Vices and Maces

Chapter 12: It Was Supposed to be Murder! Not Arson!

CW: blood, fire

Black fixed his cufflinks as he made his way back to his office. Melany walked behind him, following him like a lost puppy as always. She read through a clipboard, crossing out a few things as they reached Black's office.

She closed the door behind them as Black quietly walked over to his desk. The deer traited looked over, her eye catching the red envelope. It was a reminder of the threat of attack if they don't take the bounty down.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to send Snakehead after the leader of Bleeding Rose?" she asked. "They'll just strike back."

"I want to see what kind of leaders they are, if they're bluffing or not," Black explained. "Besides, where could they possibly attack? They don't know any of our major locations."

"Someone did hack into our mainframe and was looking at different addresses. I'm just saying that we should be careful."

"When have we ever been careful? If they didn't want war, then they should have made their little gang in another city. Everyone knows what we do to other gangs here."

~~~

Remus was breathing heavily as he ran into an alley, taking sharp turns anywhere he could until he was sure they wouldn't find him. He hated having guards, and plus it was like a game to lose them. There was only one person in the group of guards he had that could fly, but he was able to lose them a long time ago, having gotten them to split up.

He ducked behind a trash bin in the alley, listening to footsteps rush past him as he held his breath. Once he was sure they were gone, he ran out of his hiding spot and took off in the opposite direction. He just needed to get to a part of town where they wouldn't find him, then he could relax and wait for a phone call from Roman. He could ignore it, but then he wouldn't be able to rub it in his face that the people picked out to guard him, failed to keep watch on him again.

Besides, Remus knew about the letter that Roman sent. Surely they won't be dumb enough to attack him again. Well, not now anyway, they had until the end of the week to stop the attacks and Kayden got the address for a weapons factory just outside of town. Once again, Remus felt a pang of pride for his son.

His son who is going to glare at him during dinner later tonight. Along with his brother, but that was normal.

As soon as he was sure he wouldn't be found, he dashed down the street as fast as he could. The quicker he got to another neighborhood, the better. Sure he can call for an uber, but that was no fun when he could fly! Though it would have to be low until he was sure he was far enough. He was so focused on getting away, that he didn't notice a hawk trailing after him.

Janus was hesitant to shift back and use the new weapon. Of course she was excited about it earlier, but that was before she saw the look on Virgil's face. Not to mention Black's... This wasn't a safe weapon to use, and fire crystals were dangerous. Just leaving them in debris could start a fire if they're not properly handled.

She just had to hope it only took one shot. One shot to kill him, so she had to make it count. She had to avoid using the rest of the bullets to create less damage, and there would be less casualties. Stupid Virgil, it was his fault that she cared about others now. Before it used to be just her, by herself, and she was fine with that.

Now she was having second thoughts of fighting this giant oaf because others could get hurt! But maybe if she's fast enough...

Remus looked up when a shadow flew over him, seeing a hawk fly as fast as it could. It flew a few buildings past him before landing. It grew in shape, and at first Remus thought it was opening his wings or even exploding, but it shifted into a woman.