A/N:

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for your patience while I write more of this fic, I'm very happy to be back again with a few new chapters :) Time to rescue Louise and focus on Alastor's second radio show of the evening. Thanks for reading!

Partners

Chapter 105:

La Vie En Radio Part 1: Hunt for Two

The radio show had ended, and technically everyone was supposed to be gathering on the hotel roof to celebrate and have a late dinner and watch the fireworks show Sir Pentious was about to set off from the airship. Everyone…except Husk and Molly apparently, who might have gotten a little distracted on their way to the festivities.

Specifically, they had stopped by Molly's room first so she could grab a sweater in case it was chilly on the roof. Then, somewhere between Molly digging through her dresser and Husk taking a moment to sit on the bed while waiting, the door had closed… and they'd realized they were alone and remembered their intimate plans for later tonight and had instantly started heatedly making out. To be fair, it had been a long day and a stressful radio show, and the relief of ravishing each other a little felt so good.

Molly had Husk pinned to her vanity table now, peppering his cat cheeks with tender kisses. Husk purred without shame or hesitation, smiling as his eyes hazed and his wings flared. "Molly…you sure you don't wanna go look at the fireworks with everyone else?" He chuckled.

She all but climbed on top of him on the vanity. "Can see 'em…fine from…the window…" she panted between kisses, dragging her hands through his feathers. She paused for a moment, flushed and breathless. "Besides, if we stop now and try ta go up ta the roof with everyone else, I'm gonna be a hot mess thinkin' about ya."

"And I'll be a hot mess thinking about you being a hot mess…" He chuckled, running a hand through her hair, down her shoulder…along the side of her chest, making her back arch slightly. He swallowed. "We could always stay here to watch the fireworks and neck and then grab some leftovers in the kitchen before we…find each other again later…"

Molly looked into his questioning eyes, her own hazed. "Or we could find each other right here and right now." Her chest heaved against the low collar her dress. "I want ya, Husky. Bad. I need…" she bit her lip, "I need someone ta help me love this body, ta help me love bein' free to do whatever I want with myself. I need YOU…"

Husk was trembling as he nodded. He put his hands on her waist. "I'm gonna love you in all the ways you should have been loved. I'd be real nervous with anyone else after all this time, but not with you. I want to try with you. I need you too." He rested their foreheads together. "Let's go to bed, Molly."

She nodded, eyes giddy with wonder, and then she squeaked in delight when Husk pushed himself off of the vanity and scooped her up in his arms. He carried her over to the bed with a grin and set her down.

Molly blushed, playing with her hair. "I didn't get a chance ta change into one of my sexy outfits for ya."

Husk smiled more. "It's okay — we've got an unlimited supply of nights for sexy outfits. And you're sexy in anything…and in nothing too, I bet." He winked.

Molly burst into giggles. "Do you always get a little corny when you're horny?"

"Shh, don't tell anyone, it'll ruin my grumpy reputation, and that's already been taking a lot of hits lately."

They both stifled laughs.

Then they lingered in shy silence for a moment.

Molly shifted back on the bed and started to move toward the pillows to lie down like normal, but Husk held up a hand. "Wait… Uh, you sitting on the edge of the bed is better for what I thought we could start with."

She paused and tilted her head.

Husk got down on his knees and placed his hands on her thighs.

She turned scarlet. Her eyes hazed, and she swallowed hard. "Husk…you…you don't have to…"

He grinned. "There's an art to making a lady's experience the best it can be. I'm a little rusty, but I hope I can show you the right way for it to be done. No one should ever skimp on your pleasure, Molly. So, if you're okay with it, I really want to."

She was glowing so much. She nodded, rubbing her knees together. "Husky…fellas in life, they didn't just skimp. They never…not once." She looked to the side with a shy pout.

Husk blinked then pouted too. "Jerks." He rubbed gentle circles on her knee with his thumb. "I'll go slow, Molly. And you tell me what you like and what you don't. And it'll be okay. Okay?"

Molly answered him by looking into his eyes…and then grabbing the hem of her dress and pulling it up to her hips. He saw lovely cotton pink panties with red polkadots, clinging to her four seductive white and pink thighs. She laid back. "Show me how it's done, Husky."

He felt a rush of blood head south in his body and had a moment of perfect gratitude that at least this evening he definitely wouldn't be having any trouble getting the physical aspect of things working between his own legs.

He came forward and hovered over Molly, wings spread. "I love you…" he whispered.

"I love you too…" she whispered.

He leaned in and kissed her mouth…her cheeks..her neck…working over her collar and across her heaving chest, then down the front of her dress, his hands holding her hips as she trembled and moaned his name and bent her knees while fireworks exploded outside, filling the room with wild flashes of light and shadow.

And then life threw a wrench into the works.

Alastor's magic protected sounds within a room from being heard outside but allowed external sounds to be heard within the room for the sake of emergencies and general communication. As such, suddenly there was the pounding of feet running through the hall and worried voices calling out and then a frantic knocking on the door.

"Molly! Molly, are you in there? Is Husk in there? Have you seen him? It's an emergency! And it's about Alastor too!" Niffty's worried voice called from the other side.

Husk sighed almost painfully as Molly sat up, trying to catch her breath. "What…what do ya think's going on?" she asked in a daze.

