Ouroboros

by Uros Osium

What would fit a tale of a new beginning? Why, a recent end. For a whole bloodline on Earth, it was the end of it all. For the remains of a botched murderous spell, it is the beginning of a life among the damned. From blood anointed by the holy servants of God, to one tainted by the Fell spell destined to consume their living essence. (M Rating just in case)

24. Enslaved Lust - Chapter III

Year I - Act III - Enslaved Lust - Chapter III

Notes at the end today. I think I made everyone following this story wait long enough as it is.

* Lust - Hellevator Area - 'Grounded Wet' Cafe *

Kyra Emberborn was very fucking angry.

Okay, so that was her usual state of being. Kyra was not a gentle soul.

Of her sisters, Kyra was perhaps the tallest, but jost by an inch. She was also the youngest, but she didn't look like it. Indeed, most Wrathians, for Imps, were built like tanks one way or another; either motherly hips and sturdy frames for many of the women, or broad shouldered, muscular chested bodies for many of the men. Granted there was a lot of everything to go around, Wrath was massive considering it was where most of Hell's food was made, which meant there were so many Imps you could hardly count them all, but some archetypes were the norm, and even the most lithe Imp from Wrath had tougher skin, flesh and bones than other breeds.

And Kyra? Much like her sister Zana, she fit the bill with one particular Imp type from Wrath: The buff, amazonian farm gal with wild, unkempt black hair and wild, battle lust filled grin. Indeed she was the picture perfect Wrathian: Still small in size, but big in might and ability to murder.

With characteristic Wrathian bloodlust, of course.

"Tell me where the fuck she is!"

And she had amply proven that both strength and anger were put to 'good' use.

Oh yeah, Kyra was, again, short. The few inches she had on Zana? Not that much of a difference in the end. But the woman, while not broad shouldered at all, had a very muscular body defined by an incredible amount of bite scars on arms and legs that did nothing to hide the tension that also showed every inch of power that the small individual had in her. Her chest, covered by a half ripped shirt and vest, was nowhere near her sister's size, being relatively 'modest', which insead attracted attention to the six pack she sported and that would've rivaled many bodybuilders. Yet her heritage from Lust did as much on her physique as the Wrathian blood, and her womanly features were, while not enhanced, certainly not diminished with her powerful frame.

It was perhaps a way of compensating of course. Kyra, unlike her sister, and most of her family, had rather small horns. Not diminutive, though their size and the white stripes on them were, to put it bluntly, a sign of power, fertility/virility and general health. Kyra's own, growing straight up, and barely making it the length of her hand, with the usual thin stripes for a pure female being here SO thin that they were basically black entirely, would hint at a woman most other Imps wouldn't consider worth it. The massive claw scar across her face, and the fact that her pants were just as ripped as her tail, a tail whose tip was two thirds of the way gone, just solidified that Kyra was sturdy, powerful and resilient enough to go on… But it also said that she was weak enough to get that messed up in the first place.

Don't tell her that to her face though. Shoeless as she preferred to be, her hooved feet were the only area of her body without a singular scar, though they were stained black and red from a mix of blood types with how much the woman enjoyed finishing her fights by crushing someone's head. The only 'injuries' around that area had been self inflicted by bone shards, bones from her enemies, which contributed to her 'distinct' coloration down there.

An interesting thing when you consider that, while 'unatractive' by Imp standards, there were far too many perverts out there that asked her to crush them between her thighs. It usually didn't work as intended, unsurprisingly.

"If ya don't speak." Her voice was also deep and husky, again making her sound older and more mature than she was. The second had more to do with her temper tantrums, but no one needed to know that. "A'll crush yer head like a fuckin' grape."

But one blood type she had never spilled, not like that anyway, was that of family. Something she was very, very close to fix as if it was a leaking faucet. Only in the reverse.

Because the incubus she was about to either strangle before crushing with the fury of a fucking stampede, was one of her MANY distant cousins/uncles/whatever the fuck. Considering the inbreeding and perversion rate of the clan within Lust, Kyra had absolutely no idea what was closer in terminology and blood in this case.

All she knew was that, much like most of those within the clan, the man was well sculpted, had beautiful hair, features, was muscular and had a huge package well hidden under enchanted clothes. This was the general mark of a family almost exclusively made to be Breeders, whether it came to them having both sexual characteristics, or having been born almost exclusively from such bloodlines to expand the number of bastards in every Ring.

Kyra couldn't give less of a fuck about that if she tried, and she HAD tried. It was because she had failed about not caring that she was here and making the man's eyes almost pop out of their sockets.

Had she been thinking rationally she wouldn't have done this in front of the fucking *Hellevator* of all places. One of the few areas in every Ring where starting shit was abso-fucking-lutely prohibited by Lucifer. It was one of those few things in Hell that would get your ass sent straight to jail at best, and without a trial, oooooor… you could get put to trial if you did as much as scratch the building itself.

You don't want to take part in a trial in Hell, unless you were part of the nobility. And even then most of them didn't care for it.

"...o f…k y…s…lf."

As just proven however, not everyone was smart, and the barely breathing and barely able to speak Incubus was only fanning the Imp's embers of anger into a full blown rage. She was tired of this shit to the point where she threw him down like a wet rag, kicked his stomach in a way that promised some internal damage that would've killed a mortal. For most demons? Incredibly painful, but survivable.

Kyra was going to make sure this lovely part of her family didn't make it as she stepped on the Incubus' head.

"Ya know? We in Wrath all get called hicks and inbreed." Kyra grinded the hoof against the Incubus' horn, making the man scream with what little air he could get. To create a crack, of any size, on a demon's horn was to create insane levels of pain, and Kyra didn't need to try to get that horn to almost shatter for the downed demon to beg for mercy. "Funny, considering how much of a cat's fucking cradle yer family is."

"..." The Incubus gasped for air for a moment. "We are… part of the same family… bitch."

"Partly." That word came before Kyra delivered a brutal blow to the male demon's face. A good few spells and that would be fixed. But for now? Fangs went flying, skull likely fractured. It was a mess that he survived just because of what he was and nothing else. A regular old human would have either died or landed into a very short lived coma. "And ya know what? Ah want that lil family reunion ye offered. So tell me where that woman is and I won't kill yer sorry fucking ass!"

All of this mess aside, you had to give credit to the Incubus. Most sex demons were innately cowards because they were made for love, not war. It was very rare that they enjoyed pain in a nonsexual way.

This guy? Even with his face fucked up and his body showing a lot of punishment from before he was grabbed, he still had the strength to flip Kyra off.

So… Kyra brought out a skinning knife. Wicked and intimidating, it was not her revolver, but she had left it next to the entrance per the cafe's policy.

Shame, because she felt like blasting someone's head off more than what she was about to do. Still, it would work.

"Ah figgered ya were going to be a lil cunt." The Impette grinned as she twirled her knife idly in her hand. "So ya know what? Am done bein' nice. Am goin' to do everyone a favor and take somefin' from ya. B'sides, yer not going to need it anymo-."

"Okay. That is enough."

Moments away from an impromptu castration, Kyra found herself regretting having complied with the fucking place's policy, otherwise her iron would've been in her hand and a shot would've been the last thing to be heard. All the better, as she turned to face whoever was coming into the coffee expecting to see another succubitch.

Not a *fish* bitch.

A fish bitch that took very little to trigger something in her memory. Kyra had seen a photo of this particular cunt.

"Hey… ain't ya that Leonor whore ma sister talked 'bout?"

Just like that, and with a quick kick delivered to the Incubus, the trouble was (mostly) behind them.

If you ignored the deadpan coming from a clearly unamused Leonor.

Kyra couldn't care less though. Leonor was the only reason she had stopped, and not because she had been 'asked to'. There was a chance Kyra's objective could be completed just by talking with the woman and be done with this fucking Ring.

Leonor couldn't even endear herself to tell the smaller woman to fuck off. Right now she was coasting on living her dream, even if it was still a simple fantasy since there was no need to protect her man in the slightest. But you know what?

You get what you fucking can, and Leonor, like many other hellborn, had learned to do their fucking best with that.

Besides, this woman was now family.

Weird as it was for her to say it.

"Yes, I am Leonor." Leonor let go of the cafe's door that, well, shattered against the ground. She was not in the least interested in how the small Imp had done what she had done in so little time. "And I was under the impression your sister and your father had both told all of you to not do this?"

"Yeah they did. Everyone back home did." Kyra rolled her eyes as she sauntered over the unconscious or/and groaning bodies of many other Succubi, men and women alike, making sure to step on bones and nerves with a surgical precision that Leonor could do nothing else but be impressed by. "But ya know. Ah was in the neighborhood, saw the extended family and well…"

When one of the Succubus almost lunged at her, Kyra simply stopped talking and crushed her hand. A quick, hard stomp before the bitch got up. Whether Kyra had seen it or not, Leonor didn't know, but the Impete made sure to reduce the woman's bones to dust with her hoof, smile ever growing as she did so.

"Ya know how family can be." The girlish chuckle that came from the brutish woman was enough to make Leonor miss Zana. For as psychopathic as she could be if someone touched her cars, the Imp back at home was less unhinged. "Speaking of." Kyra didn't make it any better by lifting her hoof and cleaning a chunk of skin off of it as if it was nothing before resuming her walk. "Why ya bothering me before Ah got things done?"

"Two good reasons." Leonor stopped before elaborating before looking back. "Make that three."

"Pff… what reasons could there be?" Kyra looked back at the cafe. The destruction was localized, which meant 'almost nothing' in most other places. But in Lust? "Stoppin' this ain't worth the trouble, really."

"In Pride, Wrath or Greed? Sure. Perhaps even Envy." Leonor wasn't about to say the woman was wrong. Hell was a brutal place most of the time anyway. "But you do know law enforcement is going to come for your ass in no time, right?"

This seemed to make the Imp look like she had been slapped. "'Scuse me. What?"

Leonor had to fight the desire to pinch her 'nose' at the tone. "You started some shit in front of the Hellevator, girl. One of the few areas no one fights because Lucifer himself, or the local Sin, would get involved with?"

For a moment Kyra looked lost for words. Scratch that. One came out to be both fast and fitting. "Fuck."

"Was this blood feud so brutal that you forgot where you were?" Leonor crossed her arms now. She was sure Zana would've said so if it was. There had to be a reason for any demon to risk getting thrown in front of one of the Sins for fucking things up next to the Hellevator.

Remember: No one, and I mean *NO ONE* wanted to go to the courts in Hell.

"'F fuckin' course not!" Kyra growled, more like hissed, through gritted fangs. "It was-!" But she shut up quickly. Whatever she wanted to say she wouldn't do so here. "Later, if Ah ever tell ya. Da other two reasons?"

"Your sister told me to send you packing home?" Leonor arched an eyebrow at the irate tiny woman. Wholy unconcerned about the anger quickly mounting inside Kyra's head, she just waved a finger the Imp's way. "Ah, ah, ah. Not getting pissy here. Your sister asked me for a favor and we are family now." This she quickly amended by giving the downed Incubus and other cafe customers a glance. "Not like those, by the way. I do give a shit about your sister."

Kyra seemed just as unimpressed with Leonor as Leonor was with Kyra. "Really now?"

It took Leonor all of two seconds to let out a sigh and cave under Kyra's deadpan. "Work in progress."

"How much is that 'progress' doin'?"

"Enough for me to give a shit and willingly stand in front of you while you want to throttle someone and get arrested." Leonor found it very hard to admit to this. "Look, it is-!" And a small twinge of annoyance almost flared up. This had an admission she couldn't offer to Zana, yet at least. "You know your sister and I are 'married' to the same man."

Kyra gave a quick nod. "We may not get that much back at the ranch, but those news we got wind of. Sis even sent a letter."

"Then do me a favor and don't tell her this, okay?" Embarrassment coated Leonor's voice as she finally admitted to this to someone. "We do the usual; we keep insulting and goading each other. At this point I think it is normal for us. But after living with each other and everyone else mixed in this for two months? I would be happy if the ribbing stopped."

This seemed to throw Kyra off for a second. "Yer shittin' me? Sis always said yer a fuckin' little shit with a stick up yer arse 'xcept when you throw shade at each other."

"Yes, well, I am a professional most of the time. With her I just tended to be an asshole." Leonor could only grimace. "I still am. I suppose we have that kind of friendship."

"'N' what is wron' with that?"

"Lost my fucking eye, likely can't go back to my old stomping grounds, see my sister and nearly died in one of the most stupid ways possible with only your sister to thank for my survival before a bunch of mortals found us, kept us safe and we both got hitched to the same damn man." The fact that Leonor could deliver all of that in a single go and with the worst deadpan possible meant she had clearly been thinking about it for probably just as long. "The most fucked up thing? This is not a complaint. I think we both are far happier with the outcome than we are willing to show."

Kyra looked at the woman with a shit eating grin. "Dick that good?"

"Wouldn't fucking know." Leonor growled out. "Nor would your sister."

This time the Imp DID look surprised. "Yer telling me sis hasn't had a go at the guy? Or betta say: Hasn't the dude tried to dick her? Fuck. Yer sayin' yer happy with this weird ass shit without getting yer pussy railed at the very least?" The way she said it? It just didn't seem to connect with Kyra. "And you two are bein' buddy buddy together while havin' a merry ol' fuckin' time or somethin'?"

Leonor scoffed. "You do know what your sister wants in a partner, don't you?"

"What Ah didn't know was that she told ya." Kyra had the confusion gone in a second. Was she testing just how sincere Leonor was? The Envy native had to admit the muscle bound Imp was smarter than she looked if that was the case. "That she asked ya to get me? Sure. Ah can believe a lot of shit else too, ya know, out of self interest on yer part. Heck, Ah'd believe yer trying to sell me a chunk of Hell!"

"Rude, and stereotyped."

