The Succubus

The restaurant was unusually quiet, with only the soft hum of the refrigeration units breaking the silence. Victor and Lucien sat at a table, the tension between them palpable.

"She's still out cold," Victor muttered, glancing at the room where Evelyn lay. "I expected her to be up by today."

Lucien nodded, leaning back in his chair. "It's not unusual, given what happened. Sometimes it takes a few days. But we need to figure out how to handle the restaurant without her."

Victor sighed, rubbing his temples. "We'll manage. We've handled worse situations before. Nyssa can cover some of Evelyn's tasks, and we can shuffle things around."

Lucien glanced at the clock. "We don't have much time before service. We should start prepping."

Before they could move, there was a loud knock on the door. Both men tensed, their instincts as former assassins kicking in. The door swung open without waiting for a response, and a tall, curvy woman with blonde hair and blue eyes strode in. She wore a revealing dress and glasses, exuding an air of confidence and danger.

"Elise," Lucien hissed, his eyes narrowing as he and Victor immediately adopted combat stances.

Elise Dubois, their former handler and cleaner, stood before them. She was a succubus, a powerful one, and her sudden appearance was never a good sign.

"Boys," she purred, her lips curving into a seductive smile. "Is that any way to greet an old friend?"

Victor's expression hardened. "What do you want, Elise?"

Elise's smile widened as she sauntered closer, her hips swaying provocatively. "I heard some interesting rumors about Hell's Kitchen and thought I'd drop by. Seems like you've been busy."

Lucien didn't lower his guard, his eyes fixed on her. "We're not interested in whatever game you're playing, Elise."

"Oh, Lucien, always so suspicious," Elise cooed, adjusting her glasses. "I'm not here to cause trouble. Quite the opposite, actually."

Victor exchanged a wary glance with Lucien before addressing Elise again. "Get to the point."

Elise's demeanor shifted slightly, her playful tone giving way to a more serious one. "There's been some chatter in the underworld about a certain restaurant serving rather unique dishes. I came to see if the rumors were true."

Lucien's eyes flickered with irritation. "We're running a legitimate business here. If you're here to stir up trouble, you can leave."

Elise chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "Relax, Lucien. I'm not here to expose your little operation. In fact, I might be able to help."

Victor's eyes narrowed. "Help? What's in it for you?"

Elise leaned against the counter, her gaze unwavering. "Let's just say I have a vested interest in keeping you two out of trouble. Besides, I might enjoy a meal or two from your special menu."

Lucien scowled, but Victor held up a hand to silence him. "Alright, Elise. We'll hear you out. But if you step out of line, you'll regret it."

Elise's smile returned, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you two. Now, let's discuss how I can make myself useful around here."

Victor and Lucien exchanged wary glances as Elise made her proposition. Hiring a succubus was a risky move, but her offer did have its merits. Victor weighed the options carefully, his mind racing with the potential benefits and drawbacks.

After a moment of tense silence, Victor nodded slowly. "Bartender, huh? You think you can handle that?"

Elise's lips curled into a smug smile as she sauntered closer. "Darling, I can handle anything you throw at me."

Lucien's expression darkened, his fangs gleaming in the dim light of the restaurant. "We don't need your kind of trouble here, Elise."

Elise merely chuckled, a sultry sound that sent shivers down their spines. "Oh, Lucien, always so distrustful. But don't worry, I'll play nice. Mostly."

With a flick of her wrist, Elise transformed into her true form, her horns glistening in the dim light and her bat-like wings unfurling behind her. Lucien bristled, his fangs bared in a silent warning.

Victor held up a hand, silencing them both. "Enough. We'll give you a chance, Elise. But if you step out of line…"

Elise's grin widened, revealing a hint of pointed teeth. "Yeah, yeah I'll regret it, you'll eat me, you're oh, so scary!" she said dramatically.

With a graceful flourish, she transformed back into her human guise, her features softened once more. "So, do we have a deal?"

Victor exchanged a resigned glance with Lucien before nodding. "Fine. But remember, you're here to work, not cause trouble."

Elise's smile turned positively wicked. "Oh, don't worry, darling. I'll be the model employee."

Lucien's objections were swift. "Victor, you know what she's capable of. We've had our run-ins before. Bringing her into our world is asking for trouble."

Victor clasped Lucien's shoulder, a silent reassurance in his touch. "I understand your concerns, Lucien. But think of the opportunities she brings. We could use someone with her talents."

Lucien's expression remained skeptical, but he nodded begrudgingly. "Fine. But if she causes any trouble…"

Victor smiled, his eyes holding an ominous promise. "We'll handle it together."

Seated across from Elise, Lucien's gaze remained guarded as they began to discuss the terms of her employment. However, as Victor and Elise exchanged banter about their past escapades, Lucien found himself drawn into their conversation.

"You remember that job in Arcadia?" Victor reminisced, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

Elise chuckled, her voice low and sultry. "How could I forget? That was the one with the enchanted jewels, wasn't it?"

Lucien smirked, memories flooding back. "And you nearly got us caught with that charm spell, Victor."

Victor grinned sheepishly. "Hey, it worked, didn't it?"

"You've always been terrible at magic, darling. Elise laughed.

Their laughter echoed through the empty restaurant, mingling with the memories of daring jobs and narrow escapes. Despite their tumultuous history, there was an undeniable bond between them, forged in the fires of countless missions.

As they continued to reminisce, Lucien felt a glimmer of hope flicker within him. Perhaps, in time, they could set aside their differences and work together as allies once more. For now, though, he would remain vigilant, wary of the unpredictable dynamics unfolding within Hell's Kitchen.

With the agreement made, the uneasy trio set about discussing the details of Elise's employment. As they hashed out the terms, the air crackled with tension, each of them keenly aware of the delicate balance they were now navigating. Hell's Kitchen was about to become even more unpredictable with the addition of its newest employee.