Realistic or Modern The Witching Hours [Closed]

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen scrunched her nose at Stephen King, but she did have to agree with the statement. About all of it, really.

“Did they make a movie of that one?” Emmett interjected.

“Seriously?” Jasleen rolled her eyes, but something about the gesture seemed friendlier than it once had been.

She was warming up to them.

“What? I’m just saying, all the greats have a movie adaptation.” He held his hands up. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

“Wait, do they make movies about porny books?” He grinned slyly. “Pia, have they made any of your books into movies?”

 

[Lucyfer]

“Sadly, that narrative would be a bit difficult to make a movie out of, as it doesn't follow any one point of view. It's style is part of why I think it'd be a future great to teach about,” Pia considered it somewhat unique in that way and the author was young.

She looked forward to more from her.

“And yes, they do. You've heard of 50 Shades, haven't you?” Obviously that wasn't a full on porn. She knew what he was asking. “I haven't sold any movie rights for my books. I wouldn't be too interested in seeing it as a simple porn but if the cash was right…” she didn't mind selling out.

She wasn't attached to these things. They were just a way to make a profit.

Asher again buried his face in his hands. “Can we talk about literally anything else?”

Pia chuckled but opted for a form of mercy. “Alright. I'll isolate.” No more talk of that without her to answer questions. “I have deadlines to meet as it is.”

Asher groaned. It wasn't the answer he sought but he didn't argue as Pia took her blood and laptop to the private room.

Just a few hours to survive.

 

[awkwardradish]

At some point throughout the plan ride, Jasleen had finally fallen asleep. It was a much needed slumber- as she hadn’t slept when the others had.

It was shocking she’d been able to fall asleep in their company.

She had her knees pulled up into the seat, hunched over them as she slept. It didn’t look comfortable.

Emmett settled into the contented silence of the rest of the plan ride. He rested his eyes a bit, but didn’t sleep himself. Otherwise, he piddled with games or websites on his phone.

Finally, the plan began it’s descent into the Boston airport.

The jostling of wheels catching the landing pad stirred Jasleen awake, and she almost looked panicked for a moment until she gathered herself and her surroundings.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty. How the fuck do you not have a catch in your neck?” Emmett asked first thing.

Jasleen looked a little grumpy, and frankly, still half asleep. “Shut up.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Asher didn't rest, although he was certainly bored. He kept to himself, alert, until they finally landed and Pia rejoined them. He scowled at how Emmett greeted Jasleen as he rose to his feet, but he silently gathered the luggage as Pia exited the plane, not waiting for the stairs, simply jumping out.

“Pia Baptiste?”

“Yes. The car?” She glanced at the vehicle waiting on the tarmac. The keys were placed into her hands. “Thank you.”

“It's our pleasure. Thank you for your purchase,” the man said, the perfect salesman smile on his lips. “Is there anything else that you need?” He looked up as if to offer to carry luggage.

Pia shook her head as Asher appeared, coming down the stairs with more than his own luggage.

“I appreciate your timely service,” this was far after hours for them – but Pia had enough to earn these sorts of favors.

“Of course. Take care, Ms. Baptiste,” he stepped away and then left to his own vehicle. Pia approached the car and unlocked it, though only to take to the passenger seat.

Asher would drive.

Jasleen would have to suffer with Emmett.

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen didn’t look thrilled about having to ride in the backseat with Emmett, but she wasn’t about to fight Pia for the front seat.

Especially given the implications that would cause, since Asher was driving.

“You really can’t drive?” Emmett asked Pia as he sprawled out in the backseat. He was a big guy, he needed lots of room. “That’s insane. Everybody here can drive, you know. What if we left you?”

“Not everybody.” Jasleen said, before Pia could retort.

“You can’t drive?” Emmett seemed appalled.

“My parents were murdered when I was fourteen.” She deadpanned. “Who the fuck was going to teach me to drive?”

Emmett floundered. She spoke of her parent’s death so casually. “Okay, well- that’s a decent excuse.”

Jasleen snorted as Emmett turned back to Pia, desperate to lighten the mood. “What’s your excuse?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Pia was quite comfortable in her place, and rolled her eyes at the question, “No, I don't know how to drive. I simply have no interest in it,” which was true. It was easy to get a ride anywhere. “Besides, if you try to go anywhere without me, I'll just report it stolen and have you locked up.”