"Fuck you." Any trace of curiosity, understanding or nervousness from the situation were simply gone from Kyra's voice. Now she sounded just like Zana when she got both serious and very angry at something. "Look here, lady. Sis may want me to get outta here, and you may be here to give me a hand with that, but Ah still have something to do here."

There was very little to be negotiated about in that regard. Leonor saw that Kyra wouldn't be swayed. But there were ways to redirect that fountain of anger in ways that wouldn't land Zana's sister in jail, if s he was lucky.

Because Leonor fulfilled her fucking tasks, and she didn't want Zana to get angry either. More importantly…

"That is all fine and dandy." So Leonor made it look like the shorter woman, knife in hand, and fangs showing at this point, wasn't a danger when she clearly was. "But I am sure the third reason will at least make you postpone things."

Kyra stopped before taking a step forward, and perhaps initiating violence, out of simple curiosity and precaution on her part. "And that is?"

"Your sister, and my, man." Leonor took a step to the side, finally uncovering the door and opening it for Carlos to step in. "Carlos, Zana's sister; Kyra. Kyra, Carlos."

Leonor was thankful when Carlos kept a more or less friendly poker face. By now he wasn't exactly fazed when it came to regular shows of violence, but Leonor could infer the young man wasn't exactly thrilled at the sight that awaited him. He held it together, though, and even offered a smile and a wave before speaking.

"Hi there. Not exactly the way your sister wanted me to meet her family, or at least part of it, but still." Now, the nervous chuckle? Leonor knew that even regular demons would've been at least a little put off, so that was fine. He had the decency to offer his hand, at least. "As Leonor said, my name is Carlos. Nice to meet you."

Now she just needed a couple of minutes for Carlos to work his magic and for no one to do anything stupid, then she could get Kyra out of here and get things going.

As much as she had enjoyed growing close to someone that wasn't about to stab her in the back for profit, a feeling that Leonor never thought she'd ever have, there was one thing that irked the shark woman when it came to this: The fucking things she was willing to do for that red piece of s-.

Verosika didn't know what was worse here, and there were a few to choose from. Were they really bad? Eh, when it came to Hell, not really. But when it comes to convenience? Yes.

Do understand, please. This was supposed to be a simple thing that would've netted her what she wanted.

Now the local cops were involved. That could make this very complicated. Local law enforcement was sparse and very lenient in Hell. But for shit like the Hellevator? Fuck laziness. 'Taking your time' with problems like this one got you sent in front of the Sins.

One of the humans was flirting with them too. Handsome, blonde hair, apparently charming, lascivious and with no shame whatsoever. It surprised Verosika just how easy it seemed to come to the man. And by this I mean the ability to tease and fluster Incubus and Succubus at the same time.

I mean. Hot damn! Verosika would've clapped in appreciation if this wasn't dragging all the attention towards this debacle. As if the police coming over wasn't enough.

Knock on wood. No Reaper was called over. That was the best Verosika could say. Though that could happen at any time, because the other two mortals dealing with the police were being either antagonistic or indifferent enough to piss off some of those questioning them.

Then the fucking TARGET simply went into the fucking cafe the moment his bitch called him over!? Fucking-!

"Argh, shit." Verosika rubbed her temple with a deep groan escaping her. "This was supposed to be a simple pickup, so to speak."

Vortex just patted his sister as Verosika tried not to just give up. "Come on, V. At least no one has died yet."

"Yet." Verosika made sure to make that one word loud and clear. "Who is to say this won't go down the drain in a second, alongside Asmodeus' promise? It looks like these mortals are all trying to get themselves killed OR in trouble!"

"You know what? If it had been almost any other new minted noble, mortal no less, with a growing harem I'd say you were right." Vortex conceded, and Verosika could see he was serious. How could he not? Even most hellborn, even Sinners, would've stumbled into a pit full of spikes two days after getting anything close to what this bunch of humans had. "But if they have two months on their backs and not a bunch of knives sticking out of them? I am tempted to bet for them, not against."

Verosika saw how her brother seemed to be entirely sincere. Even Regina was nodding eagerly, though by now Verosika was sure her cousin wanted something, or was forced to want something for someone else. Either way both demons looked convinced.

This wouldn't blow up in front of them, or directly on their faces.

It fucking better not.

"Hey you! Freeze!"

Fuck WHY!?

Normally Lust's police force would've been the laughingstock of all of Hell. And Verosika meant it: *ALL* of it. This was partly because all officers moonlighted as whores, as you do in Lust, and because their uniforms were purposely made for that activity.

Meaning the Succubus officer in charge, a woman of purplish color and with two tone blonde hair that ended in bleached white with pink strands mixed in, advanced towards the human Verosika was after with her tits out, pussy barely covered. Topping it off were the usual weaponry, meaning a simple taser and a dildo used for, hold your surprise, combat AND sex.

And yes, you could simply call it 'sex combat'. Because fucking you into submission was a very real possibility in Lust. Hell, there was an official SPORT channel for it, though most of Hell just considered it one of the MANY public porn channels.

Verosika, for once in her fucking life in Hell, was ashamed.

First mortals to visit her Ring in who knows how long and they are getting the royal treatment to their culture, vices and general stupidities. Verosika was simply not ashamed of their sexually liberated way of life. Succubi NEEDED that. But it was so fucking painful to see certain people parade it around in front of what was basically a diplomatic envoy of a newly stablished noble house.

But don't get Verosika wrong here: At least one of the mortals seemed to be more than happy with the attention, and his aforementioned ability of flabbergasting the forces of 'order' in Lust itself would quickly make a name of the man. That said, he had been one of four, and this spoke badly of how others in their family would react, even after they got wind of how things worked in Lust, if they ever visited and got a face full of this kind of welcome party.

Verosika was many things, but stupid was not one of them. At least not when she was sober, and, at least for now, she was happy to say that her being black out drunk was a rare occurrence.

So with perfect poise, she decided to try and unfuck this situation.

Color her surprised when it all got unfucked naturally.

"Relax, bitch. Am giving meself up."

Brother, sister and cousin all had the same under their breath response. "She is?"

Funnily enough, exactly the same thing the officer in charge said.

And as if this was not enough of a surprise, the man Verosika had been tasked to guide above all others, stepped forward. He looked slightly uncomfortable with the sight awaiting him, but he spoke as diplomatically and candidly as he could.

"Yes, sorry to step in on this. I am Carlos, and I have a meeting pending with Lord Asmodeus." Carlos spoke as he offered a hand that the officer took, her confusion still etched on her face as the shake came and went. "As it turns out, this has to do with a Blood Feud between a pureborn Lustian family and an off branch that took root in Wrath."

Verosika grimaced. A Blood Feud in the human world had always been a nasty thing. They were still ongoing, or created, in some cases when it came to certain families or groups. Nasty, brutal and downright disgustingly depressing and sometimes so disrupting that even demons got swept into them, Verosika much preferred for a good shagging to solve things whenever possible.

Then again, she was a Succubus. That was her preferred (almost) everything.

It also had to do with the many times a Blood Feud in Hell had destroyed whole damn cities, even in modern times.

They weren't exactly common, and usually the Blood Feuds didn't escalate to THAT damn point. But were they dangerous and brutal? Well, what the fuck do you think!?

Verosika could only look at the Imp woman askance. She hadn't been able to get close, but she had snagged a few pictures with her Hellphone's camera zooming in. That Imp had trounced enough people for many of the other Lustian citizens to look her way with worry. Imps were usually anything but impressive, though once they reached a certain level of skill or intelligence? Things got flipped over. The slave, the minion, the weak… they quickly turned the tables around and, if they reached that point and were smart, many could carve a piece of Hell as their own.

Physically speaking? It was much easier for an Imp to reach points similar to Hellhounds in their ability to kill and the might to do it both brutally and beautifully to the point of becoming almost anything they wanted, so long as physical, raw strength was all needed. And many took the positions they so wished with a relished cruelty Verosika found as disgusting as many other Rings found the lust that many Succubus employed to embrace their old teachings and most debased nature.

To have two families, one of pervers Lustful blood, and another of boiling Wrathful violence, both of them fighting? The Blood Feud could easily do more damage that most Succubi and Incubi around Verosika could imagine. Most citizens didn't really give a rat's ass about fighting here in Lust after all, and the vast majority also didn't care about politics. The daily grind, in more than one sense, was all they could see and think about.

Verosika just hoped this crap wouldn't hit her if she got involved with Carlos and his family in any measure.

Those thoughts quickly banished as Verosika heard Carlos speak again. He had taken a few steps away from the others, close to Verosika's position, while the Imp and the Selachimorph were clearing things with the rest of the humans. This allowed Verosika to look at the Succubus accompanying Carlos. Those gold eyes, the face, the hair… all of it was familiar, but right now Verosika had other things to focus on.

Fun fact: Succubi had very well developed ears. Some'd call them 'elvish' in appearance, though more often than not they did their best to cover them. Unlike what you may think, they were overdeveloped from their evolution to what Succubi were now, and most of them didn't care to train their senses to attune their hearing as much as they could. It was a relic of the past, and more trouble than it was worth, so, with most Succubi and Incubi having long hair, they were usually cushioned and kept away.

Verosika prided herself to have ears as sharp as her brother. Eavesdropping had its uses as it turns out, and this was one of those moments where it came in handy. Knowing her cousin and brother were as keen as she was in hearing what was going on, Verosika opted to pay attention, just in case.

"Thanks for being so understanding, chief." The young man still looked like he was straining a smile, but not as much as before. "Hopefully we won't see each other again after this, considering what you told me."

"Yeah, I get you." The Succubus had crossed her arms under her ample bosom. This did not seem to have the effect the officer had intended as Carlos made a face. She didn't show it however, instead speaking further as she signaled for the other officers to disperse. "We usually don't get as much flak as the rest of the Rings do. Police in Hell usually just get involved when some of the big places get hit, like the big business or banks, and most of the time it only needs us to get the real idiots to prison. For places like the Hellevator or Sin owned areas like Lord Asmodeus' toy factory?" The Succubus bit her lower lip. Now that Verosika looked, this particular woman looked 'mature', so to speak. A good hundred years on her was likely. It didn't register as 'old' by any metric, nor in appearance, but a fellow Succubus could tell. "To be honest, I prefer not to be involved with that stuff. Calling the Reapers or carting someone to court is never pleasant, even when they deserve that shit."

Verosika saw Carlos going neutral over this. There was some kind of thought crossing his mind, that much the Succubus could tell, but by the life of her she couldn't fathom what the mortal was thinking.

"I would know nothing of that. I am still learning much of what Hell has to offer, be it laws, customs and otherwise." Though his face changed again into a more polite and genuinely affable expression quickly enough. "But again, thank you for hearing me out on this. I'd prefer if we didn't make Lord Asmodeus wait too long."

"Not like I mind." The Succubus chuckled as she waved at some of the cars that were now being urged along by local police. A few of her men were getting the wounded out to meet with incoming ambulances. "It is not exactly common to find any kind of nobility that does anything. At all."

This time Carlos looked like he didn't know how to handle those words. "The idea of being any kind of 'noble' or somesuch is still borderline alien, though. Though I at least fancy myself as someone always willing to help around, no matter 'what' I am right now."

"That makes you a far more pleasant visit than most of those we tend to get." Verosika could hear the police chief all but purring by now. "I heard you came here looking a bit chubby and almost a nervous wreck. Now look at you; handsome looking and showing at least SOME confidence while getting it on with one of the Sins other than Lord Lucifer." The woman chuckled as she bent over slightly. As most Succubi were, so was the chief, and height was a common denominator for most of the women in Lust. It probably didn't hurt that she had the cleavage to flaunt in front of Carlos. "It is a surprise none of the girls from around here made it to you. You may not be the most handsome man out there, but a lot of gold diggers wouldn't mind being arm candy to you."

Carlos blinked as if confused. "Succubi have been trying to get to me?"

"And Incubi." The chief nodded, though she was clearly surprised by the young man's confusion. "I thought you would've been notified by your Overlord, considering you live at Rosie's and everyone knows the woman is a gossip."

"I heard nothing of this!" Carlos looked as if exasperation had set in at a record pace. "I thought for a time that I would get inundated by women trying to get to me or something, and felt relief when it didn't happen. But I didn't know some ATTEMPTED to!"

The chief took a second before prodding. "Only women?"

Carlos deadpanned at the woman. "That is what you are more curious about?"

"I mean, yes?" The chief tittered as she returned to a more natural and 'modest' posture, seeing as Carlos wasn't interested, or at least tried to avert his eyes. "Boy, none of those Cubi got turned into lunch, so I don't worry about them. You probably weren't told because, seeing your reaction, no one wanted to worry you either. So yeah; this old gal is more curious about what gets you going. Besides, considering I am, technically, breaking protocol to let you take the Imp to the big boss directly, I think getting this outta you is payment enough."

What the woman got out of Carlos was likely not what she expected. "Old? You don't look over twenty something to me."

Verosika could feel the ego being stoked on the woman the moment those words escaped Carlos' lips. "Oh, dear boy, that makes me so happy to hear." The officer chuckled, this time going so far as to blush. A sincere blush at that. "But you should put a zero behind that number."

Surprise was clear on Carlos's face, but he didn't seem to change his opinion on the matter. "Still looks very damn young to me."

"Flatterer." The woman tittered, that blush deepening. "But you still haven't answered my question." She went so far as to stop Carlos from talking, a finger over his lips, when he was about to. "And this is important, young man. Call it a favor if you will, but I'll help spread the word so my people can stop the more amorous idiots that don't listen, even when we put these clothes down and go about our day."

It somewhat surprised Verosika when Carlos was candid enough to say. "There isn't much to get rid of."

The officer just grinned. "You'd be surprised." Then she booped his nose all playful like. "Now answer, young man."

