On a small stage in the store's corner, a Boombox demon played soft music.
Its soft notes disturbed Arthur as they filled the store, still somehow audible over the mass of people who walked around. He tried not to shudder as he moved with them, noting the disrepair of the customers.
Each looked closer to how the Sewer Dwellers had on their first meeting. While he shuffled around the shop floor, he found himself unable to stop admiring the decor. The entire interior was open plan. Shelves lined the walls, lit up with small lights that illuminated various types of designer shoes and handbags.
As he watched, people walked up and tapped the air around the shelves. When they did, a slot opened, and they tipped the cords in. Once they paid, they took the item, and it reappeared on the shelf with a familiar popping noise. He wondered how long it would take him to get that kind of system.
Dotted around the store were mannequins posed to display tailored suits and dresses. Some even wore ties, belts, and other accessories. It wasn’t until he got close that he realized they weren’t mannequins.
What stood there, still as statues, were the lanky demons. Its featureless face was ever-staring as people walked past. This one wore a black sequin gown and a musketeer hat with a lush black feather sticking out of the top.
It also wore something that didn’t match the outfit. A green goat’s head pin. Arthur hurried on.
As he walked and saw more of the demons, he noticed they all wore the pin. He attempted to think back, but couldn’t remember any of the ones outside wearing such a thing.
“Protection charm? Theobold doesn’t look like he’s about to go feral.”
In fact, Theobold and Leo were both trailing him quietly. They stared, but neither spoke. Rab, however, strode as though he was about to punch the first person who spoke to him. Once or twice, he shoved someone out of the way while they maneuvered around the room to a stairwell that would take them deeper down.
The stairs clanged beneath them as they went, and they found themselves in a room similar to the one above. Though bottles of wines and spirits predominantly dominated the shelves on this floor. A few vintages that Arthur assumed must be rarer got pedestals to themselves.
Lanky demons stood down here as well. They watched them from behind small counters labeled with free samples. Nearby, he glimpsed two people, a man and a woman. The man wore a tank top and jeans, while the woman wore a plain t-shirt and shorts.
The man held a small scotch glass in one hand.
“I’m saying it makes little sense,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “Why let us in now, Kylie? They didn’t give a damn about us before. And why are the gangs working for them?”
“Lorry, we’ve been over this. How should I know?” The woman’s words were harsh. “Don’t care either. They want to let us buy clothes and wine for doing stupid things? Let em. I heard rumors it’s because of that dragon place.”
“I told you we should have headed there.”
Kylie shook her head. “And get eaten by monsters? The guy was handing out sticks. Nah, it’s better here. Easy work here.”
Arthur bit his lip and walked towards the next set of stairs. A gangster standing next to an Imp stood there with a science fiction weapon at his side. It almost looked like a water pistol, but it glowed and hummed more.
Upon seeing their group, he moved aside with a laugh.
“You’ll want the bottom floor. They’re expecting you.” His voice held a sneer, and the Imp above him chattered.
Before he could move down the stairs, Leo stepped out from behind Rab.
“Tully? Where’s Miss Heady? Is she alright?”
The sneer lessened as the man looked towards Leo. His eyes widened, and he took a step back. “I. She’s. Um. She’s downstairs. They called her down when they saw this one was coming.”
Leo took a step forward, shoulders back, as he bared his teeth. “Is she okay?”
Above the man, the Imp chattered and squealed, and he glanced upwards. After watching the Imp for a moment, he straightened his shoulders, though his voice still quavered. “See for yourself. I. I don’t answer to you anymore. My new bosses are much better than Riccardo ever was.”
“You’re a disgrace, Tully. I pray for your sake that not everyone forgets their loyalty.”
“Enough of this,” Rab barked. “We need to keep moving.”
That drew plenty of attention from the other shoppers. Arthur could hear their whispers as he moved further down into the bowels of the store.
He wondered what else they sold.
***
A new type of customer greeted them on the next level.
Both men and women in professional clothes, nicer than anything Riccardo or his goons ever wore, moved about. Personal assistants who tapped away on tablets and carried bags trailed each of them.
All of them had the same look as Richard Greenwire, and they ignored their group. One or two had imps hanging around above them. Their group continued down, moving through floors that sold luxury coffee pods and coffee machines. Another displayed golfing supplies. Signed posters bearing movie stars, none of which Arthur knew, covered the third.
None of the men or women guarding the stairs said so much as a word. One skinny man with terrible teeth even winked at Leo. The larger man didn’t return the gesture, but Arthur was sure he saw it.
One floor held jewelry and Arthur tried not to stare at all the gold on display. His throat itched, and he resisted the urge to rub at the locket.
Further and further down, they climbed until they reached a small corridor with a door. Lights shone from the ceiling, illuminating the entire corridor a sinister red. Someone had etched what appeared to be occult symbols into the wall, glowing with a purple light.
Arthur couldn’t help but internally scoff. It looked like something from a bad movie set.
“Are you ready?” He asked, and he heard several murmurs of agreement. “Alright.”
They didn’t make it halfway down the corridor before the door opened. He saw the door open, and a woman wearing bright purple sunglasses stepped out. She was wearing a black sleeveless dress, her arms covered in bruises and scrapes that looked suspiciously fresh.
Above her, an Imp holding a glowing green orb floated.
As she walked forward, Arthur could see the limp. Leo moved, forcing Rab to grab him to stop him from surging down the hallway. A few of the symbols along the wall glowed and then stopped as Theobold helped pull the still struggling Leo back.