Husk groaned. "Alastor's pulling me away from something I love for his drama again, what else? At least these days it's unintentional." He sat up and bit his lip. "Stay here, maybe it's not a big deal. Maybe we can still…" He blushed then stood, took a breath to calm himself and his body, and went over to the door. He opened it half way. "Niffty, what's up?"

The little demon was buzzing with anxious energy, a worried frown on her features. "The show finished but then Alastor's shadow crashed into the studio upstairs carrying Abel! He's hurt bad! And the Shadow says that Louise got kidnapped by a demon! And now Alastor and Angel left to hunt him down! For a cannibal radio show!"

"Shit…" Husk blind a few times then put on a determined scowl. "Niffty, usual posts — I'll get in touch with Rosie and Mimzy, and you keep an ear on Alastor's show. We'll help the others with Abel as we can."

She nodded. Then Molly appeared behind Husk, her dress a little twisted and her complexion a little flushed, but otherwise seeming put together. She tried to smile.

"Oh!" Niffty blinked and frowned. "I'm so sorry to interrupt you two. I…maybe I should have tried to handle it myself."

Husk knelt down, smiling. "No way. When it comes to Alastor, we handle him together. He's a two demon job, remember?"

Niffty smiled a little and nodded.

Molly bent down to her. "We'll all make sure Alastor and Tony are okay, and Able and Louise too. Thank ya for telling us, Niffty."

Niffty gave Molly a nod. "Abel's getting first aid in Baxter's lab. He's hurt a lot, but he'll be okay. I've gotta go finish helping Baxter patch him up, and then I've gotta get a radio set up. Thank you both for helping." She smiled but then bit her lip and zipped down the hall.

Husk shut the door and turned to Molly. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes with a frown. "I'm so sorry."

Molly put her hands on his. "Husk, like ya said before, we have plenty of sexy nights ahead. Right now people we love are hurt and in danger, and there's clearly somethin' ya can do to help. So please do it and just let me know how I can help too. It's okay."

He let out a breath and hugged her tight. "Did I mention you're the greatest lady ever?"

"Yeah, but I like hearin' it," She hugged him in return.

They separated and then Husk went over to Molly's nightstand and found the two way radio they'd been using earlier. "Alastor and Angel will be able to save Louise, no problem. But what's complicated is Alastor putting on one of his cannibal radio shows tonight so he can make an example of the demon who nabbed her. When he does one of those, usually me and Niffty try to stay on top of it. The last couple of times we couldn't cuz frankly stuff at this hotel has been a roller coaster ever since we got here. But we're all getting the hang of things now, and Alastor really is gonna need some support for a show like this to make sure it doesn't escalate or go south, especially after making himself so high profile today with his hotel show. My job is to coordinate with Rosie and Mimzy to make sure they know it's happening so they can prep the Cannibal Colony radio tower. Niffty's job is to tune in to his show and makes sure things sound like business as usual."

Molly nodded, approaching the radio as Husk fiddled with the dial. She swallowed. "And Niffty's…okay with listenin' ta the show?"

Husk nodded. "I think she kind of likes them, honestly. I mean, not the violence and bloodshed part — she just kind of glosses over all that. What she likes is hearing Alastor get excited and passionate when he performs, and rooting for him as he takes down a bad guy. She's a big fan."

Molly tilted her head but smiled and shrugged "Well, as long as she's happy."

"She is, trust me." Husk smiled then finally found the right station and turned to the radio. "Rosie! Mimzy! Come in! Do you read?"

"Husk?" Rosie's voice sounded. "We were just about to begin our meeting with the cannibals about Alastor and Angel's…on-air chemistry. Did Alastor finally realize how obvious their connection is? Does he have something to add?"

"No, nothing like that. Cut the meeting short, Rosie," Husk replied. "Some demon beat up Abel on the way home tonight and kidnapped Louise. Alastor and Angel already went out after him…and I think Alastor's gonna be dragging the demon to the colony shortly for one of his more 'culinary' radio shows."

"Abel? Louise? Oh that's awful!" Mimzy suddenly piped up. "Oh, and two shows in one day, and one of them is a cannibal show, and he's still with Angel — how intense for him! At least everyone is here already so we can let them know and get the tower prepared! We'll make sure that terrible kidnapper has a night he won't forget!"

"Indeed we will!" Rosie agreed. "Husk, is Abel okay at least?" she asked, concerned.

"Yeah, Niffty says he's hurt bad but he'll be fine. We're just hoping Alastor tracks down Louise before…" He sighed deeply.
"He will, Husk," Mimzy assured. "Alastor's the best hunter, and Angel is so smart and knows this town so well. It'll be okay. And Louise will be safe."

"Yeah, I know… Thanks, ladies." His confident tone resumed. "I'll keep the radio with me — let me know if there are any updates on your end and I'll do the same. Over and out."

"Over and out!" Rosie and Mimzy said at once.

Molly was already at her door. "I'm gonna boil some water and make some soup for Abel and Louise."

"I'll grab some liquor bottles from the bar in case we need extra disinfectant." Husk raced to her side.
"Meet back up here to help with taking care of Abel and preparin' for Louise once we're done?" Molly asked.

Husk nodded. They headed down the stairs together, both fully focused on aiding their hotel family in its time of need.

In Cannibal Colony, Rosie tucked away her two-way radio and sighed deeply. Mimzy squeezed her hand and gave her an encouraging smile.