Carlos seemed 'slightly' reluctant to do just that. "I thought everyone heard the humiliating broadcast I was part of?"

"Stop dodging the question." The older Succubus didn't seem to mind him fighting her on this. In fact Verosika saw the woman's smirk growing.

Verosika could see Carlos fighting against answering for a second, but either he gave up or he saw that it would be handy to have the motherfucking POLICE stopping possible stalkers. Either way, he 'fessed' up.

"Yes, I am not interested in 'guys', much less 'masculine guys'. Not like I mind girls with 'extras', mind. Zana is what you guys call a 'Breeder'?" Carlos didn't seem to either mind or care too much for the word, but the officer at least nodded. "Look: I like boobs, a girl's voice and, considering what I am asked of when it comes to my Contract with Lucifer, someone that can get breed naturally. I am not interested in needing a spell, potion or whatever to make someone's belly grow."

The woman's grin grew. "Well, if you output enough…"

"I already have a kid on the way. Don't make that joke." Carlos didn't need to look or sound threatening to make it clear that he wasn't about to entertain the silly here. It also surprised Verosika, and the officer, and probably anyone else eavesdropping, to hear that Carlos already had knocked someone up. "Besides, there is something I want to clear up with you if you are going to help me out here."

"Oh?" Interest was etched clear on the officer's face. "I am all ears."

"I am not interested in people that are going to have fun outside of our group."

And just like that Verosika felt many a Cubi lose interest and walk away. Many of which had a disdain palpable enough to be cut with a knife.

She, on the other hand, could only humm in interest.

"I know for a fact that Cubi needs a lot of 'attention'. I may not have gone into my studies as hard as I should, but I have been focusing on getting back in shape. Doing so with the help of curses hasn't been pleasant." Carlos didn't need to make it clearer than that. Verosika's mother was more knowledgeable with curses than she was, but she had learned enough along the way to be aware of how helpful (and painful) they could be. "What I have been doing is trying to get close with my girls and make everything work. We established boundaries last month, after I started… you know." The blush only made the officer chuckle, but the meaning was clear. "Anyway. We made some ground rules: Only people in our 'harem' will get intimate. Outsiders? Only if the majority allows them in, and even so there can be a veto against it."

The officer nodded. "I would've guessed something like that. You don't strike me as the kind of person to do like many nobles do and hoard women, or partners in general, and screw others behind their significant others' back."

Carlos sighed, frustration seeping into his voice. "To be honest? I had to be convinced of the 'voting' process. Ironically enough, none of the girls wanted it, but ALL four of them said that it may need to happen at some fucking point. So we agreed that if it *HAD * to, then we would only allow those we trust and have grown close to."

"Nobles in Hell are expected to have side flings, lovers and mistresses in general. Yes, even those with more than one spouse. Mighty nice of all of you to find an agreeable angle, though. Most nobles just tend to backstab each other, and not in the fun way." The officer nodded with a satisfied smirk, though Carlos didn't seem happy in the slightest. "Don't seem like you like the idea of it at all, though."

"I never wanted more than one girl in my life." Carlos admitted as he crossed his arms. This was clearly making him unhappy, Verosika didn't need to be an emotion eater to know that. "I am glad to have those that seem to like me, care for me or love me. But if I am allowed to be selfish? If more were to come into my life, I hate the idea of them going out with people outside of this growing circle of mine. I am not a sharing person in that regard."

"This is Hell. There are many horrible people here. There are also people that are just dicks." The officer deadpanned before offering a soft smirk to the young man. "Wanting your partner(s), and yourself, to not cheat seems a decent enough 'selfish' desire, to be honest." Her words seemed to lift Carlos' mood. At least until she spoke again. "Which is both heartwarming, and a shame… Because that means I would be a complete asshole if I tried to get me some of that."

Carlos' deadpan was back in full force. "Something tells me you wouldn't be able to keep it in your pants even if you tried." The man shook his head. "And by the way. Can I get your name? Something tells me we are going to see each other far more than I first thought."

Instead of being offended, the officer just saluted. "Chief Officer Beautiful Voice, Daughter of Pleasant Voice of the Voice of Pleasure line AND whorehouses. But you can call me Beau, dear. And no, my libido cannot be contained."

The woman, this 'Beau', finally clicked in Verosika's mind. She knew she had seen it from somewhere else. The 'Voice of Pleasure' wasn't a house of nobles in Lust or anything, far from it. But it was a very prolific pure blooded line of Cubi that had at least one or two houses of pleasure in every city in the Lust Ring. They had even expanded to other Rings, albeit with some difficulty.

Speaking of? Pleasant Voice was the current head of the family, and very similar to her daughter. The only real difference was a much brighter and abundant pink in her hair, and no white ends.

But back to the conversation. Carlos just shook his head while chuckling. "Well, nice to meet you, Beau. And yeah; will have to shoot you down then, sorry. You don't seem bad at all, but again, we want to keep it a tight knit thing."

Beautiful snapped her fingers with a chuckle. "Darn shame. I wasn't kidding when I said you were good looking AND pleasant. You would be surprised how rare a mix that is."

"I am passable at best on the former, but strive to do my best on the latter." Carlos wasn't even being modest here. Verosika knew self-deprecation when she heard it. "Though my uncle would more than welcome your advances if you tried." Carlos pointed to the oldest mortal in his group with a thumb. "Hector seems really into the idea of Lust, as in the Ring, I mean. That, and he has always been more of a 'love and let love' kind of person."

Beautiful looked at Carlos' uncle up and down before a smirk formed on her lips. "I may just do that." Unsurprising, really. If given the chance, Cubi would often go for mortals first. Better than feeding off of a former demon. But the woman still had work to do. "But thank you for playing along with my questions. Lust's police force has a LOT of sluts like me, though most are in it for the pay while needing to be in uniform perhaps once or twice a month, if that. I will make sure they get their asses in gear to make sure no horny pieces of shit get to you, though. If Asmodeus wants to meet you, then it would start a lot of shit if you were to file a complaint."

Carlos seemed surprised. "Really? But this is Lust-."

"Lust is about consensual fun." Beautiful's voice went from sensual, gentle and teasing, to very harsh and serious. "Old Lustian teachings speak of personal pleasure, of forcing things until they are enjoyed and the mind is overtaken by primal desires for our kind. Asmodeus made it clear long ago that those teachings are outdated and unpleasant, which is one of the reasons I am letting the Imp go. Modern Lustian doctrine has to do with both, or as many partners as are involved, enjoying themselves. That is the way the Voice of Pleasure houses work and how I was raised: Consent and fun."

"Oh, that is-."

"And getting paid for it if you are working the streets, of course."

"... more or less what I expected, I suppose." Whatever praise Carlos was going to bestow was dashed away the moment it almost came out. "But thank you for the, uh, added security detail?"

"You are welcome, and again: A lot of the girls and boys in uniform don't really don it… or almost any clothes, really. You won't notice them pushing thirsty bitches away from you. Your uncle? He will, if he is as 'loving' as you say." While winking at a flustering Carlos, Beautiful saw another officer coming closer. She asked for a second and, after a quick talk, got back to Carlos with a more serious face on her. Back to business it seemed. "Well, the clog on the road is gone and everyone that needed medical attention is being carted away. It would be impolite to hold this any longer, besides, I doubt either of us want to make Lord Asmodeus wait for too long. So, you are free to go."

"Well, thank-."

"And once that business with the big boss is done, well, I am sure I'll see you again after I get my hands on your uncle."

"... I am rethinking being this nice to you, you know?" Carlos' delivery made the Succubus laugh loud and hard. At least the young man managed a small smile after. Better take it on the chin. "By the way, could I get some directions to make this quicker? Only reason we didn't have any problem getting to the Hellevator was Leonor, but she hasn't really been to Lust by her lonesome, much less anywhere near Asmodeus' place."

Verosika found herself taking a step forward. This was a silver platter and she was going to fucking take it.

"Excuse me!" For some reason she felt as if the click clack of her shoes was echoing through the bustling of the city and honking of the cars almost as much as the moans that came from every direction. Verosika wasn't sure if it was her mind playing tricks of her or something else. Either way, she wasn't going to miss her fucking chance. "Excuse me! But I was sent by Asmodeus to pick him up."

Beautiful turned to face her, a spark of realization quickly crossing her face. "Oh! Little old Verosika. Haven't seen you since you were a little tot."

Verosika blinked in confusion for a second. "You know me? I mean, you knew of me before, ya know, the singing?"

"Of course." Beautiful chuckled as Vortex and Regina got closer. "I was friends with your father…" Though the two of them stopped when Beautiful's eyes flashed red and the woman's form took a much sharper shape for a second. Just a second, yes, but it hinted at just how much of a monster she was under the usual perverted and sexual guise most Cubi wore. "Until I found out how much of a fucking cunt he was!" That delivered, the woman returned back to normal, but the imprint was there, in everyone's memory, and it wouldn't go away. Ever. She did return to that pleasant tone of voice without a second thought a moment after. "I didn't get to know your mum well enough though, and before I found out all your dad did to screw her over, I took his side. My own fault, really. I knew him since he was a kid too, and I didn't ever suspect he was following the old teachings behind your mum's back. Your mother kicking me off her life because I fucked up was more than fair, but I would've liked to make up for it somehow."

"Oh, well, that is… surprising." Verosika found herself flustered. What to do? Perhaps offering the other cheek? Words came to her faster than she could think. "I… didn't really know why my biological father wasn't around, to be honest. Mom never told me and I thought better not to ask."

"Not exactly surprised. Your mother was fucking devastated afterwards. Again, I was fucking wrong on my assumptions." Beautiful let out a sigh. "Your father was the one fucking time I tried to play family with someone and it just reinforced my decision to stay away from it all." This the woman needed to clarify. "I was that bastard's godmother. The reasons behind it all are… complicated." Before anyone said anything, Beautiful fished a card from somewhere not even Verosika managed to see, then handed it to her. "Give me a call when you have time. I may not be able to speak for your mother, or tell you the whole thing. That is on her after all. But I can try and answer a few questions if you want. That is the least I owe your family." At this she nodded towards Vortex and Regina. "And don't worry. I'll make sure to keep any rumors on you to a minimum, okay?"

That was a bit more than Verosika had anticipated from this random mess, so Verosika didn't even register taking the card, or waving the woman away, nor did she notice how the police had fully vacated the place and that humans and demons alike were looking her way. She had just been stupefied and it took Vortex shaking her shoulder for Verosika to come back.

So, with untold charisma, she found her voice breaking as she nearly lunged forward as she said. "Nice to meet you! My name is Verosika Mayday!"

…

Look, we all have days where our brains go on the fritz, okay?

It was no stretch to say no one in the car ever expected to have a rising celebrity in there during this ride. Much less did anyone here expect to see said soon to be popstar holding herself in a self pity fetal position next to her brother from the moment they got into the car. All she did after she fubbed up that attempt at a first impression was giving Enrique her phone with the HPS that would guide them to Asmodeus' Tower.

Now everyone was looking at the poor, curled up young Succubus. With Gonzalo taking care of the truck, it left the second most direct person in the car to finally cut the silence with an axe.

"So… who did you say the broad was?" And it was no big surprise when the person in question was the lone Imp.

"Verosika Mayday." Vortex spoke up while rubbing his sister's back. Verosika just allowed her wings to grow enough to cover her face as the conversation began. He then nodded towards Regina. "Regina Pinkfield, her cousin." And giving the succubus a meaningful nod, that Regina returned a second later, Vortex added. "I am her bodyguard (in training). Asmodeus asked her to escort you guys to his tower."

"We didn't expect all this mess to unfold in front of us, though." Regina spoke as she killed the last of her cigarette, quickly using one of the car's ashtrays to dispose of it. "And V was probably just as surprised as us with that little revelation."

"What revelation?" Leonor was somewhat curious. In a way she didn't want any Cubi near Carlos right now, but she knew something like that would happen in this trip. It was all but scripted, and she knew the reason well enough by now. "I am sorry to ask but only Carlos was anywhere near all of you. We can't read minds yet."

"Leo." Carlos placed a hand on Leonor's shoulder. The contact seemed to make the woman tense, but not in a bad way. More akin to standing to attention. "Are you still protecting me?"

"..." The woman, far as everyone else could see, seemed to deflate. "Shouldn't I?"

"Of course you should." When Carlos pulled Leonor down just enough to kiss her on the cheek, the shark woman's colors rose up and this time she tensed for real. "But Asmodeus sent Verosika here, so unless you also want to protect me from one of the Sins…"

Pumped up as she felt, Leonor looked about to say she'd do it, but instead she quickly regained a more professional and calm visage. "I won't, I promise. But still… we already found ourselves in a bit of a pickle that we don't yet have all the details for."

"Speaking of." Vortex was quick to jump into this and hopefully get the focus away from his sister. "What was that fight really about?" When Kyra looked his way with a frown, Vortex couldn't help but point something out. "If this was just a Blood Feud you wouldn't have left anyone alive. I have been getting ready for bodyguard training, and this is one of the things we are told to pay attention to. Bodyguards are never meant to be assigned to Blood Feud targets; Hellhounds like that are meant to protect targets, usually in the living world, and in public appearances here in Hell. Blood Feuds are fought by the families or gangs engaged, and perhaps mercenaries, because it ends when one side is destroyed. Leaving survivors, no matter what, would, by Hellish Law, kick you out of your family or group."

Carlos looked at the Imp woman with an arched eyebrow. "Then why did Officer Beau let us go?"

"'Cos she isn't stupid, and she prolly knows of ma 'extended family' and their bullshit." Kyra made the air quotes go along a very stupid sounding voice. A sign of both disdain and something more. "Truth is, Ah wanted to kill every single one of 'em." And with how brutal her grip on the enchanted leather that made her seat was, you'd think that the enchantment would give up and she'd tear the thing apart. "BUT! Ah may be a musclehead, but am not stupid. Ah came here for something else, just as Ah told ya two."

