A wave of revulsion washed over Kev. The sight of Pedro, bound and helpless, his dignity stripped away, turned his stomach. He couldn't believe what he was witnessing. This wasn't an auction of objects or experiences; it was a trade in human lives.
The bullman's voice, devoid of any empathy, droned on. "This one is your choice, folks," he declared, his tone casual and detached. "A hunting partner, an organ bank, a lover... Your wish is his command. With a patented taser surgically implanted in him, he'll be easy to train, even if you just want some help around the house."
A collective gasp echoed through the room, the audience a mix of disgust and morbid fascination.
"Bidding will start at three million," the bullman announced, his voice echoing through the hall.
Kev's eyes widened in horror, his gaze darting between Pedro and Fang. "What is this?" he whispered, his voice filled with disbelief and disgust. "Why is he up there?" He reached for the bidding paddle, but Fang's hand clamped down on his, preventing him from raising it.
Fang's expression was a chilling mix of satisfaction and cold fury. "I want you to know that you're safe, Kev," he said, his voice a low growl. "If anyone dares to touch you without my permission, now they know, this is what will happen."
Kev recoiled, his stomach churning. "That's... crazy," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Fang shrugged, his gaze unwavering. "Pedro is still alive, isn't he?" he countered. "This is just a demonstration, a reminder to everyone in this room that I will not tolerate any threats to my people."
He stood up abruptly, pulling Kev to his feet. "Let's go," he said, his voice curt. "Theres nothing left to see."
They made their way towards the exit, the auctioneer's voice fading into the background as they left the hall. Kev's legs moved automatically as he tried to process what just happened. Now, what was even worse was that the bids were getting higher and higher, the audience were fighting over the shackled llama. It wasn't something that the others found abhorrent, they were feeding like priannas. Kev didn't understand, this wasn't earth, he had started to accept that, but was this normal? Was the reality of this world so brutal? Just as they reached the door, a smartly dressed stoat man intercepted them.
"Mr. Fang," he said, bowing respectfully, "the piano will be delivered tomorrow morning."
Fang nodded, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He turned to Talon, who was standing guard nearby. "Talon," he instructed, "go get the case from the car."
Talon disappeared outside for a moment, then returned carrying a sleek black suitcase. Fang handed it to the stoat man. "An even million," he said. "Sorry no one wanted to bid me up tonight."
The stoat man's eyes widened in surprise. "Thank you, Mr. Fang," he said, bowing deeply. "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
Fang, Kev, and Talon stepped out into the cool night air, the sounds of the city a welcome contrast to the tense atmosphere of the auction house. Perry, the owl man driver, was waiting patiently by the car, its engine purring softly.
The ride back to the club was a stark contrast to the earlier journey. The silence in the car was heavy, Kev's thoughts consumed by the unsettling image of Pedro bound and helpless on the auction block. His stomach churned with a mixture of disgust and pity. He glanced at Fang, who had his head out the window, tongue lolling out in the wind, seemingly oblivious to Kev's inner turmoil.
Kev lit a cigarette, the familiar ritual offering a small comfort amidst his unease. He watched the city lights blur past, a mesmerizing dance of color and movement that momentarily distracted him from his troubled thoughts. He couldn't shake the feeling that what he glimpsed wasn't even the true dark side of this world, but just another day in the lives of many.
The car slowed to a stop at the familiar security checkpoint, its headlights illuminating Rex's imposing figure. The tigerman approached the window with a knowing grin.
"You know the drill," he said, slapping the car's hood. "Everyone out, and let's get this show on the road."
Fang and Kev stepped out, Talon following close behind. The security team, their movements efficient and practiced, immediately swarmed the vehicle, their scanners sweeping over every inch of its exterior and interior.
Kev, remembering his previous mishap, carefully removed his cigarette case from his pocket before approaching the metal detector. This time, he passed through without incident, a small victory amidst the lingering unease.
As they waited for the security team to finish their inspection, Rex and Talon stood side-by-side, their postures radiating a quiet power. Kev, observing them from a distance, couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at their contrasting yet equally intimidating presences. Rex, with his muscular build, exuded a raw, animalistic energy, while Talon's lean frame and sharp gaze hinted at a more calculated, controlled approach.
Rex leaned towards Talon, his voice a low rumble. "Anything exciting happened while you were gone?" he inquired, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Talon shook his head, his expression impassive. "No," he replied curtly.
Rex's grin widened. "You get to see Pedro off?" he purred, his voice laced with a knowing tone.
