Mob Sorcery 5 - Ch7

The elevator ride upstairs took place in silence. Ashley had led Nina and Nicki to the bar they spotted earlier in the foyer, before returning and taking the elevator with Vince. She’d typed in a code on a keypad before the doors opened, and the interior only contained emergency buttons and a speaker.

When they juddered to a halt, magic thrummed around Vince. He frowned but kept his cool.

If Immanuel wanted him dead, they wouldn’t do it inside their HQ. Too much evidence pointing right at them.

The doors slid open after ten excruciatingly long seconds. Golden light streamed from the other side, and he blinked at the sight before him.

A colossal chamber ripped right out of Ancient Egypt extended hundreds of feet into the distance. Sandstone pillars rose into darkness above them, while golden statues lined a white marble pathway. A satin red carpet covered the steps to an oversized dais, upon which rested an oval-shaped black marble table the size of the average office.

Tall slits in sandstone walls stood behind the table, opening out to a birds-eye view of Aulfair and its harbor. But even this view didn’t quite match reality. A sepia tone ran across the sky and water, while the buildings appeared to shift like sand. In just the few seconds Vince stared out over the city, he saw entire skyscrapers rise and suburbs transform.

An illusion of the city’s past? He could only assume so.

Two figures sat at the table, but they were distant enough Vince couldn’t make them out in great detail. He made out Quintus’s horns and bad leg, as well as Bastet’s dark skin and cat ears, however.

“Immanuel’s executives get an entire floor to themselves?” Vince asked. “Or floors, given the size of this place.”

“It’s a pocket dimension,” Ashely said, her tone suggesting he should have realized. “And no, this isn’t the entire floor. These elevators use magic to send visitors directly to some rooms for security reasons. At no point do you ever step foot in the rest of the HQ.”

Every time Vince felt he’d acclimated to the wonders of magic and its capabilities, something new slapped him in the face. He knew the great powers of Aulfair used pocket dimensions—the government included them in property taxes—but the depth of their use never quite occurred to him. Let alone the idea of elevators that could effectively teleport him to them.

The modern era was defined by the union of magic and technology. As a wealthy multinational corporation holding its own in this era, Immanuel sure as hell kept up with the times.

This small sneak peek into the true power of Immanuel reminded him of how tiny his slice of the world was. Sure, Mei’s plans would have allowed her to take over Houou and involved the entirety of Knightsgate and Japan, but he only heard her speak of that. Vince’s only role in them was to break into an old facility built by the Sorcerer’s Guild. Zaira had even commented on its age when she cracked its security like an egg.

Did Lionetti Tower possess any pocket dimensions like this? Maybe Alessia’s escape room. But the wolffolk lacked the sorcerous capability to match this so easily.

“Don’t gawk at the statues too long,” Ashley chided. “You’ll make Bastet lowball you. Come on.”

She nudged him in the side with her elbow and her gigantic fluffball tail flapped against his back. Ashley began walking forward. He followed.

But gawking at the statues?

He understood why when he actually looked at them. Bastet, being an ancient succubus, filled her office with countless statues of nude women. Many of them performed obscene acts and they came in all shapes and sizes.

“What did I just say?”  Ashley muttered.

“There’s no harm in looking,” he said, staring at a statue that appeared to depict a woman attempting to fit another’s head inside her crotch. “I’m not quite sure I’d say these are necessarily attractive.”

“They’re succubi tools. They’re always harmful. At least this is better than when she covers the place in giant cocks.”

The glower on Ashley’s face, as well as the red on her cheeks, reminded him that she hated sexual matters.

Then he replayed her final words in his head.

“I’m sorry, what?” Vince asked.

Bastet’s laugh echoed off the walls and drew his attention to the two figures atop the dais.

Quintus said to the side of the table in a black and gold suit, as well as his usual black coat. Silvered hair hung from the ancient demon’s head in a loose ponytail. His fingers ran along his cane and arcane runes glimmered along his bad leg. A scowl rested on his face as he glared at Bastet.

By contrast, the succubus smiled broadly at Vince. As always, Bastet dressed to seduce, baring a great deal of skin. A golden net of rubies ran across her torso and huge breasts, barely covering her nipples. Vince couldn’t see her lower half from up here, but he doubted she wore anything else down there. Her brown cat ears and tail twitched in amusement as she looked down at him with green eyes.

