Bloodmoon Inc.

Cosmic punch-lines
Part four

Ruby lay in bed pondering something that had been hanging over her head for weeks. The Fury and what she had said “You might not want to fight me but you will.” Why would that come to pass? Had The Fury been told it or was she just trying to mess with her? Ruby sighed. She heard shouting coming from Rose and Gavin’s place. ”Damm it you incorrigible little brat how many times have I told you leave my C.D’s alone!?” Ruby looked at her clock. One P.M. yeah right on time, for Rose and Gavin’s fifth fight of the day. It was odd they never acted like they wanted to move or anything. She had a hunch that screaming was just how they talked.
“Fuck you, you half vampire control freak!!”
“How is telling you to leave my stuff alone controlling!?”
Ruby winced, how did someone as slender as Gavin have such a big mouth?
Man the lungs on that kid. She rolled her eyes. Something nagged at her, something she needed to do, and something Larissa said last night.
Oh crap, Larissa was starting school at Carisdesmorta today!
She got up in a rush, rubbed herself with spelled-sun-screen, and dressed, hopping around as she pulled on her stockings. She was still topless when the door burst open. “Ruby that kid needs a good-“Rose stood in the door goggling at her.
She smiled a knowing smile “Yeah?” “Um-ah-I’ll be outside.” Rose ran out.
“Well this day’s off to a good start, oy vey.” She muttered to herself as she went to look for someone to lace her corset.

Rose charged out of the house and ran for a few blocks before he stopped, panting. Did I really just see what I thought I saw?! He thought as he raked his hands in his hair. Man she is so hot, but evil, evil, Rose! He sighed. Rose walked aimlessly thinking all the while. Ruby! She had spied on him, she had taunted him, and she turned him on….NO he screamed in his head. She was not for him. I don’t want her. He told himself. But it felt like the lie it was. Rose pulled out the necklace he had been given when he had been made a full monk. It contained the blood of the first Guardian of the Grey Dawn, Fathas. He had been a divampire too. He kissed it, remembering what he had vowed when he was taken into the ranks. “I shall stand between the night and the day, I shall know no peace but duty, know no love but honor,”
“I shall be the hand for justice and keep the weak safe; I shall be the guard of the empty places where no gods walk.” Rose murmured the words like a payer. He knew that Ruby was a test to see if he had it in him to keep his vows. He was so tired sometimes, sometimes he thought about laying his burden down. He winced feeling it again. He needed to feed, it was not something that happened to him often but it seemed it was time again. He sighed and rolled his eyes, maybe Gavin would sell him a pint or two. Rose shook his hair out of his face. He turned towards the motherhouse of the Guardians, he friend Amber or Virgil might spare some for him. He missed them. It had been too long.
Yeah, the motherhouse was a good place to kill some time.
He began to walk there.

Gavin strolled down the halls of Blood Moon Inc, dancing and weaving to A Perfect Circle on his headphones. He was bound for Wolf’s office. He smiled at some cute girl and licked his lips. She grinned back. He nibbled his finger. She walked over to him. “Kala, call me sometime.” She pressed a paper into his hand. “Gavin, and will do.” Gavin was walking by Shadow’s office when he saw a huge man with flaming orange hair yelling at some woman. “Listen, I have been trying to talk to him for weeks now, Nancy!” Gavin openly stared at them and slipped the headphones down to listen. “I have tried to make appointments. He breaks them, I try to get into his office and you stop me!” “I’ve already talked to Howl and Wolf about this. He needs to know now!” “The Fury is a new player. We have the fucking God’s golden girl breathing down both ours and our big rollers necks, and all I get is this shit!” Nancy giggled nastily “Yeah, I bet Howl listens to you, Hobbes, you keep her happy, right?” “Is that why you’re here in the first place?”
Hobbes popped his claws out and grabbed Nancy by her shirt and pulled her closer to him. “No, I’m here because I’m very, very good at my job of killing things, and you will find out first hand if I don’t get to talk to that arrogant oversexed antichrist!” Shadow walked out of his office. Gavin blinked. Shadow’s fucking stunning how did Ruby let him get away? Gavin thought.
Shadow looked at Hobbes. “Arrogant oversexed antichrist...I think I have that on a tee-shirt, come in Hobbes before you break something.” Shadow spoke over his shoulder as he walked back into his office. “Or someone.” Hobbes followed frowning.
Gavin walked over to Nancy. “Umm. I have a two o’clock with Mr. Wolf.”
Nancy rubbed her neck. “Mr. Wolf’s office is on the next floor down; this floor is Mr. Shadow’s office.” Gavin nodded and walked over to the elevator. He jumped on and pushed the button. He got off and peered around until he saw a man sitting at a desk.
He must be Wolf’s bouncer, Gavin thought, as he walked over. ”Hey I have a meeting at two with Mr. Wolf.” The man looked in his book. “Yeah, here you are Gavin right?”
“Go right in.” Gavin walked into Wolf’s office. It looked like a pains-takely crafted re-creation of a 17-ceutry French aristocrat’s quarters at Versailles. It was kind of hard not to goggle like a bumpkin, but Gavin made a good show of it. Wolf sat behind his desk a handsome man in his early thirties or so. He waved his hand at Gavin. “Come closer, I have to look at you, my dear. Don’t just hide like a scared rabbit.” Gavin walked boldly over to were Wolf was sitting and sat down on one of the velvet couches. He looked Wolf right in the eye. Wolf whistled. “Wow, Rex did not lie did he?” Gavin just continued to stare at Wolf with a challenge written on his face. “He said, and I quote, “This boy looks so lovely and sweet, with his heart shaped face and his pouting lips, and then you look into his eyes and you see that core of steel.” Wolf smiled, Gavin didn’t. “Do you want the job, koi?” “You can have it if you do, but I think with the way you’re staring at me with your pretty eyes that maybe you don’t like me.” Gavin just looked down. “You called me a scared rabbit.” He said, knowing he sounded like a sullen child, but not being able to help it. ”Oh,” Wolf crossed the desk. He sat down on it nearer to Gavin. “I never meant to upset you.” Wolf stroked Gavin’s cheek. “You can have the job if you want…and if you do I have your first assignment.” Gavin looked up. Wolf smiled to show his teeth.
“I’m a little hungry and….” Gavin pulled himself together with a force of will.
Listen up Gav, you have one shot at this, the new life you always wanted, you need to be able to stand up to guys like this, to be at ease. Gavin smiled at last at Wolf. “I would love to share blood with someone like you.” Wolf grinned as he picked Gavin up and headed over to the bed. “Not a bad answer.” Gavin made a little noise when Wolf dropped him down on the satin sheets. “Why do you have a bed in here?” “I’m not Shadow who fucks his way out of everything…. but things still get settled in odd ways sometimes.” “Do you think he’ll fuck Hobbes then?” “Hobbes?!” Wolf began to laugh and nearly bent over in two. “Sorry, I know you’re new but what kind of question was that?” “I just saw Hobbes going to Shadow’s office right before I came here and I thought Hobbes seemed mad so…”
Wolf sat down on the bed next to Gavin. “I think you will be a breath of fresh air around here.” Gavin bit his lip. “So how does this work, I mean do you want to umm….well-“
“I just want some of your blood, I don’t pay for other things but I would not say no to it if you want and only then, and don’t think you need to do anything you don’t want to.”
Gavin nodded. “Sure, to the blood, other things I don’t know….” Wolf put a finger to Gavin’s lips. “You belong to the family of Blood Moon Inc now. You never have to do anything you don’t want to ever again.” Gavin smiled as Wolf leaned over to his neck. “I think I’m going to like it here.”

