Bloodmoon Inc.

Hollywood is filled with people fucking the corpses of good ideas


Ruby walked down an endless hall. She was barefoot and in a modest nightgown. She peeked into one of the rooms. In it was Shadow, her former lover, he was bathing in blood.
The warm drops flowed down his chin, and made Ruby's throat tighten in thirst. He laughed madly, shaking his head, blood flying.
Ruby moved on. In the next room was her first love Ison. He walked alone to the front of a ledge. Ison looked at Ruby "You're already dead Ruby."
He held her child, Larissa.
Ruby screamed as he let Larissa go, but she didn’t fall, she flew. The next room Ruby came to held Black Rose, the good guy she wanted deep down. He looked at her "Do people tell the truth?" He asked as he tucked his hair behind his ear. He smiled at her. She smiled back.
"I'm not like you!" "I could never be like you!" "It was a mistake!" Rose screamed as he bled from his eyes.
She ran from him until she reached a garden.
Everything in it was dead. A black robed man stood talking to a lovely woman with blonde hair. The man laughed. “This is great!” “He’s gonna PLOZT!”
The woman smiled “You
are loving this, huh Ki?” “DUH!” The man tossed his hood back. Ruby didn’t know who he was. “Ok, your loving this too, just admit it babe. The woman smiled at him. “You’re an asshole Ki.” He grinned a wolf grin. “The world’s biggest asshole honey girl.” My time is COMING!” “This babe is all I ever wanted and more!” “She is nothing to toy with Ki, you best watch yourself.”
“I know I know.” The woman’s eyes glittered. “Can she truly do it?” “Bring them down?” Ki patted her hand. “Yes, yes you’ll get your revenge ok, sweet thing?”
“I know who my friends are. You are the one who busted me out after all.” “Not only do I know who my friends are, I know who my enemies are.” “Wait…something’s…off.” He looked right at Ruby “Someone here’s a dreamer…I’ll take care of it. He blew Ruby a kiss. “If you don’t wake up and FUCK OFF, I’ll fry you dead.” He tossed a snake at Ruby. It slithered over to her and made as if to bite.

Ruby cried out.....and woke up.
Ruby blinked, yawned and stretched.
“What a dream.” She muttered to herself. There was a loud banging on the front door. Ruby wondered if she should answer it. She wondered why Larissa didn’t just twitch her nose or something and open it. Big mo-jo witch and all that she was now she could do it easy. The pounding went on. Ruby got up.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” “Look buddy,” Ruby said as she yanked the door open. “This better be-“then she saw who it was, the one person who could and would ruin everything. “Ison” She gasped. “Oh you remember me I’m so faltered!!” Ruby never saw the pucker punch comeing.


Larissa was sitting in her room blowing pink bubbles with her powers.
After all the guy from the Magik School did say she had to use her powers or she might blow up or something
Suddenly a man burst into her room. “Larissa?” He asked his voice hushed
“Yeah?” she asked with contempt “And who the fuck are you?”
“I’m Ison I’m your brother!” “Larissa blinked “No WAY” she said
“Mom and Dad got me from a dead family.” “Wolf found me, gave me to them
So mister you best step off or my mom will kill you.”
“Those THINGS ARE NOT YOUR PARENTS, RUBY KILLED OUR PARENTS!”
Ruby rushed in just then. Larissa looked at her. ”Is it true?” she asked
Ruby didn’t respond Ruby began to stammer an answer. “W- He it-” “IS IT TRUE?”
Ruby said the one word that shattered Larissa’s world. “Yes.”
Larissa ducked around Ruby and Ison, and then ran from the room, the house.
Her feet pounded the pavement. She thought hard where to now?
Wolf’s place? No way. He would call her- Ruby and Rex.
Shadow’s house? No, he was getting something rubbed by one of his little slaves no doubt. Plus he kept telling her about how much he wanted to “lick her like a lollipop” Ewww. Howl’s place it was then. It was quiet, Howl didn’t really ask questions, and her Mo- Ruby wouldn’t think of it right away.
Larissa took a deep lungful of air and thought of Howl and her house.

When she opened her eyes she was there even though it was in another country.
She paused for a moment and thought about this. She didn’t know Howl very well, but she had seen her a few times once at some company party she had been dragged off to. Larissa had been bored out of her mind, so she found a place behind the curtains to sit Howl had been sitting in a window seat listening to her headphones and reading.
Larissa had grinned at her.
“Mind if I join you?’ Howl had slipped her headphones down. “Nah...It’s ok.”
“Why are you hiding here?” “Isn’t this your bash?” Howl smirked
“Not really…Wolf and Shadow really shine at stuff like this, everyone loves Wolf and Shadow macks on everything so…I…don’t do well with talking.”
“You’re talking to me ok.” Howl nodded thoughtfully “True...but your cool.”
Larissa laughed “How do you know I’m cool?” Howl smiled. “Kid you don’t even want to know how old I am…I know cool when it sits next to me.” Larissa smiled back bashfully. “What are you listening to?” “The Music.” “Duh”
“Name of the band.” “Oh…ok” She slipped the headphones on Larissa.
Larissa nodded “Good band.” You can have the C.D.” “Really?” “Sure.”
Howl smirked again “You also don’t want to know how much money I make.”
Larissa had heard her mother calling her then. “Crap…thanks again bye!”
Howl was also one of the three founding members of the company that Ruby and Rex worked for Blood Moon Inc.
Wolf was her grandfather for lack of a better term. Shadow was Ruby’s ex, bat-shit insane but really hot. And Howl…was Howl. Larissa did know she was a dark fey. She worked with magik the most of all of them. Wolf was a vampire and therefore could not use magik. Shadow only used certain kinds. So everything that Wolf didn’t do and Shadow wouldn’t do Howl did. Larissa thought it was a lot.
Larissa shook herself out of her thoughts and knocked on the door.
Howl opened it. She wore a long black robe that hugged her form nicely.
Her black boots made her even taller and she was already tall for a woman.
Howl’s long sliver hair framed her face in the front caressing her aloof countenance.
She blinked her dark jade eyes at Larissa. “Your…Ruby’s kid right….Larissa?” She asked slowly. Larissa nodded fighting down tears. “Umm, can I hang a bit?” “Home is kinda nuts...” Howl looked her up and down. “Sure, come on in.”
Howl led Larissa into her living room. She pointed to the TV. and the couch.
“Watch whatever you want…the kitchen is in the next room turn left over there.”
“Bathroom down the hall.” Howl walked to the back of the house and vanished
Larissa sat down her, thoughts swirling around her madly.
She thought about the very first time she had ever asked about being different from her mother and father. She had been five. She walked over to Ruby one night as Ruby sat watching TV and eating cherry ice cream with blood on it.
“Mommy when I grow up will I be like you?”
Ruby had asked “What do you mean honey?” “I mean …will I have big teeth
And eat …what you eat?” Ruby smiled “Well…not really honey…me and daddy are different from you…” Larissa nodded gravely “OK…so I’m not gonna get big teeth? “No honey.” Ruby pulled Larissa up to her lap. “But if want them you can have them. You know I love you anyway.. you ok with that baby?” Larissa had nodded and kissed her mother.
The next time they had talked about it was when Larissa was eleven, just a year or so ago. They were on a rollercoaster at a carnival. “Mom?”
“Yeah honey?” “Where did I come from?” “Well Dr. frankenfurter was taking commissions and...” “Funny ma funny.” “Well,” Ruby looked at her sideways.
“Are you sure you want to know really?”
“Yes!” “OK…Wolf had been hired to…get rid of some people…not bad people.”
“Just ones who had seen some things and you were there, he didn’t need to kill you, you were only two or three after all. He took you to sell you to some childless couple or something. ““: I saw you at the firm the next day…Howl was bouncing you on her knee and you where giggling and …Ruby smiled softy
“I fell in love with you.” “I asked about you and Wolf gave you to me.”
Larissa nodded. “Ok…I just wanted to know.”
Ruby touched her hair. “It’s fine baby.”
Larissa choked down a sob. Then she heard a sound behind her. She turned to see a huge, hulking man with flaming orange hair looking at her. “Why are you hare?” “Why are you naked?” “Where are your manners?” “Where are your pants?”
The man drew himself up. “Ok this is my house and-“Howl called out from where ever she was. “This is not your house Hobbes.” The man who’s name was Hobbes it seemed sighed. “Ok well this is my girlfriend’s house and-““I don’t like the term “girlfriend” Hobbes.” “Well this is place where I hang out and-“
“Give it up, Hobbes.” Hobbes wondered back to the bedroom muttering something about uppity women. He came back in much less naked. “Ok, Let me induce myself….I’m Hobbes Malcolm.
Larissa nodded. He shook her hand; his hand covered all of hers. “Larissa.” “My mom and dad work for Howl.” Hobbes smiled an easy winning smile “Don’t we all?” “I’m the leader of a team that handles the really heavy things.” “’Captain of the brute squad’ Howl calls me.”
“So…what are you doing here?” Howl walked out and gave Hobbes a look.
He frowned at her. Howl shook her head. “Larissa?” Howl asked “Do you want to talk?” Larissa nodded and began to talk about it.