Simple.

Asher didn't chime in on that, focused on driving, but he did offer, “If you want to learn, Jasleen, I can teach you,” he'd offered to Pia but she wasn't interested.

That apparently hadn't changed in the two years he'd known her. He didn't see it changing anytime soon, either. With all the options for rides, she didn't really need to learn. She had enough money to afford inconveniencing someone, after all.

She's inconvenienced a car dealership to get this car delivered to the airport.

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen was a bit amused at how she’d flustered Emmett. She made a mental note to make more dead parent jokes in the future.

“You would?” Her tone was cautious. Nobody had ever offered before, and she hated being told what to do.

But she supposed if she was going to learn, she would have to endure that for a bit. After all, she didn’t have the resources to demand rides like Pia did.

“God, I’d pay to be a fly on the wall for that driving lesson.” Emmett snorted.

“Do we really need him to be here?” Jasleen turned her attention to Pia now, grumbling.

 

[Lucyfer]

“I don't actually need any of you to be here, but here you are,” Pia reminded, but with a touch of humor so Jasleen knew she wasn't trying to attack her in that comment.

The drive would take a little bit, as Asher confirmed he really would teach Jasleen. Not right then, but there'd be time, possibly even on this mission.

Salem was a lot less busy than Boston, but they still drove into the heart of it's downtown, to the brilliant hotel that towered above many of the buildings. The Quartz was all clear white lights and gorgeous glass on the outside, the metal structure gilded gold.

The top was flattened into a diamond shape.

“Just drive to the front, there's valet service,” Pia directed, and Asher did. He was indeed greeted by a woman in a smart suit. He rolled down the window.

“Reservation?” The woman asked.

“Baptiste,” Pia answered, and nerves finally shook her voice.

The suited valets had UV flashlights.

“Ah,” the woman knew. “Edwin is expecting you. He's waiting inside.”

Pia wanted to curse his very name. She wanted to ask him to step outside but she knew it wasn't happening. “Thank you.”

Asher hesitated a moment, but offered the keys after a moment. The doors opened, and people approached to help unload.

Pia, however, didn't exit nearly as quick. “See if Edwin would step out, would you?” It was a general request, but Asher nodded, deciding to let the valets help with the luggage and step into the golden lobby, with it's red decor.

Edwin was obvious. He could have truly been Pia's brother, with blond hair and blue eyes. He stood tall, but not taller than Asher, but he simply held an air of importance in a room full of armed people.

“Er…Edwin?” Asher felt…very underdressed when Edwin looked at him. He'd never felt stripped so quickly in a look.

 

[awkwardradish]

It took Jasleen one look at Edwin to decide upon herself that he seemed like a pompous asshole, especially with the way he he looked at Asher.

She found that she wanted to knock the look off his face.

Better not to provoke him, though.

Emmett raised a daring eyebrow. He didn’t exactly care what people thought of him- it came with the job. “Emmett Astor.” He introduced himself, though he wasn’t sure he would care.

Call it force of habit.

He stuck his hand out for Edwin to shake, if he so chose. “My father has mentioned great things. Pia was hoping you’d step outside to meet her.” He decided to take charge of the situation, since both Asher and Jasleen looked awkward.

He couldn’t blame them. He was the same way. He had plenty of experience dealing with this type, though.

 

[Lucyfer]

Edwin was quick to dismiss the one who spoke first, as well as the woman, in favor of the Astor. He could smell the werewolf for what he was and knew he must be Asher. The woman was the witch Jasleen.

This was the hunter.

He didn't take the hand, “I'm sure your father has,” doubt. He wasn't one for flattery, true or false. “It seems Pia hasn't forgotten our agreement. I was rather hoping she had. You may want to stay inside.” He advised, cordial but cold, as he walked by Emmett, and the other two.

Another vampire, a woman of darker skin but far warmer features, smiled at them with a touch of nerves. “Siblings, right?” She tried to laugh it off, “I'm Pavarti. I have your room assignments.”


Outside, Pia was still in the car, her door opened. “Get out,” he was curt.

Pia glared from her seat. “Lift the contract.”

“Once you're out.”

Pia had a feeling it was going to be this way. It didn't mean she liked it as she steeled herself and stepped out.