“Another trap?” Arthur said, looking at the walls.
No one answered.
“Miss Heady!” Leo's voice boomed in the corridor.
“I have been sent to escort you to the boardroom, as per Mr. Greenwine’s request.” Her voice sounded hollow, though there was a note of irritation hidden in it.
As she spoke, Artur could see her shuffle as though trying to get out from underneath the demon above her. However, no matter how she moved, it shifted to remain where it was. The giggle it let out hurt his ears.
Leo attempted to surge forward again. “Miss Heady, what have they done to you?”
“I have been sent to escort you to the boardroom, as per Mr. Greenwine’s request.”
Both the words and inflection were exactly the same; however, he was sure that she was looking at him now. Arthur nodded as he tried to remember all the fancy business talk he’d ever heard.
“Thank you, Miss Heady. A question, if I may? Will they allow me to bring in my security?”
She shook her head, long black hair rippling. “I’m very sorry; this is a private meeting. They are welcome to wait outside for refreshments.”
Theobold took over grappling Leo when Rab let go. “That is not acceptable. Your people destroyed our walls and attacked The Watchdog Knights. You will answer for your crimes.”
Carina didn’t so much as flinch at the outburst. Her blank expression didn’t change as he turned toward the door. “Please follow me.”
Rab stomped after her, and Arthur moved after him, his cane tapping at the floor. They followed Carina through the door and around a series of twists and turns. He noticed people in suits, though less expensive ones than customers on the floors above, scurrying about.
He could hear Theobold and Leo whispering from behind him, but he couldn’t make out what they were saying among the general clamor. Carina strode forward, and he noticed everyone gave her a wide berth. Even more than they did with Rab.
Through more doors, and after passing a break room and several offices, they reached another door. This one was double-wide and made of an expensive-looking wood with a lacquer finish. Two large golden goat heads acted as doorknockers.
Carina knocked on one of them and stepped back.
Rab was mumbling angrily under his breath as the door swung open, revealing Sandy. She smirked at Carina before she looked over at the rest of the group.
“It took you long enough, new blood,” she said in a stage whisper. “Mr. Greenwine doesn’t appreciate people being tardy.”
“I’m sorry, Ma’am.”
Arthur twitched at the meekness in the woman’s tone as she hung her head. Above her, the Imp danced in the air. Leo looked like he was about to speak, but Sandy beat him to it.
“Mr. Clark? Mr. Greenwine and the rest of the board would like to see you. If you would be so kind as to follow me? Miss Heady will, of course, be delighted to make sure your companions are looked after.”
Both he and Rab stepped forward simultaneously, but it was the knight who spoke first. “I will not be ignored!”
“And I don’t wish to be without my security,” Arthur said as calmly as he could. “After your brazen attacks last time, well. I’m sure you can understand my reasoning. In fact, I was only here to escort my associate to deal with his dilemma. A poor showing on your part.”
He tried not to cough at the strange way the words sounded to his ears. From the way Sandy’s mouth twitched, he figured he’d gone overboard.
“If you insist. I shall inquire within. Please take a seat. We’ll be with you momentarily.”
***
Arthur was on his third cup before the doors opened once more.
Rab was pacing around the room as Carina stood patiently by his side, refusing to talk to any of them. The only time she’d spoken was to ask what type of tea he preferred. She’d brought him coffee every time.
Theobold and Leo rose to their feet, and Arthur stepped forward.
“Well?”
“You may bring them, provided you understand the board will have their own security.” Sandy said as she gestured them inside.
Rab marched forward before Arthur even had the chance to speak. The bigger man looking like he was about to attack the first person he saw.
Inside the room was a long table at which six people sat, though seven seats were present.
He recognized Richard and Dr. Lisa, but the other four were a mystery. Apart from the woman with the pile of blonde curls and a business suit with large shoulder pads, the others looked fairly nondescript.
There was also a new type of demon in the room with them. This one was humanoid, with bulging muscles and blood-red skin. It had a strangely small head, making it look almost malformed. They flanked the empty chair, and both glared at him.
Rab didn’t seem to pay them any attention as he strode past Sandy. His armored fist smashed into the table as he glared around.
“You attacked my home. I demand retribution in the form of single combat! Pick your champion!”
Laughter filled the room in response, and a pillar of purple fog filled the seventh chair. Two glowing red eyes focused on Rab. Arthur could feel his locket grow hot, even as he heard a familiar voice enter his mind.
Its smooth tones felt like they attempted to worm their way into his brain. However, the heat inside him rebuffed them.
“You wish for me to pick a champion? So be it.”
As it spoke, one of the demons stepped forward and gave an animalistic grunt before nodding upstairs.
“Not in here, I think you’ll agree? But you’re more than welcome to take it upstairs. I can even have our newest secretary, Carina, show you the elevator.”
Rab nodded. “Very well. I shall have my satisfaction.”
“Oh, I’m sure.”
“Don’t Rab. I’d much rather you stayed with me,” Arthur tried as the knight turned away.
“This was my entire reason for coming. You were to get me in the door. Come demon! Let us test if metal or magic is more powerful.”
Arthur turned to see the faces on the board all looking at him. Even with the heat of his locket, he felt cold. Richard smiled and rose as he brushed off his suit.
“Well, Arthur, I suppose there is only one question. Would you like a drink before we start this discussion?"
The door slamming shut behind him sounded more sinister than it had any right to.184Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfLmDLUt61
