Chapter Text
Ruhn took a deep breath as he filled his third cup of coffee of the morning. He carefully took his “World’s Worst Boss” mug (lovingly gifted to him by his best friends) and settled into his desk chair across from Declan. The male just pushed a rogue whisky bottle towards his friend.
“Should we have alcohol at our office?” Ruhn asked, but still reached for the bottle. “We’re doing official Aux business here.”
“It’s not a real office.” Declan shrugged. Indeed, it was just a big room above a dive bar. They had a few desks and chairs brought in, but no official documents or processes were ever done up here. “Besides that, you’re going to need all the help you can get before noon.”
That he would. A meeting of all seven figure heads in Crescent City was not a fun time for anyone, especially the head of the Aux and rebel son of the Autumn King... But pressing matters demand they meet and come up with something to stop the Hel that was unleashing in the city.
“Did either of you see the news on your way here?” Flynn barged into the room, newspaper in his hand. The lordling slammed the front cover onto Ruhn’s desk, causing the prince to scowl.
“You’re late.” Declan said, not looking up from his laptop that he was currently typing away on. Hacking some rich loser to later blackmail for cash, if Ruhn had to guess.
“I was having a goodbye round with that fox shifter.” Flynn shrugged.
“I thought she was a faun.” Ruhn asked as he read the headline. He groaned.
“Was she? I didn’t take note.”
“Another murder?” Ruhn slumped back in his chair. He bit his lip. “This is so fucked.”
“All signs point that it’s the same guy, too.” Flynn opened the whiskey bottle and took a long drink before offering it to Ruhn. He shook his head.
“The 33rd are keeping the details to themselves, it would seem.” Declan frowned as he continued to type. “I can’t get access to any photos or reports.”
“I’m sure it will come up later.” Ruhn sighed, looking at his watch. “Like in an hour.”
“It was a draki male this time.” Flynn stole Ruhn’s coffee and drank from that too. “Was into seriously fucked up trade rings.”
“Like drugs?” Ruhn rubbed his face.
“Like children.”
Ruhn blinked at his friends. Every victim from this serial killer had a bad rep. And he would never say he wanted a murderer running around his city, but…
“I know.” Flynn frowned. “What do you need us to do before this city head meeting?”
-
“Petrick Kraus. Draki male. 350 years old. Received his income from illegally selling children. We found his head on a steak outside the Meat Market.” Isaiah Tiberian gave the Viper Queen a pointed stare before continuing on. “The rest of his body was left in his apartment. There are signs of struggle, bruises on his knuckles tell us he got a few hits in before he died.”
“And what tells us he was murdered by the same madman?” Micah drawled, his cheek resting on his hand as he grinned.
“Obsidian salt, forged into sharp nails, was pierced through his left palm, like the rest of the victims.” Isaiah cleared his throat as he flipped through the rest of the crime scene photos.
“The guy was a pervert.” Jesiba Roga spoke up, as she filled in for the Under King who could not be bothered by any meetings. “He got what was coming to him.”
“I agree.” The Viper Queen stretched back in her chair. “All these murders are a waste of my time. The person is doing your work for you.” She stared at the governor.
“Nevertheless,” Sabine growled, “We cannot have a serial killer walking our streets.”
“There’s more you’re not telling us, isn’t there?” The Autumn King glared at the governor. Micah simply smiled.
“Normally, this killer leaves us a little hint for who their next target is.” Micah motioned for Isaiah to show the proof. Newspaper clippings of the person, printouts of their websites, or photos of the person were displayed… and then their dead, battered body.
“So you know who the next target is?” Ruhn crossed his arms. “You’ve always known and let it happen.”
“No.” Micah rose from his chair. “We’ve watched the person, waiting to see if the murderer would show up. If we could catch a glimpse of them. But they would slip between our fingers. Murder the assholes right under our nose.”
“Are you admitting to failure, your grace?” Jesiba purred.
“I believe this killer has a way to hide from us. Perhaps they can walk through shadows.” A pointed look at Ruhn. “Or it’s a reaper.” A grin at Jesiba. “I’ll be needing a list of any fae who has the power to teleport.” He turned to the Autumn King.
“You believe that madman is one of mine?” Ruhn’s father narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, his hair turning molten like the fire in his veins.
“It is a good place to start, considering the next target.” Micah’s grin grew wider as he stared down the Autumn King.
“And who is that?”
“Isaiah, if you would.” Micah walked towards the table full of drinks and poured himself a pretty little cup of tea.
Isaiah adjusted the collar of his shirt. Cleared his throat. Gulped once. Twice. “We searched the area where the head was found and his apartment. This is the only evidence for the next target we have.” He clicked the button on the remote to go to the next slide.
Ruhn’s blood ran cold.
“What?” The Autumn King snarled, rising from his chair.
A polaroid photo. The female was wearing a blue silk gown. Her red hair was curled and loose over her shoulders. She was smiling at someone off camera. Her blue eyes filled with happiness and mischief. The photo was from a party. Ruhn knew this female very, very well.
“Unless dear old Petrick was obsessed with your daughter, Einar…” Micah trailed off.
“And you thought to tell me this now?” All the fae in the room shared an uneasy look.
“I had Princess Anneliese brought in for questioning while we talked.” Micah shrugged. “She has no record of shady dealings, no questionable connections.”
“No shit.” Ruhn muttered. His little sister by 10 years, Anneliese was as perfect as a fae female could be. She was the standard, after all.
“We don’t know why the killer suddenly changed targets, but it would be in everyone’s best interest to find out why before all the heirs wind up with their heads on poles.” Micah grimaced at the look the Autumn King gave him. “Your daughter is safe in a holding cell with both her fae guards and my triarii watching her.”
“A holding cell?” Ruhn growled.
“You should have told me the moment you knew.” The Autumn King rose, baring his teeth.
“I’m telling you now, aren’t I?” Micah sipped from his cup. “I expect that list by the end of the day.”
The Autumn King stormed out of the meeting room, probably to find the princess. Ruhn got up too, mind already reeling with plans, he’d be damned if he didn’t try to stop anything bad from happening to his sister.
Anneliese was nothing like the murder’s other victims. They were all vile beings, who did some kind of fucked up crime that they got away with because of their status or money. All the princess did was sit in her father’s house and be an idol for females all over Valbara, fae or other.
What the fuck was going on?