Meanwhile at Ruby’s house, the scene was one of chaos.
Rex had come home to find Ruby screaming at the asshole she had told him she had killed about nine years ago.
Fucking Ison…a vampire! Rex had tried to get in between them. He had pulled back a bloody stump. Literally. It would take a while to repair so he had left to feed and to see if Larissa was around the area maybe. His wanderings took him to The Underbelly, a club owned by the company. He walked in and took his place at the bar. The bartender, a tall man with long white hair and a sharp face, walked over. “Hey Rex what will it be tonight?” Rex sighed and held up his mangled hand. The bartender whistled. “Wow…so I’m guessing you need the hard stuff?” “Yes…fresh if you don’t mind, Taislin.” “Are you in the mood for boy or girl?” Rex thought a minute …”Boy…something young, pretty and submissive.”
“All right but you remember the rules right?” Rex scowled
“Yes...no killing…no maiming…no turning.”
Taiysin picked up the phone. He turned back to Rex after he hung up.
“Twenty minutes or so.” Rex nodded “For the wait, give me…a mudslide.”
“You and your Kailua Rex.” He chuckled. “Am I putting it on the company tab?”
Rex nodded. “So…you look like you had a bad day…want to talk about it?”
Rex sighed. “Yes, but not with you Tally, everyone knows what a fucking gossip you are.” Taiysin just grinned. “Like you can keep your mouth shut.”
“Remember when Shadow got picked up by the bulls because he and Ruby had gotten into their third fistfight of the night this one somehow involving a busload of nuns and orphans, he got dragged off screaming in cuffs and you ran around with a shit eating grin on your face telling everyone?”
Rex snorted. “Yeah…but I hate Shadow and that happened to be the fucking mother of all gossip. “Taiysin grinned broader “Hypocrite.” “I know, I know.”
“So come on spit it out…what’s up?” Just then a boy of about 16 or so walked up to the bar. His feet barely thouched the ground when he sat down.
Man, I hope that this cute little thing is my dinner. Rex thought to himself
He tucked his wavy dark brown hair behind his ear, as he bit one of his full red lips. He looked over at Rex fixing his hazel eyes on him. “Are you Rex?” Rex looked him up and down. He reached over and stroked the boy’s face. “Well…young...pretty…are you submissive too?” The boy smiled shyly “Want to find out?” Rex smiled a wicked smile back. He turned to Taiysin.
“You still have couches in the red room?” “You know it.” Rex grabbed the boy’s hand as he led them to the red room. “You got a name kid?” The boy looked down. “Call me whatever you want master.” “Not that submissive baby.” “Gavin” “Got a reason that you offer your blood and body for money?” Gavin rolled his eyes “Somehow I doubt a John cares, and anyway you seemed hot to go a minute ago.” Rex’s eyes narrowed “First don’t call me that, second…I do care and third Tally has a big fucking mouth didn’t want to say anything in front of him.”
Rex sat them both down on one the couches. Gavin sat next to him; he pulled his shirt down so Rex could see his pale long neck pulse beating. Rex sighed.
“I told you…I do care…” Gavin frowned a bit. “I can’t believe you want to talk about me.”
Rex leaned back on the couch. “I…kinda….just want to talk about anything.”
“If that’s ok…” Gavin smiled a bit grimly as he fumbled to light a cigarette.
“I just never thought that a-someone would want to talk…”
Rex snickered “Well there’s a saying ‘Some things you tell a priest,
Some things you tell a stranger, some things you tell a whore’.” Gavin jumped up his face written with fury. Rex smiled darkly “See you don’t like that word…stop acting like I’m a John and I wont call you a whore, because by treating me like that’s all I am your acting like a whore.” Gavin sat back down. “My mother sold me to her pimp when I was nine.” He spat out with venom. Rex reached up and touched Gavin’s face. “No child should have to face something like that.” “You’re really beautiful you know that right?” Gavin just blinked. “I think I could get you a job with my mentor’s company Wolf, Howl and Shadow.”
“You could get 1000 a night for a few jobs and that would be just to have your blood and your company…if you want to keep selling other...things…1500 a night easy.” Gavin gasped at the thought of that kind of money. “W-who are you?”
“Just a white knight in a vampire’s body….and I’m in an odd mood tonight.”
“If this was yesterday I would have been drinking your blood as I fondled you.”
Rex looked down. “But tonight…I feel Alex…” “Who’s Alex…?”
“Just some boy I killed.” Rex whispered. Gavin moved over to Rex, turned his head and boldly kissed him on the lips. The kiss lasted so long it almost became something more until Rex broke away.
“Now sweetness…where does your mother and her pimp live?” “I feel like righting some wrongs tonight.”