Talon's frown deepened, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed on the security team as they completed their inspection of the car.
Rex chuckled, enjoying the eagleman's discomfort. "Seems like you're tired, Talon," he said, clapping a heavy hand on the birdman's back. "If you ever need a break from watching the human, I'm always happy to help... keep him pinned down for a few hours."
Kev's cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and anger rising within him. He glared at Rex, his eyes blazing with defiance.
Fang, sensing the escalating tension, stepped forward, his voice a low growl. "That's enough, Rex," he warned. "One more comment like that, and you'll be joining Berry on perimeter duty."
Rex flicked his tail, a challenge in his eyes. "Teasing isn't against the rules, boss," he retorted, his voice a playful rumble.
Fang's growl deepened. "I make the rules," he countered, his stance unwavering.
Rex's grin turned predatory. "Besides," he purred, his gaze shifting to Kev, "you already know I can protect the human better than this scrawny bird."
Talon's feathers ruffled, and a sharp caw escaped his beak. He stepped forward, his talons flexing menacingly. "Watch what you say, Mr. Rex," he hissed, his voice a low, dangerous rasp.
Rex's claws extended, his eyes gleaming with a feral hunger. "Let's do it right here, feathers," he challenged, his muscles coiling beneath his suit jacket.
"Stop!" Fang's voice boomed through the night, silencing the brewing confrontation.
Rex and Talon, startled by the intensity of Fang's command, immediately dropped their aggressive postures. They stood side by side, their heads bowed slightly, a mixture of shame and defiance etched on their faces.
Fang's gaze swept over them, his eyes burning with a cold fury. "Rex," he said, his voice a low growl, "Talon's not a full employee yet but you better treat him like one and if I find out this is how you treat other employees I'm going to be very upset."
Rex nodded, his tail tucked between his legs. "Yes, boss," he mumbled.
Fang turned to Talon. "And you," he continued, his voice softening slightly, "remember your priorities. Your first duty is to guard, not engage in petty squabbles."
Talon bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Understood, Mr. Fang."
Fang sighed, his anger slowly dissipating. He opened the car door and gestured for Kev to enter. "Let's go," he said, his voice weary..
The car rolled to a stop in front of the club, its engine rumbling to a halt. Perry, the owl man driver, held the door open with a practiced flourish. Fang stepped out, his hand reaching back to help Kev out of the car. Talon followed silently, his presence a watchful shadow in the moonlit night.
He pushed open the heavy wooden doors, the sounds of the bustling club washing over them like a tidal wave. The barroom was packed, a sea of bodies swaying and grinding to the infectious rhythm of Asmodeus's music. The air crackled with energy, a heady mix of laughter, conversation, and the intoxicating scent of desire.
Fang's eyes narrowed as he spotted a figure occupying their usual spot at the VIP table. "Who the fuck is in my seat?" he growled, his voice a low rumble that cut through the din.
Fang stalked toward the VIP table, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. Talon, ever vigilant, moved closer to Kev, ushering him quickly along past the now loud and raucous customers.
As they got closer, however, Fang's fury dissipated, replaced by a surprised smile. Sitting at the table, a delicate teacup in her hand, was the modestly dressed head of housekeeping.
"Cindy?" Fang's voice softened, the growl fading from his tone.
"Welcome back," Cindy greeted, her voice a gentle melody amidst the club's cacophony. She turned to Kev, her eyes full of amusement. "Good to see you brought him on a walk." A soft giggle escaped her lips, the sound surprisingly light and carefree for the usually stern head of housekeeping.
Kev and Fang slid into the booth. Kev couldn't help but feel a sense of incongruity seeing Cindy in this setting. Her presence, so calm and collected, seemed at odds with the club's pulsating energy. He couldn't shake the feeling that her pink, flower-filled office was a far more fitting environment for the gentle deer woman.
"Cindy," Fang began, his voice laced with a hint of surprise, "what brings you up here? Shouldn't you be downstairs, making sure everything's spotless for our guests?"
Cindy chuckled, a soft, melodic sound that cut through the surrounding noise. "I can spare a few minutes for my favorite pup," she replied, her gaze shifting affectionately to Fang. "Besides," she added, her eyes twinkling with curiosity, "I want to hear all about the auction. Did everything go smoothly?"
"No issues at all," Fang replied with a satisfied grin. "Everything went according to plan."
Cindy's eyes narrowed slightly. "And who ended up with the... llama?" she inquired, her voice a gentle but pointed question.
