Vices and Maces

Chapter 46: Now is Not the Time to be Gay Nerd

CW: blood, burns, electrocution, broken bones, death (not main character), arson

"Put your hands up, don't move."

Virgil stayed still in the bag. The fight was still raging upstairs, the sounds echoing down. They didn't have any time to waste, if reinforcement comes... Hopefully there weren't any cameras down here.

He jumped out of the bag and rushed towards the person, jumping high and biting their wrist. They shouted in pain and dropped the remote before slamming Virgil against the door frame. The dragon let go and fell to the ground with a small cry of pain.

Before either of the two could recover, Remus had his morning star out and hit the person on the side of the head, killing them instantly.

Virgil shifted into his human form, grabbing the remote. He looked over the buttons before pressing one, hearing something small and metal hit the floor. Looking over at Janus, he saw the small electric device had fallen off.

Of course Janus was horrified to see him there. Virgil pulled his hood tighter around his head and rushed over to the shifter.

"What are you doing here?" they asked. "What are either of you doing here?"

"We're getting you out of here," Remus answered, rushing over to help Virgil untie them.

"Are you two insane? You'll both die! Or worse." Janus looked over at Virgil, who tried to ignore them and the burn of shame that flooded his face. "What if he finds out?"

"He won't," Virgil hissed. Well... he hoped Black won't find out.

As soon as Janus was untied, Remus picked them up. The shifter groaned in pain as their bruises protested against the movement. The halfling commented, "I'm guessing you can't shift with a broken leg."

"I'd rather not," Janus answered honestly. "But I can."

"Oh no, I know that, but I also know it'll hurt like hell."

Virgil looked around the room for cameras, hoping there wasn't any behind the mirror. He didn't see any, but it didn't matter, they needed to leave right now.

The dragon picked up the morning star and looked behind to make sure Remus was following before leaving the room. They made their way back up the stairs, Janus trying desperately not to cry out in pain at each movement.

When they finally reached the top and opened the door again, Virgil saw Daffodil holding a chair with broken legs, and Roman was fighting with a pool stick. How he got it or from where, Virgil couldn't tell, but he was using it the same way Virgil had used his Bo staff. It would have been memorizing if he wasn't surrounded.

The dragon ran to help, hitting someone from behind. The morning star was lighter than he would have thought, making it easier to fight. It must be hollowed inside for the poison, which was frankly fascinating.

When Roman saw him helping, he smiled at the dragon. It was a soft smile, but turned into an angry smile showing his fangs off when his focus shifted onto someone else. Nope, no, Virgil is not going to gay freak out right now. That man is a scary gang leader, he's not hot.

"This is taking way too long," Sal said, trying to protect Remus and Janus. "We need to leave, now!"

"Hey Petals!" Remus shouted. "I think it's time to show them why you're called Burning Petals."

Roman nodded with a smile, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out what looked like a metal rose. "I try to avoid using this, it's very messy," he said. "But why not."

He whispered something at the steam, and Virgil saw glowing runes crawl up the flower. It grew bigger, and Roman spun it before pressing a button on the side. Something dripped from the petals, and when Roman's hand lit on fire, the whole rose head lit on fire with it.