Chapter Text
“Well, what are ya gonna do with her, Voxxy~” Valentino commented, “You’re wasting such a pretty face on just sitting in a chair.”
Maren growled at the moth demon to where she was tied to a chair in the corner, glaring daggers.
“We need her intact, Val,” Vox commented while he typed on his computer, not even looking at the girl, “Alastor needs to have something to think about while he’s bursting in. And then our trap will grab him, and we’ll have his ass.”
“Who says he’ll even come,” Maren snarled, “If I were him, I wouldn’t give a fuck about some raging ex of mine that kidnapped a random neighbor of mine.”
“You’re clueless, aren’t you?” Vox rolled his eyes, smirking at the teen, “Alastor is very territorial about that stupid hotel. I took something out of it, he’ll want it back. But, I think we could do without the sassiness. I am trying to work, after all,” Vox turned back to his computer, typing for a minute before hot electricity ran through Maren’s body, white flashing blinding Maren. It felt as a twin of blinding pain and a giant hand squeezing her chest, lungs struggling to even try to move. Maren screamed in her chair, her arms and legs pulling desperately to try to free herself from becoming a human conductor.
“Enjoying 500 volts, Maren?” Vox asked as the electricity dimmed, turning his head ever so slightly to glance at her out of the corner of his eyes, “That was your warning. Next time, you’ll go in the chamber.”
“Oooh- explain the chamber, Voxxy,” Valentino smiled from over his sketchpad, “I wanna see her squirm.”
“I was getting to it, Valentino,” Vox growled at his partner, before smiling sickeningly towards Maren, the high smile feeling impostor on Vox’s face rather than Alastor’s, “The chamber is a full cage with TVs in it. Any direction you look, you could get under our influence. SO I’d suggest you be very careful about how you act while our guest,” Vox warned, tilting his head slightly, “Or I’ll go through one of my human contacts. See how your dad is doing?”
Maren paled, her fur standing on end. If anything, she had to keep everyone at the hotel out of this. She would find a way.
-
“Guys, Maren’s gone, and it’s all my fault and I have no idea where she is!” Charlie exclaimed as she ran over to the emergency meeting spot, her previous flare she had sent up gone from the sky.
“What!?” Vaggie exclaimed, “Charlie, how did you even-? What happened!?”
“I let her use the bathroom at the restaurant next door, and she was gone for a little while so I went in to check and the hostess said she left with someone!” Charlie rambled, her concern clear as the tears threatening to run down her cheeks, “And I tried to ask the hostess for details and she was too busy on her phone, and she wouldn’t listen and now Maren might be in trouble and it’s all my fault!”
“Now Charlie,” Alastor cut in, his face carefully contempt, besides his ever-present smile, “What side of Pentagram City were you on again?”
“I was handing out flyers in the edge of your district, right next to… Vee territory.” Charlie took in a sharp breath. “We have to go get her. Now.”
“They might not be in the main tower,” Angel responded, his face unreadable, “Val owns a lot of buildings in that territory for sets. She could be in any of those.”
“Why don’t we get back to the hotel, and we can sort it out there?” Husk suggested, a bottle of booze now capped in his paws, “Fretting in the middle of the street helps nobody.”
“You’re right,” Charlie sighed, “I’ll call us a limo, and we can strategize back at the hotel.”
-
“I’m sorry, WHAT? Charlotte Morningstar!” Lucifer almost yelled, “She’s gone!?”
“It’s not like I tried to lose her, Dad!” Charlie yelled back.
“Well, you still did!” Lucifer yelled, before freezing and stepping back, “Charlie, we need to figure this out. Like adults. It was wrong of me to yell at you just now, but you were supposed to be responsible.”
“I know, and,” Charlie held onto her sleeve, “This is my fault. So let me fix it.”
“I’ll let you fix it,” Lucifer replied quickly, “But not without my help. You aren’t allowed to do a single step of this on your own.”
“Well, we’re not lettin’ her do this alone either, Short King,” Angel interrupted, “There’s no chance I want Cinnamon near Valentino”
“Cinnamon?” Lucifer and Charlie questioned at the same time.
“Maren. Red panda,” Husk replied helpfully.
“Got it,” Lucifer affirmed before turning to Charlie, “We’ll get her back. I swear on my crown.”
“Well, I’m surprised you even made that oath,” Alastor commented idly from next to the bar, walking over to stand next to Charlie, “The king concerning himself with a small sinner? Meanwhile, I don’t see you actively trying to be a good father to even Charlie! Are you trying to collect another daughter to give more daddy issues?”
“Oh you-” Lucifer seethed, “At least I have a daughter who loves me! Here you are, friendless and family-less, and practically everyone hates you! I feel bad for Maren for having to be in your radio’s reach!”
“Well, y’know what they say about trauma cycles, Lucifer,” Alastor’s eyes switched to dials, “You tend to repeat what you grew up with.”
“Both of you! Enough!” Charlie yelled, her horns going through her head, “Neither of you are being remotely helpful, and I’m honestly sick of you two being horrible to each other! When this is over, both of you-! I will think of something!” Charlie pointed at her father and Alastor, her ragged breath matching thr fury she had at the moment.
“Apologies, Charlie dear,” Alastor fiddled with his cane, “I shall go through my contacts to see if anyone has seen anything. Toodles!” With that, Alastor melted in the shadows, leaving a frustrated Charlie, and an annoyed king.
“Dad, that was uncalled for,” Charlie glared at her father.
“Charlie, your dad wasn’t the only one in the wrong,” Vaggie stepped up, rubbing her girlfriend’s back, “We’re all nervous right now. Your dad is the last person we would want to take that out on.”
“Right…” Charlie sighed, before massaging her temple, “I just can’t help but feel as if this isn’t about the hotel.”
“Well,” Lucifer sighed, “Even if it’s not. We have a Cinnamon to save.”