frustrated, "not well at all. I talked with ma… told her that she needed ta actually get Serenity some therapy. Not sure if she will but all she went through with losin' her eyesight and the surgery and bein' kidnapped and then Ed… she ain't takin' things well." He paused. "Ya talk with Mokuba?"

"I"ve tried to," Yugi said. "But Kaiba must be blocking all messages in and out. All I get is the same "Thanks for your concern" message."

"That no good creep!" Joey snapped. "Ed and Mokuba were just as much brothers as Mokuba and Kaiba. Poor kid don't got anyone cause ya know that lousy brother of his don't care none! He's more robot than human! Death don't compute!"

Yugi wanted to argue in Kaiba's favor. That he and Edwin had worked together so he must have felt… something… when it came to the man's death. But he found himself remaining silent.

Finally Joey wandered back to his desk, Tristan coming in but not even looking at Yugi or Joey. He just… kept staring at his feet, going through the motions. That left Yugi by himself.

Except… he was never actually alone.

'I know it is difficult, Yugi,' the Pharaoh told him mentally. 'But it will get better.'

'But how, Pharaoh?' Yugi pleaded. 'Edwin is dead and Tea is gone and Bakura is still missing. We won't see any of them ever again!'

'We must have faith that Tea WILL return to us,' the Pharaoh countered. 'We can't give up that hope.'

'Edwin hoped for a lot of things,' Yugi mentally murmured. 'And he didn't get any of that.'

'He is in a better place.'

~MC~MC~MC~

"Well… you don't see that every day," Edwin muttered as he watched some of the homeless demons of Cannibal Colony attack one of their own, tearing him to shreds. One of the hobos looked to him, clearly thinking he would make for a nice snack, but Edwin let his eyes begin to burn, Jackie rising up on his shoulders while the ghosts of Kul Elna appeared behind him. "You know… I have been thinking of collecting a few more souls!"

Those feeding suddenly turned and screamed when they wraiths dragged them into the nearby alley, Edwin following after as his form began to grow into his full demon form.

~MC~MC~MC~

'What we do now is honor who he was,' the Pharaoh stated. 'Remember what he wished to do: protect those he cared for. We will do the same.'

'I hope so,' Yugi said, casting a glance once more at Tea's empty seat.

"Class," his teacher said, entering the room, "we have a new student that will be joining us today."

The new student… looked like the most drop dead gorgeous super model that had ever lived. Caramel colored skin. Smokey eyes. Confident and in command. She looked like a 25 year old, honestly!

"This is Nephthys Faklasname," the teacher stated. "Would you like to tell us a bit about yourself?"

"I am an Egyptian goddess who has decided to go to high school."

"…well, you certainly have a sense of humor. Go ahead and take Miss Gardner's seat."

Yugi blinked as Nephthys walked past him, purposely reaching out to stroke his shoulder. "I hope I can become your new female friend, Yugi," she said.

"…huh," Yugi said slowly.

~MC~MC~MC~

"Well, my dear Husker, it appears we have at long last found where our salacious friend Angel Dust first encountered the enigma that is Edwin."

Husk merely pulled out a flask and took a sip as Alastor moved into the alleyway. It had taken them several days of wandering around Route 69 to finally find just where Angel had been that day; while he mostly did porn there were plenty of times he branched out to other things and there were shoots where Valentino liked to film on location. Sometimes he liked to get creative.

"We could have just asked Angel," Husk muttered.

That made Alastor chuckle. "Oh come now, there would be no fun in that." Alastor's tone grew darker. "And that is what this is… fun." And then he snapped back to his cheerful self. "Besides, haven't you enjoyed this time we've spent together?"

"No."

"Well I am a delight so clearly the problem is with you! We really should work on your conversational skills." He chuckled at that before walking into the alley way. "Now then… let me get to work." The Overlord pulled out a magnifying glass and began to look over the ground, the walls, the dumpsters, everything. Husk sighed and leaned against one of the walls, hoping that the slight wetness he felt on his wings was from just piss.

Husk honestly didn't get what Alastor's obsession was with Edwin. The man seemed decent enough. Kept to himself, didn't cause much trouble, wasn't rude or loud or-

Husk blinked.

