Alcohol & Economics - Lucifer's Delusion - Part 2

Osiris listened for the almost inaudible door click before letting out a sigh.

‘She’s already taken ill...’ Things had only sped up upon Deceit's return from Oblivion, the complete opposite of what he had hoped. They were running out of time.

‘I guess it’s time to see who cares enough to save her.’

---

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Maxwell muttered upon entering. The air smelled of wet fur and stale second hand smoke. Deceit seemed to be unphased by her surroundings and steered him toward the bar. Maxwell swore he walked into a children’s tale of pirates, except with a lot more fur.

“Two of your strongest.” The bartender gave him a funny look and shrugged, slinking into the back room. A shadowy figure stepped from the shadows.

“What is your business here?”

“Can it, fur-ball.”

“Oh. Miss Deceit, welcome. May I ask who your guest is?”

“Gregory, Maxwell. Maxwell, meet Giovanni’s guard puppy.” Maxwell raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Neither of them made any gesture to so much as shake hands. Deceit slipped her hand into Maxwell’s and pulled him toward two bar stools, gaining a stony look from the hybrid werewolf in the process.

“Where’s Giovanni?”

“Why, I’m right here.” Giovanni answered leisurely. “How may I be of assistance to you today?

“Do you have a book on Hell’s Gate that I could borrow?”

“Actually, I do.” He vanished for a moment while Maxwell and Deceit exchanged a look that Gregory could not decipher. When Giovanni returned, he carried two volumes: a fresh off the printing press, and one that was quite possibly older than everyone’s ages put together.