Nox opened the room’s door with his elbow.

Audrey hung over his shoulders.

"Again..." he muttered.

The huntress let out a small giggle.

"I’m not falling..."

"Of course you’re not."

"I’m perfectly fine."

"You tried to hug three streetlamps."

Nox shook his head.

Then stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

The room was dark and silent.

It looked normal.

For the moment.

He walked over to one of the beds and sat Audrey down on the mattress.

The huntress slowly opened her eyes.

Her cheeks were red.

And she wore a very suspicious smile.

Nox removed his bark mask and placed it on a nearby table.

"I’m going to turn on the lights."

Audrey tilted her head.

"Why?"

"Because I can’t see anything."

"I can see you."

Nox sighed.

"Audrey..."

But before he could finish the sentence...

The huntress grabbed him by the neck and pulled him closer.

Nox’s eyes widened in surprise.

Audrey had just stolen a kiss.

Completely out of nowhere.

When they finally pulled apart...

Nox remained frozen.

’Well... I definitely wasn’t expecting that.’

For a second, he even smiled.

After all...

It had been a great night.

Alcohol.

Money.

Fights.

A beautiful dancer.

And now this.

’Not bad at all.’

But then something caught his attention and he frowned.

"...Wait."

Audrey raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Nox looked around the room.

The bedsheets were scattered across the floor.

White fur was everywhere.

A chair had been knocked over.

And a table had somehow been moved several feet from where it should have been.

"What the hell?"

Audrey blinked.

Nox kept looking around.

There was no sign of Tessa.

No sign of Claws.

Nothing.

Just chaos.

"Audrey."

"Yeah?"

"Tessa trashed the room."

The smile vanished from the huntress’s face.

"It’s always Tessa."

Nox sighed.

"Because she’s missing."

"It’s always about Tessa."

"It’s not about that."

"The inquisitor this. The inquisitor that. The inquisitor is hungry. The inquisitor wants a bath. The inquisitor needs help."

Nox started getting slightly concerned.

"Audrey..."

"That damn inquisitor."

Dark energy flickered around her fingers for a brief moment.

Then vanished just as quickly.

Nox decided to change the subject.

"We need to make sure she didn’t escape."

Audrey rolled her eyes.

Then started taking off her clothes without the slightest bit of embarrassment.

And finally collapsed onto the bed, pulling a blanket over herself.

"I’m not going to look for that bitch."

Nox raised an eyebrow.

"You’re not?"

"No."

She adjusted herself under the blanket and closed her eyes.

"Good night."

"...Good night."

Nox stared at her.

Audrey was already practically asleep.

The entire exchange had taken less than a minute.

"Impressive."

The huntress smiled without opening her eyes.

Then let out a small yawn.

Nox sighed.

After that, he decided to investigate on his own.

◇◆◇

First, he checked under the beds.

Nothing.

Then he looked inside the wardrobe.

Nothing.

Then he searched near the window.

Nothing.

Finally, he headed toward the bathroom.

He turned the handle and opened the door.

What he found on the other side left him staring for several seconds.

Tessa was inside the bathtub.

Completely naked.

Comfortably reclined.

And asleep.

Meanwhile, Claws was lying beside the door with his head stuck inside the empty sardine bucket.

Nox burst out laughing.

Tessa slowly opened her eyes.

Saw him.

And sighed.

"Do you know how to knock?"

Nox kept laughing.

"No."

"I noticed."

The woman seemed surprisingly relaxed.

Far more relaxed than usual.

Maybe because she was half asleep.

Or because she’d spent too long as a hostage.

Probably both.

"I thought you’d escaped."

Tessa rested her head against the edge of the tub.

"And I thought you knew me better than that by now."

Nox crossed his arms.

"That sounded strangely friendly."

The inquisitor smiled.

"I suppose I’m getting used to your company."

"That’s concerning."

Both of them chuckled softly.

Claws lifted his head out of the bucket.

Looked around.

Then shoved it right back inside.

Tessa watched Nox for a few seconds.

Then pointed at the water.

"By the way."

Nox already knew he wasn’t going to like what came next.

"Yeah?"

"Since I don’t have any legs anymore..."

The demon closed his eyes.

"..."

"...there’s still room for one more person in here."

Nox opened one eye.

Tessa was smiling.

"You’re inviting me?"

"Maybe."

"That sounds like a terrible idea."

The inquisitor let out a small laugh.

Nox immediately thought about Audrey.

Her jealousy.

And all the possible ways he could die if the huntress walked in and saw this scene.

’No. Definitely not. I’m not dying like that.’

Tessa seemed to notice the expression on his face and started laughing.

"Are you really that scared?"

"No."

"Sure."

"I’m being smart."

Nox shook his head and stepped backward toward the door.

"Excuse me."

"Why?"

"I hate baths."

Tessa raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Really."

"I don’t believe you."

"I don’t care."

The inquisitor laughed again.

"Then you’re missing out."

Nox pulled the door fully open.

"Maybe."

"Definitely."

"Good night, Tessa."

"Good night, demon."

Nox closed the door and returned to the room.

Audrey was still asleep.

The room was peaceful.

Nox removed his boots, tossed his coat over a chair, and dropped onto his bed.

He stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had happened.

’What a strange world...’

Then he closed his eyes.

And only a few seconds later...

The demon fell fast asleep.