Kev's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He hadn't expected Cindy to show any interest in the more... unsavory aspects of the auction. He had suspected she knew about it, but to ask personally?
Fang chuckled, a low rumble that vibrated through the booth. "I don't know," he admitted, his tone nonchalant. "Hope they have fun." He waved at Dale, signaling for another round of drinks.
"Be a bit smarter, pup," Cindy chided, her voice laced with a hint of maternal concern. "You should always gather as much information as possible. It's better to know who ends up with your little issue." She sighed, taking a sip of her tea. "But I'm glad it's dealt with. That Pedro was trouble."
Fang nodded in agreement. "You always come up with the best ideas, Cindy," he said, a genuine warmth in his eyes.
Kev's jaw dropped slightly, a wave of surprise washing over him. The sweet, unassuming Cindy had been the mastermind behind Pedro's fate? It was a revelation that painted her in a whole new light. He looked at her with newfound concern. Perhaps she was even more terrifying than Reepia, her gentle demeanor masking a sharp intellect and ruthlessness.
Cindy, noticing Kev's stunned expression, chuckled softly. "Don't look so surprised, dear," she said, her voice a gentle melody. "I'm happy to help. I just thought back to the old days, when Fang's father ran the club, and inspiration struck."
She stood up, her movements graceful and deliberate. "But I must be getting back to work," she announced, a hint of regret in her voice. "There's still much to do before the real cleaning begins."
She paused by the bar, exchanging a warm greeting with Dale, who chatted with her freely. Then, with a final smile and a wave to Kev and Fang, she disappeared into the crowd.
Fang glanced at his watch, a frown creasing his brow. "It's getting late, Kev," he said, his voice a low rumble. "You should probably head to bed."
He turned to Talon, who stood silently at attention behind them. "Talon," he instructed, "escort Kev to his room."
Kev's heart sank. He'd hoped to spend more time with Fang, perhaps even share another intimate moment before the night was over. Just to talk about what the hell happened to Pedro. Or even… just for Fang to sleep… Kev didn't want to be alone.
"Fang, you can walk me," Kev protested, his voice a soft plea.
Fang shook his head, a hint of regret in his eyes. "Talon is in training, Kev," he explained. "He needs to walk around a bit, get a feel for the layout of the club."
Kev sighed, accepting the inevitable. "Alright," he said, forcing a smile. "Have a good night, Fang." He leaned in and gave the wolfman a quick kiss on the cheek, his lips lingering for a moment longer than necessary.
Fang's tail thumped against the booth. "You too, Kev," he murmured, his voice a husky whisper. "Sleep well."
With a final wave, Kev followed Talon out of the barroom, leaving Fang to navigate the bustling club alone.
As Kev ascended the grand staircase, Talon's silent presence looming behind him, he couldn't help but feel a pang of awkwardness. He decided to break the ice, his voice a casual murmur.
"Hey, Talon," he began, "I'm not really a fan of straight whiskey. If you're ever getting me a drink, maybe a whiskey sour or something a bit sweeter would be nice. I didn't want to say anything in front of Fang, just a heads up."
Talon paused on the step below Kev, his sharp eyes meeting the human's in the dim light. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by a thoughtful nod. "Thank you," he replied, his voice a low rasp. "Mr. Fang... he seems to be quite invested in you."
Kev chuckled softly. "Yeah, it appears he does."
Talon resumed his ascent, his gaze fixed on the steps ahead. "How long have you been with Mr. Fang?" he inquired, his tone neutral.
Kev hesitated for a moment, sensing a double meaning in Talon's question. "Just a few days," he replied, his voice carefully guarded. "I started last week."
"Really? You appear to be quiet... special to Mr. Fang," Talon observed, his voice a low rumble that echoed in the stairwell.
They reached the top of the stairs, and Kev turned to face Talon, a curious smile playing on his lips. "You started pretty fast, didn't you?" he remarked. "Just interviewed yesterday, and now you're practically part of the family."
Talon's frown deepened. "It was more of an audition than an interview," he corrected, his voice a raspy whisper.
Kev chuckled. "An audition?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow. "I thought your performance in the fighting pit two nights ago was the audition."
Talon's feathers ruffled slightly, a subtle sign of discomfort. "I'd rather not talk about it," he said, his voice a clipped rasp.
"Does that mean you're going to turn down the job?" he inquired, a hint of concern in his voice.
Talon let out a single dry laugh, the sound echoing in the empty corridor. "I don't think that's much of an option," he replied, his tone resigned. "I knew that before I even came back last night."
