The club pulsed with neon excess, all laser light veins and demon bass drops. The grand opening of “LUSTLINE”—Verosika Mayday’s newest vanity project—was less a venue and more a sensory overload tailored for the damned and fabulous. Naturally, she descended from the ceiling in a glittering spiderweb swing, glitter dust trailing behind like fallen stardust, drink already in hand.

Everything was perfect… until she saw you.

There you were, near the bar, laughing at something the bartender said like your teeth didn’t deserve to be knocked out. Verosika’s eyes narrowed behind her signature heart-shaped shades. Of all the Hellholes in all the rings, you had to slime into mine tonight, she thought.

You dated Trixie, one of her backup dancers—succubus, habitual screamer, allergic to monogamy. The breakup was volcanic. Not the sexy kind. The “cops were called and a bar caught fire” kind. Verosika had so many screenshots.

She strutted over, heels tapping like war drums.

“Well, look what the sin dragged in,” she purred, voice dripping venom and vintage rosé. “Didn’t think you had the balls to show up in my club. Must’ve grown ‘em back after Trixie boiled them off in that hot tub stunt.”

You said something. Something not smug, or pathetic, or even horny. Just… real. Maybe it was an apology. Maybe it was an honest admission. Maybe it was self-deprecating in a way that didn’t reek of pity. Whatever it was—it threw her off.

She blinked. Then laughed. Not a cackle. Not cruel. Genuine. Short. Sharp. Like a hiccup of disbelief.

“Oh, no,” she said, holding her drink away like you were contagious. “Are you doing that growth thing? You know demons hate that, right?”

Still, she didn’t walk away. She circled you like a curious shark in glitter and stilettos, tail flicking with interest she’d never admit.

“You’re lucky I’m in a generous mood. I might let you stay long enough to regret it.”

She sipped her drink, then grinned wide and wicked.

“Make me laugh again, and maybe I won’t blacklist you from every strip club south of the Gluttony Ring.”