And then the two ladies turned to face the scores of curious cannibals already gathered outside of the radio tower for the impromptu meeting they had arranged earlier.

Rosie and Mimzy had kept their conversation with Husker hushed, but regardless Rosie knew it was time to come clean about a few things (more or less), and Mimzy knew they had to hurry if Alastor was already on the hunt and closing in on a fresh 'guest' for his show. Sharing a knowing look, they turned their attention to the crowd.

Rosie cleared her throat. "Thank you all for coming! I wanted to ease in to the reason for this meeting but circumstances have changed, so I'm afraid we just don't have the time. If you'll let me be blunt and keep your questions to a minimum until they can be answered by the men in question, your cooperation will be greatly appreciated."

Off in the crowd a cannibal lady blew her nose loudly into a hanky, sniffling. "Oh Rosie, just tell us whatever you're planning to share, we can take it!"

"Alastor never had a co-host before, but somehow it felt like he's had one forever!" another added, teary.

"Is he…are they…is this his way of telling us…?" a third started. "At least we'll always have the hats he threw us and the glances he shot us and the sweet little notes he'd leave us, but still…"

Mimzy sighed, arms crossed. "Now, now, there's no need to get in a tizzy! If you want direct answers, you'll have to hear them from Alastor himself. For now, just accept what you heard and support him and his new co-host Angel."

"Alastor has a new, dear friend," Rosie went on simply. "And we're glad you got to witness the glorious effect Angel has on him firsthand. The young men really bring out the best in each other, and Mimzy and I are very grateful their paths crossed. They've been spending a lot of time together and will continue spending time together. Any conjectures based on that fact are rumors and will not be taken kindly." Her eyes flashed, sobering and silencing the eager crowd.

Mimzy nodded. "We don't gossip about our dear Alastor. We support him and root for him and welcome whatever he decides to share with us. And right now he's sharing Angel. And we're all gonna be very calm and not make anything dramatic. And we're definitely not gonna share any wild unconfirmed ideas about Alastor outside of the colony. Right?" She eyed the crowd

The crowd all gave nods, even the cannibal ladies in the back still drying their eyes. Everyone wore determined expressions, ready to support their fearless leader no matter what.

Rosie smiled at the response. "Thank you for your cooperation. Alastor will appreciate it too. And speaking of our charming overlord…Mimzy and I have just been informed that today's entertainment isn't over yet. Alastor has chosen a new guest…" Her eyes narrowed as her fangs flashed in her grin.

"And he's on the hunt and bringing him here soon for a special late night broadcast radio show!" Mimzy added eagerly. She cleared her throat and 'casually' tacked on, "With Angel…"

There were delighted smiles and nods and conversation amongst all the cannibals. Even Alastor's little fan club of ladies seemed more intrigued than distressed.

Rosie clapped her hands together. "Now then, let's come together one final time today to make sure everything is ship shape for our Alastor! Mimzy and I will prepare the studio. A group of you, please disconnect the cables transmitting to the hotel. And as for the rest of you, please clear the streets, gather refreshments, and polish this tower until it sparkles darkly. We're about to have a fine night indeed in Cannibal Colony!"

Her eyes glowed red, and the eyes of the others and Mimzy glowed red, and with cheers and wicked laughter everyone went to their tasks most eagerly as the time for the second radio show neared.

"Vaggie, did you find any extra bandages? Niffty's almost done with Baxter's stitches." Charlie asked, wiping sweat from her brow, her eyes wide in worry as she stood by the fish demon's bedside in Baxter's lab.

Immediately clean bandages were gently placed into her hands, along with some iodine for disinfecting. "Here, babe. These fresh ones should protect his stitches for a while. Thankfully his head wound was shallow. And Baxter's about to give him something for the pain."

Charlie nodded, sighing in relief. "Thanks, Vaggie." She gave her girlfriend a grateful smile then turned back to Abel's prone form. As Niffty snipped off the end of the thread for his stitches, Charlie put some antiseptic on the bandage and carefully wrapped it around his head again. She secured it, and thankfully no blood seeped through this time. She bit her lip. "I just hope we have enough bandages for Louise if she's hurt too…"

"Not to worry, I keep plenty of emergency injury supplies around in case Alastor gets into a scuffle!" Niffty assured. "They're in his office — be back in a flash!" Niffty dashed away as Baxter finished injecting the contents of a syringe into Abel. The patient let out a sigh and his breathing slowed a little.

"And I've got plenty of pain meds and sedatives," Baxter assured. "I enjoy making new formulas and improving on them for research purposes. The one I'm using on Abel is a good blend for aquatic demons, and I've got plenty for mammals like Louise too." He looked at Abel's battered body and frowned. "He'll need fresh clothes. These are dirty and could infect any open cuts we can't see. I'll grab some from his room." Charlie nodded and Baxter dashed out of his lab.

Cherri and Steve immediately ran in.

Charlie looked to Cherri. "Cherri, any luck getting in touch with Alastor and Angel yet?"

She shook her head. "I tried calling Angie a couple of times. Must have his phone off. Makes sense if they're hunting down the guy who hunted Louise…"

"We let Pen and Niss know what happened as soon as they came down from the airship for the after party — they're back up there now, combing the streets to see if they can find anyone," Steve added.

Charlie let out a breath. "Good. Thank you. And I'm sure Angel will call when he and Alastor are ready. In the meantime, we should get a second cot set up for Louise."