The pain was immediate; she had no hope of strangling the scream as the thousand words in the contract she'd signed cut into her flesh. The blood soaked her dress and pooled around where she collapsed, trembling in pain and blood loss.

Edwin acted as if nothing untoward had happened, “Now, speak with me.”

As if she could speak! Still, as the Latin flowed, her voice chimed in unison, breaking the oath between them.

 

[awkwardradish]

Emmett didn’t seem too offended that Edwin didn’t take his hand. In fact, he seemed nonchalant about the way he was dismissed.

Jasleen was just glad she didn’t have to interact with anybody, though she noticeably stuck close to Asher.

It wasn’t that she was scared. Maybe she was- she was stuck in a perpetual state of paranoia these days. Asher’s presence just put her at ease.

Emmett returned Pavarti’s warm smile with a charming one of his own. It was the kind that usually had ladies tripping over themselves to get into his bed, but he wasn’t actively trying to charm Pavarti. He did glance back in Pia’s direction, but he knew better than to hover where he wasn’t wanted.

Besides, he apparently had to babysit Asher and Jasleen.

“Thank you. That would be much appreciated.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Pavarti’s cheeks took color under Emmett’s charming smile, clearly not immune to that charm despite her nature. It helped her to ignore what her sire was likely doing; he had a cruel streak. He was usually pragmatic, but his cruel streak was there, and she was aware of lingering hatred for his own family.

“Of course! I have four rooms, for two different reservations under Miss Baptiste. Two of the rooms are on floor 39, and the other two are on floor 38. Miss Baptiste’s room is on floor 39,” it was one thing Pavarti was still getting used to – vampires wanting to be so high up, so close to the sun.

But it was where Edwin’s own room was when he stayed, and Miss Baptiste had been given a similar penthouse. Floor 39 had space for four penthouse rooms.

Asher considered their options, even as a nagging fear began to eat him that he couldn’t place. Rather than leave the choice to Emmett, he spoke up, “Jasleen, which would you prefer? A room on the 39th floor, or 38th?” A room near Pia, or a room near one of them, was really the question.

But she should get dibs.

The fear suddenly became apparent, though, when Pavarti gasped and all but ducked down behind the desk. A few of the guards suddenly went running, and Asher glanced back to see Pia storm into the building, drenched in blood. He was nearly surprised he hadn’t smelled it before, but supposed those doors might have a few features with his own senses in mind, considering the owner of the hotel chain was a vampire.

Pia’s skin looked like it’d suddenly gotten a tattoo of script all across it.

She didn’t spare them a look, but single-mindedly walked towards the bar, Edwin following at her heels, the only one who looked unbothered.

“What the hell—”

“Ah—I’m—I’m sure it’s fine!” Pavarti fluttered, trying to get it back on track, but there was no hiding how ashen she’d become. “Miss Jasleen?”

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen really didn’t want to choose. She blanched a little when Asher asked her about it.

Of course, she wanted to be on the same floor as him. Besides that, she really didn’t want to hear whatever was going to happen between Emmett and Pia.

She didn’t have time to answer before Pia stormed in the door, covered in blood.

Emmett almost cursed. He didn’t exactly like the sight of that. Even if he kept telling himself he was only interested in Pia for her body, he felt it reasonable in their position not to want her asshole brother to do that to her.

But then again, when you were immortal, maybe it was that simple.

“Um, 38 is fine.” Jasleen replied, drawing her attention back to the conversation now that Pia had left.

“Great. I’m assuming you’ll want the other room on floor 38?” Emmett smirked at Asher.

It didn’t take an idiot to see that there was something between those two.

And he had plans on the 39th floor anyway.

He didn’t wait for Asher to respond. “I’ll take the room on 39.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Asher was distracted. He didn’t care about the conversation about rooms, but Jasleen made her selection, and then Emmett, leaving him on the 38th – that’s what he would have picked anyways, so he nodded, distracted. “Okay! Um, here are your—”

“I’ll be back,” no, he was not standing around while Pia was bleeding that much.

“S-sir, Mr. Blyton—” but Asher obviously ignored Pavarti and she groaned, “He’s going to be so upset,” she complained to the remaining two, “I—let me at least get you your room keys. You can pass it on to the others. Um, the luggage—you could—help make sure it gets to the right rooms?” she was in an obviously losing battle here.