Ruby glared at Ison as she threw a lamp at his head.
“Why the fuck couldn’t you just LEAVE WELL ENOUGH THE FUCK ALONE?”
Ison sneered at her. “You kidnapping my sister is not WELL ENOUGH!!”
Ruby screamed back ‘FUCK YOU!!” The front door opened just as Ison was choking Ruby. “What the fuck is going on here?” Black Rose asked incredulously. Ruby poked Ison viscously in the eye. He howled and let her go.
“Festering fuckface.” She muttered as she kneed him in the balls. Ison lunged at her and pinned her to ground punching her over and over in the face. Black Rose hauled him off her. Ison turned to Rose and snarled “Listen pal this is not your fight!” Ruby pulled herself up dazed. Ison was being held back by Rose but barely. “Rose, let him go this is not your fight.” And he’s too strong for you, you gallant fool. Ruby thought. The door opened again and in walked Wolf. “What are you doing here?” Ruby asked stunned “Howl called me said that Larissa was at her house and ‘the strange little girl was feeling blue’.” “So I’m here to clean up your mess.” Ison bit Rose’s arm hard and he let go. “I don’t know who you or the other freak are but my fight is with this bitch, he pointed to Ruby “so step off!”
Ison shoved Wolf, who laughed throatily “Try that one more time and you’ll be dead.” He stated matter of factly. Ruby giggled. “Don’t laugh ma crie I’m not happy that you didn’t deal with this….” Wolf sucked his teeth thinking of a word for Ison. “little ranting and raving trud a long time ago.” “You have caused your daughter undo harm.” Ruby looked down ashamed. “Now…can we work this out?” “Do you want anything?” Ison muttered sullenly “Just my sister.”
Wolf sighed and looked at Ruby “Nothing is ever simple when is comes to you my dear.” She smiled weakly at him.
It must come from the fact that she writes her own fate now. Wolf thought.
One of Wolf’s long pale fingers played with his lower lip as he considered the problem at hand. “Well can we at least agree that we all care for the child?” Ruby and Ison nodded in unison.
“All this fighting and revealing of deep dark secrets by family members she’s never met is causing her pain…and I believe we must try something else.”
“Alright then…how about I put Ison up at one of the hotels we own for tonight and try to hash this out tomorrow?” Ison sneered at Wolf “I don’t need anything from any of you…but if it would help Larissa then I’ll come back and try it your way.”
“But, He tossed over his shoulder as he left “I won’t wait forever.”
The door shut and Ruby slumped down on the sofa. “This has been the day from hell.” She looked up at Wolf, worried. “Are you really mad at me Daddy?”
Wolf smiled softly “I am upset…but you have seen your mistake I’m sure.”
“No need to belabor the point.” Ruby nodded, too worn out to talk. Wolf turned to Rose.
“Have we met before?” “I feel I should remember such a lovely face if we did.”
Rose frowned. “No, I don’t think so.” “Hmm.” “Wolf shrugged.
“When you’re as old as I am you run across people that look familiar all the time.”
Wolf put a hand on Rose’s shoulder and murmured in his ear. “Will you watch after her…?” “She’s had a rough time….even though we know were Rissa is I think she’s still worried.” Rose blushed a bit. “Sure…I think I can do that.” Wolf blinked startled a bit. “Is…something going on with you two?” “NO!” Rose blushed harder. ”Gods how red can you get boy?”
“I don’t even want to know about whatever is going on.” “All I have to say to is if one’s going to fall from grace…one might as well do it with style, daring and a sonic boom when you hit the ground.” “Ask Lucifer…it’s much more fun that way.” Wolf leaned in so close that his breathe was warm on Rose’s ear. “My daughter is very precious to me.”
“She’s also more loving and fragile then she let’s on…toy with her...hurt her…
and for every one tear she sheds over you, you shall know a year of torment at my hands…” Wolf smiled a sweet little smile at Rose as walked out whistling ‘little red riding hood.’
Rose turned to Ruby. “When did your father get incredibly scary?”
“I think he was born that way.” “Why, did he hit on you?” “Yeah…that’s all.” Rose smiled nervously. “I’m not gonna bite…after all I remember last time it was gross.” She wrinkled her nose at the thought. Rose shrugged.
“I never really tasted it.”
“Really?” “I tried my own…I taste a bit like pears.” Rose shook his head,
“Man this is a weird conversion” Ruby nodded. “I’m in an odd mood.”
“What about you?” she asked, her violet eyes meeting with his crystal blue ones. “What kinda mood are you in?” She reached out and touched his arm, running her fingers over it lightly.
“Umm…” He fidgeted a bit. “Am I asking just a little bit too much from the wounded?”
Ruby said softly. His face hardened. “I’m not wounded.”
Shit this was a nice moment….he still doesn’t know I know about his parents.
I have to backpedal here. “I just mean…aren’t we are all?”
He nodded but the moment had passed. ”It’s such a nice night…I think I’ll go out to the garden.” Rose stood. “I’ll go with you.” Ruby snorted “Did Daddy ask you to keep an eye on me?” “Maybe I’m just a nice guy.” Rose shot back. Ruby shrugged as she walked out the back door. The garden was lit with moonlight.
It was high spring, the air smelt of flowers and new life. Ruby sat down by her koi pond. The brightly colored fish swam back and forth. Rose sat next to her.
“Did Daddy say if Larissa was coming home tonight?” Rose shook his head.
“I guess she’s staying on at Howl’s then….do you think I should call?”
Rose grimaced “I don’t know….if I found out that someone I love and trusted was keeping a secret like this from me I’d be upset.” Ruby had no idea how but when he said that Ruby saw something…a shadow…of Rose sobbing and shaking as he lit a match. She pressed her hand to her head. Rose caught her shoulder.
“What is it?” “I saw…I don’t know what…Rose...” Ruby fought back a sob.
“I think I’m going…mad.” “My daughter hates me…and…I keep having these
dreams…and now waking visions.” Rose looked at her helplessly.
Then he did the only thing he could. He held her.


Larissa had fallen asleep at last. Howl covered her tenderly with a blanket.
Hobbes whispered to her. “If you like kids so much, let’s have one or ten”
Howl planted her elbow in his stomach. Hobbes growled. “Oooh, feisty!”
He smacked her ass. This time she elbowed his nose. Hobbes just hugged her tightly to him. “I love you.” Howl remained silent like she always did.
But Hobbes’s mother always said when she was trying to get him to talk ‘silence is consent.’
Hobbes didn’t need words when it came to who loved him. There were ways to tell. Like that fact that Wolf, Howl and Shadow was crawling with hotties of every gender, species, personality type and sexual pervasions you could think of,
and Howl was their queen…but she had never once made any move on anyone.
She had let his little cousin stay with them while she was studying for her gauntlet.
She had hunted down his favorite obscure cartoon show ‘Pirates of Dark Water’,
for his birthday. Hobbes nuzzled her neck. No, Hobbes Malcolm was no fool he knew a jewel when he had one. Howl sighed. “What is it honey?”
“I’m just worried…Ruby should not have lied to Larissa but…we don’t know this Ison and I think he wants his sister back on principal more then anything.”
“I think he just wants to hurt Ruby as he was hurt.” “Have you seen that?”
Hobbes knew that Howl could see the past, present and sometimes the future.
It made hiding things a bitch, so he had abandoned the idea of surprising her with anything a long time ago. “I don’t need to use my powers to know that old lovers are often bitter when it comes to each other.” “I’m not bitter to any of my old girlfriends.” “Did you do the dumping?” “Yes…” “That’s why, I bet they feel otherwise.” “Well…” Hobbes went on. “As long as he doesn’t get wasted and rub up on old ladies or something, I don’t see why he shouldn’t have her.”
“He is blood kin.” Howl shook her head. “He might be blood but he can’t handle her.” “Her fate is tied to Rex and Ruby…and that I have seen.”
Just then Hobbes’s cell phone rang. He answered it. “This is Malcolm.”
“Yeah…no!” “Fuck me!” “No not you!” “Yeah…give me 30 minutes.”
“Well I can’t fucking fly Nancy!” “Yes I understand….still can’t fly.”
“Raining body parts!?” “Did you contact the other Big Dogs?”
“They will meet me there?” “O.K., I’m not going into this alone…I need my team.”
“Yes…I understand that they can’t fly either smartass.”
“I don’t care if Henderson’s wife is giving birth to the fucking messiah I want him there!” .“Really…. no shit? Well I need him there anyway!” “What about Shen-ryu?”
“Can we keep him away?” ”He is a loose cannon….” “Well I guess that’s going to have to work for now.”
“Keep trying to get him to find out.”
Hobbes snapped his phone shut. He turned to Howl. “Is Shen-ryo going to be there?” She asked. “Don’t know he may…he may not there is a reason the team calls him ‘The Rabid Pit-bull’ “Have him stick with you if he shows…I worry and considering he’s a soul eating ghost I doubt much can hurt him.”
Hobbes pulled Howl close and kissed her. He let her go and grinned.
“Sorry, honey…gotta go work for my keep.”
Howl smiled and rolled her eyes. “Hah!” “Don’t blame it on it money...you love the kill.” Hobbes grinned his eyes glowing gold. “I love the hunt.” He hugged her.
“Don’t wait up….we might have a new player in town the way Nancy told it.”
Howl shrugged. ”Nancy’s never been the same since she and Shadow hooked up.” “Everyone knows she won’t pass up a chance to fuck him over ….and at the same time she seems so willing to do his bidding.” Hobbes nodded. “Did you know that she told Ruby Shadow’s true name?” Howl nodded. “Who did you think told Nancy?” “Remind me never to get on your bad side.” “What makes you think I did to hurt Shadow?” Hobbes shook his head as he grabbed his vest, bulletproof, and magical up the ying-yang. He pulled it on and walked out the door.


