CH 11: That Damn Voice

~ Alastor's POV ~

It's your typical day at this no good, useless, ridiculous concept of a 'Hotel', with many of the patrons engulfed in their own activities. I, for one, am indulging in a new book. The wildly talented Axeman of my hometown had finally released his autobiography, 'Beyond The Axe' which I found fascinating. 

I always did envy his work. 

I'm so focused in my studies, that I barely notice a knock on the door that reveals an all too familiar voice on the other side. 

"Got room for one more patron, Princess?"

This is impossible, it's unfathomable. If I slept, I would think this was a dream...a nightmare more like. Oh, but it's real, and there she is, smiling brightly on the other end of the threshold. She's a vision, as she always was, but she looks different. I can tell something is off.

But what?

Charlie immediately pulls her inside, linking arms with no questions asked, yapping away about how she's sure Esme will get redeemed in no time. I watch as my lovely wife's face contorts within her thoughts as she desperately tries to hide her emotions from her. 

To be honest, I believe it. Underneath that siren like exterior, Esme always did have a good heart for what really mattered in life. 

I'm still stealing glimpses of her, keeping my head pointed down to my book. I'm getting sidetracked. I shouldn't plague myself with concern about what is going on here, it doesn't involve me anyhow. We aren't affiliated with one another anymore, and this fellow has so many useful techniques to read! 

There's a sharp sound that makes me raise an eyebrow and look up.

~ Esme's POV ~

If this one puts her blade to my throat one more time, I'll make her eat it I swear on Satan.

"Now, isn't this a bit repetitive?" I sigh in annoyance with a slight roll of my eyes, settling my gaze back on her.

"What are you doing here? You can't possibly believe in redemption." She snickers, pressing the cold silver to my throat. 

I scoff, "Oh, what, like he does?" I point to Alastor who is pretending to not notice me on the couch.

"She does make a fair point..." Charlie pleads, holding on to her guardian's arm, trying to remove her from me.

"I'm here because, as I'm sure you'll be thrilled to hear, I'm no longer connected with The Vees." Their eyes widen and she lowers her spear, "I was hoping to be able to live here and keep an eye on Angel." I turn to Charlie, "I believe the Princess knows my intentions with him to be pure.."

Charlie nods knowingly, having witnessed my loyalty to him already, "Yes, she isn't going to be a problem. I promise!"

"Charlie....we already have one overlord in this hotel, now you want two?" 

Charlie goes to answer, but I interrupt her, "Orrr, you could be smart about this and realize that this means double the protection of your little hotel..." I pause momentarily, "...also having the only siren in all of the pentagram~" I smirk manipulatively.

That was my specialty.

"Alright..." She sighs.

"Fabulous!" I exclaim, turning to The Princess, "Now, I believe a proper introduction is in order. Esme, my dear, a pleasure." I shake her hand.

Wow, she is so sweaty.

"Oh!" She begins, "Yes, I'm Charlie and this is my girlfriend Vaggie!" She beams, "We are so very happy to have you with us." She looks around, "Umm Husk and Angel aren't here at the moment, but have you met Nifty?"

I nod, following her. "And you already know Alastor..." I nodded once again.

"Oh, that's right!" She drags me to a snake who I immediately recognize, my smile turning sinister, "This is Sir Pentious, our newest guest! He arrived right before you."

I know this plebeian...

I know all about his failed attempts, knowing having to be bothered picking up the pieces as usual. Per my instructions, of course. 

~ Flashback ~

"So, what do you want from me?" I growled, feeling his eyes roam all over me.

"That useless son of a bitch made us look like a fool in front of that prick." He mutters.

"And that's my problem how?"

"You..." He leans in and growls against my face. I can feel the static from him dancing on my skin. "...are going to take over." He smiles devilishly, with stains of red blood pouring from his mouth.

"And spy on the Radio Demon? Have you lost your mind?" I raise my eyebrows, "I'm not getting in between of that shit.."

"Oh, my dear..."

Fuck.

I feel the chains around my neck tighten as I'm yanked towards him, but almost on cue, there's a hue of green light and his static is sent back to him instead, shocking him backwards.

"Agh!" He stumbles, "What the fuck is that!?" He growls, leaning towards my hand to see it still glowing faintly. 

I pull it away, "As an old friend once told me, someone wanted me heavily protected." I laugh. "You should really think twice before making such foolish deals."

He smirks, "Esme...." He walks closer and leans in, "I may not be able to hurt you physically, but you forget one thing." His eyes turn red with a black spiral and my heads fly to my head as I hear an array of different voices.

"Sing, Mama?"

Stop.

"Congratulations, it's a girl...."

Please....

"She's burning up!"

S - STOP IT!

"WHAT'S HAPPENING TO MY BABY!?"

ENOUGH!

The next thing I hear are wicked laughs as I sit there on my knees, trembling, tears running down my face with my hands squeezing my head. My own memories, the terrifying, torturous, voices I've heard on loop within my head for decades. They never go away, they just continue to scream at me as if begging to be remembered. 

"I may not be able to hurt you physically, but I will tear you from the inside out if you DARE disobey me." He leans down and pulls my chin up with his claws, "You WILL go to that hotel, and you WILL make sure that radio freak never makes a deal with the princess, GOT IT?"

Fuck....

"Yes...sir...." I smirk at him.

Never fucking let him see you crack again, Esme.

~ End of Flashback ~

I smile at the snake, nodding my head in respect, "A pleasure..." I lied. After all our little introductions, Charlie decides to head to her office to get started on my paperwork. That's okay, I have to get to business anyway.

Where'd Red go, anyway?

My eyes land on the stairs, where I see him heading. "Hey!" I quickly walk over, "So, it turns out that we're going to be neighbors after all~" I cheer.

~ Alastor's POV ~

Why is she following me? She can't possibly be that interested in me. All our interactions for decades have been short greetings and nods to one another. To be fair, we were rather close, before her little pal came into the picture.

"Why yes, it does look that way...welcome aboard!" I smile, never faltering.

"I'm very excited to get to see where this takes us." She extends her hand in a shake.

"What's this for?"

"Well, we are partners after all? Two overlords in the same space...shouldn't we join forces and what not?" She raises an eyebrow.

I turn away from her, walking up the stairs, "I work alone."

"Oh, forgive me, that's right." She groans behind me, but I can hear her shoes following me.

Just leave me alone...

"I was hoping you could show me to my room~" She echoes from behind.

I roll my eyes, "Of course, dear~" I turn to her, "Follow me." I led her to a room at the very end of the hall, furthest from mine.

"You can take this spare." I smile.

"And where are you?"

I point to the other end of the hall, "If you ever need me, I'm just a few steps down there."

"Well, shouldn't we stay closer together in case of emergencies?" I go to protest, but she interrupts, "I know you work alone but sometimes two heads are better than one. After all, you have not the abilities I have." She smiles proudly, cocky more like. 

However, she does make a fair point.

"Alright then..." I pivot and lead her closer to my room, "Any of these rooms suffice your desires?" I ask through gritted teeth.

She walks up to the door right next to mine. Of course she does.

"This will be just fine." She turns to me, her green eyes staring deeply into mine, "I'm excited to be neighbors~" She echoes.

That damn voice....

🖤Words: 1482🖤

~ Artemis 💗🦌

(A/N: Who is excited to see our favorite Christmas Tree together again in the same space?! AHHH...although, this is going to be a little difficult to write. Send any scenarios you want the two in!)