That… was very odd. Even CHARLIE was worse than Edwin. She would butt into conversations and she liked to drink her wine which sometimes led her to being a bit sloppy and gushy and she and Vaggie could go at it in some very odd places when they thought no one was around…

What the hell did it say about Edwin that he was more quiet and peaceful that the fairy princess that was running Hazbin Hotel?

NO one was THAT good. Especially in Hell. Not unless they were up to something.

Alastor suddenly stood up. "Tell me, Husker… what has this alley given us?"

"Chlamydia?"

"Hahaha… no. Clues. It has given us clues. Tell me, my faithful companion, what have you deduced?"

Husk let out a sigh. "That Edwin and Angel ran into each other back here and then Angel took him to Hazbin. Most likely Angel was coming out the back door and Edwin took a wrong turn. Considering how much this place stinks of sex and booze and cigarettes I'd say he walked into the wrong people fucking and Angel bailed him out. Maybe it was someone Angel was whoring himself too. Not sure." He finally gave a shrug.

"Very good!" Alastor declared. "You missed every vital piece of evidence and frankly got far too much wrong when it came to your conclusions but for someone of your limited brain power you did quite well!" Alastor chuckled as he began to pace, twirling his cane. "Do you know why you failed?"

"Because I don't give a shit about this?"

"You see but you do not observe," Alastor replied, tapping Husk's nose with his magnifying glass. "Consider first the fact that in the week since our new guest Edwin arrived he has not sought out any carnal pleasure. Never comes down here, never brings anyone back."

"He could just be jerking off in his room."

"And you believe for a second Niffty wouldn't have let us know about that in all sorts of sordid details."

Husk had to concede that point. "Okay… and yeah, everyone else has gotten laid. Me, Charlie and Vaggie, even the fucking Egg Bois have gotten their damn yolks scrambled. Everyone save for Edwin… and you."

"Yes," Alastor said. "Interesting that. So why, pray tell, would someone like Edwin who clearly isn't interested in casual sex, find himself in a place such as this? One of the most vile and titillating sex clubs in all of Pentagram City?"

"Well… he said he was new to Hell. Maybe he just wandered in here by accident."

That made Alastor shake his head. "no no no… we aren't at some club at the very beginning of the street. This is in the HEART of Route 69. And look at this alleyway… it isn't a very long one. Easy to see that it is a dead end. So why come down here? And then there is the matter of the injuries Angel Dust suffered." Alastor twirled his cane as he began to pace again. "Angel showed clear injuries while Edwin had not a scratch on him. Does that sound like Angel rushing in to save Edwin?"

"So… Edwin saved Angel?"

"Yes… which begs the question as to WHY they lied about it. Far better to get on Charlie's good side if Edwin states he saved her first passion project. Instead Edwin refuses the glory… another trait of his, if you truly observe him. He is quick to compliment you all, even when he is the one being paid the compliment! He likes to fade into the background whenever we are doing something, only speaking up when we all drag him into the conversation. Yet he is also a natural charmer. When he wants to command the room he does. But he can just as easily be forgotten even as he looms in the background." Alastor smirked and Husk realized with a start that many of the things he was talking about, all those traits, could also apply to Alastor.

That… wasn't a good thing.

"So we have a new arrival to Hell who comes upon a fight. Most likely Angel getting attacked. He steps in and uses some powerful magic to stop it and then gets Angel to deny what happened…"Alastor trailed off.

"Magic?" Husk asked.

That made the Radio Demon chuckle. "Oh, come now Husker… I know it has been a while since you were an Overlord-" and how it burned Husk for Alastor to lord that over his head, "-but even you should be able to taste the magics in the air."

Husk opened his senses up, feeling for things he really hadn't tried to detect in a long time. It had been so long since he'd made deals and the reminder of what he had once been… it hurt. It was a sword that got through his armor and pierced his heart, making him feel as vulnerable and scared as he had been when he'd first arrived in Hell, body twisted into a strange inhuman shape and surrounded by the worst of the worst. He hated feeling powerless and thus had cut himself off from feeling the natural magics of Hell.

But he did so now… and nearly stumbled at what he was feeling.