Ruby was sitting next to Rose. At some point he had brought out a blanket and made a fire in her outdoor fire pit. At some point she had gotten out her hookah and packed a huge bowl of weed. She had asked him if he wanted some, and he at first turned her down but she had shouted him down, talking about there being no really bad side-affects…smoking cigarettes was worse and did he want one by the way and he was part undead and smoking weed alone sucked. At last he had grimly yanked the pipe from her and took a huge toke. “Good man.” Ruby muttered as he coughed.
Ruby had snuggled under the blanket and offered Rose to come sit next to her.
He had nestled up to her. They watched the fire in silence.
Ruby sighed. The night was full of sounds. She could hear bats overhead.
She could even hear everyone in the house six doors down if she set her mind to it.
“Hmm....Rose?” “Yeah….Ruby?” “I have a choice….”
She looked down. “About if I’m going to tell you a story…or if I’m going to have nightmares about it.”
“If you want to talk…I’ll listen.” “If not…then don’t”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I guess I have no right to complain.”
“Your family was killed right before your eyes…” He jumped up nearly pushing the blanket into the fire. “How did you know that!?” “I never told you that!”
Ruby winced. “I asked Nina to get some information on you, I made it condition for her doing the story on me and Rex” “You wouldn’t tell me anything.” “You could have asked!” Ruby sighed. “I wanted to know who is renting from and spying on me!” “What is really going on here Rose?” “On the one hand you act like you care…but the Guardians of the Grey Dawn still have a fucking chokehold on you.”
“What did they do to you?” Rose was losing his temper. “They took me in when a vampire killed my parents that’s all I need to know! Fine! You want to know so badly?” Rose was walking to the stairs to his apartment. He flung every word out as Ruby followed him. “It’s Larissa, her prophecy ….she can bring death, peace, or balance to the world.” “We call her The Child of Balance and we have waited long for her.” Rose was cramming things into his backpack as he talked.
“There are three groups who seek her. “Are you writing all this down?”
He barked “I don’t want you to forget anything.” “Rose…” “Shut up!”
He took a deep breathe. “I’m telling you all this so they will accept that
I’m never coming back here.” He sneered. “I’m breaking all the rules.”
“I bet they bust me down to novice, but it will be worth mopping floors!”
“The first of these groups is a cult called The Temple of The Red Wind.”
“They wish to kill Larissa so she can not bring death to the world.” “How I don’t really know….but they have magic’s even she as a Born Witch should fear.”
The three groups were long ago one….but they disagreed over the prophecy.”
“The three leaders of each group took part of the prophecy.”
“The Sons of the White Light wish to use her to make a utopia.”
“They are much more dangerous then The Red Wind, they are veldts who are not above mind control and torture to get their way.”
“We wanted to protect her, train her so that she could bring the world balance.”
“But you couldn’t trust us…trust me…so you just threw away the only chance she has.” “Congratulations Ruby…look where trying to control everything got you!”
Rose grabbed his bag off the bed, and stormed out of the room.
Ruby sunk down on his bed too stunned to even move.
She curled up on his bed and slept.

Ruby slept.
Ruby….dreamed.


The harsh light blinded her eyes. She squinted hard.
A nurse walked over to her. “Miss ..?’
The girl in the bed was no more then 20, she sighed.
“It’s O’Hara.” “But call me Lilly.” The nurse nodded.
“How are you this morning Lilly?” Lilly smiled a grim smile.
“I’m dying of a fast moving cancer that no doctor has seen before just like last night.”
She did look to be close to death her face was sharp and bony.
Her hair had fallen out; her dark blue eyes were red veined.
Lilly raised her hand looking at the blood in her IV.
“God, I hate this…this slow decay…I just want to be better or dead…”
The nurse brushed her hand across Lilly’s hand
“I’m sorry dear.” “Not as sorry as me, I’m sure.”
The nurse left. Lilly just lay there waiting….waiting….
She hoped that Ison, her boyfriend, would come to see her.
She hadn’t seen her family in years….she had gone to live with her Aunt to get away from her insane mother, but her Aunt was just crazy in a different way.
Her Dad tried to be there for her, but he was so far away…she hadn’t bothered to even tell him she was sick. She couldn’t take it if he didn’t want to see her.
All she had left was Ison, who she’d been living with for a year or so.
His family had been good to her…she almost trusted them.
Then this had happened to her. It was going so fast they didn’t think she would live a month.
The door opened and as if she had called him to her Ison stood there.
She struggled to sit up. “Ison!” She opened her arms to him. He hugged her, but he looked uneasy. “What is it?” “Lilly…I met someone…else…”
“What?” She felt like someone had ripped out her soul.
He jabbered on about how their relationship had been unstable for so long.
He went on about her lies…her flaws.
He couldn’t live with it….with her…
“I’m dying you asshole!!!” His face hardened. “I couldn’t have you going to your grave thinking I still loved you.” He left as she began to wail like the lost soul she was. “You will PAY FOR THIS ISON!” She didn’t know if he heard her…but someone did.
The sun set and she slept a bit. She woke to find a handsome orderly leaning over her. “What’s…going.... on?” “Who are you?” He smiled “Call me Ki.”
“I’m here to help you….if you want it.” “You’re marked, kid. They want you dead.”
She just turned her face away from him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He grinned again. “And you wont’ for a long time…but I’m putting some things into play here little girl….you will owe me not just your life but the life of those you love…and I make good on my debts.” He tenderly touched her face.

“I feel bad that I had to do this….ever wonder why your life has been so….blessed and cursed?” “You have no real friends…no family…but you’re a wonderful writer, already your first book is in print….your grandmother left you bunches of cash.” “For every unheard of bad thing there was good.”
He grinned. “I’ve been there balancing it out.” “I gave you more time then you should have gotten….the poison arrows of Airtimes should have killed you at once.”
“I put it into Ison’s head to leave you….you’re going to places no one has gone in time out of mind and I’m going to take you there.”
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “You need to lose everything so I can make you free.” “When this is over your life, your fate…will truly be your own.”
He smiled. “But you won’t remember any of this for a long time.”
“Sleep…and forget all this.”

She woke again to find her best friend Alex sitting on her bed.
She blinked. “Alex I think…I was dreaming…a man…”
Alex’s eyebrows rose. “Are you having trouble with the drugs?”
She pushed herself up. “I’m not seeing things.” “I just can’t remember….”
She shook her head trying to clear it.
“Nevermind…it not important.” She looked up at him.
“Did you hear?” Alex cocked his head to the side. “Hear?”
“Ison left me.” “Holy shit!” Alex’s eyes blazed “That asshole dumped a dyi-“
“You can say it…dying chick.” Alex bent his head. “I won’t let this happen to you…I can’t!” She saw something as he said that. She knew he was telling the truth. She blinked and the certainty she had felt disappeared.
“Well if you know any ways not to die…just share it with me.”
He didn’t smile. “I have to go….my dad is in bad form tonight”
She shook her head. “Why do you stay there when he beats the crap out of you?” “I can’t leave my mom.” Lilly sighed. “You can’t just let yourself settle for less just because she does.” Alex shrugged. “Well….I got to go…”
Lilly hugged him tightly. “You’re my only friend.” He hugged her back, trying not to cry as he felt her spine just by touching her back.
He left in good sprits. Lilly never saw him alive again.
But then she didn’t live very long either.

Lilly was sleeping when a hand covered her mouth. She tried to scream.
She bit the hand hard. “Hey…It’s me.” A whisper came from the person holding her. “Alex?” He smiled. “Where have you been it’s been three days…?”
He smiled wider. “What…is it…” She gasped “You have fangs!”
“Shhhhhh!!!” “You want Nurse Racket to know that…He whispered “There’s a man…in your room?” “Yeah a man with fangs!” “What happened?” She hissed
“Well something in me told me that the way to save you would be to go that club…The Red Room…..I talked to the bartender for a while…he told me that some ….people will…help you…” “Get to the point Alex.”
“Well remember that vintage Jaguar that my dad bought for his promotion?” “Yeah…great ride…”
“I always wanted to steal that Cadillac El Dorado of his.”
Alex grinned wider.” I sold it to a chop shop.” “I took the cash and got myself turned into a vampire.” Lilly blinked hard. “You…did….what?!?” He frowned
“You’re not happy?” “NO!” “SHHHH!” She lowered her voice. “How did you get in here anyway?” He pointed to the window. “Alex….this is the fifth floor.”
He smiled. “Yeah…I scared the piss out of some lady when she saw me climbing up here.” Lilly shook her head. “I just…you tossed you’re life away for me!??!”
His face was grave in the moonlight. “I just don’t want to be alone…”
She hugged him tight. ”So…how does this work?” “I’m not going to be all bald and emaciated forever am I?” He shook his head. “Nah…I asked about that, how one looks when one dies can change, you should be back to normal soon.”
“My blood will help and you should have at least three….” He looked nervous.
“At least three…?” “Victims right away to help with everything” She looked at him. “Have you…?” He winced “Yeah…it was…hard.” “So…sun?” “Well I have heard that there is spelled sunscreen out there but it’s so costly that most just do without.” “So…no sun?” He shook his head. “Oh...well always been a night owl.”
“There is a lot of good news however….you will be able to move so fast you blur!” “Your senses will heighten tenfold.” “Oh and hey look at this.” He lifted her and the bed she was in. “And all I have to do is trade other’s lives for mine.”
He put the bed down and sat on it next to her. ”Just at first…after you gain more strength you can take a little bit of blood from a few people at a time.”
“I’m sorry but you need to kill the first ones, mostly because you’re so weak.”
“I’m fine and I still had to kill.” He grinned. “How about starting with someone who has it coming?’ “Ison and his new fling Assrama Buttfuck!”
Lilly began to giggle. “You are awful Alex.” He waggled his tongue at her.
“Oh…and its Rex now.” “Like it?” “I do.” “You should take a new name too…”
“Ruby…for all the blood I will spill.” “Getting into it, are you?” Her eyes gleamed.
“Yes…yes I am.” She had a light in her eyes as she said “’To die will be an awfully big adventure.’” “Poppy Z Brite?” “No.…J.M. Barry.”
She shut her eyes. “What will happen?” “Well….I’ll drink from you…then you take my blood.” “Then?” He paused. “You will die….your body….I’ll take you somewhere safe and wait until you rise.”
She bared her neck to him. He held her tightly to him. “Whatever makes you happy, ok?”
“Whatever you want…..I don’t want to feel like you have to do this for me.”
She shook her head. “I don’t.” He squirmed a bit. “What?” “Well….We vampires have some magic that is just in us….power to manipulate…seduce.”
“It’s the only magic we can often use other then potions…most gods hate vampires…that’s why the sun can kill us.” “O.K.…..so get to the point Rex.”
He sighed.
“Well….to make it hurt not so much….I would have to use my powers on you.” Ruby gave him a withering glare. “No, thanks…I can handle the pain.”
He rolled his eyes. Rex leaned over Ruby and bit her deeply. She just hissed out her breathe. He drank from her and saw flashes of her life. He willed not to see to let her have her privacy. He finished at last and then bit himself hard. The one thing that he had not told her that there was a chance that this might kill them both. He was so newly turned himself, he might not have the power for it.
He knew that she had no time so he was taking the risk. She bit down on his wrist pulling everything back out of him; he tried not to make a sound but this hurt more then being turned. At last she finished and fell back on the bed. He picked her up and jumped out the window holding her.
When they had left Ki wandered back into the room. “Right on time.”
He muttered to himself.

Rex took Ruby to his parent’s cabin up in the woods. It was where he had been hiding out from the day himself. He waited in pain for three days to see if she would come back to him. Her hair had been growing out as she lay there and her flesh was filling out a bit too. She was not the girl he remembered but she was closer. On the fourth night she woke. She sat up. “Alex…what’s going on?”
“It’s Rex now….right Ruby?’ She gasped. “It all really happened?”
“Hey I can see in the dark!”
She stood up. “So where are we?’ “In the woods up north.”
She nodded. “Where is the city from here?” “You can make it back before dawn, and still have time to feed.” She nodded. “Just fix where you want to go in your head you’ll get a map kind of in your head.” He paused “Ruby no matter what your doing you will leave two hours before the dawn.” She stared at him.
“What’s with the spooky voice?” “I turned you and for a time I can compel you.”
She growled and grabbed his throat. “It’s for your own good!” “I know where you’re going and I don’t want you getting caught by the sun because you’re wrapped up in revenge.” “Just be glad I didn’t use your true name when I did it your skin would burn if you tried to disobey me.” “This way I just feel like I really have to pee?” She sneered. “You’re wasting nightlight.” “Go.” She nodded.
“Tomorrow night we leave for good.” Ruby stated “Sure.”
Ruby looked down at herself she was still wearing her hospital gown.
“I think I might need to make a pit stop.”
Rex got up himself. “I think I’m going go kill my dad and take his Cadillac for you.”
“And for you?” “The Benz” She smiled at him and they went their own ways into a night that would never be the same.