“This room is my plaything, Vincent. Although I understand you prefer to be called, Vince, yes?” Bastet said, and he nodded. “Its appearance changes at my whim. The statues reflect the desires of my visitors. Unless your multiple girlfriends and extended nights pleasuring them are a highly convincing façade, displays of impressive male girth aren’t your style, compared to that of naked women. Truth be told, the women are my preference, too.”

Vince ascended the steps slowly. He noted Ashley slipped behind him, remaining two or three steps back.

“Do you tell everyone the current appearance is their preference, too?” he asked.

“Not if I’m to make them a hiring offer,” Bastet said. “Lies come easily and are a cheap currency in the world, especially these days. So I make an effort to avoid lying when trying to lure someone in.”

“There’s no luring to be done,” Quintus said, voice like gravel. An undercurrent of anger rippled beneath each syllable. “You’re interfering in my business, Bastet.”

“Perhaps. Vince, be a dear and take a seat. Once you humor me, I’ll offer you some refreshments.” Bastet smiled sweetly, and Vince knew it was purely to annoy Quintus.

Given the old bastard had yet to stop glaring at the other demon, it appeared to work wonders.

Quintus and Bastet sat on plush stone thrones, but no other chairs sat around the table. The moment Vince reached the top of the dais, another throne appeared opposite Bastet.

He paused and looked at Ashley, who rolled her eyes. When he looked back, a second empty throne had appeared.

They both sat down, and Bastet leaned back. She steepled her fingers.

“I understand that you’re here to talk to Quintus about employment,” Bastet said.

Vince looked at Quintus, who didn’t look back. Ominous.

“Let’s say that I’m not under contract with the Lionettis, or otherwise in the market,” Vince said slowly. “What I wanted from Quintus is to know what he’d offer me. Alessia Lionetti has been up-front that she can’t offer me a corporate gig because Immanuel is leaning on her, so I’d assume you can cough up something nice.”

A broad smile grew on Bastet’s face. Something about it oozed insincerity, plus a hint of mischief. Her eyes shot to Quintus.

“And?” she asked the other demon. “I assume you’ll take this opportunity to make a rather generous offer and bring Vince under our care, hmm?”

“As I said—” Quintus began to rumble.

“Do not pretend this isn’t my realm, Quintus.” Bastet’s eyes flickered a vivid gold and a searing heat roared through her voice. “You kept Vincent as a secret project, tucked away for a rainy day, and lost him to a rival. It has been out of respect for you and Salome that I’ve let the matter be, but do not forget that acquisitions are my responsibility. So either make an offer, or else cede the matter to me.”

Quintus jutted out his lower jaw. A mixture of frustration and anger danced in the glowing embers he called eyes. His hand gripped his cane tightly enough that even Vince noticed.

While Vince would never say that Quintus was the most composed individual—he’d witnessed numerous tantrums from the old demon—this was new. Quintus appeared to be at a genuine disadvantage, and not because he chose not to engage like when Nina confronted him.

“I do not intend on offering Vincent a corporate contract,” Quintus said. “That would violate—”

“Some deal you’ve made with Alessia Lionetti?” Bastet smiled mirthlessly. She switched to demonic, apparently unaware that Vince’s earpiece translated it automatically. “Without her new toy, she’s toothless. To say nothing of the possibility he could tame her and allow us to claim the entire entity as a vassal. I disagree.”

“Then it is your court,” Quintus said bitterly.

A snort rippled through Vince’s mind and he felt two soft weights press against his head.

“It seems I’m not the only woman who sees you as the keys to the kingdom,” Daji purred from above him. “Although I advise caution. This woman is older even than I am. I’ve seen the downfall of dynasties. She’s witnessed the collapse of civilization itself more than once. There’s zero chance she didn’t know of your translation spell. She’s toying with you.”

Black tails with red tips danced around the side of his body, but he ignored them. He kept his shock hidden.

He’d been convinced Daji couldn’t manifest as a mental image if he didn’t touch her egg.

“We’re connected too closely for that to matter anymore, dear master.” The fox laughed as she strode around the table, taking advantage of the argument between Bastet and Quintus to reposition without either noticing Vince’s inattentiveness. “Don’t worry about me. It’s simply easier if I’m already present should this succubus try any tricks.”

Daji stood beside Bastet in an odd outfit, at least for her. A black puffer jacket, tight red pants, and jade jewelry. Her eyes remained their typical jade color, and her breasts were as impressive as always. Vince sometimes forgot how pale her skin was compared to others, but she truly stood out next to Bastet.