"On it!" Vaggie was already across the room, digging into Baxter's supply closet, and Cherri and Steve were grabbing pillows and blankets from Baxter's bed.

Sev and Helsa had been present in the lab this entire time, albeit frozen in a corner, just watching in confusion and wonder. And Helsa might have been watching with a bit of blushing too. She had never seen Lottie take command like this, and in the middle of a seriously deadly crisis no less. She kept wanting to ask what she could do to help but she also kept being afraid that she'd mess up the task or just get in the way. Meanwhile, beside her, Sev had his brow furrowed like he was ready to act but just trying to think of his own best way to help.

Even though they both weren't quite ready, Charlie recalled their presence now and turned to them. She smiled and dashed over. "Sev, Helsa…I'm sorry, I didn't mean for you both to get caught up in such a crisis. I know this is getting very intense. But it's okay, we've got it covered. You can relax downstairs if you want and just let us know when Alastor and Angel and Louise come back, or you can head home. And I promise, these dangerous situations don't happen too often with the hotel…"

"Wait…do you mean they've happened BEFORE?" Helsa couldn't help asking in some shock.

Charlie's eyes widened. Then she sighed and stood up tall. "Yes. This isn't the first time someone here has been attacked for personal reasons or for hotel reasons or for political reasons. And each time it happens we just do our best to keep everyone safe. I know that's not something I talked to you about earlier when we were negotiating you sponsoring the hotel. So if you don't want to move forward as partners, it's okay and I'll understand. But right now I have to save two of my citizens."

Helsa blinked. "I…Lottie, that's not what I…I mean…"

Sev stepped forward, looking into Charlie's eyes. "We are not going to abandon you, Char. Not again. Not ever," he assured. "We're here, we want to help. Tell us what we can do."

Helsa nodded vigorously. "We're part of this now, and no one fucks with a Von Eldritch enterprise and especially not with a Magne enterprise and especially not with a joint enterprise. We're with you, Lottie, forever."

Charlie smiled so much, barely able to wipe all the tears away from her eyes. "I…thank you. Um, let me think, I—"

Cherri's phone rang, and her eye immediately widened. "Uh, it's Angel!"

All eyes went to her as she answered the phone. "Angie, where are you? What's up? Do you need help? Tell Radio Head I've got C4 planted in strategic locations all round this Pentagram for any emergency arson needs."

Helsa tried to ignore suddenly flushing warmly at the very hot idea of how Cherri's lethal planning.

Cherri just listened and made some affirmative sounds. Then she sighed. "Charlie, he wants to talk to you. And to Vaggie. Should I put him on speaker or…"

Charlie nodded. "Yes. It's okay, we should all know what's going on."

Cherri pressed a button on her phone and Angel's voice filled the room, talking in a hushed tone. "Charlie, Vaggie, whoever the heck else is there… Al and me are fine. Al's got the scent of the guy's blood, I've been tracking bits of wool coming off of Louise. We should have him soon. She's gonna be okay, don't worry. Just tell us Abel's okay?"

Charlie let out a sigh of relief. "That's good, I'm glad you're close to saving her. And Abel's hurt but he'll be fine."

"Good, good." Angel sighed in relief. Then he hesitated. "Charlie, you need to know something. We're not just going to rescue Louise, and we're not even just gonna kick the ass of the demon who took her. We…"

Alastor's voice came through now. "Charlie, I've encountered this demon before. He is not redeemable. Once, I tried hurting him but letting him recover as a lesson. It didn't take. And now Louise is in jeopardy. I'm bringing him to my radio tower — my Cannibal Colony radio tower — for a show tonight. And I will end him there."

There was silence for a moment. Charlie's eyes were wide.

Alastor sighed. "I know you and I briefly discussed my intentions to keep my colony shows and my hotel shows very separate. It's unfortunate to have them occur on the same night in this situation. I don't want to damage the reputation we worked so hard to build today, but I cannot let this demon continue to hurt others, and I cannot show leniency to a slight against the hotel, and I do need to reestablish my lethal reputation and powers to boot." He cleared his throat, clearly fighting to keep a slight crack out of his voice. "I do still owe you a favor, Charlie? Remember? From when you gave me shelter and aid in my time of vulnerability and need. If you would like to use that favor to…request that I only support the hotel from the shadows while the Von Eldritches take the spotlight as sponsors, I would understand. Perhaps Angel could host the radio shows at my hotel tower and I'll stick to my colony shows only." He took a deep breath. "I do not mean to put you in a difficult position, Charlie. My apologies."

Charlie stepped toward the phone. "Alastor, thank you for explaining everything. But I would never use a favor to silence you or to ask you to stay in the shadows. You've spent enough of your afterlife there. I like you in the light." She smiled gently. "It's important to me that the Pentagram realizes that…no one who comes to this hotel is going to become 'perfect'. And they're not expected to be. And they shouldn't be. Even people who went straight to heaven sinned sometimes, Alastor. This hotel is about not turning our backs on the goodness inside of every demon just because there's some badness too. And I won't turn my back on you. Do your show. And if any demons have problems about it, we'll explain to them that coming to this hotel doesn't mean being controlled by virtue. It means examining sin and making your own choices and taking responsibility for them. And that's exactly what you're doing. And you're saving someone we love in the process. And the same goes for you with helping him, Angel!" She finished, voice full of encouragement.