"Who got killed?"

Everyone turned their heads, even Verosika lifted her wings, to look towards the front of the car. There, watching them with interested eyes, was Enrique.

"Don't think I am being a dick here." Enrique quickly turned fully, allowing his uncle to take the phone before asking him to be careful while driving. "But I am pretty sure anyone spending a few days in Hell would know that you'd be this pissed because you want information on someone screwing you over. And knowing that Zana is safe back home, my best guess is that someone else didn't make it."

There was a very thick silence permeated with what could only be considered to be pure aggression and hate filling the air.

Enrique was quick to pierce Kyra with a glare. "Am I right?"

Another tense moment went by before Kyra let out a defeated grunt. "Yer right. Someone is dead, and Ah have questions ta ask."

This admission got things to change within the car in the blink of an eye.

Verosika felt a shudder, Regina's wings covered her body as if cold was mounting while Vortex tried his best to shield his sister and cousin all at once. A literal cold wave had washed over the car and four demons, which included Kyra, her eyes wide, could see their breath with every exhale.

Kyra didn't have to worry about that for much longer, because she forgot to breathe the moment Leonor's hand hugged her to the shark woman's side. A quick look made it clear that Leonor's attitude had gone back to what she showed to all those she was going to kill while working in Envy. Luckily for Kyra? The intent wasn't on her.

"There is a thing I have learned these past months." The fact that Leonor was holding her in a way that hinted more at protection than anything else didn't matter to Kyra. This was simply too strange. "They care about their family. They care more than I have seen most demons in Hell. I wish that was the same while I was in Envy, while I was with my sister." Her hold on Kyra tightened. The Imp wasn't scared, or surprised by the force used, and in fact Kyra could easily break the hold. Physically speaking, Leonor was agile and bove human strength, but she couldn't compare with a full fledged Wrathian. Still, as she looked at Kyra with her lone working eye, the Imp could see the woman was determined. "I am part of them, Zana is family now, and I have learned to care for her just as much as I do for my sister, as I do for all of them. It is… a strange feeling, but one that fills you with purpose, you know? And you? You, your parents, your sisters. You are family too, now that Zana is giving in."

Enrique quickly followed on Leonor's steps. "We have been talking about that with her since we started taking magic classes, you know?" The young man was toying with a pebble that, as far as any of the four demons looking could see, had come from nowhere. "Just a month with us and she began to open up! Leo came first to my cousin to talk about her sister and her worries. I bet that was a shock even to her." And while he was speaking candidly and with a friendly tone, it didn't hide that spark of mounting anger within. "But surprise or not, it wasn't just Carlos the only one to support her. We can't help yet, but understand us here: We lost everyone else we had. Family is very dear to us."

Kyra didn't know it, seeing as she hadn't really interacted with the man, but Hector's voice was strained as he spoke from the driver's seat. "Now, now, relax you two. Don't you thinkI this may feel a bit sudden, right?" And while using his usual charm and flair, directing this to everyone, those that saw the rear view mirror noticed a hardened glare directed forward. Hector's usual playfulness just wasn't there. "This may be Hell, but I think you are making even demons uneasy."

This got a chuckle from Enrique as he looked at his uncle askance. "Like you don't want to hurt someone right now."

"You know me: Make love, not war." Hector offered a lukewarm smile, and he wasn't lying. But he was also not happy. "That doesn't mean I wouldn't want to know more and make sure someone paid for this, of course." He was just older and more in control than those he'd call 'youngsters'. "It just means to not overdo it. Remember that it is much easier to go overboard now; you guys' zeal all but spilled onto Leonor on top of it all. So dial it down a little and get the whole story." The car made a stop at a red light, allowing Hector to look back towards Kyra. "We don't even know if the death has been recent anyway. So, again: dial the fucking cold back, Carlos."

That strange chill and drop in temperature began to ebb, instead everyone present managed to hear the clacking of teeth. Unsurprisingly enough, Carlos had fucked up.

Magic and unstable emotions didn't mix well.

"Sorry about that." Carlos said with a voice quivering. His arms were covered in a fine layer of ice, more like snow crystals, and there was a level of condensation showing in his skin and hair. "Could… could you tell us if this death was recent, Kyra?"

That breath Kyra had lost came back when the usually direct and crash woman's voice turned meek and soft. "It… it happened years ago."

And just like that the tension turned into embarrassment. Not for Leonor, the woman had a perfectly set poker face, that and she still held to a very clear murderous intent, but Carlos and Enrique both looked like tomatoes for a few moments.

"I almost froze my own ass by being stupid." Carlos groaned, shuddering as Leonor gently helped him to get rid of any ice coating his form. "I am so fucking sorry. I have been told a lot of times to try and control this shit, but I haven't been practicing for that long…"

Enrique was quick to throw the quickly expanding shard in his hand out of the car. Beyond a quick scream of surprise from a couple Succubus outside as it shattered, no one, other than a judging Hector, had seen it happen.

"It isn't like you would've been any less angry if Zana had told you." Leonor pointed out. She kept that clearly unhappy but still polite and serious tone as she did so.

"Well, yes, but Zana hasn't mentioned anything like that." Carlos admitted with a frown. "That alone should've told me that this wasn't something that happened recently. For a moment there I thought that, if we had gone to visit them instead of having this little task on our hands, we would've found out someone just got killed."

Leonor gave a quick nod. "That still begs the question. Why didn't she tell us? For all we talk she never shared anything like this."

"'Cos we didn't know she was dead." Kyra grumbled, putting an end to this debacle as everyone looked her way. "Look, our family ain't that big. That is normal in many places of Wrath, ya know? Even our games are lethal. We have a hard life 'n' we enjoy it. That is how it all goes."

It surprised everyone when it was Verosika the one to ask a question as she finally found the strength of will to sit normally again. "Forgive me for asking, but… Why come to Lust then?"

After all, it was a simple question. Right? So why the surprise?

Because Kyra's anger began to build up and overpower everything else.

"It was no lie that this is a Blood Feud, or Blood Feud related, mind ya all." Kyra amended quickly as she glared at those present. "Don't care how much any of ya know 'bout this, so Ah'll make it simple: Fam is small, Ah said that, and Ah mean it. We know everyone that is left. And almost two decades ago? One left Wrath, permanently."

Regina couldn't help herself as she asked Vortex. "Is that common? I don't see many Imps other than those with Lust blood in them around here most of the time. And, well, let's say that my 'work' is usually far away from where most tourists go."

"Not really? I mean, unless things have changed these last two or three years…" Vortex eyed Kyra to receive a very quick shake of her head. "Yeah, not very, then. I mean, you can find Pridelings, Greedlings or Envylings Imps almost anywhere. But that is a bit more normal."

"Yeah, tha fish fuckers from Greed, no offense." Kyra was quick to interject with a clear disdain in her tone, though her last words were serious and sincere as even her expression changed when looking at Leonor and Carlos. "Those bitches are tha problem here."

Verosika felt confused for a second, then frowned. "Imps in Greed aren't really liked anywhere else. Most of them are perfect fits for what humans think of them as myths: Wicked, cruel, selfish, cowardly and servile… until they can betray you."

"Dat is what everyone said!" Kyra stomped her hoof in anger. "Even being just a tot! All of us disliked that damn asshole! Pieces of shit from Greed visitin' Wrath always try to swindle us, take us from our homes or worse! But no, this varmint was worse than most. That piece of shit came over ta visit so darn often, always being nice, neat and clean with ma aunt 'n' the others. But with Ma, Pa and me sisters? We weren't worth his time. Oh, he'd act all knightly with us 'n' all, but only with ma aunt around. After she was gone? We were manure far as he was concerned." Kyra took a moment to breathe in and out to try and calm down. "Now, fer 'nyone that doesn't know: Wrath families are very large 'n' all. Thi ain't me mentioning we were few. Ah mean, two dozen ain't nothin' in Wrath, but Ah ain't tryin' to repeat meself. Fact is, we didn't mind much, but there are… traditions."

As the car began to move again, Vortex chimed in with a question. "You guys living in one of the ranches or farms of Wrath?"

"Yeah?" Kyra looked at the hound askance, then it clicked. "Ya know 'bout what am talkin' here?"

"I think so. Bodyguard training has mandatory basics on every Ring, just in case." Tex had a finger on his muzzle as he thought for a second. "Let's see… If I remember correctly it is a clear sign of weakness not having enough family, even distant family, to keep those places running. Wrathians tend to be very friendly and welcoming, but isolationists when it comes to their families. They respect physical strength first, then the ability and skill to use it. Looks, money and most other things are secondary." Vortex had a pensive look as he focused on Kyra. "That is what is rubbing me the wrong way with your story."

"Well, yer right there. And Ah mean right in every thin' ya said." Kyra pointed at Leonor and the humans in quick succession. "These know what's up, but you don't, so Ah'll tell ya: Dad is from here, the Lust Ring. Worse fer many: A Breeder. Ma mom found her way back when, after gettin' away from the pieces of crap that were dad's family back in the day. Ma got Pa nursed back in body 'n' mind and, well, things happened."

"And your family didn't mind?"

Regina was more curious than anything else. This little melodrama was a way to pass the time and make Verosika focus on someone else. She was aware that Verosika had thrown a few curious glances her way before, and her own situation made Verosika and Vortex inquisitive about all she did.

And seeing Kyra unwilling to stop now? That ensured everyone got their eyes on the Imp.

"'F course shit went down!" Kyra's growl was almost feral. "Ah care fer most of ma family, but they are idiots sometimes. Pa back then had both wings damaged, she was just used fer sex 'n' was even malnourished fer what Ah know. Rutting was almost all she was good fer 'n' it was no secret she wanted ta leave Lust, so they all but had her caged. Everyone in tha family thought Ma was stupid fer gettin' attached. Oh it was all nice 'n' shit by giving ma Pa some help as a favor to get her ta help with the harvest 'n' what not. But welcoming a weakling with nothing to offer? No strength, cunnin' or anythin' other than big dick, tits 'n' ass?" Surprisingly enough, she seemed to deflate slightly at this point. "Ah get that, ya know? Better bein' dumb muscle than just a breedin' factory. Even when Ah was just a pup Ah remember ma sister and Pa got weird looks all the time… We Imps are treated like shit all the time. Better to have some purpose other than makin' more of us."

That was a sad reminder that Breeders, in every Ring, even Lust, were seen as lesser most of the time. A clear purpose in a stratified society like Hell? Then you better expect people will want you to fulfill that role.

Even if it is just popping out kids nonstop.

"Mighty fortunate then when a stranger came around years later, when things were heatin' up." That mellowed out attitude quickly caught fire once more. "A cocky little shit; a bastard that came when it was 'just right'. A Greedlin' with money, power, both in person 'n' with the people he had workin' fer him." For a moment it looked like Kyra was about to spit down on the car's floor, but she quickly rethought her actions, if only because the vehicle wasn't hers. "He knew a lot of crap he shouldn't; what to say, who to approach… He was seekin' a wife, 'n' he wanted a gentle lil thing, not the usual fighters from Wrath. A woman that obeyed, a woman ta give him a son."

"You mean to say someone was spying on you." Carlos and Leonor had exchanged a quick few whispers, and the man was sure Leonor was right. "Someone supplied that other Imp with what he wanted to know. There is no way he'd go to Wrath for a 'meek' wife if that is all he wanted. I am far from learning all I need to, but Zana has made me very aware of what to expect of a regular Wrath Imp."

"Ya catch on quick, but…" A wicked, angry grin began to occupy Kyra's face and voice as she next spoke. "Yer woman knows, ain't that right?"

"There had to be a reason you stopped when I told you to. You are so much like your sister, and I needed just a glance to see it, that I know you wouldn't do anything you don't want to unless forced." Leonor did her best to hold Kyra's glare, only to fail. There was only one reason to think of her ex boss, and it was her sister. As luck would have it, it was obvious that Hell didn't exactly make anyone's life easy. "And I knew there were reasons for Zana to outright hate my old boss. She never said why, and we never talked much before we got into this situation. Now that we are together? She made sure to avoid mentioning him altogether from the day we started living under the same roof." Still, Leonor managed to meet Kyra's eyes again. "So let's make things clear: Your aunt was Miss Carmen, Crimson's wife. Am I right?"

There was another stop. But this time? The braking and small screech that came from it sounded gutural like a monster about to devour some innocent sacrifice. It was both because there had been an accident outside and a new congestion had decided their travel would be delayed, and because the news was enough of a surprise to almost make another.

It didn't look like it from the outside to some people, namely Regina and Verosika, but everyone else, especially Leonor and Vortex, noticed the force of will that was being exerted here. Kyra was doing her best to not try and kill the shark demon at her side. Just maintaining a smidge of a smile had enough force to tear muscles for most people considering how much she wanted to snarl, to say nothing of keeping control of her body in general when all her instincts all but screamed to kill, or at least maim.

As such the answer was far calmer and more measured than expected. "Yer right. She was ma aunt. And Crimson? That there is tha fucker." Kyra thought to bring out a weapon, but much like her instincts of outright violence, she kept it down. Vortex was looking her way with piercing eyes and Leonor had her hand relaxed, but Kyra saw it ready to head for the revolver she kept on her person. Besides, the Imp wanted information more than anything. "So… how 'bout answering a few questions?"

Leonor looked at Carlos for a sec, but her man only gave a nod. There shouldn't be any problems here. Right? "Ask."

"Ah said that the bastard treated us like crap." Kyra growled at a very clear memory that she clearly had in mind. "But tha piece of hog shit was mighty nice to the others. That Crimson knew how to talk tha talk with Wrathians. He promised much, delivered a lot too. Dowry or sum'shit." Growling as she looked out the window, Kyra scanned every single Cubi and Lust Imp she could see, as if searching for someone in particular. "Do ya know how that bastard knew what ta say or ta do?"