Especially when she grasped the succubus’s tits with her hands. Vince nearly gasped and gave himself away, before realizing Bastet wouldn’t feel a thing. Daji grinned.

“Now, if you can strike a deal, imagine these things bouncing with every thrust you make,” Daji teased.

He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers against his forehead.

“Ah, my apologies, Vince,” Bastet said. “I was merely having a… disagreement with Quintus. Suffice it to say, it is now my place to make you an offer. Unless you’ve abruptly lost all interest in hearing me out.”

Her tone suggested saying as much would be a mistake. Vince rolled his eyes.

“Ashley didn’t coach me into saying I should refuse you, no,” he said.

The fox demon drummed her fingers on the table. “Duh. Things would be smoother if you worked for us, instead of this weird pseudo-independent bullshit.”

Quintus glared at his subordinate, and Ashley did her level best to ignore him.

“Excellent.” Bastet clapped her hands.

Light flickered in the center of the table. Two bottles of wine appeared, along with differently shaped wine glasses. A long tray of tapas joined them, although Vince wasn’t interested in eating. He’d made sure to enjoy his hotel breakfast.

“Do you prefer red or white?” Bastet asked. “Or no preference?”

“It’s 9AM,” he said.

“White then.” The bottle of red vanished and she began pouring four glasses of a straw-colored wine.

Vince didn’t plan to drink much of it. Wine this early was absurd. The demons certainly didn’t hold back, although even Ashley made sure to swirl her glass and take a deep whiff before sipping.

Floral, fruity, citrusy. It still tasted like wine. He took a bite of some cheese to erase the taste of alcohol.

“I take it you’re more of a coffee person?” Bastet asked. “At least this early. My preference is to hold these discussions at more intimate times, but needs must.” She shot an annoyed look at Quintus, who ignored her in favor of his wine. “I’ll gift you a bottle, regardless of your decision. It’s a French Viognier, and I guarantee your companions will enjoy it. I believe you’ll be staying at the Lionetti penthouse tonight, so I’ll send it there.”

“Thank you,” he said, choosing to ignore the fact she knew where he planned to stay tonight.

When it came to the wine, he recognized the word “French” but not the other word. Alessia and Pola probably would. Hell, they’d probably visited the vineyard the wine came from at some point.

A coffee appeared in front of him, already prepared with a dash of milk. He frowned at it, but figured to finish his glass of wine at least.

“To start, I’ll state that the offer is only good for a week,” Bastet said, tone almost painfully bland. “If you have any ongoing contracts, we can negotiate around them, but if they’re long-term, that will be an issue.”

“Understood,” he said, refusing to give anything else away.

For all he knew, they’d already discovered he didn’t have an active contract and wasn’t merely talking in hypotheticals.

“The fact you’re here tells me a lot, for reference.” A smile flitted across her face and her tone became teasing. “Your recent contract undoubtably paid a lot, given the risk involved. Perhaps you’ve gotten a taste for wealth, and the Lionettis can’t guarantee such high payments on an ongoing basis? Or you want security now that they’re flirting with so much danger? Or maybe you wish to test the waters and see if we can best Alessia Lionetti, who is infamous for being tight-fisted with her inherited wealth?”

“What I want is to hear your offer,” Vince said. “It sounds like you want me to go corporate.”

“Ah, yes. That phrase. ‘Go corporate.’” Bastet didn’t hide her distaste. “You independents use it too often, without truly understanding what it means. Allow me to educate you.”

“I’m not a fan of education.”

“So I’ve gathered. A mistake, I feel.”

He narrowed his eyes at her but said nothing.

“To most independents, going corporate is like taking on a nine-to-five office job. Trading pay for security.” Bastet sneered. “That would be the case if you worked as one of the suited thugs we employ for security, but you aren’t a demon. I’m not seeking talent to look mean or guard gyms. What Immanuel needs from someone like you is a monster hiding in plain sight. A weapon we wave around to remind the other conglomerates of how things should work, and to draw when we need to erase a truly dangerous threat.”

“Like the Yakuza assassins that tried to take me out,’ Vince said. “Or the…” He coughed into his mouth, aware he’d nearly spoken about the heist.

“Like Houou’s enforcers that you slew during the heist, yes,” Quintus said, drawing a surprised look from Vince. “Five-tail mystic foxes and stronger fall into a special category of enforcer that the police pay additional attention to, unless they are independent. The actions of corporate enforcers by the likes of Kaziern or Houou’s puppets can be overlooked by authorities, but the same cannot be said of powers such as ourselves.”

