#lilliver

A hand on his back snapped his attention back. 

“Move, Cardan.” Locke reaching for the girl on the floor. “We need to get her out of here.”

He quickly helped his friend lifting the girl’s feet. Before leaving, he gazed back to Jude one more time, but she had already turned away as a tall man raised her hand above her head and paraded her in front of the audience. 

They kept screaming for The Queen as Cardan crossed the door to the room where he and Locke had left the other unfortunates.

After leaving the girl, Cardan leaned his back against a wall and once more tried to make sense of what he’d just saw.

“It seems like you go for the tough ones, don’t you?” Locke teased, a little hint of nervousness in his words.

“I didn’t know… I mean,” he said. “I thought she was only a guest here or something.”

His friend shrugged. “Maybe she is. People sometimes gets into this things for money or for sport.”

Suddenly, he remembered the exact point of what he’d wanted to say to Locke for the past hours. He straightened and pushed his friend’s shoulder. “What the fuck are we doing here anyway?? You said this was a good job dumbass!”

“Well it is!” He answered, crossing his arms. “If it was a safe or legal event, I didn’t ask. Bartenders who make a lot of questions are not usually hired. And here, my friend, we are making some good money.”

Cardan stared at him.  He was right, he knew that. But still, underground fighting events were deeply illegal. They were since pretty much always but about a decade ago, a similar event had ended up in chaos because rival gang members started a riot. Many people, involved or not, had died. The place was burned down in the process. And it had uncovered several cases of well positioned people involved in drug dealing, women trafficking, among other things. 

Since that day, police had fiercely hunted illegal fighting pits. There were some, of course. But it was rare for anyone to hear about them.

Then again, Cardan knew what it was to have family involved in illegal stuff. And thankfully he’d been able to leave Balekin before he’d messed up more. Or at least he tried. 

Even if he didn’t work with his brother anymore, he was forced to give a fee every month to repay him after one night when Cardan, highly intoxicated, left a warehouse unguarded and several merchandise was stolen. Expensive merchandise. He was going to spend his entire life repaying that mistake. But at least he was on his own, not having to answer any other of Balekin’s calls.

He took a deep breath. He needed to get his shit together. After all the events of the night his thoughts were running full speed, not to mention the headaches the sight of blood and beatings caused him. There was still a faint ringing noise at the back of his mind. 

The door opened and Madoc entered, eyeing all the unconscious bodies laying on the beds. “Good. Leave them there and go back to the bar. Someone will take care of this.”

As they walked back, Cardan eyed the remaining guests. Almost half of them had started to leave after the last encounter, but several other remain. Going back to the gambling tables and talking to each other. He wondered if Jude would still be there, maybe if he-

A hard bump on his shoulder stopped his trail of thoughts, followed by a growl and a hand grabbing his shirt roughly. “Watch it, idiot.” 

He frowned and look up, finding a pair of cruel defying eyes staring back. The same ones he saw when the guy was beating the other one near death. Valerian.

His face and hair were cleaner now, he’d probably washed away the blood after the fight. Still, his expression remained the same. 

Cardan said nothing, if the guy was waiting for an apology he wasn’t going to get it. He might not be a fighter but he was certainly sick of bullies like him. The grip on his shirt didn’t loosen. Grabbing Valerian’s hands he jerked himself off. “I could say the same thing.” Cardan snarled, walking away with Locke.

He only managed a couple of steps before he was pushed to the ground.

The roughness of the floor scratched his forearm. He turned just in time to see Valerian’s fist merely inches from his face.

The next thing Cardan knew, a sharp pain erupted on his jaw throwing him down completely. He could hear Locke yelling something, but before he could turn to face his friend, a heavy body settled on top of him.

People started gathering around them.

Valerian grabbed his shirt again and another blow connected near his eye, blinding him for a moment. Something warm slid down his face. He snarled and grabbed the man’s arm, pushing him away. His fist raised again and Cardan braised himself for the next blow.  

One that never came. 

From one moment to another, the weight over him disappeared with a grunt. He quickly got up, looking at his attacker, who now had a slender arm pulling against his neck. Hard. 

Valerian arched and coughed, rage dancing on his eyes. Behind him, Jude kept janking the man back until they were at safer distance. Then, she let him go and move to stand between him and Cardan. She’d cleaned up too, Cardan noticed. Though she was still wearing the clothes from the match, her hair was loose and the dirt and blood were gone. 

After spitting on the floor, Valerian turned to Jude with gritted teeth, raising up with closed fists as if he were to throw himself against her. Jude just glared at him, fists clenched too. A slight smirk tugging up the corner of her lip.