The line was quiet then Angel came back on. "Heh, sorry, Al needs a minute, he's got something in his eye. I do too." He sniffed. "Thanks, Charlie. Really. We'll still try to be discrete and subtle at least. No scenes, just a quick rescue then off to the radio tower. I'll keep in touch. We'll see you soon. Cherri, if Abel wakes up make sure he knows his fiancé is in good hands."

"You got it, Angie." Cherri nodded and then the call ended.

Vaggie moved alongside Charlie and took her hand. Charlie squeezed her hand in return. Then she looked to the Von Eldritches. "Helsa, Sev, if you two still want something to do…. I've been a little skittish about tv and social media lately ever since…the stuff with my parents. Could you both keep an eye on the tv and the internet, and let me know if things take a turn for the worse when people find out about Alastor's show? I just want to know what I have to prepare to defend."

Helsa's chest puffed up and she held her head high. "I'll make a blacklist of anyone who says shit on every platform," she affirmed. "Sev, you check out the tv…and maybe have Steve join you — ya know so you don't fall asleep or something since it's late."

Sev's eyes widened, and he blushed at the sudden suggestion. "I, uh…"

Steve stepped close to him. "I've got a portable set in my room we could use." He smiled a little.

"You're room?! Uh, cool…" Sev nodded, voice cracking, before nearly stumbling as he followed after an amused Steve.

Helsa rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling a little.

Then she froze up when Cherri came beside her. "Honestly I'll just end up spending the night staring at my phone waiting for another call from Angel — so I might as well search social media with you while I'm at it and make any plans for good publicity." She shrugged. "Come on, we can hang out on the roof — better reception there."

"Oh! Uh…whatever, yeah, sure, I guess, cool…" Helsa tried not to hate herself for sounding like a total dork and tried not to blush too much as Cherri grinned.

Cherri went to the door but Helsa hesitated, biting her lip and looking at Charlie who was already checking monitors and adjusting Abel's pillows. "Lottie!" She started before she could stop herself. Charlie looked up. Helsa swallowed. "You're…you're a fucking badass at this — all of this. A born queen doing things I could never do. I'd sponsor you to the goddamn moon and back any day." Then she quickly turned and followed after a confused Cherri, just trying not to think about how, if sinners (or worse, angels) attacked this hotel often enough, Charlie could end up lying in one of those cots one day.

Cherri must have noticed her distress because the demon took her hand. Helsa glanced at her and blinked back some tears. Cherri smiled. "You're a badass too, you know, Helsa. And we'll get through this like we always do. But I'm glad you're here this time to help."

Helsa squeezed her hand back probably a little too hard and nodded awkwardly in appreciation and wonder as Cherri lead them to the quiet of the roof.

On a street corner, Angel put away his phone then pulled out his gun and silently slipped into the shadows of an alley. He joined a familiar shadowy figure at the opposite end, whose blackened radio eyes were watching a seemingly abandoned building across the street.

"Al…" Angel whispered, "You okay about…Charlie being okay?"

Alastor gave a single nod..though Angel swore he saw the glint of a lingering tear in one of those dark, swirling eyes.

Angel moved closer. "The hotel's reputation is gonna be fine. Charlie believes in you and so do I and so does Louise. You're doing the right thing — keeping people safe, keeping yourself strong, keeping hell on its toes. You don't gotta change who you are to be loved. Just keep doing your best. Okay?"

Alastor let out a deep breath and his eyes returned to normal. He did blink away a few tears now. His smile was small but sincere. "Thank you, Anthony." He swallowed. "I just…do not want to disappoint anyone, I suppose." His brow furrowed. "Such a stressful thought and yet…it's nice to have so many people to care about disappointing, ha."

"I know the feeling." Angel smiled a little, and they shared a brief comforting look. Then he gestured to the building. "So that bull guy is definitely in there with Louise?" He raised an eyebrow. "I still can't believe you never told me that you met her by saving her from him. I knew you and Louise had shared some kind of mushy bonding experience, but I didn't realize you full on saved her life. No wonder she's such a fan of yours."

Alastor shrugged. "Good deeds complicate my deadly reputation. So do fans who admire me for my faint virtues. Louise and I simply agreed to let the matter rest. But as long as you and I are taking down this demon tonight, I wanted you to know the full story." One of his ears flicked shyly. "Besides, you already know all about the better parts of me."

"And it's been a privilege," Angel assured warmly. Then he glanced back across the street. "I just can't believe the jerk actually took her to his old butcher shop. Seriously, how obvious could he be, returning to the scene of the crime?" He checked to make sure his gun was fully loaded.

"Ha, yes — he's cruel but not bright. And indeed I've seen no sign that he has any intention of leaving…" Alastor took a deep inhale of the air through his nose and nodded. "I can smell his flesh and blood." A strange, almost aroused smile came to the deer's features before he blinked, trying to school it. "My apologies, I hope accompanying me on a hunt for the first time hasn't been too off putting."

"Honestly…" Angel popped a silencer onto his gun with a little grin, "I didn't wanna make you self conscious, but you stalking the streets with an appetite to kill is sorta fierce…primal…sexy."

Alastor straightened up tall and glowed brightly before quickly turning his face away from the butcher shop. "Anthony! Not now, you'll give us away, ha…" Yet he seemed to be beaming with pride as he took a few breaths and willed the glow from his skin.