They reached Kev's apartment door, and Kev paused, turning to face Talon. "Would you like to come in for a bit?" he offered, a warm smile on his face. "I could make you some coffee."
Talon's sharp eyes scanned the hallway, checking for any signs of activity. "It's probably not... appropriate," he said hesitantly, his gaze flickering back to Kev.
"It's fine, Talon," Kev assured him, his smile widening. "Come in. Let me make you something to eat. I haven't seen you have anything other than those sour candies."
Talon's expression softened slightly, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. He stepped into Kev's apartment, his wings brushing against the doorframe as he entered.
Kev bustled around the kitchen, heating up the remaining coffee and assembling a quick meal for Talon. He toasted a bagel, spread it with butter, and added a colorful assortment of fruit to the plate. He carried the offering over to Talon, who was perched on the edge of the couch, his wings folded neatly against his back.
"Here you go," Kev said, placing the plate and a steaming mug of coffee on the coffee table.
Talon's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the food. "Thank you," he said, his voice a soft rasp. He picked up a piece of fruit and nibbled on it, his movements surprisingly delicate for someone with such powerful talons.
"We'll be working together pretty often, I guess," Kev remarked, taking a seat on the couch opposite Talon.
Talon nodded, his gaze meeting Kev's. "That's the idea," he confirmed.
"Is your sister excited about the move?" Kev inquired, desperately trying to connect with the avian.
Talon's expression clouded over, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Not exactly," he admitted, his voice a low rasp. He reached for another grape, popping it into his mouth with a thoughtful chew.
"She's been laid up in our apartment for several months now," he explained, his voice laced with a touch of helplessness. "Passing the time with TV and video games. She's... less than thrilled about the prospect of living without electricity or phones."
"I can understand that," Kev said, a sympathetic smile playing on his lips. "I've found the transition a bit difficult myself. But I'm glad there will be more people to... hang out with during the day."
Talon raised an eyebrow, a puzzled expression on his face. "Hang out?" he echoed. "Like... during breaks?"
Kev nodded. "Uhhh, yeah," he explained. "The mansion is usually pretty quiet during the daytime. It can get a bit lonely."
Talon's frown deepened. "Lonly? But don't you have work to do?" he asked.
Kev sheepishly shook his head. "Not really," he admitted.
Talon's eyes widened in surprise, and he choked on a grape, spitting it out onto the plate. He quickly recovered, clearing his throat and taking a sip of coffee. "That's... very lucky, I guess," he managed to say, his voice a bit raspy.
Kev sighed, lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag. "Honestly, I'd like at least a little work," he confessed, exhaling a plume of smoke. "If Fang decides he doesn't like me anymore, I'll have nothing to fall back on, and I'll be fired."
Talon nodded thoughtfully, munching on a bagel. "That's… a valid concern," he agreed. "But I wouldn't worry too much about it. Fang seems quite taken with you."
He paused, then added with a sigh, "if he fires you then I'll be the one hanging out with no work to do."
Kev chuckled, appreciating Talon's attempt at humor. "Thanks for the reassurance," he said, taking another drag from his cigarette.
Talon finished his bagel and stood up, stretching his wings. "If you want to use the bathroom before I head down, go for it," Kev offered.
Talon considered the offer, then nodded. The thought of the club's crowded bathrooms, filled with drunken patrons and questionable hygiene, made the privacy of Kev's apartment all the more appealing. "I'll be right back," he said, disappearing into the bathroom.
Talon emerged from the bathroom moments later, his feathers neatly preened and his expression refreshed. "I'll see you around, Kev," he said with a curt nod.
Kev waved goodbye, a smile playing on his lips. Just as Talon was about to close the door, he poked his head back in. "Oh, and I was told to remind you to lock your door," he added, his voice a soft rasp.
With that, he finally disappeared down the hallway, leaving Kev alone once more.
Kev shook his head, a bemused smile on his face. Talon was certainly a unique character, his military-like demeanor and cryptic warnings a stark contrast to the more laid-back personalities of Horns and Dale. But beneath the rigid exterior, Kev sensed a genuine concern for his well-being, a loyalty to Fang that extended to those the wolfman cared about.
He locked the door, a sense of anxiety settling over him. He didn't light any candles as he smoked his last cigarette of the night, images of the lamma man flashing though his mind.
With a sigh, Kev stubbed his smoke and climbed into bed. The soft sheets did not hold back the visions of the auction. Kev tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable.