Satan's Just a Playboy with Better Taste in Clothing

Family

Linus was embarrassed.

He wasn't used to talking that much, least of all about himself. All he could do was think about how close he'd come to disclosing everything. Telling Calix every sordid detail wasn't something he was ready to do, and he hated himself for nearly doing it. He needed to not think for a while. Luckily, he had just the place to do that.

The house was an odd place. Modern architecture assaulted the senses, sharp corners and blinding white paint contrasting with the natural greenery surrounding it. A massive lawn, immaculate as He liked it. Great oak trees served as a buffer between the earth and the sky, making Linus feel small.

As beautiful as it all was, there was something off about the house. Linus could never quite tell what though. Maybe the lack of flowers? Or perhaps the fact that it was only ever sunny, and that the birds never stopped singing for even a moment. Linus couldn't say. It's not like that was anything out of the ordinary for Him. If He wanted the birds to sing themselves hoarse, they would. They didn't have a choice.

These thoughts swirled around in Linus' head, even as he walked up the concrete path and rang the doorbell. Linus waited for a second before remembering that nobody could hear him. With a huff, he reached into his pocket for the keys, opened the door, and stepped inside.

From the outside, the house looked as if some wealthy businessman or art collector lived there. It was nothing but a rouse. Once you crossed the threshold, everything changed. Peaceful silence turned to EDM being blasted as loud as it could go, the sheer force of the bass threatening to rupture your eardrums.

Unsavory individuals of the slightly more than Human variety roamed the foyer. Vampires, werewolves, black magic users and so on. They were nothing particularly special. The deeper in you went, the worse things got. And nowhere was worse, or better depending on your point of view, than the dance floor.

Really, it's difficult to call what those monsters were doing dancing. Some were just swaying back and forth, too high to care about rhythm or movements. Most of them were fucking. Just, in a big mass, right in the middle. A few were eating something. Or possibly someone. Linus couldn't care less. He was still trying to not think.

Eventually, he reached the back of the house. This was the VID area. Only the most distinguished demons were allowed back there. Well, distinguished might not be the right phrase. Dangerous and terrifying is a more apt description.

"There you are, Aker. We were wondering if you would ever return to us." The voice was reverent and seductive. Appropriate for the most memorable queen that Egypt has ever known.

"Not now, Cleo. I don't care about whatever schemes you've thought up today." Linus said, not even giving the pharaoh a glance.

"But Aker, I only wish to comfort you. Please, allow me to help."

"Why do you always call me that?" Linus asked, taking a seat in a plush, blood red chair facing the throbbing mass of the dance floor.

"The God Aker dwells within the Earth. Guards the dead. You do the same, do you not?"

Linus finally turned to look at her as she kneeled at his side, head bowed and claw-like hand resting atop her chest. Snow white hair fell down to her shoulders, and a gold crown in the shape of a snake wrapped around her forehead. Her once beautiful bronze skin was now the color of a moonless night, her eyes yellow and pupils slit. She looked up at Linus, smiling, her fangs prominent. She purred as she spoke again, a look of innocence and malice combined on her face.