Pulse Nightclub of Oroshika was one of the most luxurious clubs in the city, and tonight it belonged entirely to the newly crowned Grade Fives. They had rented the whole place out to celebrate both Christmas Eve and their new elevation. Music pounded, lights danced across the ceiling, and the crowd was a vibrant mix—demons of every grade moving shoulder to shoulder with humans too blissfully ignorant to realize what they were celebrating beside.
Among the revelers was Khevlack Omekro, enjoying the night with his girlfriend, Ammy Velzira. She clung to his arm with a smile that matched the glitter on her dress, the two of them laughing and moving easily with the flow of the party.
Khevlack's eyes caught on a familiar face pushing through the crowd. Krovanis Omekro, the former vice president, older and heavier in presence than anyone else in the room, was suddenly before them. Ammy lit up instantly, greeting him warmly, her cheeks pink with a blush she didn't bother to hide. Kev and Krovanis clasped hands in a sharp, practiced dab, grins cutting through the heavy atmosphere.
"How's the night treating you, my brother?" Krovanis asked, his voice smooth, a touch of amusement threading it.
Kev shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's aight. Been to better, though."
Krovanis chuckled low. "I don't doubt that. We haven't really had a proper chat since you came down here, have we?"
"Yeah," Kev admitted, head dipping a little, still scratching at the back of his head.
"For good reason too," Krovanis went on, a flicker of self-mockery in his tone. "I was busy chasing my contract. Spent months on it, and what do I have to show?"
Kev straightened, shaking his head with a half-smile. "Man, don't even sweat it. You got the experience now, that's what matters. Next one you gon' finish clean, quicker too. Might even slide right back with your true folks before you know it."
Krovanis nodded slowly, agreeing. "For sure. And speaking of repeating… I ain't seen your boy, Ren? That was his name, right?"
Kev tilted his head. "Yeah, Renny. Truth is, I ain't seen him either. Not since the ceremony night."
Ammy leaned in, lips curling with a sly edge. "Maybe he's too ashamed to show his face. Probably hiding somewhere… or better yet, killed himself."
Kev shot her a look. "Come on, babe, don't say that. That ain't Renny. That's outta character for him."
Krovanis arched a brow. "Outta character, huh? So he just go off the grid like this regular?"
Kev shook his head. "Nah, not really. Never this long, far as I can remember. Honestly, I been a little worried myself."
Krovanis grew thoughtful, silent for a moment before nodding. "Alright. If you run into him, let me know. I got something important to share with him."
Kev clapped his hand against Krovanis's, dapping him up once more. "No problem, I got you."
Krovanis turned, offering Ammy a courteous farewell before slipping back into the crowd, leaving the two of them in the glow of the club lights.
As the drinks kept flowing and the floor stayed alive with laughter, another demon edged up to Kev. His tone carried a faint lilt, sharp yet polite."You're Renny's friend, right?"
Kev narrowed his eyes slightly, giving the stranger a once-over. "Who's askin'?"
The demon waved it off with a casual smile. "Nobody, mate. Just wondered if you'd seen him. Haven't caught sight of him in a while."
Kev nodded slowly. "Yeah, he ain't 'round right now. But if there's somethin' you need him to hear, I can pass the word when he pulls up. If it's urgent, you know?"
The demon tilted his head, then shook it. "No, that won't be necessary."
Kev studied him a moment longer, suspicion in his gaze, before finally easing back. "Alright, homie."
The demon dipped his chin in thanks. "Appreciate your time." And just like that, he slipped back into the crowd.
Weird, Kev thought, watching him vanish.
Ammy, who had been lingering close, arched a brow. "Why are so many people searching for the Ezraphor? Even the former vice president, of all people, was asking after him." Her voice dripped with disdain. "Sure, he's the only Ezraphor, and once a meme… but the way they're searching for him, like he matters? Disgusting."