Victoria- Chandler's Sister

Chan's POV

Today, for once, has been a pretty decent day. Though even thinking those words has me paranoid that pain with pierce me like a knife and things will come crumbling down around me.

So I don't allow myself to relax or get too excited as I finish up my rounds of the Brothel for restock, the building , and district for that matter, is mostly asleep now at twelve in the afternoon. It's typically unusual to see anyone after sunrise in most parts of the region with sunset providing the marker of a new night.

Other regions find it deplorable the way we sleep all day only to fuck and party all night, but it's their greed and lust thag fill our bodies and our pockets every night.

Amused and light hearted I enter my office, welcomed by a still warm cup of tea that I left sitting on my desk. Thomas and Chandler are resting after their week long stake out mission I had them do in Vilin- against my better judgement. The two were lucky to escape with their lives but they managed to give the perfect lead on an issue I've been keeping track of. Since they're so worn out, I sent Azoria and Devon out to follow up on the information, and the two should be back any moment.

As I wait for them I decide to get some paper work out of the way.

I unlock my bottom left drawer of my desk, pulling out the secret official documents of my Brothel. Only three people alive know about this, me being one of them. If anyone else other than Thomas or Chan found out, I will be tortured and made an example out of for the rest of the PD to see.

Some might wonder what's so important that I would risk my life making and hanging on to something that would get me in trouble but too important to trust elsewhere.

And the answer is simple and complicated all at once.

The Pleasure District, or PD for short, is just another region that has pledged it's allegiance to the country of Kaulike, which means, just like everyone else, there are taxes that we have to pay. The PD is owned and governed by a Hybrid on the governments payroll, Lady Talisea- a Succubus-Angel Hybrid. She rules the district with a tight fist, with the protection of Vilin and the High Council, Lady Talisea charges double for taxes and sometimes pops up for random fees. If you live here rent will raise, if you own a brothel you have to chuck over 30% of all profits over from every employee in service, not even overall. I grind my teeth as I think about how much money she's been able to lawfully steal from me.

There's have been very few people that have the balls to try to pull one over on Talisea, and all that have tried either got away with it and wisely kept quiet, or died a horrible, public gruesome death.

Even still, I refuse to give an inch, even knowing the risks.

The hidden papers reveal that I've managed to funnel about thirty thousand dollars of my own money into an anonymous account. While it sounds like a lot, it's not money I let myself touch. If someone gets caught by Vilin, held hostage by a mark or we need cash for an important auction, I don't want to draw attention to myself or lose out because I'm running away rushing for money.

That, and because the numbers don't add up. Though I'm one of the better off and popular brothels, Talisea still only allows for a rotation of about ten sex Daemons per Brothel, at least four bartenders and six guards, allowing for a staff of twenty since Talisea herself oversees the cleaning, always making sure there's nothing going on without her approval. But instead of abiding by these numbers, I've done things a bit differently. I have fifteen sex Daemons on my pay roll, with five bartenders and ten guards. That's ten over the allocated number. But the other thing Talisea doesn't know is that Blessed Night is also a dealer of information and secrets, meaning that I'm often switching my employees out for missions all over Kaulike, sometimes gone for weeks at a time. I even have a trump card of information over Lady Talisea herself, thanks to Thomas and Chloe but I chose to hold onto it until the moment I truly need it.

I don't have a death wish and neither do I have some goal to one day be the one that has the approval of Vilin and the Angels.

No.

What I want, what we want, is to take down this wretched cursed system that has done nothing but let us down and leave us out to dry every time we needed help. To abolish those that look down on us and use us for their torment and fun. To make them suffer the injustices of getting everyone you every wanted taken away from you just for being alive.

There's a fury inside of me that I make sure to keep kept in check. So no one will ever know and stop me before I can have the own system, all of Kaulike coming down.

I don't care about Nightlies. I don't care about Divine Children. I just want all of us, every Supernatural and Human to be free to be whatever the fuck we want to be without hate and judgement.

It's something I'm willing to risk everything for.

As always, I'm paranoid as hell as I quickly write down the correct numbers on the papers in the red folders, keeping notes of where people are and what mission their own, though I'm not reckless enough to not code the information. Once I'm done, I transfer the same information though I change all the numbers by seven percent, making them slightly smaller, not enough for questions to be raise but enough that all the effort and stress is paying itself off.

I'm just hitting down the last of the fixed numbers when there's a patterned knock at the door, two short quickly taps following two long paused knocks.

My heart falls out of my ass for a moment, wondering if the Lady has decided on a surprise visit, but I recognize the code and realize it's only Devin and Azoria, finally back with their report.

"One moment." I call out cooly, pretending as if I didn't have a mild heart attack.

There's a slight flutter a pain in my chest, the sensation sharp and exact, like a knife carving regret into the bare flesh of my heart. Thankfully, the moment passes and I take a deep breath not allowing the thoughts of Chris and the life I could have had consume me, wishing to keep hold of my decent day.

Instead, I hurriedly put the illegal documents back into their red folder, placing them in the secret drawer that slides perfectly into the regular one. Once it's locked in place, I reseal the magic seal that was on it, making sure it's secure before I place my correct documents back in my top right drawer. Making sure nothing is out of place, I walk towards the door and release the lock, allowing my employees to enter before closing it behind them.

Though Chloe doesn't like to talk about his second half of his DNA, much less use it, he was willing and able to fit the entire Brothel with magic wards, protection spells, silence runes and all other forms of magic and protection I don't understand. And after showing me how to activate and disengage the magic myself, I've found my little fortress showcased as a brothel, to be the safest place in the PD.

Azoria and Devon walk into the room, the two bickering about Celeste knows what once more.

The two are as opposite as opposite can get but they're the only ones I had at the moment to send out. Devon, of course is dressed in a skin tight elegant mid calf dress that dips low on her chest, the dark purple fitting nicely against her creamy  skin. Grace and elegance drip from every once of the Hybrid, diamonds adorning her hands, ears and neck, heels clacking as she makes her way over to my desk. Her mid back length hair falls over her shoulder to one side in loose curls, her smokey make up and plum lipstick pulling it all together. Though that's exactly what J expect of her, the 1/4 Faerie in her shining proudly through.

Azoria on the other hand in clad in skinny jeans and a basic crop top, showing off her toned abs and luring eyes to her striking face, not that she would ever care or aim to do.

Azoria throws herself into one of the chairs as Devon practically floats into the other.

"Good morning, ladies. Productive outing, I hope?" I ask, leaning against my window seal as I welcome the warmth that shines through the bay window from behind. Devon is first to speak much to Azoria's annoyance, but it must be important because the Enchanted doesn't try to strangle her partner as she goes to explain what they've found.

"We went to Revelia, where the last source got his information, and we expected it to lead towards the Back Streets, the small  lawless town in the Southwest part of Revelia, but we ended up on the other side of the border, in Roma. The home of the Ashes Vampire Clan has been completely taken over these past hundred years after the Witch Queen destroyed the black market in Revelia, wanting to get in good graces with Vilin." She tells me and I nod along, remembering when this all went down and how much to shocked the country to hear that a Nighty Leader was asking to be on equal footing as a Devine Child. "And while things were kept managed for a while, there has been an influx of Enchanted and Daemons alike traveling through Roma and the black market."

Unable to help herself anymore, Azoria steps in, adding to the story with her own recollections and conclusions. "There have also been sightings of the infamous leader of the Port Mafia who somehow remains anonymous despite all the sightings and confirmations. It's been put together but more people than I can count that believe that he may be supplying weapons to Indrid. There's been sightings of him in  the old Ashes territory as well as the Fang Port to the south talking with Daemon and Enchanted, both thugs and what seem like officials. No one is sure what, but they're all confident that something is going on. Frankly, people are getting scared and apparently there's something going down with Vilin and Revelia but I haven't heard much." She finishes, biting her nails in annoyance, though they never stay short for long, her Succubus leopard features tk thank for that.

I process the information they give me, and contemplate trying to rouse Thomas and Chloe for another mission, but I wouldn't feel right asking them for that after all they've done for me these past few weeks. I think about going to Roma, but with recent news of the rising danger in the Ashes territory, I wouldn't want to go without Thomas there if anything were to happen.

Just as I finally settle on a plan of action, my vision disappears for a moment, a foggy swirl of colors twisting before my eyes before it shows the very clear image of a very familiar face before disappearing, my sight coming back at once.

"Oh, shit." But even my foresight couldn't have prepared me for the way my office door slams open and a flash of familiar ashen grey skin, long dark hair and a matching mischievous grin is all I see before something- or rather someone slams into my chest. I look down with raised brows and amused smile to see none other than my very own little sister, Victoria. I sigh in resignation knowing that if she's here, I'll be stuck with her for the day no matter what I say.

"Chan! I've missed you!" She preens, going up on her toes to plant a kiss on my cheek, I watch as Azoria and Devon duck out, bickering between themselves, knowing as well that once Tori arrives, that's all that matters.

At least that's what Tori believes.

"Hi, Victoria. We just saw each other two weeks ago." I remind her softly pressing a kiss to my younger sisters hair. While a badass and black widow at heart, my sister has always been just a sweet little brat that wants to be dotted on, though few managed to get through the rough exterior that acts as her shield. Though a few months ago, she spoke of finding her Chain, unexpectedly in a human on all people. Though from the glow in her eyes and rose in her cheeks, it seems someone has finally managed to crack the code.

My sister pouts, her matching rainbow scales glittering beautifully against her ashen grey skin, the brat tossing her glossy hair over a smooth shoulder. "Yes, two weeks ago, that's forever, Cha-Cha." She says, referring to me by the nickname I was given before she could pronounce all her letters right. "Maybe if you were to answer my calls I wouldn't have to ambush you at work." She reminds me, placing her hand on her hip as I step away and sheepishly rub the back of my neck, knowing I'm caught.

