Miracle

Pt. 33

"So this is the place," Max said, looking up at the dark blue sign that read Nightingale's. It was a dingy-looking bar, its exterior suggesting a forgotten corner of Hell, yet the strange, diverse creatures sitting at the outside tables seemed remarkably pleased. A light, melancholic music drifted from within the bar, and on each weathered table sat a vase of black roses, a curious touch of morbid beauty.

They pushed through the heavy door, the sound of the music growing louder as they stepped inside. The air was thick with the scent of cheap liquor, stale smoke, and something faintly metallic. They scanned the dimly lit room, their eyes adjusting to the perpetual twilight of Hell "That's her right there, with the guy that helped her," Alex murmured, his gaze settling on a corner table.

The man, Valentine, noticed them first. His dazzling smile faltered, and he quickly nudged the purple demon beside him, Jinx, who turned, her eyes widening in recognition. Both of them started to rise, a flicker of panic in their expressions "Don't even think about it," Alex stated, his voice low and firm.
The purple demon, Jinx, slowly sank back into her seat, a tense resignation on her face. "You too, sit back down, pretty boy," Max directed at Valentine, whose attempt to stand was abruptly halted.

Valentine slowly settled back into his chair, his charm suddenly feeling like a fragile mask. Alex pulled out the chair beside Valentine, sitting down. Max, ever the imp, pulled out the chair beside Jinx, turned it backward, and straddled it, resting his arms on the backrest.
They sat in silence for a few tense minutes, the faint clinking of glasses and hushed demonic conversations providing a backdrop to the silent stare-down. Alex and Max seemed to be boring holes into Jinx's skull with their gazes.

"Umm, hello," Valentine began, attempting to regain his composure, his smile returning, though a little strained. "I'm Valentine, and this is my darling Jinx. How may we help you?"
Jinx rubbed a hand down her face, a clear sign of exasperation. "Shut up, Valentine," she muttered, her voice raw.
Valentine focused his eyes on Jinx, crossing his arms with a huff. "Darling, you have no right to talk to me that way. You're so cruel, even after I allowed you to keep all the rubies that old asshole gave you. I mean... I literally helped you for free," he said, leaning back in his chair with an exaggerated pout, playing the wounded party.

Jinx ground her teeth together, feeling the metaphorical holes being burned into the side of her head by Max's unwavering glare. She turned, looking directly at the warlock. "Where's the girl?" he asked, his voice sharp, cutting through Valentine's theatrics. Jinx raised an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and annoyance crossing her features. What was this kid doing down here in Hell? she wondered.

Valentine let out a small, scoffing laugh, picking idly at the black nail polish on his fingers "You're an Incubus, right? That's how you were able to get Lily to follow you?" Alexander asked, pushing Valentine's shoulder slightly, a subtle but firm warning. It startled Valentine, who snapped his eyes to meet Alex's.
"One thing's for sure: we have no clue what you're talking about or who you're looking for," Valentine said, his charm suddenly replaced by a steely defensiveness.

Jinx looked down at the table, her dark purple hair falling forward to cover her face. The guilt was eating her up inside. Sure, she was a demon, but she wouldn't call herself evil. She just needed the money that Alistair had promised... the money that Alistair never fucking gave her. She had literally kidnapped someone for him, and he hadn't even paid the full amount he'd promised—that fucking bastard. Her hands tightened into fists beneath the table.

Max turned his eyes back to Valentine, his voice low and menacing. "You're not leaving this table until one of you tells us where we can find Lily."
Valentine shrugged his shoulders, playing with his bottom lip. "I didn't sign up for this shit. I just told you we don't know anything about that woman, so I guess we can all just get comfortable sitting here." He offered a saccharine smile.

Jinx shook her head, looking at Alex, pressing her lips together. She was possibly about to make one of the worst decisions she had ever made. "Actually, we do..." Valentine looked over at her swiftly, his eyes wide with disbelief. What was she thinking? This could get them both killed! He leaned over the table, his voice dropping to a soft, urgent whisper as he looked into her eyes. "Jinx, darling... you may want to rethink what you're about to say." Once she spoke the words she was about to utter, it would put a literal target on both their backs.

Max, with unexpected gentleness, put his hand on her cheek, making her look at him. His eyes, though still intense, held a strange glimmer of concern. "Enough is enough. Tell us now," he urged. She pushed his hand off, then nodded slowly. "Okay, but we won't be going with you... you'll be on your own with this." they were all in agreement.

That was fine for Alex. He let out a frustrated sigh, impatience burning in his eyes. "That's fine. Address. NOW."
Valentine shook his head, a silent, frantic plea to Jinx, warning her not to do it. But she pressed her eyes tightly together, took a deep breath, and spoke. "His penthouse is on 2nd Street, on Hoonburg Road. You can't miss it..."
Valentine ran a hand through his hair, utterly unable to believe Jinx would actually give them the information they were after.

Max and Alex stood abruptly, ready to leave "Wait!" Jinx yelled, and they stopped, turning back to look at her. "If it's any consolation, I'm sorry," she said softly, her gaze flicking between them, a genuine flicker of remorse in her eyes.
They didn't give her a response, their expressions grim and determined, and continued out the door, leaving Jinx and Valentine alone in the dingy bar.