Angel just chuckled. "Heh, sorry, Smiles. Just trying to keep ya loose."

"Hmm…still…" Alastor's eyes narrowed playfully, and perhaps his hip cocked to the side just a tad…as his smile fell as his voice slipped southern. "With yo' swiftness and stealth and sheer firepow'ah as ya hunted by ma' side…yo' quite enticin' yourself, cher."

Angel nearly fumbled his gun, heart pounding. "A-Alastor? Heh…"

The deer looked positively hungry, and for a moment Angel felt a compulsion to serve himself up on a silver platter…but not as a main course.

Alastor smirked and glanced away, smile and radio voice returning. "All's fair in love and flirting, Angel."

Angel blinked a few times and finally came out of what he could only describe as an aroused fugue state. "Uh, yeah, heh…" He blushed, smiling shyly, fixing his hair, then finally cleared his throat and focused as best he could on his gun again. "Come on, time to get our friend back and teach this bull some manners."

Alastor beamed and flashed his fangs as he pulled a knife from his sleeve. "Indeed — shall we, darling?" He gestured forward.

"Together, handsome." Angel gestured forward too. Then with dark smiles they padded silently across the street and approached the abandoned shop.

Val had taken Velvet's advice to heart after his anticlimactic date with Vox. He'd gone back to the VIP lounge at the studio with her, stuffed his face with a few burgers and bottomless fries and some cake, pouted and slumped and maybe hid a sniffle or two at the general unfairness of life…and then when all of that complaining was out of his system he changed into some pajamas from the laundry Velvet had sent out to get cleaned for him and settled in on the couch to take a long, hard look at his life.

Currently, Velvet was passed out in the reclining chair next to him, feet in the air and head hanging off an armrest, frosting smeared on her smiling face as she slept.

She looked so ridiculous…but she was goddamn fierce.

Vox could keep Val in line about 90 percent of the time that it was needed. As for the other 10 percent of the time, Val always figured his mood was usually too lethal and sour and enraged for anyone to reign in. Velvet had done it today though, and now he suspected she had always been able to do it, she'd just never been invested enough to try. Val was getting better at being grateful for both of their presences in his life because, without them, he had to admit that he probably would have gone too far long ago and either been taken out by another overlord after an exceptionally arrogant fuckup or torn apart by a bunch of unionizing strippers after an exceptionally abusive fuckup.

Velvet wouldn't leave him behind. She actually needed him and Vox too to keep herself in check, in a way — distracted and grounded enough that she wouldn't go on some giddy spree of violence with a knife and a pastry bag someday and get herself taken out. And Vox definitely wouldn't leave Vel behind because he was a decent guy who cared about his friends, and so of course he wouldn't leave Val behind now that they were better friends…unless Val tried to push that friendship to something more maybe? But…if he didn't push for more, he'd never know if there could be more. And his heart would ache forever, and he couldn't fucking stand it.

"Shit, you're right, Vel…" he whispered in the dark, "I've gotta put in the work if I want this to happen…and then put in the work to deal with whatever happens next. Fuck…" He took a deep breath, rubbing his neck, still able to feel a faint scar from his strangling during the mob fight — a wound Vox had saved him from and helped heal. He pulled out his phone. He knew he had left their walk earlier in sort of a huff. He knew Vox deserved better. He knew saying something about it now was part of 'the work' he had to do — the work he wanted to do because he wanted to show Vox (and Vel) how much he cared.

Val typed a message to Vox.

'Hey. Sorry for acting like a stuck up ass after the walk today. I'm still dealing with some residual bitchiness from everything. I had a good time. I'd like to spend more time with you — and Vark. And Vel can come too sometimes. It's cool you think I'm making good choices about the studio and how I am with people. At least I know I'm doing something right.

I like the choices you've been making lately too. You seem…happier, if that doesn't sound sappy as hell? It looks good on you. I wanna help keep it looking good on you.

Talk soon,

-Val'

He sent it before he could second guess himself. If Vox needed him to make progressively stronger moves to pick up on his flirting, then Val would do it. He would woo the fuck out of that man. And he wouldn't have one regret about trying, no matter what happened.

Still, that didn't mean he wasn't anxious as hell about how Vox would respond to any of it. He shut off his phone, grabbed a blanket and settled against the couch. Then he grabbed a spare blanket and tossed it on top of Velvet who just snored peacefully.

He couldn't fall asleep, his heart was fluttering too much, but even just resting in the quiet and dark with one of his best friends by his side felt nice.

Louise sat, bound and gagged, on a rickety stool in the dark. A small part of her was afraid, but mostly she was angry and worried. Abel had gotten hurt so badly. She hoped Alastor's shadow had gotten him to help in time. And she hoped that wherever the bull demon was in this old butcher shop he would come out and make the mistake of getting close to her because she had nearly gnawed through her gag, and at least her fangs were some kind of weapon. If she snapped her jaws at him maybe it would surprise him and throw him off balance, then she could stand up with the stool tied to her legs and charge him. The impact might knock him down and loosen her restraints. Then, before he could get up, she could maybe tie him up with the bindings and escape.

