Odin took them back into the main hallway and headed to the end. Joey, Cleo and Sawyer followed, each hesitant.
The door at the end of the hall opened up into a bare-bones living area. At least, it looked like one. A TV sat on one wall, in front of a sofa that was practically falling apart. On the other end was a kitchen with a small metal table and metal chair. The kitchen itself looked fully decked out, with two fridges, an industrial-sized dishwasher and a massive stove, but it looked slightly out of place.
A few more doors led to other areas. There was one next to the kitchen, and two across from it. Odin led them toward the kitchen door.
"Joseph," Odin said.
"Joey," he corrected, trying to hide the way he jumped at his name.
"Whatever. You're looking for a place to live, correct?"
"Yes," Joey said slowly, unsure where this was going. Cleo and Sawyer looked just as confused as he did.
"It's old, but there are apartment down here. If you agree to work with me, I'll let you and your brother use two. Cleo, Sawyer, this applies to you as well. If you want an Underwing apartment, it's yours as long as you play by the rules."
"What are the rules?" Sawyer asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Stay out of restricted areas, help me take out the Legion, Chaos, Angel, and any other cockroaches that pop up."
What was a cockroach? Joey shook the question away.
"That's it?" Cleo asked, raising an eyebrow. "I expected more...strictness? I mean, you literally put a kill switch in this guy, didn't you?"
"Giving your life to someone should have benefits," Odin replied matter-of-factly.
"It sounds great, but I'm not sure how to get in," Joey said. "And...Ned doesn't know about any of this. I don't want to drag him into anything crazy."
"He'll be safer down here than up there," Odin said. "Or did you forget Lillie Buchanan?"
Joey and Cleo dropped their heads, staring at the floor as Odin led them down another hall.
"Joseph Queen, Room 01. Ned Queen, 02. Cleo Yang, 03. Courtney Larsen, 04 if she desires. Sawyer Joseph, Room 05. How's that sound?"
Joey looked around. The hall had five doors on each side, each with a number. They looked too close together to be full apartments, but he could at least look at them. He went to the one at the end. Odin had said 01, right? He gingerly opened the door and looked inside, unsure of what to expect.
Nothing much. It was a small rectangular room with a metal bed frame that was turning red and a half-rotten wooden wardrobe. The smell wasn't great either. Across from him was a thin metal door with a frosted window. When he opened it, he was greeted by a surprisingly clean bathroom. The toilet and sink were on his side, and taking up half the space was a large shower-tub that went up to his waist. A door was built into it.
The mirror looked like it hadn't been cleaned in ages, but when he looked around, the space seemed livable. At the very least, he'd hear Odin out on this.
Joey met the others back in the hallway, where Cleo was muttering to herself and nodding. Sawyer was talking to Odin quietly, their voices low.
Joey waited for a few moments, until Cleo and the others grouped up to discuss things.
"Kind of a dump," Sawyer said with a sigh. "Not exactly premium real estate, is it?"
"It is premium real estate, actually," Odin said flatly. "Best security in the entire city, easy access to the Subways, quiet neighbourhood...I don't see what's not to like."
"Is there an easy way to get down here? This whole place seems kind of like a maze," Joey said, trying to remember the way through the crazy mess he'd been led through.
"Simple enough. I'll adjust the security measures to make it easier for you to get in. You'll just have to memorize the 16-digit passcode."
"16?" Sawyer asked, then heaved an irritated sigh. "I don't suppose the code is 1234567890abcdef?"
"What idiot would use a code like that?" Odin sounded offended, but his face continued to betray no emotion. It was a little disconcerting.
"I can get in and out easily," Cleo said.
"About that - no one except those authorized are permitted to enter the Underwing. If I grant you permission, that means no wild parties. No inviting friends. I decide who goes in and out. And you, Cleo Yang, will help me with information on the problem children upstairs."
"Wait what?" Cleo asked, taking a step back. "I mean, no issues with not taking anyone down here, but..."
"You'll tell me when and where certain people will be. Then I'll remove them from the equation."
"No way! I'm not helping you kill people." Cleo glared at Odin.
"Fine. I'll compromise since you're so fixated on the value of life. Tell me where the big fights will go down as soon as you know about them. I'll minimize the damage and I'll only kill those who get arrested. How's that?"
"I..." Cleo took another step back, her head hanging down.
"Or do you really think you two can handle all of this by yourselves? You have no resources to speak of. I, on the other hand, have access to anything I want."
"I'm convinced he's some kind of criminal overlord," Sawyer said, jabbing a thumb towards Odin.
"As if I'd be something so petty." Odin looked around them coldly. "Whatever. You're here already, so may as well take my generosity. At the very least, this will make it easier to keep an eye on all of you. How about instead of the 16-digit passcode I make you do fingerprints and voice recognition? We'll get that set up next, so why don't you go get Ned?"
Odin looked at Joey and he felt himself shrinking. He wasn't getting a choice anymore, was he?
"Hurry up," Odin said. "I don't have all day. Cleo, speed this up for me, will you? Just bring him here."
"No! I'll go talk to him," Joey said quickly. The last thing Ned needed was to be thrown into the middle of this with no prior warning.
"Oh, and feel free to move any furniture you want into those rooms. PC, bed, I don't care. They haven't been used in a while, so the rust and whatnot are starting to get to them. I'll take your data now, then get them cleaned out by the end of next week. You can move in then. Just remember - tell no one about your new address. I'll approach Courtney Larsen on my own time and make her the offer. I suspect she won't have a place to stay for much longer anyway."
Odin walked towards the kitchen, not even glancing back.
"I look forward to our future relationship."