Ruby was shaking as she washed the blood off herself.
She had killed Ison’s parents while she waited for him.
It seemed that he and his little sister Larissa who was just three years old were out.
His whore was with them. She had done what she had to do she reminded herself. The door opened. She heard Ison screaming. She stepped out of the bathroom. As Ison tried to get his mind around all the blood, her and whatever was going on, she swiftly grabbed his whore and yanked her head off. She was naked and dripping in blood. “Hello Ison.” She used her voice of power. He walked over to her dazed.
“Mistress he murmured to her. “Yes…now lick the blood off my feet dog.”
He knelt to do it and she kicked him in the face. He flew back and then crawled to her. She keeled and bit him taking everything…but as she saw his mind, as she drank she felt it all over again as she held him. She bit herself and gave him the blood. “Ison…I use your own name and tell you this as your mistress.” “Never come looking for me….when you wake go far away from this place.” She whispered it in his ear as he lay dead. There was a small noise behind her.
Larissa tossed her toy at her. “Monster!” She shouted. Ruby smiled the little one was the only one she had really loved. “Come here…honey” Ruby used her voice on the child but she knew soon there would be a real bond and that was the best joke of all. Ison would never see his sister again, until someday when she was utterly Ruby’s child. Ruby would send her after her brother to kill him. Larissa snuggled into Ruby’s arms.
“Well little one I think I need to go find new things to wear and a shower.”
“You sleep for a time I’ll be back.” Larissa slumped down under the spell. Ruby went to find some of her things she had left there and to shower.

Ruby took Larissa back to the cabin two hours before dawn.
Rex walked in about an hour before dawn. “What is that?”
He asked of Larissa sleeping in Ruby’s lap.
“My revenge.” Rex sighed. “How are we going to upkeep a kid?”
“We just need blood she needs food, schooling other things.”
“We will find a way.” Rex sighed. “This is going to be a headache.”
Ruby shushed him.” She will be that which is most ours, we can her teach everything we know .She’ll be everything we ever wanted….we can give her everything we never had…she can be us reborn..” Don’t you want to be born again?” Don’t you want someone to cast in your image?”
Rex smiled. He picked up the child. She muttered in her sleep.
“Hello little girl.” Ruby had a knowing look on her face; the kid could worm her way in anywhere. “Well I guess we are just one big undead family.”
“I guess so.” Rex bent to bite Larissa. Ruby grabbed her away from him.
“What do you think your doing Rex?” Rex looked confused. “We need to turn her.” “It’s the only way she would be safe forever…the only way we can take care of her we have nothing to offer a human child.” Ruby hugged Larissa close.
“No, Rex.”
“She stays human until she asks for the blood and knows what she’s doing.” “Ok….for now.” Ruby nodded. “So…did you get the cars?”
“Yep.” “Cool….so what now?’ Rex shook his head. “Whatever we want!”
“I could get used to ‘whatever I want’.” Ruby laid Larissa down on a bed.
“Have you heard of that one city…where that company is…Wolf, Howl and Shadow?” Ruby asked “What of it?” “I feel like we should go there…everyone knows that they hire vampires and the like.” “Who’s everybody, you’re the first vampire I’ve met.” Rex shrugged “We have nowhere else to go.”
Ruby woke as if someone had shook her.
She knew what she had to do now.

Hobbes had rushed over to the very, very, very, hidden headquarters of The Temple of The Red Wind. He was stopped at the gates. “Password?”
Hobbes looked at the guy his lip curling in a sneer. “You fuckers called me in the middle of the goddamm night babbling about someone making it rain fucking body parts and that we could have whatever we wanted if I could stop it and now you want a password?” “The password is get out of my way let me do my job or I’ll just kill you and tell everyone it was you, so I can get back to my nice warm bed with my nice warm lover.” The guy just swallowed hard and opened the gates without saying anything more. “Thank you, asshole.”
Hobbes muttered to himself. He was not looking forward to this.
Anyone with the kind of power to not only find but take on the Red Wind was going to be a badass motherfucker. Capital B, capital M.
He got out of the car and began to walk towards the temple.
He was met by Henderson or, rather, what was left of Henderson, and parts of others of his team scattered all over the lawn. “Fuck me.” Hobbes gasped out.
Something touched his shoulder. He grabbed it with his crushing grip.
“Sir, your hurting me.” He relaxed his grip and turned around. “Jamie, what the fuck is going on here?” Jamie was panting with pain from a wound in his leg but he answered slowly.
“Sir…the Big Dogs came just like you ordered ….but…” He rubbed his face.
“Henderson….was mad because his wife is having the baby...him and some of the others went in….I told him I would stay......that’s how I got this..... He pointed to his leg and “They went in and....then…they…the” The man almost lost it and in that moment Hobbes felt fear. Jamie, like all the Big Dogs, was one of the best, he was a dark mage whom Hobbes had seen in a rage, disemboweling men with his magic’s. “Keep it together Jamie.” “Yes…Sir.” Hobbes frowned “Heal yourself man.” Jamie shook his head. “No, Sir.” “If I have to…I need all the magic I have….I’m just a magic user and if I heal myself…then I would have less to kill whoever did this.” Hobbes grabbed Jamie by his arm. “Heal your…self…”
He growled out. “Or you answer to me…got..i..t?” “Who’s still alive?”
“Well…sir…me…Mona…Ree….Kai…and Tanith.” Hobbes’s eyes widened.
“That’s it?” “Just the five of you?” “We used to have a unit of fifteen!”
“Does anyone know where Shen-ryu is?” Jamie shook his head.
“No, Sir he never showed up.”
“Shit…he’s our biggest gun!” Jamie face’s had a trace of a smile.
“I think he’s just waiting for a best moment so he looks good.”
“I would not put that past him, Jamie”
“Where is everyone else?” “They are hiding in the brush waiting for you Sir.”
Hobbes frowned. “Is whatever it is in there killing anyone out here?” “Seems quiet to me.” Jamie looked up from healing his leg. “No, just inside killing whatever it gets it’s hands on….I just think that it’s going to get around to everyone else….it’s that sure of it’s power.” “Sir…if that’s a person…in…there…the only thing it could be would be…a…Burna…one born to magic.” Hobbes stood there, his mind blazing.
“I went to Carsisdesmorta ….I know what a Born Witch is.” “Just never fought one is all.”
Mona and the others walked out of the woods. “Sir!” “Hey Mona.”
Mona smiled at him. “Sir….I don’t think you want to go in there.”
“I think I do…listen Mona you’re the best zombie woman out there…and all the Gods know we have enough dead bodies lying around.” “I’m on it, Sir.” “Good, Jamie help her.” “Ree.” “Sir?” “I want you to stay here and keep them safe….shoot anything that comes out unless it’s me, but if you think I’m under enemy sway in any way you fucking shoot to kill got it?” Ree nodded. “I will put a bullet in between your eyes, Sir.” “Well kiss my ass and call me Suzie someone is listening to orders tonight!!” The team laughed a bit. “Kai…Tanith you’re with me.”
Kai pulled his sword out. Tanith ran her fingers over her Bone of Tears, a flute carved from a human leg bone, it called demons to fight for her. Hobbes walked to the front door of the Temple.
He walked in with Kai and Tanith. However only he walked inside.
He turned to find them and he was alone. He looked around.
Sitting on the floor was a woman with her keens drawn up. Long hair fell over her face. Her hands moved gracefully as she smoked. She was covered in blood.
“Sorry….but I was told not to let anyone but you in…they said you were coming, Mr. Malcolm” “And you are?” “The Fury.” “Ah…well that tells me… nothing!!”
“I am the God’s Vengeance. They called me on The Red Wind.” She looked up at him her face was drawn with wariness. “My name however is Cassandra.”
“They wanted me to speak to you….I’m sure you will not heed the warning but…”
Hobbes felt the rage flowing in him. “My team is dead!!” “The time for talking is over!!” He growled as he began to change, orange and black fur covering him, his fangs and claws popping out. Heh now she’s going to pay. Hobbes thought She hit him with a ball of fire, bruning him all over.
He roared and changed all the way into the tiger. The Fury’s eyes widened He should have fallen before now. He grinned and clamped his jaws over her ankle harrying it he heard a snap. Crap, I think it’s broken… She hissed out a gasp of pain but just touched her shoulder, healing herself, and hit him with lighting. He still came at her, pinning her to the ground with his weight and trying to bite her neck. She rolled her head so his powerful jaws could not close on her. At last he had her and bit down, however he bit nothingness as she had vanished. She tapped him on the shoulder and then punched him in the face. He bit her fist.
Hobbes began to pace around. “So….did your Gods tell you to kill my men?”
He growled in a thick voice. “They got in my way….it was nothing personal.”
The Fury’s face was a blank mask. She put her hand plams out toward him, blasted him with her power.
He was turned back into a human and pinned to the wall. She looked him over.
“You don’t have a bad body Mr Malcome.” He spat blood at her. “Coals to Newcastle Mr. Malcome.” She waved a hand at her blood covered body.
“So…I need to talk to you…are you going to be good?”
“Fine, what is it?” “They said to tell you that you nurse a viper to your breast.”
He snorted a bit, it hurt his busted nose but whatever.
“That, like most things you mystic types say is about as useful as an asshole on my forehead.” She shrugged. “Don’t blame me.” Hobbes tried not to let his face show anything as he saw Shen-ryo as a cloud of mist inching over near them.
Holy shit the crazy fuck’s here. The Fury whirled around to face him.
Shen-ryo shifted to his shape of a human. His face was sharply angled, his eyes wild with blood lust. His long black hair floated around him as if he was under water. He stood there looking at the both of them, his long arms folded, utterly at ease even facing The Fury. The grin that split his face made Hobbes wince and his wounds throb.
When he began to talk Hobbes began to bleed. “Hey baby looks like you fucked up Hobbesy there kinda bad.” He cackled. “The last time I got to fight someone with your kind of power….” He raked his nails over his face, moaning. “The only reason I get up most nights is to meet someone like you.” He spread his arms and tossed his head back. “COME AND GET IT!!” The Fury stood looking at Shen-ryo. “Come on, what are you waiting for!??!” Shen-ryo ached an eyebrow. “Or does it only get your pussy wet to fuck up guys that can’t fight back?” “No offence Hobbes. “
“None taken” The zombies began to wake up. Shen-ryo was coming closer to them. He turned into the mist again. He enveloped her and began to pull her life out. Her focus on Hobbes failed. He was let go and with a roar he picked up a fallen ax from one of the dead bodies and cleaved The Fury’s arm in half.
She screamed and vanished
Hobbes looked at Shen-ryo. “Why are you here?” He asked slowly
Shen-ryo made a face. “Why are you naked?” “I don’t have time for running gags.” As Hobbes passed out, he thought he heard Shen-ryo mutter “I hate it when you get all the fucking fun.”