She was not going to go drag a werewolf back into the room.

~***~

The bar was cleared. That should have been expected. Edwin knew not to take chances, especially not when his goal was to see this to happen from the start. Even so, Pia felt annoyed she couldn’t cause a damn scene as she went behind the counter and pulled a bottle without looking.

She was familiar with the blood that Edwin kept, and she uncorked it and downed it immediately. The soothing pulse of it began to stitch the wounds closed, though even the full bottle didn’t leave her fully healed.

Edwin took a seat at the bar, nonchalant still, as she set the empty bottle in front of him far harder than necessary, before reaching for a second. “We’ll need a new contract. I suggest you take a few bottles with you.”

Pia shot him a glare for it, “Maybe I don’t want to enter another damned pact with you.”

“Don’t make me call the other four,” he sounded bored, before looking as Asher entered the area, “This doesn’t concern you, wolf.”

“Like hell it doesn’t concern me. What did you do to her?”

“Less than she deserves,” the second bottle was aimed at his hand. He moved it just in time and it slammed on the bar counter instead. “Go on to your room. I’m only going to kill her if she won’t renew our contract.”

Pia laughed, “As if you could. You’ll—”

“—be the first to die. But you’ll be second.” He was still unphased, despite the aura of absolute terror radiating off of Pia. An aura that kept Asher far from the counter, even if duty bid him to be there. “Your threats are tiresome.”

 

[awkwardradish]

If Asher felt the need to interfere, Emmett certainly felt maybe he should follow. He eyed him as he left the room. He glanced back to Pavarti, then shot her another charming smile. “Thank you.” He took the room keys, handed Jasleen one, then stalked off after Asher.

“Wait- fuck.” Jasleen shot Pavarti an apologetic look before scurrying after Emmett.

She wasn’t going off in a hotel in Salem by herself, even if the thought of inserting herself into a vampire fight seemed stupid.

Pia seemed tough enough. Surely she was fine.

The two of them entered to catch the last part of the conversation. “Maybe we should leave a bad yelp review.” He replied nonchalantly, hopeful to cut the tension.

Then, he did something even stupider.

He sauntered up to the counter, but instead of taking a seat, he moved behind the bar where Pia was. “Is there any good alcohol back here?” He muttered.

 

[Lucyfer]

Pia didn’t even hesitate. She recognized expensive, and she pulled a bottle of amber liquid an ‘M’ emblazoned upon it. “Hey—” Edwin rose from his seat, “That is—”

“Macallan whiskey – I know.” She offered it to Emmett without a thought, “Pour,” for himself, to the floor, Pia didn’t really care. After losing almost all of her blood, she didn’t fucking care about a bottle of liquor worth over $500 grand.

Edwin bristled. “Your friends are welcome to my hotel, not to our renewal.”

“We’re allowed one witness each, I recall.” Pia noted. Him and his damned contracts.

“You have three.”

It could be as simple as telling Edwin to get three. It could be as simple as saying she didn’t care and Edwin could go fuck himself, because his contract was going to fuck her, anyways. It always did. Refusing it, however, would indeed cost her life. The contract was the only reason she was spared in the first place when all was said and done with Salem.

There had been plenty who thought she deserved to die.

Edwin included.

But Edwin preferred when people hung themselves. It played so well in his oath power. He set the rules. People could choose to live by them, or die. He could have let her die, but he knew, too well, if Corydon was in play, he had to allow her into Salem. The rules just had to change.

They wouldn’t cease to exist.

“I can have one,” she said. The blood was flowing again. She was starting to get a better sense of her being. Perhaps the hunter and future heir of Astor would have been the choice, but her eyes lingered on the ‘oathbreaker’ herself.

She didn’t announce a choice right then, however. “But I am allowed a fucking moment to regroup after your fucking game, Edwin.”

“What…exactly happened? Or is happening?” Asher was once again out of his depth.

“Pia’s not allowed in Salem by oath. She broke the oath—”

“—you forced me to break the oath.”

“—by setting foot in Salem.” Car didn’t break it. Words. So frustrating. But the step did. They’d revamped it when flights became a thing, because flying over Salem would have broken it in the past. “I have lifted the oath, but I refuse to let a wandering murderess go unchained. There will be rules if you’re going to conduct business here, and once it is done, the ban will be back in place.”