Ruby raised an eyebrow at Larissa who made a wry face back. “You sure you want to do this?” Ruby asked. Larissa nodded. Ruby waved a hand to take in the entire huge overheated gothic castle that lay before them. “I mean this is all a little too much ‘Larissa Red and the Chamber of Whatever’ for me.” Larissa rolled her eyes “Pul-zle Mom, you started putting me in boarding schools when I was five, don’t go getting all clingy on me now, it’s out of character."
Ruby smiled a bit. ”Shut up you little brat, me and Rex were trying to give you everything we never had, you know that.” Larissa smiled back, as she shifted her bags on her shoulders. Ruby hugged her. “Guess I got to go now….” Larissa nodded. “I don’t know why I feel all…off my game. I should be planning something awful right about now that will get me kicked out and back home like I always do…but I don’t want to, I want to try to make this work.” Ruby shrugged.
“Maybe you’re growing up?” Larissa thought about it then said. “Nah, I think I just want them to teach me about my spooky powers.” Ruby let her go.
“Now if you don’t have whoever runs this place living in utter fear of you in a few weeks, Dad and I disown you.” Larissa tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Don’t I always make you proud?” Ruby touched her daughter’s cheek. “Always and forever.” Larissa waved as she walked away. She walked to the castle gates, not quite sure of what happened now. She opened the door and walked in. “Geez, it is freaking Poppy Z. Brite’s id in here.” She muttered to herself, as she gazed around. “Or maybe Edger Allen Poe’s.” Larissa shook her head. “That statue did not just move; get a grip ‘Rissa.” Just then a young woman that Larissa thought she had seen before came down the stairs. “Lani?” The young pixie woman who had showed Larissa and her family around when they had come there the first time smiled. “Hey Larissa, hard to forget you, big time powers, raised by the two of the most out there vampires ever, who were hunting Blaze’s friend, and if I remember right you came here last time with that brooding half-vamp hottie.” “Who Rose?” Larissa rolled her eyes. “He’s so self-centered and I think my mom likes him.” Lani nodded. “Guess I won’t ask for his number then.” “I do not want to mess with your mom.” “Most people feel that way, even ones who don’t know who or what she is.” “One time she made the principal of this militarily school I was at cry and he was an ex- Marine Drill St.” “Wow.” “No shit, wow.” Lani cocked her head to the side. “So…I guess we need to get you set up in your room, get you to meet your roommates and all.”
Larissa grabbed her bags. “Sure.” Lani walked back up the stairs, down a few hallways, and out on to a balcony, then down some more hallways until they got to the girls dorms for ages 10-14. Lani opened the door. “Guess you’re the first one here.” “No class until about a week, mostly we will be getting everyone settled until then.” “Now some of you classes are things you have to take but mostly you pick your own.” “So you’re probably going to want to look over the class list if you didn’t already, I do need to talk to Headmaster Merlin about it.”
Larissa goggled. “The Mer-?” “No, he is of the blood of the house of Merlin who comes down from the Merlin you know of.” “He might want to teach you himself for some things. You are a Born Witch and all.” “You have great things ahead of you.” Lani left as Larissa looked around her. The room she was standing in, the common room, had a huge black leather couch parked in the middle of it. A cabinet held a huge TV. and a stereo set. Larissa sighed, it smacked of Wolf, or maybe her parents, trying to get her in good with the other kids. Oh, well. She spied the mini-fridge and she shook her head as she walked into one of the bedrooms. Ruby was coming back in the morning with her stuff; she had her sheets for the first night. After making her bed, she heard a shout from outside. She walked over to the door and opened it. A boy with dyed black hair with blue streaks was fighting with a pale girl with white hair. “Come on, Mike, it’s the first day back. Do you have to do this to me?”
The girl shook her head as she walked away. “I need to go, ok Skye?” “Just leave me alone.” The white haired girl walked into the room and fixed Larissa with amber eyes. “You saw all that?” “Yeah sorry.” “It’s fine, I’m Mike.”
“That was Skye, sorry about the fighting, we just ….it’s a long story” Mike looked Larissa up and down. “So… what are you?” “What do you mean?” Mike smiled. “Well, I’m a were-snow-leopard.” Larissa blinked. “They tell me I’m a Born Witch and a Prophecy Holder.” “Wow, and I thought I was hot shit because my family’s an old line from Atlantis.” “Cool.” “So is Mike short for anything?”
“Yeah, my full name is Michael Anthony Vedder.” Mike smiled. “My parents are kinda odd.”
Larissa smiled wryly. “If they’re not vampires who killed your real parents and sometimes have you go with them with they hunt, I think I got you beat.”
Mike’s eyes went wide. “So you’re that Larissa.” “My mom said that some people were thinking of pulling their kids out of school because of you.”
Larissa snorted “White hats….those people really need to get a frigging life.”
Larissa picked up her purse. “I need to run…sorry but I was told to talk to the big man.” “I’ll see you around ok?” Mike nodded. “Well, we live together.”
“Oh and by the way because we don’t have school for a few days yet there’s a thing going on tonight, but this is the school that brought you the ‘somebody hiccupped party’ and the famous ‘the sun is shining party’. Larissa shook her head. “How does anyone get any homework done around here?”
Mike smacked her forehead. “I knew there was something we were forgetting!”
“No wonder the Honor Roll is three kids who got mostly C’s.” Mike grinned to belay her words.
“No wonder.” Larissa opened the door. “Umm…..where is Headmaster Merlin’s office?” “Oh, go out the hallway you came in out of the dorms, take the pathway to the right that gets you to where administers offices are then ask for the Headmaster. They will tell you how to get there, I think he’s on the fifth floor but don’t quote me.” Larissa waved as she walked out. She soon got to the administrators building. She walked in and went to were a woman sat. “Do you know where Headmaster Merlin’s office is?” The woman nodded. “Fifth floor, third door on the right.” “Thanks.” She went on her way.
Not at all sure what to expect Larissa knocked on the office door.

