Dance With The Devil's Download

The Infernal Grand's lobby made Shanghai Tower look understated. Sheets of black glass stretched infinitely upward, each panel etched with golden dragons that actually moved, swimming through the reflective surfaces like living creatures.

Massive digital screens floated between sleek chrome pillars, displaying ever-changing ink paintings that bled into reality—clouds that produced actual rain that evaporated before touching the floor, phoenixes that burst into real flame before dissolving into smoke. The ceiling—if there was one—disappeared into shadows where jade-colored lightning danced between floating lanterns that seemed assembled from starlight.

"Welcome to Hell's hospitality district," the devil said, stepping through the portal behind her close enough that she could feel the supernatural heat radiating from his body. "What do you think?"

"I think your interior decorator needs therapy." But Yunxin couldn't help being impressed. The space hummed with an energy that made her want to dance, like the air itself was charged with possibility—or maybe that was just the electricity that sparked between them whenever he moved closer. "Though I have to admit, it's not what I expected."

"Let me guess—lakes of fire? Torture chambers?" His hand found the small of her back as he guided her past a concierge desk that seemed to be carved from a single piece of obsidian, staffed by what appeared to be a very well-dressed skeleton in Gucci.

Their reflection in the black glass showed something else entirely—two figures wreathed in golden light, moving together like dancers in perfect sync. "That's all in the corporate sector. This..." he gestured to a passing demon in a qipao that appeared to be made of living shadows and constellations, "is where we cultivate the finer things."

The lobby opened into a vast atrium where gravity seemed to be more of a suggestion than a law. Crystal elevators shot through space like horizontal shooting stars, while anti-gravity lounges floated at different levels, connected by bridges made of light and mist.

Staircases curved impossibly, some running sideways or upside down, their glass steps illuminated from within by swirling patterns that mimicked traditional cloud motifs. A pair of demons waltzed past—literally floating—while nearby, a group of what looked like fallen angels argued over cocktails that changed color with each sip, their glasses decorated with delicate digital cherry blossoms that fell endlessly without ever hitting the bottom.

"Your suite is in the performers' wing," he said, his fingers tracing small circles on her back as he steered her toward one of the more reasonable-looking staircases. Each step they took together sent little shocks of electricity through her spine. "Though I should warn you about the elevator—"

"Let me guess," Yunxin interrupted, watching as a nearby elevator door opened to reveal what looked like a portal through space and time, its frame decorated with LED animations of intertwining phoenixes. "It runs on some kind of ethereal power that mere mortals can't comprehend?"

"Actually, it's just unreliable. Some things are universal, even in Hell." He smirked, and the way his eyes caught the light made her breath catch. "Though the maintenance demons are much more creative with their cursing."

They passed a restaurant where holographic koi swam through the air between floating tables, the diners seemingly unbothered by their plates occasionally drifting past their heads. Through floor-to-ceiling smart glass windows that shifted between transparent and translucent like breathing, Yunxin could see the city beyond—a sprawling metropolis where neon met impossible geometry, all of it lit by what looked like stars but couldn't possibly be. Not this far down.

"Those are souls," he said, following her gaze to the lights, stepping close enough that she could smell sandalwood and ozone on his skin. "The really bright ones? Top performers, artists, creators. Your new neighbors, in a way." His smile showed a hint of fang, and Yunxin felt a thrilling shiver run down her spine—not from fear, but from the sudden, dangerous urge to know what those fangs would feel like against her skin. "Though none quite as brilliant as you'll be."

Yunxin was saved from responding by their arrival at a set of double doors that seemed to be made of smart glass and starlight, decorated with digital ink paintings that moved like living things. They swung open at their approach, revealing a suite that made her studio apartment look like a storage closet.

"Your new home," he announced, his hand sliding from her back but leaving trails of electricity in its wake. "At least temporarily. The permanent residence will be ready once you've settled in and chosen a suitable location. The furnishings are enchanted to adapt to your preferences—" as if on cue, a minimalist sofa shifted its lines to echo traditional Chinese furniture while maintaining its modern aesthetic "—the wardrobe is self-updating, and—" he pointed to a sleek holographic interface floating above a lacquered table, "that's connected to our version of room service. I believe you mentioned bubble tea?"

"I did." Yunxin stepped into the space, trying not to look too impressed by the view of Hell's skyline through the smart glass windows or the way the furniture seemed to subtly shift to better match her aesthetic preferences. Their eyes met in the reflection, and the air between them crackled. "But first, I have questions. Like, a lot of questions. Starting with why there's a swimming pool on my ceiling."

"Ah, that." He glanced up at the inverted pool where something that might have been water rippled in defiance of physics, its surface decorated with slowly moving digital koi. "The previous tenant was a mermaid choreographer. We can have it removed—"

"Are you kidding? It's perfect for practicing levitation work." She paused, acutely aware of how close they were standing. "Wait, can I do that now? Levitate?"

His grin was answer enough, and the look in his eyes promised lessons in defying more than just gravity. "Miss Song, you're about to redefine what's possible in dance. Though perhaps we should start with the basics before you attempt antigravity choreography."

"Right. Basics." She spotted what looked like a menu floating in the air. "Like how to order that bubble tea you promised. And maybe you can explain why there's a phoenix made of digital fire staring at me from my balcony?"

"That would be your new familiar. Standard issue for all premium residents." He checked his watch, which seemed to be a holographic display wrapped around his wrist, showing several timezones that possibly didn't exist in the mortal realm. "Though perhaps we should save the full orientation for tomorrow. You've had quite a day, and I have a board meeting in the ninth circle in ten minutes."

"Corporate Hell really is a place," Yunxin muttered, already scrolling through what appeared to be an infinite bubble tea menu projected in the air. "Fine, go. But I expect a full explanation about everything tomorrow. Including why my bathroom appears to be in a different dimension."

"That's actually a feature, not a bug." He started toward the door, then paused, turning back with a grace that made her pulse quicken. "Oh, and Miss Song?" The way he said her name felt like a caress. "Welcome to the company. I think you'll find our benefits package is... literally out of this world."

The doors closed behind him with a sound like silk sliding over steel, leaving Yunxin alone in her new home. The digital phoenix preened, its fiery feathers casting moving shadows on the smart glass walls. The ceiling pool rippled invitingly, its koi swimming in impossible patterns. And somewhere in the distance, she could hear what sounded like an orchestra warming up.

"Well," she said to no one in particular, "at least it's not another kids' ballet class."

The room's lights dimmed in what felt like agreement, and Song Yunxin, Hell's newest acquisition, settled in to figure out how to order bubble tea in the afterlife—and perhaps to cool down from the electricity that still sparked along her skin wherever he had touched her.