 

[awkwardradish]

Emmett has a shit eating smirk on his face as he poured himself a glass of whiskey, being sure to spill a couple drops. “Oops. Hey, wolfie boy, want some?”

Really, he was just trying to piss Edwin off. He wasn’t sure why, but it rubbed him the wrong way that he was treating Pia like this.

Sure, she had once been a murderous sociopath, but she’d changed now. Hadn’t she?

Maybe, maybe not. She was still fun.

Jasleen looked between Edwin and Pia as they bickered. She had her arms crossed, that same defensive stance she always took.

“So… you forced her to break her oath and go through all… that-“ Jasleen waved her hand in Pia’s direction, “because… what? You get off on the power trip? Or are you just that big of a dick wad?” She asked.

Emmett practically choked on his whiskey, but his smirk widened into a grin. Damn, that witch was mouthy.

 

[Lucyfer]

The aura of terror was slowly fading, and Asher was able to gradually relax, even if he was still thrown off guard for what to do or how to respond to this situation. Pia had briefed him on her history with the Salem situation, but he still didn’t anticipate this sort of welcome.

He wasn’t sure about the whiskey, although it smelled…smooth. And it seemed to be something that actually annoyed Edwin. “All right….” He was a bit reticent as he came forward to accept a glass, eying Edwin, even if his apparent power had been revealed.

Nothing that could harm them, so long as they didn’t enter into a pact with him, it seemed.

Edwin gave Jasleen a clearly false smile as he answered, “I do happen to get off on it, thank you for asking,” the smile fell immediately, and he reverted his attention to Pia as she set down the third bottle, only half drank. With the aura falling, he understood she was at least starting to see sense again.

He knew that much, at least. “Since you have control over your facilities again, let’s try this one more time. You may have one witness, the others leave.”

Pia sighed and folded her arms over the counter. “Emmett.” Asher was useless at this kind of thing, and as much as she wanted Jasleen to see it – her mouth was likely to get her in more trouble than it was worth.

It was vampire magic. Blood magic. Odds were, she wasn’t able to break that kind of thing. And Pia knew she shouldn’t want to break it.

She just hated Edwin and his goddamn rules.

“Does this has to happen now?” Asher asked, “She just—”

“Yes, it does. I have no trust for a mass murderer. I’d advise you not to spare much trust for her, either, although I suspect it’s already too late for all three of you.”

 

[awkwardradish]

Jasleen had a sneer on her face with Edwin made eye contact with her. She decided right then and there that she didn’t like him.

And she could be quite petty. She almost considered knocking over one of those bottles of alcohol.

Emmett smirked a little. He couldn’t deny that he had been hoping she would pick him. Be it sheer curiosity, or the need to antagonize Edwin some more, he was pleased with her choice.

“Go on.” He nodded to Asher. For once, he seemed serious. “She’ll be okay.” It wasn’t a condescending tone, it was almost a promise.

Even if he hadn’t grown somewhat fond of Pia, she was a valuable piece to this. He would allow anybody to hurt her.

Besides, if Edwin were going to try to kill her, he wouldn’t be making a pact. “We’ll meet up with you guys later.”

Jasleen chewed her bottom lip. She was prepared to stay, to somehow back Asher and Emmett up, even without her magic.

She could still stab.

Her eyes wandered over to Asher, observing him to see what he’d decide.

 

[Lucyfer]

Asher glanced to Pia, but she only nodded. “He's a prat, but I'll be alright,” she didn't technically need a witness and if Edwin hadn't brought it up, she'd likely not have any of them as witness. But, he had, so she was going to annoy him, “We don't have much time to settle this, I'd like to find Corydon's body tonight.”

Edwin flinched at the name. It was certainly not a name he wanted to hear, or think about.

“If you're sure….”

“Mmm. Thank you,” she included Jasleen in that with a look, “I'll report in when all is done here,” she promised, so that they wouldn't have to worry.

“Alright,” Asher opted to take his glass with him, and he nodded to Jasleen that it was okay to leave the area and head to their rooms, high up in the hotel.

Pavarti was anxiously waiting in the lobby, shifting from foot to foot. She brightened at the sight of them, “Aah – Mister Astor?”

“Staying behind,” Asher answered, “we'd like to see our rooms.”