After leaving Larissa Ruby was feeling down so she made up her mind to go see Howl. Ruby didn’t know her well but since the events a little while ago she wanted to. Ruby swung her car around and walked into Blood Moon Inc
her high heels clacking on the floor. As she neared Howl’s office she was spied by Wolf. “Oh there you are did you forget you and Rex where coming in at 10 tonight so I could give you your new job?” Ruby blinked “We’re working this month?” “I thought we were still set from the last job.” Wolf smiled. “I think it might have something to do with that car Rex bought Gavin.” Ruby fumed “I can not believe him buying his fuck buddy a car!” Wolf smiled wider “Well come in then, he’s here.” Ruby walked in the door, fixed Rex an unsightly look, and sat down.
Wolf sat down. “So you two may have noticed that we have a new mayor in our fair city.” Ruby nodded. “Yeah and?” Rex piped in. “I hear he’s a great guy and that everyone’s really happy.” Wolf slammed his fist down on his desk.
“That’s the point!” “We own everything shady and underground in this city, we have fingers in all kinds of pies, and mobs are fronts for us!” “With happier people we have fewer sales.” Also when the big men want to poke, really want to poke, they poke hard!” Ruby shook her head. “I’m sure it’s not that bad.” Hobbes raced in the office at the moment nearly kicking the door down. “I just got picked up by the cops and questioned for hours!” “It took Jamie coming down and making them all think this other guy was me, for me to get out.” “Well what did you do to get all this attention?” Wolf asked in a silken deadly voice. “I just ripped my targets head off in the middle of the street in broad daylight.” “You did what?” Wolf thundered. Hobbes looked down.
“I could’ve gotten away with it a few weeks ago.” “Well you can’t now and you won’t be able to until these two,” He jerked his thumb at Rex and Ruby.
“Get rid of the problem.” “We are going to get to kill a politician; wow that’s like offing royalty!” Rex jumped up and down as he giggled.
Ruby rolled her eyes. “You can take the job; you’re the one who spent all our money on your boy toy.”
Rex growled at Ruby as she left. “I’ll take the job.” Rex called over his shoulder as he followed Ruby out. Rex ran to catch up with Ruby but she was gone.
He shook his head as he walked to his car.

Ruby, fuming, had charged home hoping that Rex would take the hint and not come back for a while. She tossed her keys down on the bookshelf as she cranked the stereo. She swayed her hips to the music, singing along. “Whoa babe take a few years off a guy’s life why don’t ya?” She spun around baring her fangs in a menacing hiss. Sitting on the couch with his feet on her coffee table was the guy she kept seeing in her dreams, Ki. “What are you doing here?” Ruby asked putting her hands on her hips. “I could ask why you’re naked but you’re not and I think that’s gag’s a bit old.” “Who are you?” Ki held out his hand. “It’s easier to show you.” Dazed she took his hand and he walked outside with her. “In the beginning .....”
He began to tell her about how each little part of the world has its own gods and everything was fine, until everything became connected, until the gods had to fight for every soul. Fight for every bit of land, in one place a god would rule in another he could barely get by with what little worshipers and belief there was. As he talked Ruby saw the events happening. She saw the first city being built. She saw the blood of multitudes slain in wars long forgotten even by the dead. She walked in the doomed streets of Orn’cna, the sister city of Atlantes, which survived only long enough to know its own fate when the next earthquake hit, but not long enough to have many escape. She knew then how the gods were like children playing with the lives of everyone, even the lives of their own. Ki hinted darkly at that. She even saw herself making different choices, killing off others, in one branch she would have been married with a child by now, to man she never even met in this life. Seeing all of it filled her with wonder and terror. She didn’t even know she was crying till she felt the tears running down her face. “Some of us here feel a bit like Lot’s wife.”
“Sorry.” He waved a hand at her house. “Want to go inside?” Ruby nodded.
“Now here’s the part you might not like.” Ok, I’m going to be as straight with you as I can.” “You are the Free Being.” “See when you were born the fates wrote your fate just like everyone but something went wrong, you were to be a Natural Witch and more then that you were to be the God’s Vengeance.”
Ruby gaped at him. “But someone found out your fate and kept tossing shit your way to see who was backing you and if indeed you were what you were.” “You got out of so many things that they knew for sure and when the cancer came ...they just gave up on you, let you go to your fate. It is a pain in the balls to get someone else but more of a pain to let the enemy see your cards right?” He grinned. “But you didn’t die and when that happened you became something no one has seen in I don’t know how long!”
Ruby sat on the sofa feeling more then a bit lost. “You have no fate. You are free!” “You can get in places no one else can go. You can do things no on else can do.”
“You can fuck with prophecy. You could handle the weapons!” Ki bounced on his heels giggling a bit.
Ruby sat down heavily. “Ok let’s take this from the top.”

When Black Rose walked into the grounds he knew something was off.
He could feel it, pulsing on his skin like something in the air that smelled unclean but you didn’t know from where. He opened his mind and felt his magic living in him, because he was just a magic user it felt like something wild he had tamed by force, not something that belonged. He forced his magic around his hands, making them glow with a white light. He ran to where he could feel the thing that was off. It was coming from Minos’ office, his leader. More like a father then anything else. Rose leapt into the window and rolled, then launched himself at the source of the feeling. He was about to hit her with all he had when he heard, over the rage singing in his blood, someone screaming his name. Minos yanked him off the woman he was sitting on. He shoved Rose over away from her.
“Stay until I say you can move.” Minos hissed as he hit Rose with a spell.
He hurried over to the woman on the floor.
“Cassandra dear, are you all right?” She stood and waved a hand at Minos.
“Leave us.” He baulked. “Black Rose is one of our best Lady-““I wish to talk to the boy.” Minos left after giving Black Rose a look. Cassandra walked over to Rose, looking him over. He was looking warily at her. “Who are you and why are you here?” She smiled at him. “My name is Cassandra as you may have heard.
“My mission here is two-fold. One part of it concerns you, one does not.”
“You have been lied to Lee Rose Samson, son of Lee Joshua Samson.”
“How did you know my full name, my father’s name?” Rose gasped out.
“I know much and more.” She got a far away look in her eyes as she touched his cheek. “You will suffer much, you will lose so much, and gain so much.” “I feel almost like a mother sending her son off to war, for in telling you these things I have snapped shut the trap of your fate and you may very well go to war.” “I wish I could tell you that things will be all right in the end.” “I wish I could.” She waved a hand and he could move. As she walked out the door she called over her shoulder. “If you love freely you will be able to do things beyond your darkest and wildest dreams, do it half way and you’ll fall faster then Icarus from the sky.” “And I do want you two to be happy. She was going to be me after all, or maybe I was going to be her. It’s kind of a long story.”
“Sorry it’s hard to keep lucid when you’re an amalgamate personality.”
“Oh and yeah....seek your answers in forgetfulness and in the lives of the monks. Ask a friend for help and betrayal lies were you would most expect it, from your need for her.”
She walked out giggling to herself. Minos rushed back in. “Do you know who that woman is?” “Besides insane?” “I asked who not what!” Rose shook his head, still feeling dazed.
“That was not just any young woman, and of course she’s insane. She’s The Fury, the Arm of the Gods, the Fire of The Light. She is made up of everyone who ever was as she is.” They all live in her to give her their power and knowledge.” “You’d be mad too if you had to live that way.” Minos looked out of the corner of his eye at Rose. “What did she say to you?” “I hope she didn’t tell you any prophecy?” The look on Minos’s face was a little too eager, and Rose knew that if anyone thought he knew something he would questioned for hours.
He shook his head. “No, nothing.” “She was upset because I attacked her is all, she was very understanding when I told her that I just thought you were in danger.” Minos nodded. “Well, go about your duties then my son.”
Rose bowed before he left. “You will able to find me in the library Father, I have been studying more now that I am in contact with the Child of Balance.”
Minos waved hand at him dismissively. Minos stared into space for a few minutes, and then he picked up his phone. “Wolf?” “Yeah I might need some help.” “The Fury is asking some questions.” “Also I might need the guy who did the blocks on one of ours back; I think it’s time we made sure they are holding.” “Who?” “One of the ones you did, they are always the most messed up.”
“Someone we need stop asking so many questions.” Minos hung up.

Gavin nearly ran to keep up with Shen-ryo who walked in front of him.
“Short legs short legs!” Gavin hissed when he caught up at last with the lanky man who strides were twice his. Shen-ryo just opened one eye, and from his lofty height smirked at Gavin. “Why are all the boy whores who work for us short and skinny?” He mused “You’re tall and skinny!” No, I am tall and lean, that means nothing but muscle here kid, and you are skinny that means nothing but bones and sinew.” Gavin shook his head scowling. “Why did you even have to come?’ “I told you kid, standard operating procedures.” “We like to send a little bit of power with our boys and girls when there is a big group, to keep them safe.”
Gavin rolled his eyes. “You think I’m going to steal or something right?”
“What?” “Yeah right, we get paid before we even call you with the gig.”
“Everything and anything you get tonight is a tip.” Gavin tried to let the shock show. “So on top of my fee...I get tips?” Shen-ryo nodded. “Yeah most of your money comes from tips because we take a big cut of the fee.”
Gavin brushed his hair out of his eyes. He noticed that they were coming to the hotel where they had been told to meet the clients. Gavin took a deep lung full of air. He climbed the stairs until he found the room. He forced a smile onto his lips and opened the door. Shen-ryo grinned wildly at him as they walked in.
Gavin found about twelve well dressed men sitting around looking at him like he was dinner. He guessed he was. Gavin puttered about setting up.
He went into the bathroom to change leaving Shen-ryo who stood in a corner looking bored.


Larissa knocked on the door. A muffled reply that sounded somewhat like ‘come in’ came back so she did. The room was dark, the windows shuttered and drawn. Suddenly a spark of fire from a match loudly lit brought color into the room.
She could see the face behind the match. “Aren’t you my Garn-dad’s old fling?”
Romulus raised an eye-brow. “Is that what he calls me?” Larissa folded her arms across her chest. “I really don’t have time for old times and tales about how you had to walk up-hill in ten-foot snow just to get to an orgy” Romulus sighed and smiled a bit. “Guess you get the smart mouth form your mom huh?’ Larissa shrugged.
“It does help that with my big spooky powers I can now walk the walk as well as talk the talk” Romulus spread his hands. “But you wanted answers my dear?”
“Just this...I merely wish to make myself available to you whatever you may want or need.” Larissa rolled her eyes. “Let me just give you two things...” ”The first...”Romulus held out a sliver crown he closed his hand and it became nothing more then a rather lovely hat of crushed red velvet. “The second, a warning, like your new little friend said there are those that do not want you here” “If you ever need me....just call me, you should be able to with your powers.” “I will come as soon as I can.”
Larissa just shrugged. “I somehow doubt I will need you.”
Romulus disappeared and the Headmaster bustled in.
“I’m so sorry; it seems my shoes kept trying to walk off without me...very odd.”
When he saw the stare Larissa was giving him he balked a bit.
“What is wrong?” Larissa grimaced “It just seems that ever since I got here I have been told how I’m not welcome!” Headmaster Merlin sat down and asked her to the do the same.
“You must have heard about the faction that thinks you are dangerous I guess.”
“Yeah I did.” The headmaster, a man of strikingly few years for his post, sighed.
“I’m sorry about that. Some of the parents, and sadly even the students, seem to have forgotten that here at Carisdesmorta we don’t make judgments on these things, good bad dark magic light magic all comes from intent.” “And intent is up to the individual.” Larissa broke in vehemently. “But I’m not evil and neither are my mom and dad.” “They just-““They just ‘trade other lives for their own’, as I think your mother once said.”
Larissa sunk into her chair. “When you put it that way...” “Listen I’m am not here to judge you or your parents or their way of life.” “I am here to teach you to control your magic so it doesn’t kill you.” “Ok, so here’s your schedule, at least the part I set down for you and as far as that goes I know that you won’t be starting other classes for a week but as you may see there my class meets sooner, I like to have you all meet and get cozy soon as passable.” “Anyway, you still have most of your schedule to make for yourself.
Larissa took the paper from him. “So go get yourself settled, meet some people, have some fun.” She got up and begun to walk to the door.
“Have some fun huh?” “How am I going to do that when I don’t know who here is out to get me?” “Just assume that most of them are going to like you and go from there.” Larissa sighed and walked out.


Gavin ran down the hallway, panting with each breathe.
Finally Shen-ryo simply picked him up and slung him over his shoulder.
“Well this is fucking undignified!” Gavin gasped out. Shen-ryo merely pushed the door open and then climbed up the side of the building as quickly as he could.
When they had gotten to the roof he put Gavin down. “Now what did you want?” “Well you start by telling me what the fuck just happened here?!”
Shen-ryo fumbled around looking for his lighter. “You were doing that sexy little dance of yours and when everyone was looking at you instead of me, I turned into mist like I do sometimes and sucked their souls out bit by bit.” Gavin looked queasy. “So I was just the bait?” “No....you were the distraction.” “Will I have to do things like this often?” “Most likely.” “So why did no one warn me?” “First off if you knew you might have tipped the quarry, and also the big man said not to tell you see how you would handle it.” Shen-ryo dragged his smoke hard. “Listen kid....we are all killers, all of us, everyone at the company by nature or choice is a killer, and everything that lives kills as well, when a flea bites and spreads the plague it kills, when you walk you crush countless bugs and plants under your feet.” “The only difference between predators and the rest of the world is we do our killing with our eyes open, your hands will never ever be clean little boy.....the only thing you have to decide right here is....will you be what you already are consciously or go on pretending that you can be released from it?” Shen-ryo folded his arms and leaned on a wall. Gavin balled his hands into fists. “I don’t need to be forgiven!” he shouted to the night sky. “Never said you did.” Shen-ryo’s voice came from right behind him. “So you all in?”
Gavin nodded. “I’m glad, the big man will be pleased.”
Gavin sighed. “Want to go get drunk?” “You paying?”
“Yeah.” “Sure.” “And after you can crash at my place, it’s closer to the office and I doubt from what you told me about your roommate he would be happy if you show up drunk and ranting.” “Cool.” They started on their way.


Ruby sighed as she glanced at the flow-chart that Ki had made out for her.
“Ok, I think I get it.” “I had a fate, now I don’t and that gives me the mystical version of the Star Trek cloaking system.” Ki blinked. “Well, I guess so...”
“And you want what from me because of this?” “Ladies and gentlemen it’s cut-to-the-chase-girl.” Ki growled out. “So what is it?” “Well there is a more then one group of Fates. There is one for humans and there is one for Gods.” “Now I can get you there but when you’re there I can’t help you once you’re in.” “I want you to get me my fate.”
“In return....I have the last know remaining records of a Free Being.”
“Why would I care about some old junk, from someone I don’t even know?”
Ki sighed. “It’s not junk and listen here I’ve been pulling strings for you for a long time young missy!” “But am I trying to blackmail or guilt trip you into doing what I want?” “No I’m being a nice guy and all it gets me is lip!”
Ruby rolled her eyes. “Whiner...” She muttered. “Fine I’ll do it.”
Ki goggled at her. “That was quick.” “I have a feeling that perhaps I should go with the flow on this one....and with the Fury not very happy with me maybe it would be a good idea to learn whatever I can about my Free Being status.”
“And I do admit that I would like to know how to use all this to my best advantage and being as you told me that this rarely happens books are better then nothing.” She grinned. “And anyway it might be cool to meet the Fates.”
Ki groaned. “I want you to know however that I don’t trust you at all and before I leave I’m going to make some calls with instructions on what to do if I don’t come back in a few hours.”
Ki grinned. “You really think that anything you can toss my way would hurt?”
“I think I know some people who wouldn’t mind finding out.”
She left the room, in a few minutes she came back. “Ok I’m ready.
Ki waved his hand making ripping motions; a door appeared in the wall.
“So just remember that in there your beliefs will shape how things appear.”
“I don’t even want to think about what a world shaped by my beliefs looks like.”
Ki nodded. “You and me both, have fun!” He waved. Ruby opened the door.
A voice spoke softy but clearly. “Hello, Ruby welcome to your filthy mind.”
Someone laughed lightly. She blinked her eyes dazzled but it settled down.
She stood in a stone chamber. There were toys scattered over the floor in part of the room. Over in another corner a bed and books were the main focus of the person who lived there. She glanced out the window where a strange red sky glowed. Three men or maybe it was the same man over in different times of his life, stared at her. The first a young boy smiled at her with wide eyes that took in everything as he measured a thread. A man of twenty-five or so sat waving. He was masculine yet beautiful. His face could have made every single other being she had every met, male or female, roll over and beg for his approval. His intimidating ice blue eyes met hers. Then he smiled and in that moment he wasn’t nearly as perfect, and it reassured her. An older man sat cutting the threads.
He, like the boy and the young man, had bright blue eyes.
“So...umm...hi?” Ruby said feeling like she needed to start talking.
The boy laughed again. He turned to the young man. “Can we keep her, Corcons?” “Remember the last time you kept a pet, Baybal?” The young man asked absently as he wove. Baybal sighed. “Yeah...she got old...but this one is a vampire!” “And what would she eat here at the end and the beginning of all things?” Corcons went on in his voice sweet toned but not really there.
Ruby piped up. “OK no one is keeping me and most of all not some brat!”
Corcons looked up at her. “Will you take over for a while please Gornas?”
The old man nodded. “My Lady, come and walk with me if you would.” She followed him out of the room down stairs that seemed almost endless until they came to a garden. She had never even seen most of the flowers there. “Wow Larissa’s gonna be pissed...she loves roses and I think you have some here that we don’t exist in our world, hey is that a true black rose?” “What’s it called?” “It does exist in your world it’s just a closely kept secret. Your friend Black Rose got his name from it, after all he makes a paralyzing agent with it, and it’s called Midnight Velvet.” Corcons leaned over to pluck one for her. When she took it their fingers brushed. “You know this is kind of nice. Most of the time I do something for someone, there is death and screaming and blood but...just me and a cute boy in a garden this time.” He smiled, his eyes on her. “So how is Loki?” “So that’s who he is....he hasn’t told me his name yet.” Corcons nodded. “He always was so.....unpredictable.” “You’re telling me he turns up on my door step ranting about Free Beings, old Gods and Holy Wars, about how he has been pulling strings-” Corcons cut her off. “You are the Free Being then...I thought so if it had been anyone else we would have known that you were trying to come here and we didn’t.” “Sorry...” “It’s ok...” “You can have what you came for.” He said bluntly. She blinked. “And I thought I was direct.” “I saw no reason to screw around. We are both busy I’m sure.” She walked over to where he sat and touched his arm.
“Is something...wrong?” “Yes it is.” He said simply, resting his face on his hands. “And that would be....?” “I can’t tell you...Ruby.” There was more then a little hesitation when he said her name. “Go ask Baybal for Loki’s fate strand. He will give it to you.” She walked back up the tower. When she got there she was handed what she came for, no questions asked. She left more then a little confused by all of it. Corcons at last went back to the tower. “Was that her, Corcons?” asked Gornas. Corcons jerked his head in something like a nod.
“It was her.” “Every God ever help us then.” “Indeed.”

“Men.” Ruby muttered as she walked into her living room.
Loki smiled at her lazily as he lay up-side down on the sofa reading ‘Sci-Fi Fantasy Magazine’. “Been gone only a few minutes there sugar, were they-he-whatever in a good mood?” “I don’t know....it was weird.”
“It’s always weird at the end of time.” “Plus they never see anyone but each other; I think Corcons’s whole problem comes from not getting laid in like forever.” “More virgins...” Ruby muttered to herself. “He kept acting like he knew me or something.” “He’s a Fate he almost certainly does know you, he knows everyone.” “I thought I din’t have a fate...” But you did.” “And I thought you said these guys just do the fates for the gods.” “Now that is a good point.”
“Were you a goddess at some time honey?” “Not that I remember.”
“Eh....who cares give me my info, I give you yours.”
She reached into her coat and pulled out a glittering thread.
“Ohhh come to Poppa, baby.” “Why didn’t Corcons do anything about all this?”
”Who, what are you still thinking about him?” “He’s a fucking Fate he must have gotten the all loving finger of God up his ass to tell him that you had to take it.” Loki flipped his blonde hair over his shoulder. “He told you who I am huh?”
“I knew he would, that’s why I never bothered myself, fucking goody-goody.”
“Yes he did, no I am not, fork over my payment and get out of my house. You give me a headache.” Loki gave her a journal bound in leather that seemed very old. It was crumbling in some parts. “Have fun.” He walked out. “See you around honey.” “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.” She opened the book. “Great.” It was in some language she had never seen before.
“Guess I’m not reading this until I can get it translated.”
“Have to talk to Wolf tomorrow....see if he can spare a nerd.”
Ruby went to change to go out for dinner, as she did she was stroking the rose Corcons had given her.

