Devyn remained calm and kept his game face on all the while Denzyl strategically and covertly steered Devyn around the room to avoid the new, mysterious guest. Still doing business as best he could while being ushered around by the demon, Devyn was able to procure talks for three contracts with prominent businessmen by the time it was announced that the guest of honor had arrived. The room became still, and all eyes turned to the top of the grand staircase. Dancers took the moment to catch their breaths, and those in the lounge set down their glasses and stood to their feet to get a better view of the esteemed guest.

An expression of pride came to Devyn's face as he looked up at Miren. She was absolutely gorgeous. Dressed in a stunning golden pantsuit that left her shoulders and arms bare, displaying her elegant collarbones and strong arms perfectly. A necklace of thin pink diamonds adorned her neck in the style of a refined choker, and the small diamonds pinned in her updo pulled the fit together.

Beside Miren stood Hanna dressed in a simple black silk dress that complimented her slim figure. Black ballet heels peeked out from beneath the dress's slit over her left leg, and a matching string of pink diamonds rested on her elegant neck while her hair was swept to the side and fell on her shoulder gracefully in billowing curls. 

"Announcing Miren Mage, CEO of VIANT!" The announcement silenced the quiet murmur that had been circulating while Miren and Hanna positioned themselves at the top of the steps. Miren scanned the crowd beneath her before confidently greeting the attendees. "Good evening! Thank you for joining us here at VIANT for this wonderful night of celebration." Miren's voice was loud and clear as she spoke, catching every person's unwavering attention. Her presence was strong indeed. "I invite you to partake in celebration and merrymaking until your heart is content, BUT...please do so responsibly." Miren paused to let her words sink in, the room growing heavy with Miren's warning. "I would hate to have police presence at VIANT the moment we decide to host a big celebration, and I am sure dealing with us is the last thing the officials want this night. Lord knows they can't handle us anyway." Chuckles filtered through the room at Miren's intended lightening of her message.

"So, without further ado, please help yourselves to the drink and food. There is plenty! So, don't be afraid to pile your plates. Again, thank you for joining us tonight. I hope you have a good time." Miren ended her greeting with an enchanting smile and bow of her head before she and Hanna began their descent to the lower level. The guests had all returned to their activities when Miren and Hanna reached the bottom steps, but the VIP members were standing at the end waiting to personally greet Miren and congratulate her on becoming CEO.

Devyn remained at the back of the small crowd that had gathered to speak to Miren. He knew she would need someone to talk to and sigh about how bored she was of talking to snakes when she was done, so Devyn let the guests introduce themselves and talk to Miren all they wanted as he prepared to comfort his friend once she was done. When Miren was about halfway through the VIPs, Denzyl appeared at Devyn's side with two glasses of champagne.

"Thank you," smiled at Denzyl gratefully as he accepted the beverage. The human's eyes widened before scrunching into a moon smile as the demon leaned down and kissed him on the forehead in response to his thanks. Devyn beamed up at Denzyl lovingly as he swallowed his sip of champagne before returning the demon's kiss with a peck on Denzyl's cheek. Smiling down at the human sweetly, Denzyl placed his hand on the small of Devyn's back and positioned himself to stand behind the human as Miren quickly made her way to the emerald-eyed.

"So?" Devyn inquired when Miren reached him. "How was it?"

"Awful as ever," Miren responded with a shrug. There was not much she could do about the type of people who invested in her company. She wanted their money, and they wanted to talk to her, so Miren thought it was a fair exchange. There was one person whom Miren did want to talk to, however, and the woman began scanning the crowd when she realized that one person was not in the crowd she had just worked her way through. "Do you know where the new investor is?" Miren inquired of Devyn as she accepted a glass of champagne from Hanna who had snuck away for a short while to grab the CEO something to quench her throat after talking for so long.

Devyn shook his head as he joined Miren in scanning the crowd. "Downey? No," Devyn answered. "I don't know where she is."

"Speaking of who's missing," Miren said when she turned her head back to Devyn after an unfruitful search for the investor. "Where is Denzyl?"

Devyn's head whipped around him, and he performed a small 360 spin at Miren's observation. The human's brows furrowed when he realized the demon was no longer next to him. He had been so focused on helping Miren relax and recover that he did not notice Denzyl leave him. "I-I don't know where he is," Devyn responded as he continued to look around the ballroom.

