The estate of Carmilla Carmine was a fortress of glass and steel. It sat on a high cliff overlooking the weapon factories that fueled the wars of the Pride Ring. To the rest of Hell Carmilla was the most dangerous woman alive. She was a cold and calculating merchant of death. But inside the walls of her private study she was something else entirely.
Vane entered the room without knocking. He did not need to. The security systems recognized his energy signature and the heavy doors slid open with a hiss of air. He found Carmilla standing by a massive window. She was watching the red rain fall against the glass. She looked tired. Even an Overlord feels the weight of the crown sometimes.
She turned as he approached and the hard lines of her face softened. Vane walked to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her close and felt the heat of her body. For a moment the two of them just stood there in the silence. They did not need to talk about business or politics. They were the only two people in Hell who truly understood the cost of being at the top.
You smell like ozone and the streets Vane Carmilla whispered as she rested her head against his chest. It has been a long day for both of us.
The meeting with the Vees was a headache Vane replied as he kissed the top of her head. Vox wants to put cameras in my district. He thinks he can turn my people into a television show. I told him if I see a drone in my sky I will send it back to him in pieces.
Carmilla laughed softly. Be careful with him. He is a child but he is a child with a lot of toys. And Alastor is watching you too. He is playing a game with that hotel and your sister. He wants to see if you will break your mask for her.
Vane pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. I will never let them hurt her Carmilla. But I cannot go to her yet. If I walk into that hotel as the King of Chaos I bring all my enemies with me. I have to stay the villain so she can stay the saint.
Carmilla reached up and brushed a stray hair from his forehead. You are not a villain Vane. You are a guardian. You protect your sister from the shadows and you protect me from the loneliness of this world. We are the same. We wear these iron masks so our hearts don't get stepped on by the rest of this pit.
They moved to a long velvet sofa and sat together. Vane held her hand and felt the strength in her fingers. She was the only person he trusted with his life. In a world where everyone was looking for a knife to put in your back she was his shield. They talked for hours about their plans to reshape the hierarchy of Hell. They talked about a future where the Overlords were not just warlords but leaders.
But the peace was interrupted by a sharp beep from Vane's pocket. He pulled out his communicator and his face went cold. The purple light in his eyes flared up and the temperature in the room seemed to drop.
What is it Carmilla asked as she stood up her body already shifting into a combat stance.
A breach Vane said. A group of Exorcists. They are not waiting for the yearly purge. They found a weakness in the sky above the South Block. They are down there right now. They are hunting my people for sport.
Vane stood up and his coat began to flow as if caught in a wind that wasn't there. He looked like the prince of a nightmare. He looked like the King he was born to be.
Stay here Vane said. This is my district. I will handle them.
Carmilla didn't listen. She reached for her bladed fans and gave him a sharp look. I am the one who sold you the weapons to defend that district Vane. I am coming with you to make sure they work. Besides nobody kills my customers and gets away with it.