"Ah… there it is," Alastor said. "So our new friend used magics… powerful ones… to protect Angel Dust. And then lied about it. I do wonder why."

Husk forced himself not to look at Alastor. He didn't dare. He didn't want to risk the demon that held control over his soul to realize what he was thinking: the last to show such power so early in their arrival was Alastor himself.

"Well, we've learned all we can here. It is time we head to the Hall of Records."

"The… why?" Husk said, shaking himself out of his thoughts.

"Why to see when Edwin arrived… and look at the souls that came from the same area as him beforehand. He mentioned that he did something terrible and I am willing to bet that was murder. Meaning there must be some souls down here that know who he was on Earth. And that-" Alastor's eyes began to glow red, "-will tell us so VERY much about the demon he is now."

~MC~MC~MC~

"…what are we going to do?" Yuri finally asked, looking over at Renard. They had spent the last few hours purging their systems of all the booze they'd drank, their brains screaming in protest as their hangovers hit them hard. Selene had offered to work her magic on them but both had just waved her off, honestly not wanting to deal with her at all. The only reason they were still traveling with Selene was to make sure Tea was okay and…

And…

And Tea was NOT okay but she didn't give two fucks about it. And it was impossible to help someone that didn't want to be helped.

That's how the two of them found themselves sitting on a park bench somewhere in Africa, told to rest up and get sober and that Selene and Tea would pick them up in a day or two. They had… plans… and they didn't need humans around for it.

Humans.

Something neither of the two women were anymore.

"What they should be doing," Renard said, finally standing up and running his hands over his coat. "You heard the Egyptians… the Captain is in another afterlife. He's out there somewhere… and there is a chance that he is in pain. In torment. I am going to find him."

Yuri was up at once. "I'm with you. Tea might not realize it now, what with her being all high on vengeance and god juice, but she'll remember that this isn't about Ishizu… its about Edwin. We are going to find him. And even if we can't bring him back to life… we can make sure he gets to the afterlife he deserves."

Renard nodded… only for his smile to fall. "Yuri… you're not going to like what I have planned."

"Is it our only choice?"

"It is."

"Then we do it."

"You didn't hear-"

"Don't care. For Edwin."

"There is still time if you want to back out. I can call-"

"For. Edwin."

Renard nodded before throwing back his head. "BROM!"

It took only a few moments for the American Dueling Champion to emerge from a building; neither of the two asked how he had gotten there. It didn't matter.

"I assume you want me to try and talk some sense into young Tea? I'd offer with Selene but she has always been… obsessive."

Renard though shook his head. "No… no I don't think Tea's willing to listen to anyone, even you."

"Then perhaps yourselves," Brom said, taking a step closer… only to freeze in place. "What… what have you done?" he whispered in horror.

"What I needed us to do," Renard said before looking at Yuri. "I'm so sorry… I was always planning on this but you… I should have told you first."

"Told me what? I said I was in."

Renard… just pointed down.

Yuri's brow furrowed and she looked at her feet…

…and saw her own body lying on the ground next to Renard's.

"Alcohol poisoning. We were dying the entire time. We just gave up the ghost."

"Well… wow," Yuri swallowed, suddenly understanding why she had moments earlier felt so much better. "Okay."

"You good?"

"I'll… yeah, I'm good," Yuri said. She took a shaking breath. "Yeah… yeah. I'm… I'm good." And before Renard could doubt her she reached out and grasped his hand.

Renard smiled, shutting his eyes as he grieved yet another life he had taken, before he looked to Brom. "You are a Death God. You bring people to the afterlife."

"I do."

"Yuri is a good woman. I have killed. For the most selfish of reasons." He gestured at the woman next to him. "Reward…" he waved his hand at himself, "torment. We're the keys to let you in, Brom… and nothing says you have to drop us off at the first place you visit."

The Death God frowned. "Renard… this does mean-"

"I know," Renard said firmly. "And I accept it. I can take it… so long as I know where my Captain is."

Brom slowly nodded at that. "Very well… this might take a while. There are more afterlifes than you might realize."

"Avoid any connected to the Egyptians or Greeks," Yuri said. "We know that they are out." When Brom raised an eyebrow at that the dead woman shrugged. "The Egyptian Gods came to try and talk Selene and Tea out of their revenge. It didn't work but Selene realized that they knew where Edwin was but couldn't access him. So not an allied afterlife."