A shake of the head from Leonor didn't get Kyra to look her way. It was expected, apparently. "No, but I doubt I need to know either. You are already aware, aren't you? That is why you picked a fight."

Kyra chuckled, though it sounded more like rocks hitting and grinding each other. "'F course. Pa's own family sold her out. Ah learned of this cos Pa got a letter from here, ya know? 'Parently the ol Grammy got tired of waitin' fer Crimson to do his part, whateva it was." Finally Kyra turned. "'N' yer tellin' me ya know nothin' bout this?"

Leonor allowed for the car's force to move her a bit as soon as Hector got things running again. It gave her a moment to gather her thoughts. "I didn't say that." The shark bit her lip and ruminated whether spilling her guts or not. In the end she began talking. Perhaps telling an abridged version could help Kyra, which in turn would help Zana. That was enough. "Let me tell you a quick summary. Perhaps something of what I know will help: I joined Crimson's organization with my sister when I was twelve. There was little else for us to do, other than die." Bittersweet or just bitter? She couldn't place what to call that memory. "Me… Me and Cleo… We had no one else, we had no help. I shouldered most of the work while Cleo learned under one of the other rare women under Crimson's employ, this led to her making friends with a half Possessor by the name of Marcella."

Carlos couldn't help but chime in. "Well, that is a coincidence."

"I know, that is why I tend to call your sister by her nickname most of the time." Leonor quickly dismissed that tangent. "What is important here is that Marcella had been working for Crimson for a few years now. Her Possessor heritage wasn't that strong, but it was useful, so Crimson saw value in her, at least at the time, though as of late things had…" A tirade of expletives and complaints almost made it past her lips. A few months were anything but enough for her to get over Crimson's bullshit and the distance between her and her sister. "Point is: Marcella told us many things from before we joined her under Crimson."

"Wait, wait, wait, wait. I am interested in this drama, if only because it seems juicy little gossip to me." Verosika made herself interject when she connected the dots in her head. "We need to clear who you are talking about when you say Crimson, because it is a rather common Imp name. So, unless I am mistaken, you mean Crimson Knolastname?"

Regina snapped her fingers as if Verosika's words finally made it make sense. "I knew the name was familiar. I remember my parents and yours talking about some deals and trade that was going on before we were born. You know, usual shit talking between Lust and Greed. But didn't they talk about how the Knolastname guys screwed us over?"

"I mean, probably? Lust and Greed had always been at odds. Then again Mammon is at odds with almost everyone at some point." Verosika couldn't hold back a face of disgust. Most Sins had some redeeming qualities, but Mammon almost tried to be as rotten as possible. Though, from what she knew, that hadn't always been the case. "Mind you, cus; most of the Knolastname were ruthless and brutal, but also efficient, at least from what mom has told me, since she met dad when he was working with those involved in security for the trade route. And she mentioned this mostly to watch my ass out there if I ever go to Greed after hitting it off. I mean, considering one of the cities out there is called 'Ransom', she doesn't need to tell me twice, but apparently mentioning Crimson was a must, just in case."

"Not like Ah give a rat's ass." Kyra prodded into the derailed conversation, a look of annoyance and curious anger mixed in. "But why tha fuck share this?"

"To contribute a bit. I mean, we aren't exactly involved, but this drama is damn juicy on its own, and we may get something out of it." Verosika hummed as she thought. Greediness wasn't really all there was to it, but helping out could net her some points with a new noble after all. "Tex. Do you remember the details?"

"Bit more than that. There are a few individuals most bodyguards with good scores won't be sent to." And by this Vortex meant those bodyguards that were worth anything at all. "The Knolastname Imp Family were big in the mafia business of Greed. They still are, mind you. Problem is, around twenty or twenty five years ago, numbers are fucky there and dad wasn't sure WHEN exactly all went to shit, there was a fight among the heads of the family. I don't think anyone ever got to know *what* happened exactly, but the result is known: A lot of operations went tits up and barely any of the Imps that led the family remained alive after." A moment of silence as Vortex thought, only for him to shake his head. "No, can't remember if any more info on that was available, though Crimson is the only Knolastname that comes to mind. It is likely that all others got killed, exiled or something similar." Vortex gave Kyra a pointed look. "Did he ever visit your aunt while in someone's company?"

Kyra frowned for a second. She didn't see where this was going but she was willing to play along for now. "Ah don't know 'bout that. That Crimson fucker always came by his lonesome when it was time to visit US. No other Imps or whateva, 'cept me family if they cared to come with. Though he always bragged of what he had, not without first showin' some skills of his own, 'course. Never mentioned family or anythin', tho."

"That checks, then." Vortex hummed. "This is mostly a rumor, of course. Competent or not, Crimson, as any other mafia boss would do, made sure to keep anything concrete, so all I can say is what is 'publicly known'." At this Vortex lifted a hand and three fingers, one by one, as he enumerated. "Crimson's rise was peaceful at first, for Greed at least, and he managed to recover a lot of what was quickly lost during the infighting. His reputation among the other capos quickly fell because of that perceived 'weakness', so Crimson began to lose control until he became ruthless and began killing and absorbing the opposition. Those two are 'vague' in a sense, but what is more solid has to do with how he managed to be brutal, scheming and backstabbing enough to make it so none of the old legal and public connections remained in the other rings."

"'N' what kinda contribution is this?" Kyra asked, not really caring much for this information. "Ah don't see it bein' helpful at all."

"Well, we are going to be in the presence of Lord Asmodeus, no?" Regina looked like she regretted speaking almost immediately, but since she had done so already, better keep it up. "I mean, Lord Asmodeus is very hands on with keeping the peace and everyone as safe as he can, when compared to others Sins that is. And for the looks of it Crimson should not have any contact with Lust if all his legal operations failed, much less in the capital. If Lord Asmodeus was informed of any person, much less a family following the old doctrine, in cahoots with the man…"

"Then Ah could get sum help finding the shit Ah need… and perhaps cavin' that old hag's skull in." At the very least this pleased Kyra. "That could work, sure. But Ah still want all Ah can get from Leonor here."

Leonor looked just mildly surprised when Kyra focused on her again. "Isn't the help of a Sin all you would ever need?"

"Fine and dandy it is, yeah." Kyra nodded, satisfied at least in that regard. "But Ah still want to know more." With a snap of the fingers, the Imp asked the first thing she needed to know. "Like all contact that piece of crap had with ma extended family ova here. When was the last time Crimson talked to a Lust Imp?"

Leonor thought for a second. "Almost a decade ago now, to my knowledge at least." Then she hummed. "Why is that important to you?"

"Because Ah don't know what that bitch of a grandma o' mine had as part of her fuckin' agreement with that dick." Kyra hissed. "So, tell me all ya can. Ya were mentioning this Marcella woman tellin' ya stuff?"

"Well, I don't know if it will help you, but it can confirm a few things Vortex spoke of." Leonor went back to those memories for a second. "First? She gave us a warning. Crimson had never been like his father. His father had been incredibly cunning and sadistic, but only when needed. A true mafioso similar to those from Earth; suave, friendly, willing to do business… and ruthless once it was required. He and his own father had taken well to that kind of thing, but many considered them both to be too soft for Greed. The important part of it all? They brought money, connections and a lot of manpower, more than most of the more forceful kingpins of the Ring at the time."

Carlos made a small interjection. "Out of curiosity. But was one of the other cappos the reason behind the infighting?"

"Marcella didn't know. In fact none of the others I ever got close enough for casual talk knew. My best guess? Only Crimson's right hand, a fellow Selachimorph by the name of Alessio, knows anything, or that is my best guess." Something did surprise Leonor here. That memory did bring up a few old rumors that Marcella had shared with her one day after too much wine. "Marcella did mention that, from what she had heard from older female members of the band that had nearly disappeared over the years, Crimson began hating women around the time of that infighting. Rumors were abundant of course; after all Greed is very old fashioned in many areas, with women expected to be subservient, specially in the noble, or mafia controlled parts, and because Mammon doesn't really see much profit in them. Breeders or anyone that doesn't adhere to an 'acceptable' standard also have it really bad in many parts of Greed. So it was said that one of Crimson's aunts, perhaps even grandmothers, started a bit of a revolt in a bid to get women in power."

Kyra could be heard mumbling then. "So that's why the cunt disliked us so much… Between Pa and sis bein' Breeders 'n' all, and the rest of me, ma sisters and Ma bein' girls, that bastard couldn't stand us."

"Most likely." Leonor confirmed. "Women under that man don't last long unless we become far too valuable to outright kill us. Though he has no problem putting us in harm's way, no matter how much of a loss it would be for him." Her hand went to touch the scar crossing her blind eye. "And any failure, no matter how much of a loss it was to him, was a good excuse to get rid of us."

That same hand Carlos took and held, catching Leonor's attention for a moment. "He got rid of nothing. What he did, was fucking up, betray you and make a mess. He lost a great woman, a woman that, missing an eye or not, is still a killer in so many ways." Leonor did her best to hide a blush when Carlos took her hand closer to him. "And while I may not be all that keen on being nobility and all that, I am more than willing to abuse that and heal your eye if you-."

"The eye stays." That was the thing that made Leonor's blush go away and a harsher tone emerge. "I fucked up. I made the mistake of letting my guard down. The eye stays."

Carlos wasn't deterred, instead squeezing her hand for a moment. "The scar and all can stay if you wish. But you don't need to punish yourself for that, alright? I am sure there has to be a spell or something to keep it as it is and still recover your sight." This Leonor couldn't really say no to, much less with how Carlos was looking at her. "Don't stay hurt out of pure pride, Leo… though the scar IS cool and I approve."

"Hear him out on that one. I mean, I'd love to have a cool scar like that to scare the shit out of people, but recovering vision would be huge." Verosika slapped Vortex's arm when he said that. "Hey! Just saying it would be cool, that's all. Could be worse than that as a bodyguard."

"Alright, alright. I'll think about it." And while it felt relieving in a way to hear this offer and have some from outside of the family show support for it, if only because she could justify herself when going through with it, Leonor offered her best impression of this being a bother. "Let's put that aside for now. After all, I need to ask a few questions in particular before I say anything else."

"And what do ya wanna know?" Kyra wouldn't say shit about it, but he found the little intermission cute. Mainly because, if sincere, it at least meant her sister was indeed with someone that wasn't a piece of shit. Better to find out through actions than just words or vague promises. "Yer the one that had to be tellin' me shit in the first place."

"And I told you I don't know enough, but I can hazard a guess if I piece a few things together." Leonor took a moment to think what to bring up first. The most important question to get this puzzle to make sense was obvious to her, but there was a problem with it. "You said you don't know what your grandmother wanted from Crimson?"

"Not a fuckin' clue." Kyra shook her head in anger. "Though Ah am pretty sure it had to do with bringin' Pa, perhaps all of us, to her."

"Kidnapping, then." Leonor let out a humm. "I don't think that is it."

Was it likely? Yes. But not her ex boss' way of doing things. Kidnapping was reserved for someone valuable, and usually men. Crimson had never really captured a woman in the time Leonor had worked with the mob family. He could do it, and he'd order some of his people to do so, so long as he wasn't involved directly. But an agreement that handed him a wife would've meant personal involvement, one that had to do with also dealing with Breeders, would've been a must.

"Ya sure?" It wasn't surprising that Kyra found Leonor's thoughts troubling. "What else could've been talked 'bout?"

"A saimple hit on a specific target, sending a message through other means like torture, perhaps erasing your family whole to get rid of an inconvenience to your grandmother…" Leonor just laid it out like it was nothing. And for her? It most likely wasn't. Everyone else didn't seem to think the same way. "But." The woman didn't notice, but she did think of something else. "I may be thinking about this from a 'now' perspective, not a 'back then' one. Crimson became more and more like the archetype of an Imp, probably worse than that, by the time he almost had me whacked. Perhaps back then he had agreed to just taking you and your family in front of your grandmother."

"It seems to me that your dislike for the man is making you ignore something very important." Hector didn't mean any offense when he spoke, but it once more showed that the man could be serious, and not a lecherous horndog, if he considered it important enough. "You are ignoring that little Zana get snatched when she visited Lust."

That alone made Leonor reconsider. "True… Her grandmother had her for more than long enough to kill her if that had been what she wanted to do."

"Wouldn't that mean that Crimson really had agreed for kidnapping in exchange of his wife so to speak?" Verosika ventured, only for her brother to shake his head.

"Does that really matter?" Vortex didn't think so anyway. "That man would've used anything offered to him without paying for the help. Just as I told you: From the start Crimson was more ruthless and backstabbing than those of his family that came before him. Knowing what deal he had isn't going to help much."

"No, that is my mistake. At least in part." Leonor admitted very quickly as she kept her mind going. "It is true that my personal dislike for my old boss was taking the lead. Thinking back to it? If it was just killing, torturing, or simply sending a message, it could've been done without much of a fuss, if only to get rid of possible future headaches. But kidnaping a group of 'weak women' with him leading it all? No, he wouldn't have done so just because it would've felt like an insult."

Carlos sneered at the thought. "And killing civilians, women and children, even if they are from Wrath and likely able to put up a fight, is any better?"

"That is how he thinks, and his dislike for women is only the tip of his rotten personality. But this does answer a few more questions than I thought." Leonor fixed Kyra with an scrutinizing eye. "Tell me, focus if you need to. When was the last time your family had any contact with Carmen?"

Kyra wasn't taken aback, but she was surprised by the question. "Ya mean when she died or-?"

"Last message, ever." Leonor clarified. "Phone, card, anything."