“Of course! The elevator is that way,” she walked part of the way, “your luggage is still with us, just waiting on instruction,” and indeed, a few were still milling around near the elevators, their luggage sitting near.

Asher sighed, and decided to go ahead and deal with sorting it out so they knew what to bring, where, and could get the luggage out of the lobby. It didn't take long, and soon they were in the elevator heading up to their rooms.

"Sorry," he murmured to Jasleen, "I didn't know what we were walking into here...." Luxury, but at a clear cost.

 

[awkwardradish]

Emmett watched as Jasleen allowed Asher to lead her from the room. He sloshed the whiskey in his glass, taking a moment to look at the other expensive alcohol, wondering just how far he could push Edwin’s boundaries.

Because he wanted to push.

“Unfortunately for you,” Emmett smiled that charming smile in Edwin’s direction, “the wolf was the well behaved one.”

To make his point, he hopped up, planting his ass on the bar. “The longest this takes, and the more of an asshole you are, the more I’ll waste your expensive alcohol.” He smiled the same fake smile Edwin had shot Jasleen.

~***~

Jasleen was content to allow Asher take the lead in the situation with Pavarti. She wasn’t much for interacting with people.

She followed him onto the elevator, opting to carry Oliver herself. “You don’t have to apologize.” She said quietly. “I’m sort of use to this level of… dramatics.”

Sure, she wasn’t a vampire, but witches could be dramatic too. Especially with their oaths.

She hadn’t missed it, though.

Awkwardly, she fished for something else to say, and her eyes flitted over to the whiskey in his hand. “Is it good? Like, you know. For the price.”

 

[Lucyfer]

“I am far more accustomed with your degree of misbehavior,” Edwin answered Emmett’s taunt calmly, “and I hardly want to spend more time on this than necessary,” he pulled some bits of folded paper from within the pocket of his jacket, as well as a pen, “I have used most of the language from our previous agreement—”

Pia still snatched it from his hands when it was offered.

He continued, “—however there is room for adjustments, given you will be acting within Salem for the foreseeable future. I have included limits on your ability to willingly use your talent on myself, Pavarti, and the other Four, since I know you are still rather inept at control.”

Pia considered proving she had it well under control, but understood that would just get a complete ban on her power. If she came back weakened, blaring the aura of terror again, that would just backfire, and she wasn’t there to court death. So, she ignored the dig, her eyes continuing to roam over the document for troublesome language.

“That is on pain of death, as before. So is working with Corydon or Frederick.”

“It says rendering aid in any form,” Pia noted.

“Indeed.”

“You realize my talent is a manipulative talent and rendering aid to trick is a part of that, at times.”

Edwin was silent.

“We’re altering the wording here to include intent,” Pia set down that page, and Edwin pricked his finger with the pen. The words he wanted to dissolve faded with a touch of the bloodied pen, and he rewrote that to be similar to the powers – intent to help to benefit Corydon or Frederick, in the long-term.

Pia allowed the pages she’d finished reading to be accessible to Emmett, if only so he could see exactly why he and the Astors might have no interest in bargaining with Edwin. And why he likely wouldn’t want to get into any agreements on his own. The language was full of potential traps – but not for Edwin himself.

~***~

Asher arched a brow as Jasleen noted she was used to these dramatics. He snorted, “I’m not,” he said, adding, “I don’t want to be. It’s…insane.” He supposed it probably made sense. He had just been informed of all Pia did. He…might not trust her, either, if he’d been that close to the situation. If he hadn’t known her in another context.

But he did.

He was startled by the question of the whiskey, “Oh? Uh,” he realized he hadn’t even taken a sip of it. He’d just been holding it. He took a sip, and then hummed agreeably, “It’s not bad. Do you want a sip? It’s actually pretty smooth. I don’t know how much it costs…but it’s probably not worth it,” it was probably like Gucci or Michael Kors.

The ‘worth’ was in the brand, not the actual material.

At least, that’s how he usually felt about these things. It seemed a sentiment that Pia agreed with, even if she played to it because of the damn ‘rule of power and perception’, or whatever nonsense that was.

He offered the glass to Jasleen if she wanted a sip, as they finally hit the ‘30’ floors and continued rising.

 

[awkwardradish]

Emmett, despite his words, stayed perched on the bar, well behaved for the time being. He didn’t want to start anything unnecessary, he just wanted to be a thorn in this guy’s side.