The Fury had just transported herself randomly. However, she had learned that when one works for the Gods, nothing is random. She looked around trying to figure out where she was and if she needed to do anything there. She was in a garden of some kind. There was a man sitting on a bench looking at her. She knew what he must see, a tall woman clad in black covered in blood, with a arm missing. She sighed and healed herself. The wound stung as it healed.
“Well….if your one of Ruby’s freaky friends trying to scare me off Larissa you can go to hell.” The man on the bench was glaring at her. “What?” she asked.
“Come on, some chick just appears out of thin air in the garden of the hotel I’m staying at, splattered with gore, heals herself of a huge wound and now you want me to believe it has nothing to do with me, Ruby or Larissa?”
“Larissa…that name…” She called up in her mind the map of prophecy holders.
She found the name. “The Child of Balance. You know her?”
“Who?” the man looked puzzled. “The person called Larissa.”
“She’s my sister.” The Fury shook her head. “This is going to be a long night.”
She sighed, she was going to hate this but it was the only way. She would have to take on the visage of one of the Gods to prove to this man who she was.
Also when she did, what she was supposed to do would be clearer.
She gave herself over to her fate as she did every night.
She began to speak as the voice of the Gods and Ison listened.
The Fury told him everything he needed to know and then told him what to do
with it.

Howl heard a noise coming from the living room.
She went to go see what was going on.
It was Shen-Ryo half-dragging Hobbes into the house.
“What happened?” Howl demanded as she ran to help them. Hobbes tried to smile. “Just got the shit kicked out of me, half the team is dead, and Shen-ryo seems to think I have too much fun.”
“You're damm right you do.” Shen-ryo said as he helped Hobbes to sit down.
“Save some for me one these days, huh?”
Howl rolled her eyes. “Loser.” She muttered to herself.
She sighed as she looked down at Hobbes.
“Are you going to be ok?” “Sure...just as long so nobody asks me why I’m naked.”
Howl sat down on floor next to Hobbes. “Thanks for getting him here, Shen-ryo we owe you one.” Shen-ryo waved off the thanks. “Not a big deal.”
Shen-ryo stood. “Well I got to get going….need to feed before I crash.”
Shen-ryo grinned “Maybe I can find The Fury….we have a score to settle.”
Hobbes growled. “I know, you want a whack at her right?” Hobbes nodded.
“I’ll save you some if I meet up with her.” Shen-ryo walked out of the house.
“Later.” Howl looked at Hobbes. “I’m calling in the healers.” Hobbes grunted.
“Come on!” “I’m Ok…and they always force feed me some gross herbal stuff.”
Howl swatted his head. He roared. “You are going to be taken care of and you are going to like it, got it?” Hobbes nodded “Yes, dear.”
Howl went to call the healers.


Black Rose had left Ruby’s house and gone back to The Guardians of The Grey Dawn’s Motherhouse. He went straight to Minos’s study. He knew he would have to tell him everything anyway. Rose opened the door to find Minos waiting for him.
“Hello, Rose.” What are you doing here?” Rose had a feeling he already knew what had gone down. He just went into it. “I have left my post, I told Ruby about Larissa and I told her about other things.” “I await your punishment Master.”
“Why did you do these things?” “I broke the command not to tell her anything so I would never have to go back there “ Minos frowned mildly at Rose. “So you meant to force my hand?” Rose stood stiffly, his chin up. “I don’t know what you mean Master.” “If you wanted out of your post that badly the only thing I can think of that would be a fitting punishment would be to go back.” Rose gasped at Minos. “But Master…” Minos’s eyes flashed. “You make a mockery of that title if you do not listen to me now and this is your last chance Rose. I have been lenient because I like you….” “But if you ever disobey orders like this again I will strip you of your monkshood and toss you out.” “Got it?” Rose’s face was a blank mask.
“Yes Sir.” “You may stay here but I expect you to be back where you belong by the morning.” “Dismissed.” Rose left the room.


And then…..the morning comes…..