Now that, as simple as it sounded, managed to stump Kyra. "Ah… don't know…"

This, in turn, made everyone else confused to say the least. It was Enrique the one to voice the obvious. "What do you mean you don't know? You learned that your aunt died, and likely by mistake considering your parents and your sisters didn't keep an eye on you." Not accusatory, but Enrique was eyeing the woman keenly as he spoke. "So I bet you have been keeping an eye and ear on anything coming from outside if it had to do with your family."

Kyra eyed Enrique, letting out a grumble before clicking her tongue. "Seven years ago, Ah think." Racking her brain for anything else, the woman looked more defeated than she'd like to admit. "But Ah am not sure. Ma Pa is way more organized than most Imps in Wrath; she had all them messages in order, but Ah am sure some were missing."

"No, that checks." Leonor interrupted Kyra before she could go on. "About six or seven years ago it was… Yes." She did make a pause, and Carlos was the first to notice she got ready as she stared at Kyra. It was as if she prepared to get punched. "That is when she began to defy Crimson when it came to her son."

As expected, Kyra's body looked ready to rip someone apart. Just her body though, as her mind took a second to process what had been told.

In a way it was as expected. Leonor was painfully aware of how much of an active minefield this was going to be with Zana too. There was a good reason to keep this secret, however.

"Before you try to slap me or start yelling, let me clear the air here." And this was going to be the most candid she could when it came to her old boss. "Crimson wasn't a piece of shit to your aunt at first. In fact he was downright loving… as much as he could anyway."

Surprising, wasn't it? Kyra looked the part, and everyone around them, after hearing what Leonor had to say and what others knew or had half forgotten, could do little but doubt her words.

"Seriously?" Kyra only narrowed her eyes in doubt. "Ya have ta be shittin' me."

"Considering how this is going to end? You'd think so." And yes, Leonor was painfully aware of how much it sounded like a sick joke. "But at first? Crimson's whole plan was to have a child, an heir, a MALE heir of course. Your aunt provided, and so, at first, he was happy with that and her obedience."

Clearly she would have continued, but she gave Kyra a second to ask the question Leonor knew was coming. "What is his name?"

"Moxxie." This was something Leonor had been waiting to share for two months now. It was good to finally let it out, only not in the way she had been planning to. "A small, thin, shy little thing. He takes after Crimson in looks, but much more after his mother in demeanor and bookish behavior… which is what led to your aunt ending on Crimson's list."

Leonor wasn't particularly surprised when Carlos guessed the why. "She tried to protect her child from Crimson's behavior. Carmen sounded very tame for a Wrath Imp, gentle and demure like. A woman like that would've had a hard time getting his son raised to be a brutal gangster, Wrath native or not."

Kyra let out a sigh. "Aunt Carmen was like that, yeah." She shook her head. "Would prefer a book ova anythin' else most the time. She was one of the reasons why the family always had the numbers right and stuff."

"That is also another reason why Crimson kept a good relationship with her at first." Leonor knew everyone would doubt this again. She would do it too if she hadn't seen it herself. "Carmen was a great bookkeeper, and, at least at first, she had no reason to mess with Crimson's operations. For Crimson this was a boon: She had someone that was almost as loyal to him as his second, at least for more than half a decade, and as sharp with money as well as great at long term planning. Carmen was a great, gentle woman with a sharp mind and an equally sharp tongue when so desired." The Greed native let out a sigh. "I suppose we all should've seen what was going to happen."

No one said anything now, interested in what was about to come for one reason or another. "Years ago Moxxie became old enough for Crimson to consider him ready. He didn't tell me or the other girls anything, as you may expect, but many of the guys talked enough for everyone out of the loop to know, and Crimson wanted it that way. What he didn't want, nor did he expect, was for his own wife to keep 'babying' his child after he made the decision that things should be different."

"The beginning of her defiance was small." Leonor went on, remembering the scene she, and many others, had seen often enough. "Cross looks when she ran to help Moxxie when he fell down. Cutting his food for him when the pieces were too big. Handing him books instead of firearms or taking him from gun training, especially the larger ones…" Simple things at first. Things a good mother would do for their child. Things not as often seen in Hell, considering just how many families have to do with much less than most. "But there came a day when Crimson had enough and decided it was time to see if his wife was indeed crossing him, or if this was something she'd let go of."

Kyra was focused on her, far more than Leonor was comfortable with. "What happened?" Though her voice sounded half gone, as if she really didn't want to know.

"At first? Not much. I wasn't present there, but I got told, and you'd consider the event just a simple argument, maybe less than that." Leonor shook her head ever so slightly. There was never a 'small argume', or a 'simple' one, not with Crimson. "Crimson had organized another little fair close to his home. He did it often enough back then. A way to get some easy 'legal' money and clean a few things on the way. That day? It had been a private one for his goons and a few other families he was in 'good' relations with. Of course he had special events, it wasn't just some simple games and food. And one of those events? It was to be the initiation of his son, and held before anyone important came over to join them."

Leonor purposely took a second to let others guess what it could've been. The most curious and clearly disturbed was Regina, and she let it be known with a very poignant question.

"Was that dick going to have his son kill someone?" She said this with clear disgust in her voice. Unsurprising. Lust born demons were fond of fucking, not killing, unless there was a reason to. And considering all she now knew about Crimson? This sounded right, and so fucking wrong.

She was also very much right.

"Crimson's cruelty was growing, and while it didn't yet reach the tipping point in which he would start becoming a danger to his own operations, it was getting close. And you know what happens when someone becomes an incompetent boss, even a little bit? They get their people to leave them." Leonor almost went for her eye again, but her hand was still held by Carlos, and the man didn't let go. She wouldn't show it right now, but it made her feel better. "And as you can see on my face, Crimson doesn't take well to people like that. With men? He usually takes care of them himself, painfully, slowly. With women? His goons do it. He always takes something; teeth, wings, tail, horns or other mementos… His house is full of trophies."

Verosika made a face. "That is fucking disgusting and mental. We may be in Hell, but fuck me."

Her brother just shrugged. "It is a great tactic for intimidation and to showcase power. Though if some of those trophies are from people that turned on him, it may end up biting him in the ass more than he thinks."

"It may also just cement his position until someone from outside kicks him to the curb." Hector chimed in. "Even the most incompetent cappos have at least some people they know they can trust in case they themselves start messing up after all."

"That is true, and Crimson holds enough power, money and success to make sure no real danger comes to him, at least for now. That is also the reason that, after we stop talking about this, we shouldn't mention him to Asmodeus." Almost everyone raised their voice here, but Leonor was quick to explain, and adamant about this. "Do any of you want Moxxie to die?"

Questioning glances. Perfect for Leonor to explain. This was a grim thing to share, and a real drag in many ways, considering she wanted Crimson dead, but she had nothing against Moxxie and, just as important if not more to her, she didn't want her own sister to die.

"Crimson's power partly comes from Mammon. His family has always given Mammon more than most other crime families, a funny little thing if you consider the Knolastname are also known for raiding Mammon owned businesses and banks." Everyone, from the hellborn to the humans in the car, let out a sound of surprise or another. Robbing the Sin of Greed? "I know how that sounds, but this is not what it looks like. Crimson's family has a deal with Mammon; anyone steals from the big clown? They get a visit from the Knolastname, they get robbed, probably killed, and a lot of that cash goes back to Mammon while he also gets to place new people in the positions now vacated either from bankruptcy or a quick execution."

Enrique let out a sigh loud enough to be picked by everyone. "So Crimson has ties to Mammon? Why would that endanger Moxxie or anyone else?"

"Because Mammon is a massive dick. And he has no problem being as ruthless as his most disgusting underling so long as it keeps the money flowing." Leonor deadpanned in a way that said she had far worse things in store for the Sin of Greed. "Before now, before Crimson came to be the patriarch, before the revolt that all but killed most, if not all of his family? Stirring a bit of shit in Lust wouldn't have been enough for Mammon to butt in. A slap on the wrist? Sure, but nothing more. But now? Now Crimson has been fucking up far too often and the gold mine that the Knolastname once were is slowly becoming a money sink. So if Mammon considers them enough of an issue that will take him away from making cash? He'll just get rid of everything related to the Knolastname business. This wouldn't usually involve friends, goons or those that are too young. Not out of principle, but because it is very hard to hide even with his wealth and reach. But with Crimson? It is all about control, so if he sees no way out? He'll make it a big enough mess for the whole family to go down with him, just so HE is remembered, just so he FEELS in control, even as everything ends."

Kyra let out a loud hiss, similar to a few complains and other sounds of displeasure from everyone else. Even those just interested in this for the drama and rumors, as well as for 'fun' in a sense, could only show disdain for Mammon's ways. Most Sins were at least okay to be around, if scary thanks to their power or behavior, but their people usually liked them. Mammon? He did his best to be a piece of shit and many still adored his ass.

But all the money in the world couldn't bury the crap he did deep enough for the vast majority of the people in Hell to ignore it. And even Hell had some things you didn't do on the regular if you wanted to be at least accepted.

"Fuck." This also brought a clear problem. "So Ah can't tell Asmodeus 'bout this shit in full?"

"For all we know? Despite my previous observations it is likely that he doesn't even remember the Knolastname, and surely he doesn't even know who Crimson is." This time it was Vortex the one to point out a few details. "But he would very quickly relearn anything he would need to if someone was screwing with him, then he'd be more than ready to help you… But he would also make sure Mammon knew, either before or after Asmodeus helped you with your little problem."

"... crap." Kyra slumped against her seat in defeat. She didn't want to think about this anymore, it was clear. Instead, she preferred the idea of anger fueling her more than helplessness. The look she gave Leonor was anything but anger now, more like rueful acceptance. "... Tell me. What happened durin' that fair?"

Leonor had no problem going on with her story, though the end result was going to be far from pleasant. "Nothing, that is the problem." And her tone made others ready. She knew her voice had turned very harsh right away, but there was good reason for it. "Moxxie, from what I was told, was with his mother, enjoying a shooting gallery. If what was told that day was no lie, then some of Crimson's goons brought a few deserters tied to sticks, crucified, bound or whatever, I don't remember. What I know is that they kept repeating time and time again how 'the missus' was irate with Crimson."

For a moment Leonor ruminated on how to proceed. Be blunt? Or give more details? She didn't know if the story was blown out of proportions, but the image was funny in her head. The result was anything but, though she could do nothing about it.

"I'll tell you exactly as it was shared." In the end she chose to go with what she knew was, at the very least, as close to the truth as she could have it be. "Moxxie was taken to his father, and he got handed a real gun to fire at the hanging traitors. Next thing Crimson knows? His wife takes away the gun and shoves it in his hands before taking Moxxie away."

"Heh, yeah…" Kyra knew this wasn't going to end well by any means, but the idea of her spitting on Crimson's face was satisfying enough. "Aunt Carmen was very darn gentle, always. But piss her off and she could be as bad as the rest of us." The smile on her face didn't last long. "Ah suppose that set him off, though?"

"No, though again, I wasn't there. Not even Alessio was there, and while he may be hired help, he is the closest thing I'd ever consider to a friend of Crimson. This alone lends some credibility to a few events that were whispered among us…" But what was true and what was not? Leonor was very sure of the exact events, if only because she knew Crimson well enough. Would she be telling the truth or lies, though? Well, she could at least try. "All I know for sure? There was a fight. Screams, a scuffle and someone got slapped one day while Moxxie hid away from his father. I am not sure WHO got slapped, but in less than a week Carmen was gone."

Exactly as expected, or at least everyone looked like they had, at least, foreseen as much. Kyra had to ask. "Was she…?"

"No one knows for sure, to be perfectly honest. At least no one that talked to me." Leonor shook her head with a grimace on her lips. Those days had been the start of the worst time of her life. Things had changed drastically after Carmen was gone. "But I know it was shortly after. Maybe Crimson hurt her or tortured her for a while? Perhaps he had her just jailed and discussed it, his way of course, for days? I know that not a week afterwards he took Moxxie out, to one of the many contaminated rivers the family used for their deals. And this particular one? He used to 'get rid of problems'." No gasps, no surprises, this, too, was predictable. Not even her next delivery got them to react much. "I know for sure that he made Moxxie drown someone, but I know not who."

"Fuckin' rat." Kyra growled. "Ah'll say, if Moxxie killed someone while young, in a fight? Then Ah wouldn't mind. But both times it was…" There was distaste clear in her words. Killing was normal. Executing? Even in Greed it felt like a shitty thing. A waste, if nothing else. But many had to do it regularly. It was how it worked. "Fittin' of that snake, though. Ah just hope he didn't force ma kin to kill one another…"

"I am pretty sure that he didn't." At least this one Leonor was convinced was true all the way. Crimson would have had a bigger problem in his hands otherwise. "But I am equally sure that it wasn't too long after HE did it. A day? An hour? Perhaps mere minutes so the anger was still as strong as it could be? I know Moxxie came back with a bruise, and it wouldn't be the last." Leonor could see some of her own mother on Crimson. Greed had it worse when it came to families after all. Abusive parents were very similar, one way or another. "From then on he pushed Moxxie around as he did any of us, only worse in a few ways. It became even more apparent when Moxxie's adult interests began to show up."

Verosika was as fast as anyone that knew would've expected from her. "You mean who he'd like to fuck?"

"Imps develop almost as fast as Succubi that way, so yeah." Leonor just shrugged. She had been around the kid enough to know it would happen sooner or later. She hadn't been as involved with him, but she had still cared for him and his mother. Better than Crimson, that is for sure. "And for Crimson? Being bisexual is the same as being gay, and he hates it."

"Not fucking surprising." Verosika looked physically sick. For a species that was meant to fuck basically anything and anyone? That was normal. "Father of the year on top of it all."

"'N' we can't get rid of him fast 'nouff." Kyra grumbled. "Can't get him killed off cos I rat him out. Can't go down there 'n' kill him meself. Can't even get help to find ma dear ol' granny and feed her a knuckle sandwich."