That butcher wasn't going to take away her happy new life in hell, he wasn't going to make her his prey again, and he wasn't going to get away with hurting the people she loved. Louise knew that Alastor and possibly the others would try to find her, and she would not risk this guy harming any of them like he'd done to Abel. She was putting a stop to this awful night now.
She heard the sound of a heavy weight scraping against the rough wooden floor. She held still to keep her gag in place and waited. He would mess up and get close to and then…well, maybe she wouldn't just flash her fangs, maybe she would actually bite him again — deep. She might not be cannibal enough to eat him like Alastor had done, but the deer had once jokingly called her a junior cannibal so knew that another good bite would definitely resonate with the bull after his last defeat and consumption by Alastor so many months ago.

A large figure moved through the shadows. Finally the bull came into the light from the window, dragging over a wooden table with some cleavers and meat hooks and a slicer.

Her stomach turned in a bad way, and she grew cold. The threat was getting too real, and her fear was rising. The sensation of being prey was overwhelming. She bit her lip and nearly drew blood, trying to keep herself calm and focused.

The bull picked up a cleaver and smiled. "Lamb chops… Never liked 'em much but I think they'll be one of my favorite sellers from now on." He strolled closer and bent down, bringing his free hand to her chin. "You're a bit scrawny — probably gamey too — but worth serving up. I'll sell all of you for nothing to the worst scum I can find. But I'll save your heart for me maybe — a little trophy to mount on my wall —AH!" Louise had let her gag fall, lunged forward, and went to bite his hand…but missed as he pulled back. The bull snorted and laughed. "Heh, I'm not falling for that again. You're a freak too. At least I've got a good reason for doing what I'm doing. I'm not a cannibal, I'm just out for revenge. But you're just like Alastor."

"Good! He's a strong man who gets justice, and you're an animal! I feel bad he ever had to suffer through eating you just to help me!"

The bull's eyes flashed, and he brought the cleaver up to her neck.

Louise didn't flinch though she did break out in a sweat.

He huffed through his nose. "I was going to make it quick — cut out your heart first and then do all the skinning and processing. But we'll start with the agonizing stuff now, I. think."

Though her eyes had tears, Louise just looked up at him in determination. "You're dead already, and you don't even know it."

"And you ruined my life," he seethed. "And now yours is over, without even a body to leave behind." He smiled a little. "And even if that radio freak finds me later and kills me for this, it'll be worth it. And then some. In fact, the sooner he comes for me, the better." His eyes flashed maniacally.

Louise raised an eyebrow. Why was he smiling? Why was he acting like he was looking forward to Alastor coming for him. Before she could question him though…

…Music started playing.

Old timey, big band music with a static undertone…like it was coming from a radio.

The bull's eyes widened in realization (and almost…joy?) when suddenly a tentacle wrapped around him from behind, causing him to drop the weapon and grunt in rage and fear.

"Ruined your life? Radio Freak? Your death at my hands actually worth something to you?" A static-laced voice echoed through the room. "My my, still so rude…"

"He ain't no gentleman, that's for sure," another voice echoed, this one sounding smug and firm. "Should we teach him some manners?"

"Oh, that sounds most entertaining…"

Red, round eyes with dials and narrowed pink eyes with freckles beneath glowed brightly in the shadows. And then Alastor and Angel stepped forward with grins. Alastor had a bleeding arm held up, controlling the tentacle with his magic. Angel had a gun in his arms, pointed at the bull.

The spider glanced at Louise. "Louise, you okay?"

She nodded. "Is Abel okay?!"

Angel nodded, smile softening. "He's fine. He's being taken care of. No lasting damage."

Louise sighed in such relief.

Then the bull thrashed so hard that he pulled the tentacle forward and nearly tripped Alastor and Angel with it.

"ENOUGH!" Alastor hissed, squeezing drops of blood from his arm again and sending up a new tentacle to wrap around the bull's body from the other side and lift him from the floor. Alastor's eyes returned to normal as his smile sharpened and he looked into the bull's eyes. "I should have eaten your heart the first time. I won't make the same mistake again."

The bull both trembled and seethed. Angel aimed the gun. "He really won't. Cuz, see, you attacked our hotel family. Even after this man did you the favor of letting you have a second chance. And now there are consequences."

While Alastor and Angel engaged with the bull, Louise shifted closer to the table and rubbed the ties on her arms against the slicer, slowly cutting them off. She didn't want to be bound and not able to help. She was relieved that a rescue had come and that Abel was safe, but she still didn't trust this whole situation. That bull…he had done so much planning to get her, he had known Alastor would come eventually, and he might do something desperate now. The bonds began to loosen.

"Ha, indeed! You see, now you're going to be on the air as one of my special guests. Special guests don't come back. Ever." Alastor let the part of the tentacle over the bull's mouth loosen. "Any parting words?"

The bull sneered, looking half crazed. "You're a monster." He looked to Angel. "And you're nothing." A manic grin came to his face. "Why don't you just eat me now instead of being so desperate for you fucking radio show? Why don't you just eat everyone…and then you can end up all alone like the freak you are."

Louise struggled harder to cut loose her bonds. The bull was goading Alastor. He must have a plan, and she had to stop him. She had to get both boys to walk away or get Angel to smack the bull in the head with his gun and knock him out.