Larissa walked around the grounds of Carisdesmorta trying not to gape like some bumpkin. It was hard. She came to the cafeteria area which housed ten food court style restaurants and two full sized ones. She walked around but only ended up buying a drink. She sat down and was reading Lost Souls for the fifth time when someone plunked down at her table. It was the boy with black and blue hair she had seen fighting with Mike earlier that day. “Hi, I’m Skye.” He smiled at her and for the first time in her life Larissa was not sure what to say.
“Larissa.” “I know....I saw you sitting here all alone and I thought I would say hello, let you know that not everyone thinks you’re going to kill us all in our sleep.” “Who thinks that?” “I’ll execute the motherfucker!” Larissa joked dryly. Skye grinned.
Larissa took the pause in the conversion to study him further. His hair fell to his shoulders, he had an eyebrow and nose ring but on him Larissa at last saw how it could be jewelry. His eyes were an odd shade of purple with red mixed in.
“So, let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way.” “What are your mom and dad like?” “Well, they are really great and really awful at the same time, like most parents I guess.” Skye shifted so his legs dangled over the side of the chair as he did the belts on his black pants jingled mutely. “So are you anything...weird?”
Larissa asked. “I have fallen angel blood. Mostly that means I have another form, a temper and some innate talent for using magic.” “Do you have wings?”
“In my other form?” “Yeah, I do.” “Can I see!?” Larissa looked up at him with begging eyes and whimpered a bit like a puppy. “Anything but the puppy paws!” Skye groaned.
“Man, every girl I meet wants to pet the wings.” He sighed. “Well we are going to have some classes together, you can see then, I still have to learn more control with my other form.”
“Are you a Prophecy Holder as well then?” “No, nothing so grand, just what’s called a Player. Someone who has a role but it’s less important and much less is known about it. I bet I just have to die in some way or other.” “So.....are you going to that party tonight?” “No, I’m Larissa.” “Ahh, not your thing huh?”
“Depends on my mood.” “I was just thinking you might want to come and check out my band, we are playing tonight.” “What are you called?” “Human Meat Raft, for now anyway.” “It gets changed about once a week at least.” “So you have one of those neurotic Prima Donna lead singers who write all the songs and change the name all the time?” Skye smiled wryly. “Yeah you’re looking at him.”
Larissa almost blushed.
“Yeah....I might come.” “Well if you do I expect you to tell me everything that is wrong with us.” “I will.” “In detail.” He said as he stood up. “Well gotta run have a few more classes to sign up for.” He left leaving Larissa staring after him.
Not a word about Mike, but that fight this morning smelled like a lover’s quarrel.
Larissa thought. Man is he cute....but if there is or was something with him and Mike I can’t shit were I have to live. There will be other guys.... Larissa sighed and went back to reading.


Rex stretched and moved his back around, yawning.
He had been crouched in the bushes most of the night now, the cloaking stone Howl had given him made his skin itch when it touched him. His mind wondered as he zoned out a bit. Somehow it settled on yesterday the wee hours of the morning before dawn, Gavin pulling him into his room giggling a bit.
Both of them drunk....and horny, Rex could almost taste Gavin’s mouth on his again. He could see those blistering hazel eyes gleaming from under his light brown bangs, red lips slick and self-satisfied face peering up at him. “You little brat, what are you smiling about like that?” Rex had growled, tangling his hand in Gavin’s hair and tugging heartlessly. Gavin, panting a bit, had replied.
“I always look like this when I get what I want.” ”And what is it you want?” A breathless sighing whisper in Rex’s ear came back. “You.”
A noise jarred Rex back to his stake-out. He watched as the wife took the kids out. Now was a good time to make his move. He made his mind a blank, mostly because he really didn’t like the idea of killing someone who was doing good.
However life was life and Rex did what he had to do. He used his fingernail to cut the glass on the door and reached his hand inside to open it. That done he walked in; there was a noise behind him and he turned. He was met with an older gentleman who was holding a shot-gun at his chest. “Hi?” Rex said using his most ordinary smile. “Come on son, we are going into my study were I’m going to call the police.” Rex walked in front of the Mayor putting on a facade of being docile and ashamed as they walked into the study. When the Mayor shut the door Rex moved with lighting speed and grabbed the gun and twisted it into a useless shape. “Now you sit.” Rex commanded in a hard voice. “Who are you....what are you?” the Mayor asked he sank into a chair. “Well, if I tell you that can I call you David?” the Mayor nodded. “Well David my name is Rex, I’m a vampire and I have been hired to kill you.” The Mayor sat up rigid in his chair.
“Why?” “Because you are a good man and some people don’t like that.”
Rex sat down in one of the chairs. “Listen it’s a bum fucking deal....but I have no say in it.” “You could say no...not do it.” “Yeah, but I won’t.” “You get by your way I get by mine and not only that but I already kill to live, if I quibbled this way it would be polishing the brass on the Titanic.” “Will anyone come after my family?” “No, they were never part of the deal, just you and if you come quietly then I can swear to you that no harm will come to them.” Rex replied.
“Or....” Rex tipped his head thoughtfully. “Do you want to live David?”
The Mayor nodded. “Well....how about this then who does the security for your house, your office?” “T & R.” “Hmmm, that’s a big account I bet.” “If you tossed that account over to a company that my boss owns and if you let us-“
The Mayor cut him off. “I’m sorry son, but I can’t get in bed with whoever’s pulling your strings. They must be evil and I would never stand for that.”
Rex nodded. “Well I admire a man of morals.” “How do you want to do this?”
“Like this.” A voice came from behind Rex as something crashed into the back of his head. His last thought as he went down was that Wolf would be pissed at him for not doing the job.

Rex woke naked in a bright white room. He was shackled to a steel chair; there was no one else in the room just yet. The bare light bulb hurt his eyes. He pulled on the cuffs, growling and snapping his teeth. They held him easily so he assumed they had been magically fucked with somehow. His head ached where he had been hit, the hair sticky with clotted blood, fresh blood running down his neck. The door opened and a man and a woman walked in.
The woman was tall and nearly crackling with magical power. The one thing Rex had no defense against, for not only were vampires barred from using magic but most were more susceptible to it then the average person. The man was obviously the muscle. Rex wasn’t sure what he was, but he knew there was no way he was human. Well they haven’t killed me yet, I might get out of here alive if I play my cards right. Rex thought. The woman sat down in one of the two other chairs in the room. Her partner preferred to stand it seemed. The woman smiled at Rex. “Hello Mr G, I do apologize for the lack of tact used to get you here, however here you are.” “I hope you will listen to what I have to say.”
“We know all about you and who you are to Mr Wolf so I will assure you in advance that whatever happens, you will leave here alive unless you do something utterly moronic, I can not name names but I work for a company that does similar things to what Blood Moon Inc does.” “We were hired by David Talsom, to protect his life.” “That is how and why you got to where you are now.” The woman went on. “I have been told by my superiors that we are moving in to this city and they want me to pave the way.” “So I offer you a deal, come with us and work for us. You and Miss Red are legendary, and to arrive at the top in such a short time?” “We would be thrilled to have you come over to us.”
Rex narrowed his eyes but didn’t speak. “As I said before no matter what you say you can leave this place, however that amnesty will only hold for tonight, after that....” Rex spoke. “So if I was always going to be released why then did you two ass holes strip me and tie me up?” “I’ll tell ya why, you were going to torture me and then kill me, at least at first, and then someone, maybe you honey, maybe chuckles over in the corner, called in to the boss.” “And then somehow someone I.D’ed me.” “So I think I’m going to tell you to stick it right up your ass and that is just where all of you are going to take a fucking for this, you can’t get rid of me Wolf knows were I went and you’re not strong enough just yet to take us on, so you make me some lousy job offer.” “And at my company we know what the left hand is doing. If I were you I would beg me for mercy, because when we are done with you, you will envy concentration camp victims.” “So why don’t you get me my clothes back, try not to dirty them too bad, and get out of my face?” The woman was speechless with rage as she left the room. She came back and tossed his clothes in Rex’s face. Then she touched the shackles and they fell off.
“I would settle my affairs.” Rex said as they left. He left a few minutes later.