He was grateful Pia handed him the papers without him having to prompt her. If anything, it made them appear as a united front. They were allies, after all.

Emmett hummed to himself.

Sure, Pia had a murderous streak, but this seemed like overkill.

He supposed not, since Edwin had been there to witness it.

“Have you heard any rumblings from the Salem coven?” Emmett asked Edwin suddenly. He doubted any witch would willingly provide information to Edwin, but then again, guys like this had ears everywhere.

~***~

Jasleen shook her head and held her hand up to decline. “I don’t drink.” She admitted to him. Shooting him an almost sheepish glance, she decided to elaborate. “Small girl equals small tolerance.”

A guy like Asher could probably handle a lot more than she could.

Especially of whiskey.

“Besides, witches don’t typically drink a lot. I know I’m bound and all, but having magic requires a certain level of… control. Alcohol just lowers inhibitions and creates problems, so most covens actually like, preach against it.”

She bit her lip.

“Not that- I mean, drinking isn’t bad.” She blubbered. “I wasn’t lecturing you,”

 

[Lucyfer]

Edwin might have continued to outline the gist of the contract, but he allowed the distraction of the question, “Nothing out of the ordinary. Women hating their lives, men obsessed with petty power grabs, and an overall loss of function by not taking the whole into consideration, but nothing that led me to suspect Frederick or Corydon were in play.”

He would have handled it himself. Pia, at least, knew that much. “Regardless of what you think of my actions tonight, you have my full support in crushing them if it comes to it, and the full protection of the Quartz. Corydon and Frederick were never friends of mine, and I dislike what the coven’s grown into immensely. I won’t shed a tear to see them gone.”

Pia tapped another page in front of Edwin, and he glanced down at it, “There is nothing wrong with this—”

“Intent.”

“If you had any semblance of control—”

“This is exactly why you got such a terrible power.”

Edwin smirked, “Tell that to the ashes I’ve made of people.” Even so, he evaporated more words with a touch of bloodied ink and rewrote it to include intent to harm, nixing accidental harm opportunities to kill Pia with the contract.

But thankfully, that was near the end of it. The language hadn’t been atrocious since it had a foundation it was built on. It was rather airtight for who Pia was allowed to harm, and who she was even allowed to help. The language also included no drinking from any veins, animals included, without consent, despite the fact she hadn’t done it in centuries.

Edwin was, indeed, a control freak. They were lucky there wasn’t a curfew in there, though there were some outlined boundaries of areas she still was not allowed in.

~***~

Asher was patient as she explained, though amusement started to touch that expression as she rambled on about her reasons, and tried to backstep any offense he might have taken. The elevator dinged. “A simple ‘no’ is sufficient. I’m not going to pressure you to anything you don’t want.”

Even a simple sip, which he drew away from her as he stepped out of the elevator, the guards with their luggage slipping out with them, one taking the lead to show them to their rooms – 3808 and 3807, right besides each other, with doors that could be opened into each other’s rooms if they wanted.

The guards left them with the luggage outside either room, and Asher opened the door to 3807, whistling when he saw inside it.

Luxury, obviously, but he wasn’t expecting his own hot-tub and a gorgeous balcony view of the city. He wasn’t used to this – and had no idea Pia would have considered the room offensively small, when he thought it was huge. The television even had a gaming system hooked up! And several streaming services!

 

[awkwardradish]

Emmet, at least, appreciated Edwin’s bluntness and honesty. He hated a man that was two faced.

It also helped to know they had allies.

Maybe he wouldn’t spill all of his alcohol.

He nodded his head and took another sip of the expensive whiskey, reading over another one of the sheets Pia had passed him.

“Any murmurings of people who might be willing to betray the coven if we may it worth their while?”

He also hated buying loyalty, but he would information.

He sat that page down and started in on another.

~***~

It made Jasleen feel much better that there was a door that connected her and Asher’s room. Maybe if Landon and the others came to murder her in the middle of the night, at least Asher would hear her.

She knew Pia had assured her that nobody could get in, but the paranoia still hung around like a shadow, even worse now that she was back.

Her jaw dropped when she saw the inside of the room. “Holy fuck.”

This place had to cost more per night than her entire rent!

“This is… wow.”