The goading worked unfortunately — the bull had struck a nerve. Alastor's eyes went blank for a moment and one of his ears twitched. Angel glanced over at the deer, frowning slightly. "Al? Hey…look, just gag him again and we can…"

Angel stopped taking one when of Alastor's hands lifted and hesitated, about to extend around his waist. Alastor kept his eyes forward. "Angel…do you know what I find interesting about this situation? The demon we're talking to will soon be dead, with no contact with other demons prior to his demise. Which means… he can never tell anyone anything he might learn or see here. A captive audience doomed to secrecy. An intriguing chance to…be open about ourselves?"

Angel's eyes widened. He blushed…then he gulped.

Alastor's eyes hazed slightly. "It would be so forbidden…yet so satisfying." His eyes eased toward Angel's. "If you wish…"

"Al?" Angel nearly fumbled the gun, swallowing shyly at Alastor's display of confidence and daring. "You mean…confess about…to him because… You want to?" A note of hope mixed with confusion sounded in Angel's voice. A curious, coy smile came to his lips and his eyes widened in wonder.
"It would be a wonderful opportunity for practice." Alastor gave a confident little nod and his smile only sharpened and grew. "Unless you would prefer to wait for a more deserving audience, cher…"

Angel's smile grew dreamy. "Oh…No, this…could be kinda fun." He giggled, unable to help himself. "It's just all so sudden but I'm game. Really game."
Looking his most charming, Alastor settled his arm around the spider's waist and squeezed. Angel beamed. With his free arm Alastor raised his cane and pointed in the bull's direction. "I don't eat everyone. Just the scum of the earth. And my radio show is an institution of which I'm most proud. And I will never be alone again because I have my Angel. And he has me." His voice was low and firm as he finished, "And I love him dearly."

He practically cuddled up alongside Angel, who grinned and rested his chin against Alastor's hair. "Yeah," he said, blushing and smiling and sounding so empowered, "He's my beau, and if ya say anything fresh about it I'll smack ya silly." A snort left him. "Fuck, it feels really good to say that out loud. Even to a jerk like this mook." He wiped a happy tear from his eyes. "I love Alastor. And we ain't ever gonna be alone again."
Angel put an arm around Alastor's waist and aimed his gun forward right alongside the microphone. It looked like they were in some deadly version of a tango.

"Thank you for indulging us. This will be the last secret you ever know…" The deer's eyes went dark as his fangs flashed in the bull's direction

The bull…smiled. "I get to tear apart you AND someone you love. Perfect."

Louise's bonds were cut now, and she dashed over just as the bull's free tail whipped forward with some small, blinking device. She bit his tail with all her might, causing the bull to scream and the object to drop into the curl of a tentacle.

Angel blinked. "What the hell is— oh shit! Al, toss it outside, quick!"

Alastor immediately had a tentacle comply, and just as it did, there was an explosion that lit up the street and shattered the windows of the butcher shop, causing all of them to drop to the floor.

As the dust cleared, Louise heard the boys talking.

"Angel, what in the blazes was that?"

"Micro-explosive! Cherri's used 'em before. If he'd set that off in here…it would have turned all of us inside out."

Louise heard loud static. "Angel, please get Louise. I'll secure my guest. I can teleport you both home.. I'll…take care of the worst of the show. You can come to the tower afterwards if you'd like."
"No," Angel replied. "You teleport her home. I'm coming with you."

Louise stood up now. She could taste blood in her mouth. And something was draped over her arms… She realized it was the bull's tail, bitten clean off by her own fangs.

Alastor and Angel noticed her now and turned to her. They both gasped. She could only imagine how she looked.

Alastor's eyes widened and he found his voice first. "Louise…are you…all right?" His eyes went to the tail for only a moment before returning to meet her own.

"Louise…" Angel's voice was soft, careful. She imagined him seeing the blood on her lips, the flesh in her hands. "Come on, maybe…maybe we can clean you up a bit and then we'll get ya home and safe and with Abel, huh?"

Alastor nodded. "I can help you with my magic. Here, give me the…what you have there."

Louise swallowed. "I don't want to be cleaned up. I know what I did. And I'd do it again. And I'm okay." She looked at the tail, eyes narrowed, then approached the bull. He was breathing heavily though the tentacles had him thoroughly secured. He looked tired. There was blood on the floor around him. She bent down. "I chose to rip you in two by biting your tail. But you chose ALL of this. And now we choose how it ends. Because all this pain ain't right." She tossed the tail at him, tears in her eyes. She looked to the guys. "Send me home how I am, blood and all. I need to handle all of this on my own. And I need to be with Abel."

Alastor gave her a gentle nod and held up his fingers to snap. "Get a good night's rest. Drink and eat something warm and clean. And…don't turn on your radio."

Louise gave a nod. Angel bent down and gave her a hug. "Thank you for saving us all."

She nodded again, tears starting to drop.

Angel released her and Alastor snapped and she was teleported away through darkness and magic and cold until suddenly she found herself in the hotel at the side of Abel's sick bed. Charlie happened to be there too. The princess hugged her and checked on her and asked if she was okay and didn't press Louise's inability to answer. She just set up a chair for her at Abel's side and brought her food and clean clothes and made sure she wasn't disturbed.

Dazed and overwhelmed, Louise settled in for a long evening and just hoped Alastor and Angel wouldn't have much of a longer (or bloodier) one.

A/N:

Thanks for reading! The next few chapters will be posted very soon :) I hope you like how Alastor's radio show plays out!

Take care!

-Azure129