“A shame, really.” Bastet swirled her wine. “But despite the restrictions and secrecy, battles between such powerful enforcers do occur. Like the one between Izu Hasegawa and Immanuel over twenty years ago downtown, or the assassination of the Lionetti patriarch and his best and brightest. It always pays to be prepared.”

“In case such a battle is brewing right now?” Vince asked drily.

The succubus smiled, and Daji made bunny ears behind her head.

But it was Ashley who responded. “The tiff with the Yakuza doesn’t really count. Either Houou or the cops will shut down the crazed fox. Surprised they haven’t already.”

“The police intervention is primarily to limit damage,” Quintus said. “A conglomerate openly waging war on another underworld entity always draws negative attention, but the Yakuza haven’t done enough to justify a serious police raid.”

“Wow. Guess the rules don’t mean much,” Vince said, more than a touch bitterly.

“Given you’ve been flaunting them, I wouldn’t complain,” Bastet warned.

“Or rather, the authorities will only attempt to enforce what they know they can, without weakening their own position.” Quintus smiled. “Much of their power comes from the appearance of power. Should they try to use it and fail to achieve what they need, then they become powerless.

“What comes next?” Vince asked.

“Chaos, usually. The failure of law and order tends to a lagging indicator of a failing empire or dynasty.” The ancient demon shrugged at his look. “The Roman Empire emerged from the wreckage of the Republic, Vincent. While I am averse to such an outcome, if the current order of Aulfair, or perhaps even the country, falls, it can be salvaged. Ideally with us at the top.”

“Are you ever not?” he asked drily.

“Do I look like a presidential advisor?”

“Enough.” Bastet huffed. “My point, Vince, is that my offer isn’t for a riskless job that involves guarding catalyst shipments. Your work won’t change. Dangerous jobs, constant training, the possibility you may battle powerful enforcers from other companies. Unlike in the Lionetti Family, you won’t be alone, but the risk does not subside. Understood?”

“I’d refuse the offer if it was boring,” he said.

Her eyes narrowed, and he felt her gaze assessing him. The tiniest of smiles flickered on the edge of her lips. “Oh?”

Vince crossed his arms. Silence spoke more than words right now.

“Then let me move on to the offer itself.” Bastet conjured up a black card, roughly half the size of an A4 sheet of paper. Gold trim ran along its edges. “It’s complicated, but the details are on here.”

She flicked the card across the table. It stopped dead in the air, floating in front of his face. He grabbed it.

His eyebrows shot up when he saw the salary, before falling.

Huh. This was smaller than he expected.

“The starting salary is only part of your earnings,” Bastet said, as if reading his mind. “You receive a fixed salary, with additional bonuses based on the jobs you complete. The pay per job would be less than as an independent, but significant nonetheless. Especially for dangerous ones. Three to four hundred thousand a year would be reasonable without a significant mission.”

Vince forced himself to assess the offer through the lens of what he should expect to earn, and not the insane heist payout. His chat with Gaby helped a lot here. He’d earned far too little before now to truly assess his earnings.

Even if he only took a single high-paying enforcer job a month, that would still be over half a mil as an independent. He’d have expenses, though. Some jobs might pay more or less. What if he didn’t get a job a month, or had to take lower paying ones?

Of course, Alessia might pay him a hell of lot more. But he abruptly understood why Nina hadn’t quit with a gigantic pile of money. Even leaving aside her spending habits, she’d plowed a lot into her college debt, and then even more into her enforcer expenses. A couple of years at the top likely left her with decent savings, but nothing amazing. Especially as the payouts would have been lower than now. Damn inflation.

A guaranteed 300k plus wasn’t something to sniff at.

“On top of that, there’ll be a sign-on bonus, so long as you don’t quit within three years,” Bastet continued, drawing Vince from his ruminations. “We also provide an annual equipment allowance, but you’ll receive an extra-large one for the first year worth up to two-hundred thousand.”

“Up to?” he asked, brain trying and failing to process the money Bastet was throwing around.

“You have to justify the expense. It’s not a blank check.” She smirked. “Moving on, you’ll also be granted free membership to our network of gyms and your own personal atelier. Health and life insurance is provided, and it will actually cover you even if you perish in an enforcer battle of questionable legality.”

