Vices and Maces

Chapter 4: Fighting in a Denny's Parking Lot at 1 AM

CW: mentions of murder, blood, and attempted murder

"Thank you again, Iris," Roman told Patton as they walked back into the office.

"It's no problem, Burns. Finding these kids a new family is important, but did you have to kill their parents?" Patton asked, giving the gang leader a sad look.

Remus pressed his lips together to hold back a laugh as a conflicted look crossed his brother's face. Patton is one of the few people that could make Roman make that face.

"If I had known that the two people we had captured had kids before they were killed, then I would have found a way around disposing of them. However, the fact remains that they worked for Wolfsbane."

"I'm just glad that we were able to find out they had some aunts to take care of them. That leaves less work for me to relocate them. But you probably made an enemy from that family."

Roman sighed, "Just add it to the list. Killing is starting to become more and more expensive."

"You have to give the new family a headstart on taking care of the kids. Sending the family a few thousand not only makes them less angry with you, but also makes life easier for them. Maybe instead of killing any hostages that Black doesn't save, you can recruit them?"

"Recruit anyone from Wolfsbane?" Roman growled, making Patton flinch. "I detest the thought. They're all the same, a bunch of idiots who follow a heartless man. If they're not in it for drugs, they're in it for the money, and could easily become a mole."

"Now Petals, don't judge anyone who struggles with addiction. It's a real disease, one that had killed more than we have! Greed however... that's a different story. But some might be in it because their family is."

Remus laughed, "I'd never let any of my kids do any stupid stunts. Green Rose is stuck to being a hacker, I'm not letting him do any dirty work. And Anemone is our little inventor."

"What about Poppy?" Patton reminded him.

"She's their body guard, and as long as they don't get in trouble, she won't get in trouble."

"Iris, you should head home. It's pretty late, and I'm sure you need sleep," Roman told him. "Will you be alright heading home by yourself?"

"Don't worry about me, I can protect myself." Patton pulled out his keys, swinging them around. A small axe the size of his finger spun around, it had a heart in the middle of the blade. On the handle were the smallest of runes, so small you couldn't even make them out.

"If you say you'll be alright, I'll believe you. Stay safe."

"You too! Bye Burning Petals! Bye Poisoned Thorn!" Patton waved, leaving the room.

Roman sat behind his desk with a sigh, pushing a strand of black hair back up with the rest of his slicked back hair. Remus gave him a questioning look. "Shouldn't we head home too?" he asked. "It's almost 1."

"I just want to wrap up a few things here. You head on home, I'll follow in a moment."

Remus shrugged. "Okay then! Smell ya later!" Instead of going through the door, he opened a window and jumped out, catching himself with his green wings.

"And stop doing that!" he heard his brother call, looking back to see him close the window.

Instead of flying straight home, Remus slowed his wings down when he saw an open Denny's. Well, a small bite wouldn't hurt. And something interesting was always happening at this Denny's.

So he flew down, slowing only to land before pulling the door open. The place was quiet except for the buzzing of the lights and a small murmur from a table. He looked over to see a black man wearing a bowling hat. He was on the phone and looking out of the window, a half eaten crepe in front of him.