Rose rubbed his aching eyes and glanced blearily out the window. The sun rose over the trees and he was no closer to where he needed to be. He had been going over everything he could find on the lives of the monks, journals diaries, one thing he kept seeing over and over was that sometimes, not often, but sometimes some young woman would be listed as being pregnant, and then no mention of her or what happened to the child was made. That was odd because almost always there was something, this woman had a boy or a girl or a stillbirth.
He stretched and yawned and went to go talk to one more person before he started the run back to the house. He liked to race the sun. It wouldn’t hurt him unless it was full on him. He had some time at least. He dashed into the rooms of the woman in charge of midwifery for the women. “Mistress Cora?” “Come in lad.” “I didn’t wake you, did I?” “No lad, sit down.” She gestured to the bed. Mistress Cora had been with the Guardians for over twenty years. No one knew more then she did about healing. Rose bit his lip. “Mistress Cora, have you ever noticed that sometimes in the books a birth does not get written down?” “No....that would completely go against policy. You know how we feel about keeping records for others to come after us. You never know what could be important.” Rose nodded. “Well I have come across a few journals that were in the library, there are references to women that vanished while pregnant.”
“Some might have run from shame.” “True but one writes about a ‘Choosing’ and that some woman ran away from it.” She shook her head. “Sorry.”
Rose stood. “Well I have to leave, sun’s almost up and I never got around to getting that pint I wanted today.” He left. Mistress Cora did the same, making a beeline to Minos’s office. She pushed the door open and then shut. “God-damm it Minos’s someone put a bug up that boy ass!” Minos looked up. “Black Rose?”
“Yes!” “Don’t worry I have someone at the house waiting to take him back to us.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why not just bring him from here?” “Because my dear it’s easier if the memory charm works with what he already knows.” “If we just drag him off we have to work something in and that’s harder, so if he goes to sleep and we get him in, we do the work, put him back so when he wakes up later no fuss.”
She nodded. “Just do it soon.”

Ruby came home from her night of heavy drinking and partying, pondering hard on what she had found out that day. She nearly missed the man who sat on her couch. “Come on Loki I don’t have the fucking time for your-““Who’s Loki?”
“Who the fuck are you?” Ruby asked back reaching for her knife. “Virgil, and your bait.” He hit her with a blast of lighting and she hit the floor. “Man, Rose did not lie, now did he?” “She’s hot as Hell and twice as deadly.” Virgil muttered as he tied her up with charmed shackles.
Ruby woke up shortly after he had done and sat her on a chair right in the front near the door so she would be the first thing Black Rose saw. She thrashed wildly. “Motherfucking asshole!” “When I am done with you even whatever diseased cunt you slipped from won’t even be able to tell that you were human at some point!” Ruby screamed. “I don’t really think you’re in the position to be making threats now are you?” Virgil asked indifferently. “Fuck your momma!”
“You have a dirty mouth....” Virgil walked over to Ruby, holding her knife.
“How would you like it if I cut your tongue out with your own knife?” “Hmm?”
“Nothing to say now?” He grinned. He began to twist the blade in her side. She didn’t make a sound. “I want to hear it, come on....” She just stared at him, eyes burning with wrath. A noise came from the doorway. “Virgil?” “What is going on here?” “Big man told me to come get her and you.” “It’s time.” Virgil turned to Rose who stared at him blankly. “I thought we told her that we would not harm her if she let me stay here.” “You think our word to this thing should be binding?” “Where are all your high handed morals when you just sit by while she kills?” Rose’s face hardened. “You might be right....” Virgil relaxed and smiled. “See I told the big man you were still on our side, that you didn’t care for her, I think you’ll even join in the questioning won’t you?” “Is Minos having the Sisterhood work on her?” “Yes, of course.” Holy shit the Sisterhood, they’ll kill her so slowly she won’t die for weeks! Rose thought as his stomach wrenched.
Ruby looked up at him, pleading with her eyes. Virgil chattered on as he began to work a spell to transport Ruby safely. “I mean your mother was one of the Chosen. You could never turn on us.” Rose kept his voice clam as he asked “What do you mean?” “My mother was killed by a vampire when I was sixteen.” The look in Virgil’s eyes told Rose all he need to know. Quick as thought Rose grabbed his staff and slammed it into Virgil’s face. “I have been lied to she said, what is it?!”
“Is it about my mother?” Rose shouted as he pinned Virgil down. “Tell me!”
Virgil coughed up blood. “Ask...Minos...” Rose slammed his staff down into Vigil’s gut. “I will.” He touched Ruby’s chains and released her. He pulled her up. “I want you to know that in part I did this....” “For me?’ she whispered and he didn’t say anything. “You know if you leave him here...” “I hope you toss the spare parts on a shit-heap.” Rose touched Ruby’s cheek. “I have to go.” “It’s day....” “I can travel in different ways, just takes allot out of me so I don’t most of the time.” He disappeared, leaving Ruby to wonder more.

Rex dragged himself into the office just before dawn.
He walked into Wolf’s office to give him the run down.
Wolf just smiled when Rex related the adventures he had been on.
“Yes, I know, sorry Rex but I used you as bait.”
“What?” “I knew that Nightmare Inc was moving in here or tying to and I knew that they were protecting the Mayor and I knew they would not hurt you because of who you are.” Rex growled under his breathe. “Sorry.” Not that Wolf really sounded contrite. “Did you see this woman?” Wolf held up a picture.
“Yeah she was there.” “Hmm, good she’s one of ours.” “Really you were in no danger.” The door opened and Gavin stumbled in. “She-shen-ummm my brute told me to check in...” “Oh hey Rex.” Wolf just smiled. “I’m going to go home for the day. Why don’t you two just stay here? Rex, you’re hurt. Gavin, you’re drunk.”
“And I’m proud of both of you.” Gavin swayed over to the bed. “Man this bed rocks.” Rex flopped down next to him. “Hey, so how was your first day?” “Someone used me to kill some guys, I got on a lecture on the difference between short and skinny and tall and lean, and then I got drunk.” “And now I’m tired.”
Gavin yawned hugely. “I’m beat too.” Rex lay down next to Gavin; after he was sure Gavin was asleep he held him tightly and drifted off himself.