Ah, the much-vaunted corporate enforcer insurance. Vince knew some people who had taken jobs with small companies just to get access to health insurance that didn’t attempt to exclude everything short of a heart attack—and even then, Vince suspected his insurer would try not to pay out.

“What’s this around the middle?” Vince asked. “Connections to a mage college? Education allowance?”

A much more tantalizing item on the card fascinated him, particularly after his argument with Alessia. But he bided his time. This offer bounced between exciting and underwhelming.

But another more complicated reaction built up within him as he slowly processed the many parts of this offer.

“You’re talented, Vince, but unrefined. Time spent under the tutelage of capable sorcerers in a mage college could rectify that,” Bastet explained, before frowning at his expression.

Quintus chuckled. “I’m afraid Vincent holds a rather negative opinion of education in general.”

“If the colleges weren’t interested in me before, why would they help me now?” Vince asked.

“Because Immanuel would tell them to.” Bastet met his gaze.

Daji stopped messing around and leaned against the succubus’s chair. She appeared unimpressed by Vince’s attitude, given the look she gave him. He ignored her.

“Let me rephrase—” he began to say.

“No need. I can guess what you’ll say.” The succubus rolled her eyes and conjured a glass of red wine in front of herself, now that she’d drained her previous glass. “Even if you don’t want a complete education, even a crash course would be helpful. To temper your powerful spells with magical theory and expand your repertoire beyond a mere handful of spells. As enticement, you’d receive your maximum bonuses while attending college and tuition would be free.”

Damn. He wanted to find something about the mage college aspect to complain about, but couldn’t find anything.

Nina badgered him about improving his spellcasting fundamentals. Being self-taught greatly limited him.

“Fine.” He shrugged. “Let’s talk about the big bonus here. The house.”

Bastet grinned. “Ah. You like that, do you? It’s quite simple. Immanuel will cover all expenses for any home you wish to purchase. The maximum purchase price will be substantially higher if it’s a house connected to any of our subsidiaries or partners, too. After ten years, you’ll own the home outright.”

“Ten years. That’s the contract length.”

“It is. If you leave early, you’ll retain a percentage of the home equity, less interest,” Bastet said, her tone turning bland again. “Of course, should you wish to move or upgrade, then that may be arranged… depending on your performance.”

Vince stared down at the offer card. Bastet waffled about a few other minor bonuses, like special discount rates at all of Immanuel’s subsidiaries and partners. The demons controlled a lot of companies in the world.

A ten-year contract with Immanuel with good pay, a nice home—the purchase price they’d cover was well over a million dollars—free gear, insurance, potential mage college tutelage, and other free shit.

If he’d been offered this a month or two ago, he’d be asking for a pen and somewhere to sign. Probably make a joke about signing Bastet’s tits.

When Alessia had probed him about why he stuck it out as an independent, he’d put up a strong front about wanting to challenge himself. Those words sounded hollow in his mind now. The jobs he’d passed up had paid okay, but he’d still faced a lifetime of working just to pray he might buy a shitty apartment.

Staring down the barrel of a good half a million a year, plus a house, job security, and no worries about finding contracts? That was a whole different ball game, and Vince knew it. Maybe he’d always known it. Was that why he’d gotten cold feet when Alessia started throwing so much cash at him?

Despite his churning thoughts, Nina’s words rang in his head. That, and a bothersome feeling.

“Why add so many damn bells and whistles?” Vince asked aloud. “You could cut half of this and just pay me more. The extra cash as an independent wouldn’t matter then, as I wouldn’t be trying to pit it against a dozen bonuses. The decision would be easy if the pay was higher.”

“Because we’re a company, and it’s easier to package benefits than more pay,” Bastet said. “The home you’ll buy? It will almost certainly be one of ours, thanks to the increased price limit. We own the gyms and ateliers already. Most of your equipment will come from our stores or suppliers. Bullying the mage colleges to take you as a student is free, too. Even adding you to the insurance policy costs very little compared to the value you draw from it.”

“Wow, just tell him our secrets,” Ashley drawled.

“I don’t like to lie, and I can already tell he’s cottoned on to the problem. You can find videos online describing what I just said these days. They’re only secrets to chumps.” The succubus leaned backward and hummed as she enjoyed her wine. “Why don’t you be truthful with me, Vince?”

He scratched the back of his neck. Saying it aloud felt crass, but Bastet had openly stated all the tricks Immanuel used to convince him to sign without spending more.