Ruby had been just lying on Rose’s bed thinking all night after she had her dream. Who was that guy Ki…she had seen him in her dream about her past and the other day …in that garden.
What had he meant? About making her free? Had he really done the things he said….made things happen in her life? She sat up hearing noise coming from her and Rex’s place. She rushed down the stairs, to find Rex dancing close and tight with a cute little boy who was giggling as Rex bit as his neck. “Don’t like the drugs…” Rex sang with the blasting radio. “But the drugs like me!” The boy sang back and kissed Rex. “What the fuck is going on here?” Ruby turned off the radio. “It’s like three in the afternoon!” That is basically the vampire version of three in the morning. Rex shrugged. “Whatever…” “Ruby…” He ran a hand over the boy. “This is Gavin.” “That still does not answer anything!” Gavin walked over to Ruby. “Look I’m sorry if we woke you up….it’s just me and Rex were just having some fun…Wolf gave me a job!” Ruby raised her eyebrows. “As a blood bank I assume?” Gavin nodded “And an escort to the big rollers…you know” He shrugged uneasily. “Rex said you have a room to rent?” “Well….Rose is…was…staying there.” She looked at Rex. “And you knew that.” Rex rolled his eyes. “It’s a three bedroom, and I never understood why we let a fucking demon hunter live with us.” “I told you a million times…we didn’t want the Guardians getting any fancy ideas about us…like we might be better off dead?”
Rex rolled his eyes. “Yeah…I know Ruby you might be really, really smart or you might be really, really dumb….and he might be a good guy or a bad guy or Tim Curry pretending to be Santa for all we know.” “Don’t fucking test me right now Rex.” Ruby growled. Man she had changed so much in the last ten years…sometimes she scares me now. Rex held up his hands. “The first thing we need to do is get Larissa…Ok?” Ruby nodded. The door was shoved open
Ison stood there. A tall woman clad in black stood next to him. “You are?”
Ruby asked “And how did you here in the daylight asshole?” The Fury answered both questions. “I am The Fury; The Vengeance of the Gods….I brought Ison here because it is fated.” Ruby titled her head. “I don’t want to pick a fight with you do I?” “No.” “So…what now Ison?” “You’re going to hand Larissa over or she’s going to kill you all!” Rex shoved Gavin behind him. The Fury didn’t say anything just stood there waiting to see how it would play out.
Ruby stood firm “You are not taking my daughter…and if you do you do it over my dead and bloated body.” Rex stood next to Ruby. “Same goes for me…but don’t hurt Gavin…he has nothing to do with this.” Gavin piped up “Yes…don’t kill me I hardly know them!” Ruby rolled her eyes “Selfish little queer.” Gavin flipped her the finger. Ison moved to grab Ruby. There was a shout from the door.
Larissa had been hideing behind it. She walked out. “Listen I’m soooooooo sick of you all deciding everything like it’s your lives!”
“It’s my life!” “Ruby how do you feel about me?” “If you lie I will know….spooky powers and all.” Ruby answered from her heart. “If someone took you away I would die.” She said simply “You’re already dead Ruby.” Ison sniped
Ruby looked into Larissa’s brown eyes. “Everything good in me would die.”
Larissa tossed herself into Ruby’s arms. “I don’t want to go with him.”
She whispered. Larissa stood and looked at Ison. “Listen ….Ison…”
“I understand why you wanted me to come with you but…I can’t.”
Ison turned to The Fury. “You said you would make her come with me!” “I’m a Born Witch and my mother’s daughter. You can just try to make me do anything I don’t want to do!” Larissa shouted
The Fury waved a hand at Larissa “The child is utterly right.” “What I said is I would help you have a choice made and I did.”
“If you don’t like the choice it’s not my problem.” As she left she called to Ruby.
“Even if you don’t want to fight me you will one day Ruby ….we are tied to each other’s fate.” Ruby glanced at Ison “You’re still alive and care?” “You lost asshole.” Larissa looked at her. “What?” “He’s an asshole!” Larissa walked over to Ison who had been fuming but unsure of his next move.
“Hey…how about we get to know each other?” She smiled. “Then maybe we can talk about visits or something.” Ruby made a gagging noise. “Shut up Mom.”
Ison stood. “I guess I just….missed you.” He held his hand to Larissa. “May I call you….?” “Sure.” Larissa grinned “This turned out well.”
Ruby rumpled Larissa hair. “It did.” The door opened again and in walked Rose and Howl. “What is my house Grand Central Station or something?” Ruby moaned Howl almost smiled. “I just came over to make sure Larissa was Ok she ran off without saying anything.” “She does that.” “Thanks for coming over I think we are fine now.” Howl smiled. “I think I’ll go then…Hobbes got banged up bad last night by The Fury…the big baby won’t take his medicine if I don’t shove it down his throat.” Her face got grim for a minute. “Speaking of The Fury look out for her Ruby…I don’t know what she wants…but…she burns with heroism…and the only thing more scary then bad guys is good guys if you’ re bad….and none of us are lily white.” Howl walked out the door. Black Rose cleared his throat. “Yes?” Ruby asked archly
“I just wanted to know if I can still rent from you.”
Ruby looked at Gavin. “Nope we have a new renter….that is if him and Rex can not scream so loudly that Larissa starts to ask me horrifying questions at breakfast or have orgies on the front porch so the neighbors start to ask me horrifying questions when I go get the mail.” Larissa grinned. “I read yoai fan fiction Mom I think I have heard it all.” Rex pouted “But I love to freak out the soccer moms!”
Gavin giggled. “I think we can handle that….” Rex shoved him away a bit.
“Don’t go planning a huge wedding with drag queens and the Village People just yet.” ”Or ever.” Gavin nodded. “I know the deal…I just tought we might try to horrify some old ladies anyway.” “So you see Rose no room.” His face hardened “I told you before…” He walked over to Ruby and whispered in her ear. “The Fury is a new player….why not keep me just to keep Larissa safe?” “Those are my orders above all else…to keep her safe…and I would for a few reasons, with my life.”
Ruby turned to Gavin. “Can you two roommate?” “It is a three bedroom.”
Gavin looked Rose up and down. “I take three hours in the bathroom in the morning.”
“I do too.” Gavin folded his arms. “I like to listen to the Yeah,yeah,yeah’s at levels that could deafen all of Poland.” “Me too.” Gavin poked Rose. “I don’t think I like you.”
“But fine…I don’t really have much choice Rex killed my pimp.”
“Pimp?” Ruby mouthed to Rex. He shrugged.
Gavin walked up to the apartment with Rose.
“Wooo dibs on this room!” “It’s got a whole bunch of stuff in it!”
“That’s my room!” Rose yelled


Shadow was working late on a …personal project.
He called out the incantations. He put the oil on the sacrifice’s head. He plunged the knife in the man’s heart and twisted it, but after the ‘purifying’ Shadow was sure it was a relief
He read the entrails after he was done.
“So that fool thinks she can stop it…well she won’t get far…”
“Hmmm that other one has a God looking out for her….or He’s just trying to use her..?”
“Little does he know that The Free Being is mine to use.”
“I have been planning this way too long to let anything stop it.”
Shadow opened up a cabinet and took down a wing. It glowed in the darkness.
“Oh Hikuri, I will bring you back.” Shadow murmured as he hugged the wing close. “I will bring you back from the dead if I have to burn everything to the ground but you and me to do it.”
Shadow‘s eye blazed red. “When it comes to a head everyone will pay.”