Vices and Maces

Chapter 23: Virgil Has a Stick! This is Important Information

"I can't believe you convinced me to stop by the crystal shop," Janus complained.

Virgil set the box he was holding down on the table. "You're the one that made me leave the factory. I might as well get some work done while we were out. Plus we don't have anymore ice crystals now that they're destroyed."

"What do you even need them for? Are you trying to make an ice gun?"

The dragon slowed down. "I should do that, huh? But no, first I want to finish on my own weapon."

Janus's eyes widened and he suddenly became very interested. "Your own weapon?I thought you were a pacifist?"

"I am, or was until this factor was attacked. I don't stand a chance against that vampire, and if he comes back I'll probably die. Even if he doesn't kill me, Black might. Well, he'll do worse than kill me."

"So what's your weapon?" The shifter sat on the table.

Virgil opened the metal container, finding the blue crystals in layers of frost and ice. "You'll see." He opened a drawer and pulled out a metal cylinder container. There was no top and it had a screw on the bottom, so obviously it screwed into something.

He grabbed a pair of tongs, carefully reaching in and grabbing one of the crystals. Each of them were shaped into cylinders, all the same size. He had placed an order for the specific cuts a few days ago.

Using another pair of tongs, Virgil grabbed the metal container and slipped the crystal in, smiling when it seemed to fit perfectly. Janus frowned in confusion as Virgil set one of the tongs down, ice starting to crawl down the flimsy container. He grabbed a drill and a small screw, drilling into the metal and then the crystal.

"It's... an ice crystal screw," Janus said, unimpressed.

"This is only part of it," Virgil told him.

"I am very underwhelmed."

The weredragon rolled his eyes. He set the crystal down and walked over to a storage closet. He reached in and pulled out a metal stick, grooves in the middle for grip.

"This is a silver bo staff," Virgil explained, picking up the tongs and crystal screw. He screwed it into a slot that was on one end of the staff. "A perfect weapon against that vampire."

"Do you even know how to use a bo staff?"

Virgil gave Janus a look. "Dude... I'm from a wealthy weredragon family. They made sure to teach me everything about our culture, the bo staff included."

"Wait, you've known how to fight this entire time? And you're from a what family?!"

"Just some techniques. But with this, that vampire can't pull it away without burning himself. And the ice crystal will be used in a similar way as the fire crystals. Except, I don't want to kill him, I want to capture him. So..." Virgil slammed the end of the bo staff on the ground at an angle and the crystal shattered, exploding into an ice mess. A corner of the counter was caught in it, surrounding it completely.

"Oh, I get it. But you only have one shot."

"Two." Virgil showed the other end was similar to the one he screwed the crystal into. "I have two shots to catch this vampire. After that... I'll be playing keep away until help arrives or he kills me. Whichever comes first. But Black can't say I didn't try."

"And... you're sure you want to do this? To capture this vampire?"

"I don't have any other choice. I don't want to find out what Black will do if I don't. The risks are too high."

Janus sighed, "What is he holding against you? What are you so afraid of?"

Virgil frowned and looked away, setting the bo staff down. "I can't tell you."

"Why not? I can help you!"

"No you can't. I don't think anyone can help me out of this. Look, it doesn't matter. If there was a way out of this gang without risking my or anyone else's life, then everything I've done these last two years would have been for nothing. All of the suffering my inventions have caused would have been preventable."

"But if you capture that vampire and hand him over to Black, then he'll likely die. Are you sure you can handle that?"

Virgil was quiet for a moment. He sighed and grabbed more of the metal screws. "I don't have a choice. Besides, if he really is a gang leader, then that's one less that we'll have to worry about. And maybe..." Maybe he could bargain away the bounty for his freedom. "Nevermind."

Janus groaned. "Fine. But I'm staying over until this is over. Until that stupid vampire is caught and you're safe."

Virgil smiled. He could never be truly safe, but there wasn't a chance he was going to tell Janus that. "Thanks. I have a lot of trap making to do, so I could use the extra hands."

"Yeah yeah, just don't freeze your fingers together."

Virgil rolled his eyes with a smile, but just as he was about to pull out another ice crystal with the tongs, the phone that was on the wall started to ring. Only a few people knew the phone number, and even fewer were able to actually call it.

The tongs clattered back onto the table as Virgil rushed to answer. He quickly picked it up, trying to calm his heart that had jumped into his throat.

"Snapdragon," he said.

"This is Black," the other line answered back, making Virgil's skin crawl. "You remember that vampire you fought a few days ago?"

Speak of the devil. "Yes?"

"We have information that he is one of the leaders of Bleeding Rose. He's a fire fairy. I want him captured alive if he returns, can you do that?"

"I'll do my best."

"Yes or no."

Virgil bit his cheek to ground himself, anger and fear bubbling up. "Yes sir."

"Good." The other side hung up.

Virgil set the phone back, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "I hate him," he growled.

"Black? Wow, I never would have guessed," Janus replied. "What did he want?"

"He wants that vampire captured alive."

"You were already going to do that."

Virgil sighed, "And he's a fire fairy. It's also been confirmed that he is a leader of Bleeding Rose."

Janus nodded. "Are you up for this?"

"I don't have a choice," Virgil repeated.

"That's not what I asked."

Virgil shook his head. "No. I'm not. I'm going to need help."

"Good thing you have me then. A little butterfly won't be a problem for us."

Virgil sighed louder, "A super fast, super strong butterfly."