Rose stormed into Minos’s office slamming the door open.
Minos stood there waiting for him. “I thought something like this might happen.”
‘I want answers now.” Rose’s face was a mask of fury as he stepped forward pinning Minos to the wall easily with one hand on his chest. “You never use your full power Rose, why is that?” “Why are you not fighting back?” Rose hissed.
“This was all foretold, a long time ago.” Rose shook Minos a bit, his head smacked the wall. “Tell me!” “No more games, no more lies!”
“What happened to me?” Minos sighed. “Your mother was one of us.”
“We knew that there would a divampire born of one of us who would important in the Great War, and so for some time we chose the ones who seemed likely your mother Shelia she was....so pure and loving we thought for sure it would be her.” Rose’s hand tightened on Minos’s shirt. “Go.” “On.” “She resisted us. She didn’t want her son to live like that.” “I remember her telling me she was leaving.” “I called my contacts and we had her hunted....” Every word a sob or a growl Rose took up the narrative. “My parents told me the rest of this part of the story, a young woman bitten like she was mauled by....something collapses on their porch, she dies giving birth... the wounds and the stress to much for her, too much blood lost.” “They took me in.” Minos smiled grimly. “And you killed them.”
“You lie!” Rose screamed shrilly. “No, no more lies, it always happens with your kind, when the vampire blood shows itself, madness ensues.” “Where the first warm body is fed on we found you at last afterwards, you had been protected from us finding you when you lived as human but when you didn’t anymore, you lit up like a beacon.” “We found you that’s true and we had your memories buried deep so you would serve us with no questions” Rose moved his hand up to Minos’s neck. “When we take the oaths we do so, on our lives and souls.” “I can not speak for your soul but I now claim your life.” Rose tightened his fingers crushing Minos’s windpipe. After he dropped the body on the floor Rose went wandering to the tool shed. He took anything he thought would burn well and even found some gas. He walked the halls of the monastery calling out “Fire!” then he tossed everything in a heap and set it on fire. When someone tried to stop him he killed them. He didn’t even know what was running down his face at this point, blood or tears. He reached out and pulled himself away from the fire, away from the blood, the pain, the dead.

Ruby had finished with Virgil a few hours ago, the day had worn on and it was almost night again. But Rex was nowhere to be found. Gavin was gone too and Rose had not returned. She paced, worried despite herself. Then a crash and bang like a building coming down came from her garden. She ran out and found Rose sprawled out in the middle of the garden. He was out cold, bleeding from innumerous wounds. Some of them seemed like he had done them himself, burns covered his plams. She grabbed him quickly the sun being not gone altogether just yet. She tossed him over her shoulder easily and ran for the house. She nudged her bedroom door open with her foot. She laid Rose on the bed.
“Oh Rose what happened to you?” She murmured. He lay unmoving. She begun to wonder if he was going to be alright, if he was....did he even have a heartbeat? She sat on the bed next to him. His face in the stillness was so young, so innocent. She leaned over to kiss him.
Her lips on his felt so right even if she could never kiss him again she needed this one stolen moment for every lonely night that was to come. She pulled back and his eyes stared back at her. “Rose, I didn’t-“He sat up and embraced her, covering her mouth with his, cutting off her words. His lips moved on hers. She moaned and leaned back in his arms.
He trialed kisses down her neck biting it roughly in places, kissing tenderly in others. “Rose I-““Hush I know you’ve wanted this just like me...I know” his hand stroked over her face. “You’ve needed me like I’ve needed you.”
“Now say yes...” He growled in her ear. “Yes...” He looked into her eyes as he slowly removed his shirt. “I want this, I want you.” “Never doubt that.” Her eyes shone as she took in his pale, lithe form. She pushed him gently down on the bed. She never took her eyes off him as she pricked her wrist and let some blood flow.
“Drink...I want you healed...so I can hurt you some more.” He took her hand and drank. “You do taste like pears you little tease.” He whispered.
She slid on top of him to cover his body with hers. “I want to remember this forever.”
He stroked her hair. “Forever.” She began to kiss him again, working his mouth ruthlessly. He reached up and pulled her bodice hard, ripping it open and pulling it off. “Hey I liked that...” Ruby’s voice trailed off as Rose began to rub her in all the right places.
“Sure you have never done this before?” “I thought about it a lot.”
She ran her hands down his body, lightly swirling her fingers on a downward path. He gasped and writhed, moaning her name. She pulled his pants off and tossed them over her shoulder. Then she moved off the bed and stood. He looked up at her. She removed the bra and panties slowly, giving him a show. She stood in the moonlight, letting him stare at her. He drank in the sight of her until he couldn’t stand not touching her anymore. “Come here.” He begged
She moved over to the bed and laid next to him, her hands roaming over him.
He pulled her over on top of him. She guided his hands where she wanted them.
He stroked her gently then harder when she growled for him to.
Ruby slid on top of Rose nothing between them now but air. Ruby rocked back and forth panting face flushed. Rose looked up at her riding him, breasts bouncing. He thrust hard in time to her down thrusts. She gave a strangled moan and then shuddered, moving harder. Ruby’s pants got louder and louder until she screamed and trembled.
Then she begun to move even faster until Rose felt like the whole world had shrunk to this one moment, this one woman. There was nothing else, just them.
There was not past, no future, just now. He was overcome and released into her.
She lay on top of him for a little while and then slid down. They cuddled together not speaking for a while until they both fell asleep.

Ruby woke the next morning. Rose was gone. All he had left was a note.
Ruby, I have to go. I know you thought you we would just have healing sex and it would all be better. But it’s not. I have to find something, something I lost.
We can’t be together. Last night was....last night. I don’t know if I will be back....either way forget me....I am going to try to forget you Ruby Redfield but I don’t think I ever will.
Rose
Ruby crumpled the paper in her hand like it was its fault.
“I will never forgive you for this Rose...skipping out on me is one thing. Making me fall in love with you is another.”
“I’m coming after you.”


Black Rose stood on the deck, staring back at the city he has just left.
He knew that Ruby would be reading his note by now and vowing bloody vengeance on him. Not that he expected less from her. He would be pretty pissed if he was her. The captain walked over to him. “Sir?’ “Yes?” The captain twisted his hat in his hands. “Well, Sir we are always happy to do anything we can for a Guardian after all me own da was one...and what you do for us-” “Get to the point.” “Well Mr. Rose, Sir some of the men are nervous they say that where you want to go...” “Those waters are haunted and worse.” “They say the place you look for don’t even exist or if it does God help us all.” “Who says this?” The Captain balked from Rose’s gaze. “Umm...Sir” “Who?” “Me first mate is one of them.” “Fine.” Rose walked over to the man and grabbed him by the shoulder, ignoring the man’s indigent cries. Rose then walked the man over to the side of the ship and held him over the side up-side down by his ankles. He spoke so everyone there could hear him.
“You men all owe the Guardians for protecting you from that rabid were-lion last year and anyone who even thinks of going back on his oath will answer to me.” He finished by dropping the man in the ocean. The crew all gaped at him he just brushed it off as he walked below deck. I am done with mercy. Black Rose told himself as he pulled out his necklace, looking at it glow. Soon I will bring him back and all will be well, Fathas....I will find you.