Mahogany and Teakwood

Chapter 32: Tansy

everything you say to me

takes me one step closer to the edge

and i'm about to break

Another day, another run around the city.

Virgil knew they needed to talk about it.

Another day, another sparring match.

They didn't talk about it.

Another night, another meal eaten off TV trays, another Netflix marathon and all the pop culture Roman felt Virgil needed to be acquainted with. They didn't talk about it, until the proverbial troll in the room finally demanded its toll.

In retrospect, Virgil should have known something was afoot when Kate summoned Roman for a "conference call". Roman vanished for nearly an hour, which sent Virgil's anxiety spiraling so bad he nearly cut his finger off trying to slice an apple. Then when he did reappear, the first thing out of his mouth were four dreaded words that sent Virgil scrambling to his feet.

"We need to talk."

Virgil swallowed. "You know nothing good ever comes after that sentence, right?"

Roman merely folded his arms.

"Okay, so, this is definitely related to the phone call?" Virgil fiddled with a loose seam on his hoodie. "Or did you decide to suddenly spring something on me?"

"Are you being difficult on purpose right now?"

"Gee, sorry for having an anxiety disorder that makes me overthink and overreact to every damned thing!" Virgil flung his hands up. "You disappear for an hour with no explanation, then you come back here all serious and lead with that?"

Roman's nostrils flared, but instead of lashing out, he exhaled, and sank down on the sofa. "You know what, that's fair."

Virgil folded himself at the other end of the couch, as far away from the other as he could get.

"I just suddenly have a lot of news to dump in your lap," Roman added in a resigned voice, "most of which I have no idea how you'll react to. So, if you're planning to be an ass, we may as well just wait until you're in a better mood."

Virgil huffed. "Anxiety, remember? Waiting and I do not get along."

Roman sucked in a deep breath, and let it out slowly, keeping his eyes on his lap.

"So, that was Logan on the phone," he started.

Virgil supposed he wasn't surprised. Roman wouldn't be acting so cagey if it had been anyone else.

"Why would he call Kate?" Virgil frowned. "And not you?"

"Something big has gone down amongst the Earthside Courts," Roman explained. "A few days ago, a shapeshifter reportedly murdered one of the northeastern Autumn Kings and practically his entire Court."

"Holy..." Virgil shook his head. "That's brutal even for Deceit. We are assuming it was Deceit?"

"Logan is pretty damned sure." Roman's mouth twisted. "Smile doesn't have a lot of Fae contacts—"

"I cannot imagine why," Virgil deadpanned.

"—but Logan has plenty. And a coup that size is impossible to keep quiet. But here's the kicker." He leaned forward. "The bastard himself was seen Hedgeside with a human hostage near the Eastern State Penitentiary. Middle aged woman, dark skin, long black hair."