Queen of Snakes

Chapter Ten: When The Devil Comes Knocking...

Before heading inside I stand out in the driveway of the Whyte Wyrm, before I start exploring this new found option in my story I wanted to check a lose end.
"Kathleen, Coming back so soon?" Alice's voice comes through the receiver.
"Actually I'm calling cause you promised me something when I first told you what happened..." I pause looking out where my uncle had stood only moments before "What did you find?"
"Oh, that... Swing by tomorrow I'll have the file ready for you."
"Thanks again Alice."
"Of course dear..." She sighs. I can hear her moving on the other line. "I'm sorry, for everything."
"What? Why?" I look around frantically almost sure something was going to happen.
"I just have a really bad feeling that Riverdale is about to be flipped upside down."
"Are you okay Alice?"
"Just stay safe Kat."
"I will." We hang up.

I continue to stand there, just as I was about to go back inside my phone rings. An unknown number.
"I thought you said no more games?"
"I think you have me confused with some one else Kathleen." A deep voice comes over the line.
"Black Hood..."
"I've always liked how quick on the jump you are. But that's dangerous for me."
"I think you might have me confused with someone else..."
"Oh no, Kathleen Quinn. The true solver behind the Jason Blossom murder. The girl who is always on the outside looking in. I need your help to stay hidden."
"You are a serial killer, why would I help you?"
"Your aunt is a Serpent, I'm sure she has done things most people would be shocked about. Your best friends are sinners, your Ex-boyfriend being the worst. So tell me, who should I threaten first."
"Don't touch a hair on their heads or so help me God. I will find you and I will kill you."
"I was hoping you'd say that. Help me and I wont hurt any of them."
"Like hell..."
"I'm a man of my word."
"What do I need to do?"
"I'll call you when I need your assistance. And in case it wasn't clear don't tell anyone. Not even blonde ponytail Betty..."
The gears in my head start turning and I realize rather quickly my thoughts in the Blue and Gold must have gotten me somewhere. The Black Hood was scared of me, I could use that to my advantage. I finally made my way back inside to join my friends.

***Toni POV***

I'm sitting in the Jones trailer with Jughead after school today. He decided to become a member, I honestly can't tell if Kat's happy or pissed as all hell. She's been MIA since the Wyrm last night.

"A serpent never shows cowardice. If a serpent's killed or imprisoned, their family will be taken care of. Serpents..." He sits across from me rattling off the Serpents laws.
"Come on, focus. You need to take this seriously." I whine half wishing Kat was tutoring him and not me. Something strange was happening with Jughead and I knew it wasn't going to be pretty for long.
"Okay, I am, Toni, I swear to God I am, just..." He walks towards the small kitchen "First the Beast, and now these Laws."
"Why the change of heart, anyway? Why go from conscientious objector to full-fledged member?"
"Cause of something you said..." He sighs before coming back to the table "My dad was the only person that was keeping idiots like Sweet Pea in line. Kat's doing her best, but she's got a temper like I've never seen. I'd be terrified to be on the other end of her rage. She needs help, someone needed to step up. And from my experience I'm one of the only people who could get her to stand down." He sighs "Or this will become an all out war." He pauses again looking at me "I am taking this seriously, Toni."
"So from the top." I chuckle.

***Kathleen POV***
To say that I love initiations would be a stretch. But to have a front row seat at Tall Boy screaming and spitting in Jughead's face for the evening was a pleasure. Sweet Pea wasn't thrilled so I mostly sat with Toni and Fangs through the evening. Right before everything started Fangs whispered.
"You not hanging with Pea tonight?"
"He's a little on edge, still believes Jughead is just trying to protect the Northside."
"And you?"
"He's here isn't he? I figure if he makes it through all of this then he deserves a spot in our ranks, just like everyone else. He is a Jones after all." Fangs nods before leaning back in the chair. I sip my drink watching the event when Toni leans over.
"Girl talk?"
"Go get 'em girl." Her eyes go wide as I look back at her.
"What?"
"You were going to ask me about Jughead. I know what its like being around him, he makes you feel special. And its not like you really have any skin in the game."
"You are giving me your blessing to help him cheat on Betty?" I shake my head.
"When and where you get him isn't up to me. I'm telling you as a girl friend that I don't care if you sleep with my ex." I shrug.
"Okay then..."
"I lost one friend over him, I'm not losing another." She nods going back to the event. We celebrate as Jughead gets all of the rules correct. After that he reaches into the snake tank. I see him walk towards us after everything.
"Nice job Jones. You had a good tutor." I give them a wink before walking to Sweet Pea.