It's not that I avoid my sister or thag I don't want to talk to her, it's more so that my life is so busy that I rarely ever pay attention to my phone, all of my spies giving their reports in person or through fire-mail. That, and we seem to remember things differently from growing up. Mostly before there's almost a one hundred and fifty age gap between us. The mother and father she got were a world different thag the ones I did. And I can't bare to hear the wag she speaks of them, and she never understands why I won't come over for a family dinner. And I don't have the heart to tell her and break her heart. To her, her parents are our heroes. Our role models. I would rather it stay that way for her so she doesn't end up so broken and jaded like me.

"Okay. I can't argue with that. But I am busy at the moment. In fact, I was about to leave on a solo mission before the brothel opens for the night." I tell her, hoping it will speed along this visit but of course, she made time to come and spend time and bother her big brother. Hurray.

"Awesome, I was hoping we wouldn't be cooped up in here all day. Lead the way, spy master." She says mockingly with a giggle and I look to the skies praying for patience to not throttle my sweet obnoxious sister who I love so very much.

I shake my head at myself internally, reminding myself of how much I regret not spending time with my sister when she's away. I smile instead of complaining and grab all my gear, making sure to double checked that everything is locked and sealed before leading my sister down the hall and out of the brothel. We pick up a steady job towards the east and along the way to Revelia, I explain to my sister the news that I've gotten and the things that have been happening behind the scenes for a while.

By the time we finally reach the Back Streets of Revelia, Tori is taking things a lot more seriously, her face pale as we come to a walk at the entrance to the neighborhood. The buildings on their side of the streets are worn down and looted through, every window broken or boarded up. There's a few people milling around, Enchanted, Unclaimed Vampires and dark magic users. They all appraise our alluring bodies and features, the families flint of need and lust clouding every thought and judgement.

"You know, mom and dad ask about you all the time." Victoria starts randomly and I try my hardest to hold in my sigh, already knowing this is where the conversation goes, as it always does.

"Yeah?" Is my own response, my jaw clenched in held back annoyance that isn't for my sister but for the ones who think they have the right to ask about me.

"Don't play dumb Chandler. I know you ignore them on purpose and you still won't tell me why. I have a feeling you've been avoiding me exactly for that reason. I deserve to know, I'm apart of this family, too." She insists, never dropping it, never just leaving it alone. And again, I hate that she has a good point, as she always does, and just for a moment I wish there was something to have me from the conversation.

Instead of answering her, I lead us towards the small market area hidden in the middle of town, supposedly destroyed for good a hundred years ago. We ask a few stallers if they've heard of the Port Mafia and where they may be at the moment, passing off coin to any who bother to answer, but as we stay, the more and more uneasy I begin to feel.

"Chandler are you ever actually going to talk to me?" Comes an exasperated groan from my sister and I hush her, trying to tune in into the warnings that my body seems yo be sending me.

"Not, now, Vicky." I tell her, using her other nickname, one that's sadly been left in childhood after all these years.

"It's always the same with you." She spits, but I can tell she's more hurt than upset. I turn behind me, wondering if maybe we're being followed, and I realize, a moment too late that none of the people we've talked to or asked for help are around, every one of them gone with the wind and those who remain stare faithfully before them, almost as if prettified by fear.

I go to turn and say something to Victoria, starting to wonder if the direct approach was the best after all.

And almost in that exact moment, I watch, almost in slow motion as I turn, a hand that seems more ghost like than solid, wrapping around my sisters mouth and body before pulling her into the wall to the left of us, so quickly, they're gone before my hand even has time to grab onto empty air.

"What the..." I'm stunned, looking around desperately for my sister, the panic clogging my mind, making what happened in front of me all the more foreign and frightening as I try to make sense of it.

I go to grab my mana hidden staff from inside my jacket but before I can, a shadow seems to appear from out of my jacket, grabbing my wrist and twisting it away from what I was doing. Shocked, I try to raise my other hand to pry it away, but I find that one restrained against my side by other shadowy hand. Before I can make a move or even figure out what the hell is going on, I find myself being pulled towards the shadows of the wall, myself, unable to struggle away or resist as I feel myself slowly being pushed into wherever they're trying to take me.

Panic floods my system and I realize with a start that doesn't matter if I can feel it. If I'm expecting it. The power of shadows have always been soemthing thag has eluded me, Daemons rarely passing through the PD long enough for me to learn anything useful. All evidence and specifics of the wars waged and the truths of those years have long since been edited and skewed by the oh so righteous winner of an age old conflict, and I realize why.

The mayhem it would cause if people realizes that we have the power to take everything back, by choice or by force, if we can hand together. Two thoughts run through my head at once. These shadows seem to have been the key all along. The  second that passes through my head?

Which branch of power have I managed to piss off this time?

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I know it's so shitty of me to do a part two but this chapter is already 3,500 words long and I only have gotten through a little more than half of what I want to put in this extra. Part 2 will be up with the rest of the Extras at some point this week/weekend.

Thoughts?

Comments?

QOTD: Whats your favorite dad joke?