“This contract is a set of golden handcuffs,” Vince said. “No. Not just that. You’re offering to make me comfortable, but not too comfortable. The house requires me to stick around for ten years, but you’ll lure me into a new contract before then. I can’t leave within the first few years unless I want to pay back the sign-on bonus and the extra-large equipment allowance.”

“Technically, you can just surrender the equipment you purchased,” Bastet said.

“Thanks.” He rolled his eyes. “But my point remains. I’ll never need to worry about normal problems like bills, food expenses, or rent. Hell, I can have a girlfriend, get married, knock her up—all that fun stuff, and never worry about money unless I’m a dumbass. But I’m tied into the job.”

“It’s more than enough money to save up and go your own way. Should you wish to,” Bastet swirled her wine, but her expression remained impassive.

“Sure, but this offer isn’t a gigantic pile of money. You’re not saying ‘here’s a million bucks, plus ten million more in five years for being awesome.’ You could do that if you wanted me. I don’t get the impression you really want me.”

Bastet snorted. Her wine glass clinked against the table as she lowered it. “Please. I do want you, Vince. But I’m playing within your rules. My initial plan was to ride your cock until your mind melted and promise you more sex if you signed, but a simple scan of your emotions made it clear you’d push me away if I tried it. Something about the Lionettis has you doubting yourself, your abilities, and whether you’re more than a cock that casts spells.”

He stared at her, mouth ajar.

“Too much?” She giggled. “Sorry, but it’s clear you’re not signing, so why not unload. Yes, Vince, I could throw a pile of money at you. But that’s not a long-term solution. The best choice for a company is to find one of two people: those who are devoted to their work, no matter what happens personally; and those who can be strung along with the offer of security, but never let them feel comfortable enough to forge their own path.”

“Manipulative, much?” he said.

“It’s my job. HR, remember?” Her cat ears twitched and she smiled brightly. “If a company’s best staff all leave because they receive massive paydays, then that company is dead. Either now, or in the near future when a competitor overtakes it. Demons motivate themselves because we have to, given the centuries we live. But mortals are different.”

“Is that what this is?” Vince waved the black offer card in the air. “The mortal pay package?”

“Yes, essentially. The numbers are higher than usual, and I threw in more sweeteners than I would for some banker or common mage, but you are still a mortal.” Bastet leaned forward, and her eyes gained that strange golden glow from earlier. “Tell me, Vince. If I offered you ten million dollars, right now, unconditionally, do you think you’d still be an enforcer in a week?”

He stared at her. She raised an eyebrow.

Neither Quintus nor Ashley moved or said a word. Vince realized they couldn’t. The sepia tone from the window had overtaken the entire world. He gasped and tried to move.

When he couldn’t, fear struck him. Bastet sighed.

“You’re too observant for your own good. Calm down. This is mental magic. I can’t stop time,” the succubus said. “It’s often easier to hold these sorts of discussions like this. Although it would be nice if I could be rid of this pest.”

Bastet flung an arm out and struck Daji in the chest. Her hand squished against the fox’s large breasts, eliciting a gasp.

Then Daji froze. Flickers of black flame appeared along her tails. “That was a mistake.”

Bastet shot the fox a bored look. “I already knew that your soul egg had come into Vince’s possession during the heist. I’m not sure of the specifics, or what exactly Mei Suwa is using to ascend to a kyuubi, but your link with him is easily detectable by an elder succubus. It was a shame I had to mindbreak the succubus who found out. Keeping this a secret is a priority.”

“Who knows?” Vince asked, unable to fully contain his fear.

“Very few. Leave it at that, as I don’t wish to lie.” Bastet looked at him with fully golden eyes. Did he see hints of fire rippling along her cat ears and tail? “So, my question, Vince?”

He gulped.

Ten million dollars. Enough to buy everything offered to him in Immanuel’s package, plus then some. He knew next to nothing about investing, but he’d seen some videos saying you could make five to ten percent per year with little risk.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, without lifting a finger. The lifestyle of trust fund babies would be at his fingertips.

Kaziern had implied they’d offer him this sort of cash before. Less, probably. He’d wavered back then and refused to even hear the offer for fear it might turn him into the sort of person he’d hate.

His eyes met Bastet’s, and she smiled. It was an almost sad smile.

“You already knew my answer,” he said.

