I went back to the group, and forced myself to sit down. I needed to chill. But I couldn’t. I was really worried about Rose.

I went over to Mattie, and whispered into his ear, “If Rose isn’t up within the next 2 hours, The Rose is yours, and I want you to accept his offer.”

That’s when I heard them.

“Amber what the fuck. Why’re you trying to give away my organization. At least sell it. Damn imbecil.” Said Rose from the hallway.

I went over to the doorway, and saw them. God were they hot.

They had their hair down, parted to the side just a bit. They were wearing a black MCR t-shirt under a black leather jacket, which was splattered with blood. I realized that was the one from the vampire extrermination a few days ago. They must not have washed it. They had fingerless leather gloves, gripping a knife in their right hand, and a pistol in the left. They had a black and white flannel wrapped around their waist, flowing around their knees. They wore dark grey jeans tucked under black combat boots.

“Hey, old man. I’ll accept your offer. Also, you should know, Ramiel is behind this all. Bitch was looking at our Cards. I went to edit mine, but nooooooo, he had to be there.” Rose said. Jonathan looked taken aback at this, but before he could say anything Rose was giving orders.

“Mattie, start making a shit ton of holy bullets, make them out of electrum, demonic creatures are really hurt by it. Amber, Sophie, Alric, go out and get as many weapons as possible, preferably guns, and preferably electrum blades, oh, and take Livvy with you to do recon. Go to the nighttime market unde the capitol building in Santa Fe. Mattie, make sure those bullets are in every type of ammunition you can think of. I’m gonna get some food.”

Rose turned around to walk out and Mattie, looking very butt-hurt, asked “what do you mean, and I quote, ‘every type of ammunition you can think of’?”

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“You act as if I know what the hell I’m talking about.”

Rose

About an hour later, I came back in and put a white bag on the table. “I went and got some chinese. Eat, or don’t. I don’t really care, but I do suggest eating.” they said, pulling up a chair, and sitting down.

I bet I looked tired. Like I just dragged myself out of hell and fell right back in.

“How can you edit your Card?” Jonathan asked out of nowhere. He seemed really stressed from the stuff Rose told him. “More importantly, what are Cards?” Sophie asked, taking a bunch of bullets from Mattie who tried to take them back. She shoved them in her pockets and rested her arm against Mattie’s head. He tried to shake her off, but didn’t budge. She said something about “You’re like that cute little brother that everyone hates, but secretly loves. It’s adorable.”

“You guys don’t know?” Jonathan said accusingly, “And you do. What’s that about?”

“Yea, I’ve been living underground my whole life. Actually, you’ve probably met my parents, they were prominent drug dealers about 14 years ago.” Rose said. “I didn’t want the others wrapped up in my shit, especially not this. The angels are dangerous. They’re the only ones that I wouldn’t win in a one on one fight. At least without some serious mobility.”

“They’re really that powerful? Powerful enough to tire you out?” Amber asked. I nodded and she put her head in her hands. “Damn, we made an enemy that powerful. No wonder you lost.”

“You guys don’t have to fight this battle, I can do it myself.” I said.

“No, you’re our leader and our friend. We won’t let you just go and get yourself killed. I know you have been the strong one your whole life. But, for once, let us do something for you.” Amber exclaimed, Mattie and Alric nodding in agreement, “So, tell us everything.”

Sophie, a scowl on her face, said “I’m not your friend, but you are my leader. So I will follow your orders. For now, I’ll follow you. But you fuck up, and I’m out. I don’t follow incompetent leaders.”

I smiled, and for the first time in many years, I felt warm. “Alright, I’ll tell you. Don’t blame me when you are lying on the floor, bleeding out.”