Leonor felt a bitter taste in her mouth when she heard those words. "I, too, would wish for that man to die. But it may still take a long time… I am just sorry all I could do was share this and feed onto your anger instead of doing more."

She felt Carlos squeeze her hand again.

"Perhaps you can do more than you thought."

Didn't matter if those present were interested in the story or gossip. Carlos' words sounded promising for anyone with curiosity, and those new here were at least interested in seeing how his mind operated.

"But I need clarification, even if it is grim." Despite being gentle with his words, Carlos' voice was no less resolute, perhaps even harsh. "Are you sure, one hundred percent, that Carmen was made to drown and nothing else?"

Leonor could see Kyra flinch for a second there. Driving the nail home wasn't exactly pleasing, and while life may be cheap, not everyone is willing to just accept it and move on.

"Yes." But she was asked, so she would answer. "Otherwise Crimson would have kept her horns around. He did this quietly. It was already a big enough blow to his ego and control."

That seemed to satisfy Carlos' curiosity. "So that means she was likely alive until then."

"Crimson would not throw a body down the river." Leonor knew this far too well to be otherwise. Crimson disposed of dead bodies in other ways, and the people there would have talked at some point. "There were no rumors and no other way."

A nod, a hum and another question. "Do you remember the date and everything?"

Leonor couldn't see where this was going, but she still nodded. "Those in my position need to remember these details. From general dates to precise days, hours, even minutes. If we didn't, Crimson would get rid of us."

"Well then." Carlos' tone softened as he offered a smile. "How about we rewrite history?"

At last the car got to move again. The surprise rumble of the engine after the road had been cleared was enough to startle most of the passengers.

Not enough to make any of them less confused.

"What do ya mean?"

Carlos' smile faltered a bit at Kyra's question, everyone saw it. "Let me be clear before I say more: I don't know if this can be done, I am mostly being hopeful here."

"But ya think ya can offer this." The Imp seemed far more confident than Carlos. Hope didn't exactly come cheap in Wrath, but every single chance offered for anyone living there was taken with utmost seriousness, and never thrown away. "So out with it."

"A promise first, if all of you would?" Carlos knew it felt as if he was teasing those present now, and Kyra seemed to be doing all in her power to not do anything rash. Just the same, it wouldn't do if this was shared willy-nilly. "I'd like it if none of you shared this with anyone. It is a little something Prince Stolas shared with me-."

"You mean one of those lessons after you almost killed yourself?"

After such a long and serious topic, having Carlos attempt to murder his cousin with a glare wasn't exactly fitting of the mood in the car, but it wasn't exactly unexpected. Enrique had been silent far too long and, for all he knew, things were finally going to calm down. So why not tease a bit?

Besides, he had a good point.

"As a curiosity." Enrique hummed from his seat, ignoring his cousin glaring daggers at his back. "Are any of you good with magic? Or do you know magic theory and such?"

A bunch of head shakes and no's were heard. Not particularly surprising, and Verosika was quick to explain why. "Succubi and Hellhouds usually get by with our natural affinities to blend in in the mortal world. And anyone can let their old demon blood take over if they want a boost. But other than that? Our kind isn't usually all that magically gifted, unless we have some natural talent. It is a waste of time to learn about magic."

"Yeah, Stolas said as much. Anyway." Perhaps it was true that neither Carlos nor Enrique were too fond of magic, being more brutish when it came to the idea of fighting. But not knowing something that even they knew was so important in Hell, a place of pure magic? "To make this far simpler than Stolas put it: This idiot got lucky in the worst way."

When four sets of eyes landed on Carlos, the young man could only sigh. "Why are you putting me on the spot like this?"

"Because it is fun." Well, at least Enrique was sincere, and a dick. "But let's be serious here for a second: My cousin likely had an affinity with ice and earth. Most of us had two affinities, Stolas said it was our blood. After making a deal and a contract? He got 'gifted' an affinity to Hell's fire and necromantic energies. Probably thanks to Lucifer and lady Rosie respectively." Of course this didn't exactly mean much to those present and not aware of the meaning behind the magic. It was far more interesting to know about the Contract and the Deal, but that was common knowledge, so Enrique decided to just share the fun bits. "I am pretty sure this still tells you little, but the gist of it is this: More affinities, more power. More power: More likely to hurt yourself until you control it. And having affinities that don't work well together? Well, you get that idiot." Enrique pointed at his cousin without any shame or care. He was so damn lucky looks alone couldn't kill. "He could end up killing himself without even trying. So Prince Stolas has to keep an eye on him at all times."

Those four sets of eyes were now either full of doubt, or making fun of him. Carlos couldn't really care less about his cousin's bullshitery at this point, but at least it gave him an easy way into this explanation.

"First. Fuck you." Carlos didn't even react when his cousin flipped him the bird. "But he is right. I didn't know diddly about magic beforehand, and it is only because of Lucifer's Contract that I got into contact with Stolas. Now, thanks to him, many of us are learning about magic, and yes; he needs to pay special atention to me because I could easily kill myself if I fuck up. That said, we haven't been practicing for long, and while I don't care much for magic, every time we talk we get into interesting topics. One said topic got me interested, and that is why I THINK I have a way to make it so that Carmen didn't really die."

Doubt gone in place of hope, Kyra wasn't exactly on the edge of her seat, but the eager look to grab a hold of anything thrown her way was obvious. So Carlos did his best to deliver.

"Stolas deals with prophecies, the stars and so on. I bet you can guess that prophecies also deal in death, destiny and all that. They aren't set in stone like many believe, as things can change, but they DO show many possible paths. Of course, there are… ways to cheat things a bit, even death itself." At least that is what Stolas told Carlos. With far more wordy explanations to be sure, but the young man took it to heart. After all, there was a good chance that death would be a fairly common companion to him, whether he wanted it or not. "That is not to say that it can be done on a whim. Even the powerful die, and Stolas made it clear that you really can't rewrite things that happened willy-nilly."

"But ya just said it can be done." Kyra sounded and looked as expected; both excited and fearful. "What can Ah do ta help?"

"Confirm a few things." Carlos didn't want to extend this much or dig into the wound too much, so he just needed a quick confirmation here. "First, Leonor. You are one hundred percent sure Crimson wouldn't kill his wife before throwing her to the river, right?"

Leonor, thankfully, shook her head. "No, he wouldn't. It wouldn't be the strangest thing he ever did, disposing of a corpse there, but only if he really didn't want anything to do with the remains. Such contaminated waters in Greed dissolve flesh within hours, days at most, so it is an efficient method, yes. But Crimson wants people to suffer when he uses the river to do his business. If it was his own wife? Then I have no doubts Carmen was as healthy as he'd allow for her to have some fight left. My only question is how he managed to keep it on the low down so well."

"That man is fucked up, that is how." Carlos grimace, but this was, despite how it sounded, good. "Kyra. Was there any physical evidence

"Not really. Well, other than a shoe. And Ah know how that sounds, but hear me for a sec." Kyra had a face that spoke of how insecure she was here, but still she seemed convinced. "Ma ranch has a few contacts on other Rings, 'n' Ah have a couple of friends that moved to Greed cos they needed tha money. They work there haulin' goods 'n' they make deliveries ta us regularly. 'N' beyond what Ah found on ma own? They also brought me one of aunt Carmen's shoes not too long ago. Don't know where they found it, but the thing was corroded and dirty… but it still had ma aunt's name etched on it. And Ah can tell ya that no Imp in Greed would wear that kinda thing, believe me."

"Corroded…" Carlos let out a humm. Only for Leonor to take a pensive look.

It was a simple thing, but Leonor had never thought about it too deeply. "Lady Carmen had one set of clothes she brought from Wrath. Even after years of use they looked pristine."

"We Wrathians make things to last. We need ta do that cos nearly everythin' tries ta fuckin' kill us all the darn time." Kyra sounded proud beyond belief on this one. At the very least enough "Ya say that river could melt shit? Well, mebe. But even if that shoe had been there for months it would've lasted for a long while. At least enough to be picked up by someone."

"Then, both of you are sure nothing of Carmen was found. Other than the shoe, I mean?" When both women nodded Carlos could only let a sigh. If they were right, then there was a chance indeed. "Good, then here is the thing: We MAY be able to do it, but, as said, there is no guarantee and this is not to be shared with anyone. It wouldn't do you any good for starters, but it can also draw attention that would hurt all of us. But there is something else I need to share first, because Prince Stolas nearly beat me over the head with it."

"There are many ways to revive a person, none are free." Carlos had been really scared when Stolas told him this. That one talk had the owl looking far more serious than Carlos had thought he could be, even more than when someone fucked around during his classes. "The cost depends on the element used. Earth or nature? You better expect to lose weight, even mass, perhaps even your life! Holy elements? Silence and being unable to use magic for weeks, if not months. Dark magic like necromancy or blood? Live sacrifices, constant blood supply, or even souls. More often than not revival is simply not worth the cost, as it gets worse the more powerful and long lived an entity is. That is why when a Goetia dies, even if others have the means, they usually are allowed to rest: Resurrecting that kind of person could cost tens of thousands of lives' worth of magic to do in some cases."

Kyra, either overeager or uncaring about these warnings, finally stood up. "Then that means ya can get what ya need to bring ma aunt back? Ah may not like it, but we Imps wouldn't be that hard to get back, right?"

"Fucking of course not." Carlos couldn't help but deadpan, making the woman deflate and sit back down. "I have been training for long enough to have a connection with magic and almost freeze or burn myself."

"B-but ya said…"

"I said I think I may have a way and that it has a cost, or, in this case, a limit." Carlos pointed out. "And I never said 'I' could do that kind of magic. However, what I can do is ask someone that could use astral affinity to do something that could alter history. In a sense anyway."

"Astral…" Leonor gave Carlos a look, one shared by Enrique as the young man understood why Stolas had been brought up so many times now. "Prince Stolas is who you want to ask for this?"

"It is either that, or giving Lucifer a call. And while his interactions with us may have been 'relaxed', I don't want to test his patience… or owe him anymore than I do." There was no comment, from anyone, though Leonor and Enrique could be seen giving a nod here. Verosika and her group weren't going to say shit, just in case, and Kyra knew better than to ask for details when it came to the King of Hell, just in case. Carlos, however, seemed mostly relaxed. "We are already going to visit Zana's family next month after we are done here. Considering Stolas will come over to check on the dangerous plant expert Zana mentioned, and probably to geek about that plant we want to import from Earth, we should have time."

That slight detour made two people pay special attention to the exchange. Kyra was clearly interested for many reasons, but Regina had perked up beyond mere curiosity, something that Carlos missed, but Leonor's single eye had noticed the change on the woman's expression.

Not important for now, sure, but Leonor hadn't lived this long under a capo that wanted her dead by ignoring little things.

Both women turned their attention the moment Carlos focused on everyone again. Kyra still looked focused and at attention, but whatever had tugged at her was far less important than whatever Carlos had left to say. Regina? She looked as invested as her cousins now, instead of avidly trying to gleam whatever information was there. Perhaps Leonor wasn't aware of why this was, but if there was any doubt about something being fishy before, the shark woman had none now.

"Anyway, I'll tell you all the reasons I am asking for you guys to keep quiet." Unaware as he was of potential danger, Carlos was nonetheless focused on his task. And making things clear was paramount. "Astral magic has to do with the mind, space, stars, time and so on. I know not the specifics and, to be honest, when Stolas gets going I just cannot last for long. The man is a treasure trove of knowledge but has no off button, and he seems far too happy to talk with someone that is willing to hear him out for a change. But when we talked about death and resurrection magic, he shared a small story; about a song he sang to his daughter when little Octavia had a nightmare one day."

Vortex let out a chuckle. "A story about singing a song? Buddy, I know Verosika can entrance a whole crowd of humans with her voice, so I know songs can have power. But what could that do when we are talking about bringing back the de-."

"He traveled to the future to see a star go supernova as he sang his daughter to sleep in space."

That was news to everyone else but Leonor. Not even Enrique had been told, and Leonor had thought it was an exaggeration on Stolas' part. But what if the man had been sincere? Just how powerful was a Goetia of his position, really?

"You may think this means he could do anything, but that is not exactly the case, and that is why it is necessary for no one to get a wind of this." Even the sound of the vehicle seemed to die down as Carlos laid down the specifics, either that or everyone's attention was mostly focused on what he was about to say. "Traveling in time is not like in movies: You cannot alter the past. You CAN alter the future, but going into the future, then coming back, is no simple matter. On top of that traveling to the past also means you may not be aware if any of your actions are MEANT to alter things, and if you mess up you may end up trapped in an alternate timeline of your own making, while going to the future may mean you'll meet with fates you weren't expecting, like the whole world, or in this case Hell, being gone." The notion itself was worrying for everyone that heard it, but not impossible. If you went so far into the future that all was gone, who would you tell and who would believe you? "But since I have told you that you cannot alter the past, then how do you think I could help Carmen?"

Newcomers and family alike shared glances. That was a good question. How could someone bring someone back from the dead if they weren't to change the past? Carmen had been drowned in an acidic river years ago now.

The past was the past. If it was set in stone…

Regina snapped her fingers. "That is why you asked for confirmation, or proof!" And she had to fight down the urge to yell those words the moment she found the answer. "All anyone knows is that Crimson drowned his wife as he did with anyone that went against him and that he wanted to make suffer. There was no body or anyone that saw her dead."

"Bingo." Carlos finally allowed a smile to return to his face, though it was short lived. "Mind you, this is why I say that it is not a sure thing to do. If I am right, then Stolas, if he agrees to do this, could open a portal for someone to go back and rescue Carmen. That way Carmen would not have died, but everyone would still think she had. In effect this would be changing nothing, so long as no one finds out." And the reason his smile faltered was not his insecurity. "The problem is that, even if it works, I don't think we could let Carmen go around freely for a long time."