“Of course. For the same reason that I knew sandwiching your cock between my tits wouldn’t win you over, I know that you see money as a goal. An obstacle to living your true life. Maybe once you have it, you’ll realize you care more about being a powerful enforcer or becoming president, or whatever silly dream you develop. But months ago you struggled to pay the rent, and now you’re being offered mansions.”

He closed his eyes and nodded. “If you gave me the money, I’d walk away. I… Maybe Pola or Alessia could convince me to help them out, but…”

Given the risks involved, would he risk his life when he didn’t have any money problems?

Ironically, he suspected he’d found the answer to the question he’d asked himself a few days ago. When Alessia offered him a house, he’d balked at the idea she was showering him with something he didn’t deserve, or was otherwise manipulating him.

Facing Immanuel’s offer, he understood why she’d made the offer. Maybe she’d wanted to dote on him. But she’d also wanted to free him from the constant money problems he’d been plagued with since meeting her. The battles over small payments and bonuses, when all she wanted was someone to help her make the Lionettis a powerful force in Aulfair once more.

How silly that he’d then created a new battle with her.

He’d talked such a good game when he first met Alessia. Maybe he owed her an apology for giving her an impression he hadn’t lived up to.

But it felt like time to live up to it, especially now that Alessia was promising to remove his money worries. Although he’d make sure she didn’t renege on her earlier offer now she’d had time to think.

“You seem more at peace with yourself suddenly.” Bastet leaned her head on one palm. “But you still need to grow, little Vince. You’re cute. Cute enough that I’d steal you away despite Salome’s protestations, but I prefer catching big fish, rather than tiny guppies that I then raise in a tank. Perhaps you’ll be something more one day, but not today.”

“I’m a guppy?” Vince feigned offense.

“Yes,” Daji and Bastet said together.

The two ancient powers stared at each other for a moment. Then Bastet shrugged and returned her attention to him.

“Mortals—even great ones—rarely rise beyond their limits,” she said. “You’re like crabs in a pot. Even the biggest, strongest crabs that we harvest first are held down by the lesser crabs. I’ve watched mortals practically destroy themselves too many times now, no matter how much assistance they receive. You have the potential to break free of the pot, but until you do, I have little interest in you. This fox spirit may feel otherwise, but in my view, coddling you may ruin your potential.”

“I don’t coddle him,” Daji said coldly.

“A little hard when you’re only a mental projection, I suppose.”

Before Daji could respond, Bastet’s eyes shimmered, and the sepia tone vanished. Ashley and Quintus began to move.

Daji flipped Bastet the bird. “I look forward to seeing you screaming in ecstasy on Vince’s cock, slut.”

If the succubus heard the “threat,” she said nothing.

“I felt that,” Quintus rumbled. “Vincent?”

“I’m fine. We had a chat.” Vince shook his head. “As you already know, this offer isn’t for me. It helped, though. Although I don’t know if that was your intention.”

“It’s a win-win situation. If you accepted, you’d be in my clutches. Refusing meant you’d understand yourself better, and Salome will be very happy.” Bastet smirked. “Be sure to thank her. She let me know about this.”

Vince blinked. He hadn’t told her a word about his meeting with Quintus.

Given how the ancient demon groaned, Vince guessed the fault lay elsewhere. Ashley refused to meet her boss’s eyes.

“We will speak about this after, Ashley,” Quintus said. “But if we are done here, Bastet?”

“Yes, it’s your turn to play with Vince. Don’t give him any contracts that may break him. I’d be disappointed if you ruined my plans, Quinny.” The catgirl succubus grinned when her counterpart glared back. “You aren’t the only one with a vested interest in him.”

Quintus swept away, walking down the steps of the dais. After a moment, Vince and Ashley followed.

When he looked back, he saw Bastet staring down at him from a throne rather than her desk. While he confirmed that her outfit extended to her crotch, and left little to the imagination, it was her eyes that drew him in.

She watched him leave with those same golden eyes as earlier.

Once safely inside the elevator with Quintus and Ashley, they began to ride to the first floor.

“I understand you came here with Miss Hayes,” Quintus said. “Let us gather her before we talk about contracts. But I do have one thing I can say now, without her presence.”

“Is it a threat to Ashley?” Vince asked.

The fox demon bared her teeth at him and her tail struck him in the side.

“No, but actually yes.” Quintus stroked his chin. “Whatever your plans are for Mei Suwa, I want you to involve Ashley in them. If she dies, it’s of no consequence, but she will represent Immanuel as a senior enforcer in your scheme.”