"And she would be able to contact Hades," Brom said with a slow nod. "Very well… I have a few ideas."

He held out his hands and after a moment Renard and Yuri took them, leaving their bodies to be found by the police.

~MC~MC~MC~

Edwin rubbed his chin as he looked over the clay. "Alright, a few more of these and then we can work on a few different pieces." He frowned as he looked at his plaster casts, several of them showing breaks and chips. "And I need to invest in better molds. Speed this process up-"

The door to the basement slammed open. "We need to talk-" Angel said only to freeze when several of the thieves appeared with golden knives at the ready.

"Qeb, Safiya, leave him be," Edwin said, hiding how the door slamming had made him jump. "Someone let him get in here…" He glared at Jackie, the Jackal merely smirking before settling back down on the mat Edwin had brought down to the basement. "Sorry about that Angel, they tend to react without thinking. Though, considering how you barged in here I'd say you have that in common with them…"

Angel swallowed at the clear threat but continued on. "We need to talk." But before he could get into what was bothering him he looked about the room Edwin had claimed as his workshop. Before Edwin had claimed it the room had been rather barren but now the walls were reinforced."Done some remodeling?"

"I needed a place that can withstand my fires," He said, holding up his hand and causing some blue flames to roar to life on his palm. "I didn't want to risk burning the hotel down. And considering I might do some hammering and the like I wanted a place that is soundproof and away from the other guests."

"So about that," Angel said. "You're actually the third guest the hotel has."

"…seriously. Still?" He shook his head. "Whatever. Point is that I needed this place to work. But I don't think you came here to discuss décor like we're the Home and Style network so what did you want?"

Angel, remembering why he had been so determined moments early, at once puffed up. "I want to know what evil, horrible, vile, cursed thing you gave Charlie!"

"…it must feel so different for you to be the one asking that rather than being asked. Also that it doesn't involve special shampoos and a comb." Edwin shrugged and went back to the clay he had been sculpting.

"Listen, I know what I am and I've accepted that," Angel said. "And I get that you can basically make me do whatever you want now that you control my contract. But… Charlie is a good kid, okay? She just wants to help demons and she hates seeing us get hurt. She doesn't deserve whatever you-"

"It's an alarm system."

"-plan to do in order to wait what?" Angel blinked, his thoughts derailed. "Come again?"

"No. And that must be the first time someone denied that request." Edwin chuckled. "God this is fun." He didn't notice how Angel winced at that particular word. "It's an alarm system." He held up another Millennium Eye. "On Earth these were forged by sacrificing 99 people in order to tap into a dark god's power and the rituals gave them all manner of powers. Thankfully we're surrounded by dark power so I don't need to kill anyone." The two thieves, Qeb and Safiya, relaxed a bit at him reiterating that. "I just did the rituals and tied them to me." He tossed one to Angel who held it… only to yelp when the sphere in the center opened to reveal a golden eye. Edwin's own pupils glowed gold as he tilted his head. "I now see and hear what Charlie does… same with the one you are holding."

"How do you hear with an eye?"

"Fuck if I know," Edwin admitted. "Point is that Charlie's is tuned to activate if there is any danger… if she is feeling extreme fear or anger. Lets me know to come running right away."

"…but why?"

"Like I said, she's a good kid. You can keep that, if you want. I can't sense you like Valentino since I didn't put manacles on you…" Once more the threat was clear. "But this does give you added protection."

Angel, realizing he didn't have a choice, pinned the eye to his suit. Thankfully the eye closed and Edwin's own eyes stopped glowing. "But why?"

"Like I said, I want us to be friends, Angel. Valentino was a fucking ass and while I don't trust you yet to let you out of your contract it would be nice to have someone to talk to who isn't a wraith or a snickering pup." Jackie yawned at that. "As for Charlie… she's a good kid, like you said. And there ain't no room for good kids in Hell. This lets me make sure she's safe."

"And… the other Eyes?" he gestured at several more of the Millennium Eyes Edwin had already made.

"I have to have something to do to make money," Edwin lied. "I think Hell needs a jeweler…"