While Kyra began to protest, Vortex interrupted the woman with a grumble coming from his throat. Either he did it on purpose, or it was his way of agreeing with him.

Verosika either didn't, or didn't understand why. "Vortex?"

"We just agreed that Mammon would end up getting rid of the whole Knolastname family if shit went down, didn't we?" Though they had been more passive and observers than participants, both Succubi had to agree with Vortex. "And why was it? Because Mammon would do it? Or because Crimson would fuck around and force things to go down that path? Dunno about you girls, but I am pretty sure he is the kind of dick to do a lot of shit to his own kid if he were to find out his mum is still alive. You know, because if it was us I am sure we'd try to escape and go find her."

"Fek." Kyra quickly voiced whatever Verosika and Regina had been thinking. "Nah, Ah see why. Heck, Ah bet that dick would beat up his own kid just 'cos. If he found out auntie was alive, we'd even get screwed over… So she'll have to be hidden if this does work." The Imp was frustrated, true, but there was far more relief in her mind. If this worked… "But she'd be alive. Ah'm sure she wouldn't mind waitin' till she can see her child again. We'll keep her safe and happy in the meantime."

Verosika frowned for a moment. "Don't you think you are going too fast here? I admit this was quite the drama, and I enjoyed it unfold. But now you are acting as if this was guaranteed."

"You do remember that he CAN call Lucifer, right?"

Verosika turned around to face the driver. Hector wasn't looking their way, he was just giving the Succubus a smarmy smirk through the mirror.

"He also said he'd prefer not to do it." Verosika pointed out with a pout. Being told off like this wasn't exactly on her laundry list.

"He'd prefer not. He will still do it." Hector let out a hearty laugh at this. "Or did you forget?"

Verosika looked like she had been slapped. "Forget what? Who the fuck would shackle themselves to one of the Sins with further clauses in their Contract? WHY would you do it?"

"Family."

The response came from four different voices. Three of them clearly found humor in it to an extent, though while Leonor didn't quite get the joke, they all meant the word.

"Gonzalo is going to be fucking pissed he missed that joke." Enrique sniggered from his seat. "We'll rub it on his face later, yeh?"

"Bet your ass we will." There was another laugh, even Leonor cracked a smile, but Carlos became serious a moment after. "Verosika, let me tell you something. I didn't grow angry for no reason when I heard someone related to Zana was dead. In fact, let me demonstrate."

Threatening as it may sound, there was no danger to Verosika, Vortex or anyone else in the car. What Carlos meant was very simple to see, for now he was calm.

And he had enough control to do something simple, though not for as long as he'd like.

He just allowed his nails to be covered in ice, growing what would easily pass for a rending claw.

The air grew frosty for a second as the effect took place, and Carlos simply let out a small humm, though it looked like he wasn't exactly happy. "See I like to think I am a very nice person most of the time."

"You are." Was the chorus of three voices that silenced Carlos for a moment. He just rolled his eyes before speaking again.

"I give everyone a chance, maybe two, so long as they haven't offended me grievously, or either harmed or endangered my family. If we keep in touch and you get to know me, you'll see that I dislike, or despise, liars, depending on the reasons and means they use to lie. But traitors? Oh my, oh my…" Carlos just twirled the claws in the air for a second, more testing to see if it was all working as intended than anything. To see the air almost freeze around his hand told those not used to this, or having seen him train, far more than it really was. "I have never liked traitors, backstabbers and general fairweather friends. I am a very self deprecating person in many, many ways. But you know the one I don't have doubts about? The one that I know would make me give it my all? My family."

"Liars? I generally stop talking with them, unless something really bad happens because of them." Just like that, Carlos allowed one of the claws to banish. "Traitors? Oh, you can bet that, if I can, I will beat them to a pulp. And down here? I am feeling even more vindictive than topside." The next claw shattered, leaving his hand unharmed, but making a clear statement as the ice crystals disappeared the moment they touched the floor. "And mind you: Part of our family wants us dead now, just because we survive in Hell. Family or not, they are traitors first."

It was with these words that a horrific screech was heard. Apparently the mere idea of having to do this, while accepted, was still churning Carlos' insides and would likely remain that way until it was done.

Or until he died.

As the remains of those ice claws disappeared in the air, everyone recovering from that disgustingly harmful sound, Carlos clicked his tongue. A simple look at his hand revealed a very real worry that had been plaguing him. It was not that he had made a mistake and he had frozen his hand, no, it was that he had enjoyed, if for a moment, seeing the others disturbed, or even hurt, by that disgusting sound. And a physical mark of that was the slowly darkening nails. The change had grown exponentially every time he trained his magic and soon they'd turn fully, with his teeth being not far behind in their sharpening.

His cousins hadn't shown any such signs. His sister? She had been painting her nails more often nowadays and he wasn't about to ask her to show him her teeth. For all he knew he had been the only one suffering from this change. Carlos didn't know if 'suffering' was the correct word to use, but the effect on him warranted the definition.

Because, while Carlos and his family all had a natural thirst for violence, for they had been for it, there were thoughts in his mind that shouldn't be there. It was those thoughts that had pushed him to spread that cold before, and the ones that made him use the ice like nails on a chalkboard.

Something in him was itching to hurt others. And 'hurt' was a fitting word, for now, though the idea of keeping someone alive to do it again would've been better being called plain old torture. Carlos was utterly afraid of this feeling, these intrusive thoughts, whatever it was, growing worse. He'd be talking with Stolas about this soon, and having a meeting with him to ask about bringing Carmen 'back to life' was an excuse to bring it up without having to worry everyone else.

And if Carlos was the one to go through this crap? Then all the better. He'd take his family's support any day, but he'd gladly shoulder whatever burden came their way. Whatever this was, it wasn't as bad as everything else going on, and Stolas would know something. But if this was serious? He'd bite the bullet and share the news. He wasn't stupid enough to force everyone to remain oblivious. He had been reminded far too many times that he wasn't alone by now.

For now Carlos just let go of this line of thought and went back to the conversation.

"Sorry about that. I am not exactly an expert at controlling this yet. Anyways…" And while he was stretching the truth, he was far closer to it than he knew. "But for the family I love and that keeps me going? As I swore to Lucifer: I would scour Heaven and hunt God. Bold of me, sure, but I would at least try if needed." He knew if he did something that stupid he'd die, most likely now and at any point in the future. That didn't mean he was lying. "If I could bring someone from my family back by taking another burden? I will. Zana has had her doubts, but she has warmed up to me and has offered me no reason to doubt her. Kyra I just met, but Zana is her sister and I see that both care for their kin deeply. I'd even go to Greed personally if Leonor wants her sister back-."

"Cleo won't be coming with you that easily. I'd need to be there for her to hear you out." Leonor sounded rueful to say the least. Angry would be more apt, but she did her best to not show it. "And if I went there and took someone away from Crimson he'd know. In fact he'd know as soon as we got into the Hellevator, and he'd be itching for a 'meeting' with you."

It wasn't a hint that she threw at Carlos. Leonor had simply laid the cards down in front of him. "Would he really be willing to piss off Lucifer if he did something?"

"I told you: Crimson is either in control, or he makes sure everything burns. And it is a trait that has been growing more pronounced over time. At some point he will start running out of funds and personnel, one way or another." Saying that clearly hurt Leonor. She was itching to see her sister again, or drag her away from Crimson if possible, but there was the chance that Cleo would opt to stay, mostly because that was the life they had known almost from the start. "It could all go to waste and the few people over there that we care about could be hurt, or worse. I can wait. I am patient."

"And I'll do my best to make sure you don't need to be that patient." Carlos assured Leonor as he looked at her with conviction in his eyes. "There are means. If need be, we can get her to come over somehow… Perhaps not to Pride, but I am sure Crimson could be tempted with a fat enough prize in some other Ring." His expression softened even more as he offered to go further. "And if it is truly needed? Well, I suppose I can always get more shackles on. At this point I am not afraid of the prospect if it helps you."

Leonor thought 'It is a shame', and she thought that because she found herself just laying her head on top of Carlos' with a sigh. She had wanted to do a lot more right now. Most of it involved tearing Carlos' clothes apart.

It just felt that good to be wanted and loved in any sense of the word, at least before. Since she had joined this family it became better; the sincerity of his attempts made her feel appreciated, and he didn't exactly dislike her in other ways. Leonor only wished he became less… doubtful and self flagellating.

If only she knew just how easier it was when said than done.

Carlos was just happy with the contact itself, more so considering his previous pang of doubt and concern. He let out a sigh of contentment, just like Leonor did. But there was one difference here: Leonor's eye was half lidded, watching the one Succubus she had doubts about, whereas Carlos just relaxed himself and let his guard down.

For all his worries and changes, he was still far too trusting.

So he didn't see Verosika and Vortex with different expressions on them, neither disapproving, though the Succubus was thinking of something, perhaps someone, from what Leonor could see,while Vortex appeared to do his best to be neutral. Kyra herself seemed curious, though it likely had to do with how this would look if it was her sister and not Leonor, likely interested in seeing if this was what her sister had managed to find for herself or if it was an act of some kind, though the Impo seemed largely convinced, more or less relaxed and somewhat happier after she had been offered support where there was none before. As for the last new face in the car? She didn't manage to hide the growing envy and concealed interest that she had been trying to mask for so long.

"You would really ask Lucifer for help just to make sure she could talk with her sister?" Regina couldn't hide the green envy in her voice, but she did mask it well enough with incredulity.

Leonor wouldn't fault her here. Had it been almost anyone else, Leonor would have had very good doubts too.

"Oh come on Reggie." Verosika rolled her eyes. "We had a beautiful drama sprinkled with selflessness, love and shit. Are you really going to do this now? You did the same when I mentioned him to you."

Vortex sat upright. "She knew?!"

"Of course she knew, Tex." Verosika grunted. She just fucked up. Eh, this would've happened sooner or later. "We already saw what happened when you learned of it."

Carlos and Leonor didn't pay much mind to the conversation that was now forming. Instead Carlos chose to just answer Regina.

"I would. I would do practically anything for my family, practically as much for my friends too." Vortex and Verosika didn't hear him, but Carlos saw how Regina seemed uncomfortable for some reason while Kyra looked on with interest. "Besides, he may be in a good mood after we get back."

Again, Carlos missed a clear clue. Who didn't miss it were Leonor and, funnily enough, Kyra. Both women saw Regina perk up in a very particular way.

"Why? Considering the truck, you are bringing stuff here." Regina did her best to look doubtful, but the intent look she had in her eyes was very telling. She wanted to know details here.

"Oh, we are bringing stuff for Asmodeus, though not because Lucifer asked us to." And as it was expected of him, Carlos was very relaxed when sharing what he shouldn't. "Though meeting with the Sin of Lust is part of it. I mean… you guys are going to be with us at the meeting, right?"

He said this loud enough to stop the squabbling siblings. The interaction hadn't been enough to dispel that 'bodyguard' white lie from before, but some of those present were already thinking there was more than met the eye. In any case, after letting out a 'humpf' at her brother, Verosika decided that Carlos' new conversation was better than Vortex' hounding.

"Yes. I promised Lord Asmodeus we'd be present." Though Verosika quickly found herself wondering why she had been asked this. "Why, though?"

"Well, just to make sure this, too, isn't going to be shared." Now Leonor was the one to roll her eye. Carlos motioned everyone around him to get closer. Either he wanted to further do away with the previous 'negative' impressions he left, or he just wanted to entertain possible new friends. Whatever it was, he did his best to string them along. "See, while finding Kyra has been a happy coincidence and I am indeed basically ordered to try and pick up another new member for my family here, Lucifer has sent me here to hunt."

Verosika looked somewhat nervous as she glanced at Vortex for a moment, only to ask. "Hunt… what?"

"Nothing much." Carlos' smile was disarming. His words? Not so much, because Leonor was not the only one to see how Regina's skin turned slightly pale as he fessed up. "Just a little 'bird' that is doing a few nasty things that the big bad boss of Hell doesn't like." That smile became a predatory one, mutating fangs included, as he made something perfectly clear. "And after being told what it was that he was doing? Let's say I was very much willing to roast him up for my lady back home."

And while the rest of the travel was silent, short as it was, every mind in the car was abuzz. Every new face had their own thoughts and worries for various reasons, while Carlos, his cousin and uncled seemed just relaxed enough, having no problem with what had been going on.

Leonor, for her part, stared at Regina the whole way.

Someone was either going to be a problem, or a boon.

* End Chapter *

So… A couple months late. Happy new year? Belated, of course.

Okay, let's get to the point. There were two reasons for this to take two months.

1º The length. It was, as it usually is, not meant to be this long. I knew what I wanted to show this chapter. I didn't know it would fight me to the bitter end and make me rewrite it nearly a (literal) dozen times. Why was it so? Fuck if I know. It felt so easy to write down the first draft, then I read it, I found flaws, I fixed, found more, fixed again and you know how the story goes. This chapter was TIRING to say the least because sometimes it felt too bloated, at others it felt too short. This is the closest I have gotten to having it as intended, so it is how it stays.

2º New year was busy. Not bad, or conflicting or anything. For once we didn't have problems! Well, I twisted my foot being a retard and not watching where I was going, which made it hard to walk for two damn weeks, but hey, that is on me because I idiot hard.

Though, as a side note? Work (or searching for work) and writing commissions take time. Look, I need to FOOD like everyone else \o3o/. So that alone is also being a bitch with my 'free' time. I do what I can, but I suppose fanfiction should just take a step back when there are other things to do. I wish to still try and remain uploading regularly, but I can't promise that'll be the case, depending on how things go.

Anyway, thanks for the patience. See you guys next month (hopefully)!