"Maybe he went to relieve himself," Miren stated when she saw Devyn continue to look for his love. "Don't worry about Denzyl, Devyn. He'll be back," Miren assured the human. Devyn took one last look around the room before returning his gaze to Miren. She was right. Denzyl was a grown man and a demon at that. He probably just slipped out to grab something to drink or use the men's room. 

Devyn knew he should not be worried that something had happened; Denzyl was an adult who could go wherever he wanted to and do the things that he wanted to do...But something just did not sit right with Devyn. Denzyl had left him many times to grab something to eat or drink and talk to people he thought interesting, but this time felt different. It felt as if Denzyl had slipped away to hide something from Devyn. And Devyn knew he should let the demon be; Denzyl would get everything figured out, but Devyn could not stop the burning feeling in his gut that something was not quite right. 

<<<<<<<>>>>>>>

Denzyl's eyes slanted when he smelled the scent grow stronger. The demon was cautious as he made his way down the dimly lit corridor. He had followed the trail up the set of emergency stairs stationed at the back of the ballroom to the fourth floor where it led him into the dim corridor. All floors except for the lower three were supposed to be vacant as all employees at VIANT's headquarters had been given two days off to enjoy the celebrations, so only the emergency lights were activated when the demon walked past the sensors. Denzyl swept the entirety of the hallway with his eyes as he advanced down the dark path only to stop when he heard, "I see you took the bait."

Denzyl stopped in his tracks at the voice. He knew it. "Etta," the demon growled in greeting as the woman stepped out from the shadows.

"Hello, Denzyl," Etta smiled slyly as she came to stand before the grey-eyed demon. "Didn't think you'd see me again, did you...Avex?" Denzyl released a snarl as the woman circled him seductively, stopping just in front of the avex to lift her brow when she smelled the scent of a human all over him. "I see you've got yourself a little plaything."

"De-" Denzyl caught himself. It could not hurt to be too careful around Etta, so Denzyl refrained from revealing Devyn's name. "...He is not a plaything," Denzyl responded with a growl. He hated that Etta would demote Devyn to something so low as a 'plaything.' 

Etta let out a scoff as she said, "Oh, please, it's not like I don't know who you've been playing with. Who would have thought the rich and beautiful Devyn Vaumyr was Avex Denzyl's little slut?"

Denzyl's eyes flashed red at the woman's insult to Devyn, and before she knew it, Etta was pinned against the wall with Denzyl's claws around her throat. "Mmmm, frightening," Etta sounded in satisfaction at the response she was able to pull out of Denzyl. "What are you going to do to me, Denzyl? Turn me into a loon, too?" Etta smirked as she delivered her challenge. "That poor Kossen. Dumb thing didn't know what he was up against." The female looked Denzyl up and down before adding seductively, "But I do. And I know you can't hurt me here. You can't afford to blow your cover because that would hurt your little Devyn."

A growl resonated from Denzyl's throat. Sure, Denzyl could not hurt Etta then and there and risk exposing that Devyn was with a demon, but Denzyl had half the mind to take the woman to the outskirts of the city and dispose of her there. "What are you doing here, Etta?" But before he did that, he needed to know why she suddenly showed up.

Etta's eyes squinted at Denzyl's question, and she tilted her head to the side while asking, "Why do you think I'm here, Denzyl? You honestly didn't think your father would let you go that easily, did you?"

"Enough with your tricks," Denzyl growled. "If you don't tell me why you are here, I will slit your throat here and now."

A sigh and an eye roll came from the female in response. "What am I, Denzyl?"

The avex's eyes widened, and he took a step back when he began to piece two and two together. "You're a hunter." Denzyl's heart began to race when he realized why Etta had suddenly appeared.

"There you go," Etta clapped her hands in mocking applause. "I'm a soul hunter, honey," she clarified. "And I'm hunting a very particular soul that is overdue to be delivered to Hades."

Etta's response confirmed Denzyl's fear. She wasn't there for him. "Devyn." The human's name left Denzyl's lips as he began to back away from the demon.

A smirk came to the female's lips at Denzyl's apparent fear for his love. "Bingo."

.

.

.

"Now, run."