Chapter 20:

"Whoa..." Oriness was breathless as she looked at tall dark buildings as the night sky sparkled brightly in the sky. I used Ivy's weird sphere thing to get us closer to the barriers keeping outsiders away from the Underground.

"Come on, we have to catch a ride going through Midasay bridge before we miss it," I pulled Oriness close to me, keeping an arm over her shoulders as we walked passed the long line leading into the Underground.

The guard gave me a sharp nod when I passed by him, not daring to look at Oriness in fear of upsetting me.

Criminals surrounded us from every corner, without a certain status you're not allowed in the Underground. Unless another personally brings you along. It's funny because if he hadn't turned over a new leaf, Cole would've still been accepted in. Unfortunately, since the Underground was only made over 400 years ago, the things he's done as Elzrurron are just rumors.

All they've known is that "Cole" is a fair man who's protective of his people. Not the man that had once made even the great Valentino afraid. Not many people here survive so many only hear about the stories of Elzrurron so many have watered-down versions of the old him.

"Don't you ever walk off from me when we're here, trusting someone in here is just asking for trouble. You don't make friends here, everything here is business. Even if it looks like fun," I informed her in a low voice, meeting the eyes of anyone who looked at us.

Oriness looked slightly nervous, making her easy pickings for anyone trying to deceive her. Before we left, I pushed my lifeforce around her. Marking Ori will help a lot in keeping people away from her but some aren't in their right minds.

A lot of them.

"So... who are we here to talk to?" Oriness continued to look all over the place and I let her, might as well let it all out now. Before it ends up being the death of us later.

"Just a dream demon who has made it his life mission to put his nose in everyone's business," Including Valentino.

The look of confusion on Oriness's face told me that wasn't the end of my explanation and it took everything to stop myself from sighing.

"Succubus and incubus aren't the same as we don't have to manipulate someone's dreams to eat. As long as someone has a lifeforce, we'll be able to feed off of it since we eat energy," I lengthened my response, proud of myself when Oriness seemed satisfied with it.

A lot of people confuse us with dream demons, which is understandable... I guess. Either way, it doesn't matter. I'm not sure what's more annoying, the misunderstanding or the man we're about to go see.

Seducing people is normal for me, especially if it's for more than just a meal.

It took half an hour for Ori to stop looking at things with twinkly eyes before I felt confident in taking her inside of Apollo. The nightclub is famous for having a lot of big named celebrities that keep coming back. Belgak always brags about it when I come by but it isn't really what catches my attention. What I like is the information that passes through here and he knows it.

"I don't understand why people like places like these," Oriness grumbled under her breath as yet another drunk person bumped into her shoulder.

Apollo is filled with all sorts of people and by the pale look on her face, none of them feel all that great. The fact that Oriness can even walk is progressing enough as the first time we entered, the girl threw up. I find it admirable how determined she is to make sure she gets through this when staying home is still an option.

"Come, I'll introduce you to someone you'll like. When we get to him, in no way do you leave his side, alright? Kahn won't move from his spot at the bar unless someone tries to interfere with his job, you'll be safe," As I told her this, we walked up to a largely built man that smelled like a forest and because I've known him for a while, I won't mention the wet dog scent.

Well, it goes with the territory of being a werewolf.

"Okay, what's his job?" Oriness asked, taking a seat right next to the man we were currently talking about.

"You're the job, little one. A dust-free Taragon Lagoon over here!" Kahn huffed out in that rough voice before lifting a hand to catch the bartender's attention.

Not that it was needed as they always favored their usual customers.

"Don't accept anything from anyone, unless it comes from Kahn. Remember, this isn't the place to make friends unless you want to experience horrible things," I gave her one last warning before turning and easily moving through the crowd of people.

Naturally, I gave confident smirks to the poor idiots who tried to send suggestive looks toward me. It only took a moment before I was giving a nod to a security guard before stepping into an empty hallway.

The way the walls kept the music from entering the area made it feel like I'd just stepped into a different world than what I'd just been in. Here, the silence was deafening as it was clear magic was keeping sensitive people from listening in.

At the end of the hallway, it only took one right turn for me to end up in the fancy waiting room that's always being redecorated. Belgak has a fairy for an assistant who is a very eccentric woman. With long dark brown hair that fell in deep curls, smooth skin the color of the earth, and large black eyes.

The environment of the place is based on her mood swings.

And it swings a lot.

The pretty lady with dark purple and blue curly hair sat at a large mahogany desk that you think would've belonged to the owner of the club. Fortunately, Belgak takes care of Selenia better than he treats himself.

"Belgak is alone, I'll keep it that way for you if I can," Selenia chirped from her chair, refusing to look away from her nails as she filed them. Such a perfectionist.

'If I can' means she won't put her life at risk with anyone beyond Belgak's authority and power. As a demon, not many will come to bother us.

Without hesitation, I walked toward the large double doors that opened automatically when Selenia pressed a button.

"You're a traitor, Nini, you know I can't resist the woman I've been trying to fuck for centuries," Belgak groaned with a roll of his eyes before the doors closed behind him. With fair skin and dark eyes, the male demon before me wore a dark suit made from expensive fabric. Though the white color looked good with his pale blonde hair.

What he says is true, there aren't many who can fight against my power even if they tried. Belgak is one of many who hasn't tried to get out of it. Which makes him an easier target as he's less likely to lie under my influence. Plus, it satisfies me when he does try to go against it, it just makes the man look stupid.

"It's been a long time, Bel, how have you been?" I asked with a smirk as I stopped walking right in front of his desk, taking a seat on the edge of the wood. The dazed look of lust in his eyes was clear as he looked me up and down.

The neckline of my black dress dipped low, giving a nice preview of the girls while it dipped down only toward the back. It left the front of my stomach open to the eyes of those around me before flowing down, covering everything that barely wrapped around my hips. Though very light, the dress that fell past my ankles is enchanted. Many would think I'd worn it just to look sensual but it puts up several mental and spiritual barriers.

There are one too many talented people here, I don't know what they can all do.

"How have I been? You were the one who disappeared, so how the hell has your ass been?! No one has heard from you in over 50 years," Belgak huffed with wide eyes at my words, clearly upset he hadn't gotten any updates about my whereabouts. The surprise of seeing me seemed to take forever to wipe off his cute face.

Why would they? Everyone involved in my imprisonment had been killed that very night. If Anais hadn't been too afraid to look me in the eyes and went with my father to punish me, she would've died early. Though the worry from Belgak reminded me that even though we only discuss business, we've known each other for a long time.

He's done his best to either fuck me or become a friend. Both of which I've declined.

I don't like having sex with other demons, you never know if they'll try to get some weird shit. Like trying to eat my power.

"I'm fine, just relax," I shrugged my shoulders with a seductive smile, slowly walking toward him. Some things need to get uncovered, I don't have the luxury to endure his genuine concern.

"Fine? Relax? The last thing I heard about you, was that you saved a kid and got locked away for a few years... then... one night... you just vanished. What did he do to you, little vixen?" Belgak shook his head at the thought of just brushing his questions to the side.

Tonight won't be the usual, where we joke around and have a little bit of banter.

But that's fine, I'll still get what I want.