205

Chapter 205 : A Chat With The Devil (1)

“I am truly humbled. Thank you, all of you for your support. The doors of Memento Mori are always open to any seeking to make a change. Together, we will accomplish great things.” This was Gaines' speech, almost as if he’d accepted an award. And in a way he had. The number of people to receive an Angellus blessing were few and far between. In a way it was impressive, yet all of the Doyenne looking on simply felt sickened or disgruntled.

Soon after the two Angellus left the stage and Zura called the first part of the auction to an end. The event was exciting to say the least and it left most everyone in attendance talking, though not in a good way for some.

“Oliver.” Vivian Lex called out to her second in command as she neared the gathering of her congregation members.

“I want you to look into that. See what you can find out.” Though Vivian’s expression was neutral, it was obvious that she was annoyed. By ‘that’ Oliver could only make one assumption, Memento Mori and the enigma of its explosive growth. Dispersed within the crowd, other Doyenne were having the same sorts of conversations with their right hand men and women. That is, all save Enzo Gaines. He, along with two particular people were making their rounds through the crowd and speaking to those who lingered.

One man was short in stature with dark skin and silver colored hair. This man’s eyes reminded Agni of a creeping snake. In each direction that he fixed his gaze, it seemed to her that this man saw nothing but potential prey. The other person was an older woman with unusually colored hair -- orange and brown, two toned. She was dressed in an expensive sequined dress, one that was gaudy and not inappropriate given the theme of the festival. She stood out like a sore thumb and seemed to be relishing the attention gained from it in the same breath.

The second part of the Twilight Festival was being prepared, causing the number of people remaining in the square to dwindle. The recruits were busy being briefed by their new Doyenne, that is, all but the people gained by Memento Mori.

The group of thirty something people were huddled together near the center of the square. Apparently they had been told to wait while Gaines made his rounds. Agni couldn’t help but notice several people standing near the group of new adventurers. This was partially because she recognized the cheap hooded cloaks, they matched the style of snatchers. She glanced from face to face, hoping to recognize anyone but it was futile as the hoods concealed their faces.

Meanwhile Gaines and his pair of followers moved from group to group, shaking hands and carrying on conversations. The sight struck Agni as that of a politician, one canvassing for votes and currying favor. All around the perimeter of the Grenvale central square large tents were in the process of being erected. These tents would serve as a means for chapels to promote themselves to anyone who decided to attend the second part of the auction, the Skill Shop.

By the time Gaines made his way to their group most of the stage had been broken down completely.

“Vivian Lex.” The man’s voice was deep, burly even, which matched his bear-like physique. His eyes shone, perhaps he was delighted at having received such high honor from the Angellus in the form of a blessing. Perhaps he was just happy, regardless the smile looked a bit unnatural on him. It appeared as if he was gloating.

He extended his hand, waiting for Vivian to shake it. When she didn’t, Gaines didn’t react as you might expect. He smiled, even more broadly and withdrew his hand, launching into his speech as if nothing happened.

Agni watched the man closely, and though he never directed his attention to anyone aside from Vivian, the people nearest to him had no such qualms about blatantly staring. In particular, the silver haired young man. Standing so close to him Agni could only feel one word forming in the back of her mind. Grimey. The scum on the bottom of one’s boot, this was the sensation which formed when she directed her gaze towards this young man. He shifted his gaze between all present, particularly the women. From Vivian and Gigi to Katrin and then Agni herself.

For a brief moment Agni could feel a strange sensation overcome her, she wasn’t entirely sure how to describe it -- save to say it made her skin crawl. She dismissed it, instead averting her gaze towards the woman at Gaines’ side. Unlike her creepy companion, her thoughts were apparent and easy to read.

The woman glanced over Katrin from toe to crown, a look of disgust on her face. It was apparent that she was jealous, though Agni couldn’t rightly understand why. As far as she knew, this was the woman’s first time meeting Katrin or herself.

*How can you be jealous of someone you’ve never met before?*

The older lady then glanced in Agni’s direction, at which point her face contorted even further and an audible click of her tongue occurred. She moved from her place at Gaines’ side to walk towards Agni, a small bag in hand to compliment the fur scarf draped around her neck.

“So this is a succubus.” She said as she cast an unimpressed glance across Agni.

Agni could feel her eyebrow twitch, yet she remained silent and observed.

“I don’t see what all the fuss is. Average on all accounts. Not even pretty.” She continued as she began to circle Agni, inspecting every inch of her body.

“And not even well dressed, to boot.” She said finally.

At this point Agni rolled her eyes. Normally she was indifferent towards rude people, but something about this situation rubbed her the wrong way. She smirked and focused her attention on the orange and brunette haired woman, lifting a single hand upwards. Agni pressed her pointer finger against her lips and offered a single word.

“Shh.” Yet the word reverberated from her lips, a consequence of the Whisper technique being applied. The rude woman moved to speak, only to find her lips firmly clamped shut as the technique took hold. For a brief moment her eyes widened in bewilderment, then she looked angry. So angry that her gaze seemed to toss daggers. Agni maintained her cool demeanor, complete with a complimentary smirk as the woman finally decided to slink back towards Gaines.

“Interesting technique. You must have a ton of admirers, young Succubus.” The shifty young man at Gaines’ side said. His gaze was now firmly locked on the succubus, as if his appraisal of her was being reevaluated.

Yet again Agni maintained her silence. She was trying to decide if she liked either of them enough to care. And currently they weren’t winning any points.

*Judgemental. Envious. Covetous eyes.* It was as if the pair were trying to agitate them. Agni then realized she probably wasn’t far from the truth. What she’d mistaken as politicking had actually been gloating. Now it was apparent why Gaines’ smile was so broad. He hadn’t been visiting the others to show his respects or win favor.

He did it to relish in their sour mood -- to rub salt in their wounds. What’s more, the two people next to him seemed keen to partake. Realizing this, Agni didn’t have the slightest shred of sympathy towards them.

Once again she used whisper to shush, this time focusing the technique on the silver haired man. His face contorted for the first time since he arrived as he realized that he’d been afflicted by Agni’s technique. But to her surprise he smiled. He lifted his left hand and Agni watched as several strands of black matter began to protrude from his fingertips. This matter curved inward, striking him in the chest. It quickly penetrated his clothing as pulses of purplish energy coursed into his own body.

Moments later the man smiled before replying.

“Interesting technique.” His eyes locked onto Agni and for the first time he looked interested, alive even.