power play

Part 25: Power Play

(a few weeks after part 24 btw)

The tension in the café crackled like static electricity as Audrey's mother leaned back, a sly smirk creeping onto her lips. "You know, Alastor," she began, her voice honeyed but sharp, "I do have connections. Important ones. Like, say... Lilith? ive been working as her assistant for a while now,She's rather fond of me, and I'm sure if I explained the situation, she'd take quite the interest in Audrey."

Alastor paused, his grin freezing in place for the briefest moment before he chuckled, low and unbothered. "Ah, of course. Lilith, the ever-curious queen of Hell. How delightfully dramatic." He tilted his head, the sharpness in his eyes betraying the amusement in his tone. "But my dear, do you really think she would act on such... trivial matters? Or is this simply a bluff to see how far you can push me?"

Her smirk deepened, undeterred. "Oh, it's no bluff, sweetheart. I could have her at my side with a snap of my fingers. And I doubt even you would fare well against her wrath."

Alastor's grin widened impossibly, his eyes gleaming with a mix of menace and mischief. "How bold of you to assume I'd ever allow things to escalate that far."

Before she could retort, he leaned across the table and captured her lips in a kiss. It was sudden, forceful, and left her momentarily stunned. When he pulled back, his grin was as dazzling and infuriating as ever.

"Darling," he purred, his voice dripping with condescension, "you should know by now—threats are such a bore. And frankly, unbecoming of someone as... charming as yourself."

She blinked, her thoughts momentarily scrambled, before a flicker of suspicion crossed her face. Her eyes darted down to the table, then to her side. The bag she had brought—the one filled with notes, trinkets, and other possessions, including the ribbon usally around her neck that he'd given her—was gone.

Her eyes snapped back to him, but he was already halfway to the door, swinging the bag over his shoulder with a casual air.

"Alastor!" she hissed, rising to her feet.

He paused in the doorway, glancing back with a devilish grin. "Oh, don't look so surprised. It is my bag, after all. Just reclaiming what's mine."

"You sneaky little—!"

"Now, now," he interrupted smoothly, tipping an imaginary hat to her. "You'll get it back... eventually. Assuming, of course, you stop meddling in things that don't concern you."

With that, he disappeared into the night, leaving her fuming and empty-handed. She clenched her fists, her frustration boiling over.

"Fine," she muttered to herself, her voice filled with determination. "You want to play games, Alastor? Let's play."