“Is there any problem here?” Madoc’s strong but calm voice startled him, pulling him out of the scene in front of them. 

The two fighters dropped their defensive pose, eyes still locked at each other’s. 

“There isn’t, General, my apologies.” Valerian muttered. “The barman and I had a little disagreement.” 

“You being a jerk is common knowledge, not a disagreement.” Jude snorted.

The venomous glare he gave her send a shiver through Cardan’s skin. 

“Enough. Everybody back to work now. And you two,” Madoc hissed, pointing at Jude and Valerian. “Drop it. I don’t have time for another of your quarrels today.”

That said, he left, dragging some of the curious spectators back to the gambling tables.

Cardan stood there, not sure if he should approach Jude. Yet.

“You heard your General,” She purred. “Walk.”

Valerian gave a step towards her, baring his teeth. “You won’t be the boss’ favorite forever, bitch.”

Then he was gone. 

Cardan let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

“Hey man, are you ok?” Locke asked, laying a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, you know I suck at fights, I should’ve-”

“Yeah, it’s ok.” He touched his brow, were Valerian’s blow had opened his skin. His fingers came back bloodied. 

“You should get that checked.” Jude’s voice softer now, the fierce eyes she’d worn at the end of the fight had disappeared too. “I’ll send over a healer.”

She turned to leave, but Cardan reached for her arm, stopping her. “Hey.”

Pulling back her arm, she fixed him an alarmed look. Right, they weren’t supposed to be seen together. He hesitated. The bruise on her cheek looked less swollen now, but it had started to gain a slight purple stain on the center. “Are you alright?” He mumbled, as casually as he could. 

Jude tilted her head and smirked. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

She noticed his clenched teeth and rolled her eyes. “I’m fine, go.”

Cardan nodded and turned to Locke, walking back to their assigned spot. There, Roach ran back and forth, mixing drinks for the clients gathering there. He’d look funny if it wasn’t for his panicked eyes, searching for his partners among the crowd.  

“About damn time!” He growled. “I’ve been attending all of our side for ages! Come here and- shit, Cardan what happened? Did you-”

“We’ll tell you later, let’s get this place free first.” Locke interrupted him, taking his gaze back to his friend’s wound. “You should get that cleaned, I don’t think people will appreciate blood-flavored drinks.”

They both chuckled as Cardan pressed a wet cloth to his brow. 

With Locke’s help, the bar was empty again in a couple of minutes. All the remaining guests were now minding their own business elsewhere.  

Roach sighed, resting his elbows on the table. “This is why I prefer to collect the money, rather than preparing the drinks. All those people are impossible!”

“Well that’s the fun part too.” Cardan sat on the floor, the cloth now extended all over his whole forehead. The places where he’d been hit throbbed harder now than a couple of minutes ago. 

“Yeah, as fun as being beaten just for walking.” Roach laughed. “Man you really have some bad luck.”   

“Not as bad as you’d think! Otherwise he wouldn’t have left with that gir-”

“Shht!” Cardan silenced him, feeling his cheeks slightly warm. “Let’s not talk about that here, her request.”

Locke barked a laugh, throwing another cloth at him. “You’re scared of Madoc, aren’t you? Fuck, I don’t blame you. He seems just ready to shot anyone anytime. But is he scarier than your girl? I wouldn’t dare getting on her way either.” 

They were going to mock him till the end of times, Cardan was sure of that. 

“You must be Cardan.” An unknown voice said, startling the three of them.

He looked up, taking the cloth away. 

A short, slim woman stood behind the bar. Her short hair, frizzled and oddly white, framed her fine features. She wore a blue scrub, and carried a small first aid kit in her right hand.

The healer, he assumed. 

“That’s me.” 

She nodded and started taking things out of the briefcase, alcohol, cotton wool, antiseptic and god knows what else. “Sit here please.” She motioned at the stool in front of her.

Once he did, she started attending his wound. Fast, quiet, efficiently.

“Did Jude send you?” He whispered. 

The healer hummed and nodded in response. Not much of a talker it would seem.

“Is she coming too?” He tried again, feeling dumb. But he needed some answers. 

“Miss Jude has already left the building.” 

Oh. Something sinked inside him. He let her work in silence, wincing just a bit when she pressed some first aid tape over his eyebrow. Had Jude treated her injuries already? He should probably stop thinking about her. She’d left already. 

“I’m done.” The woman’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. All of her items already packed except for a little pill box. “It will probably sting a little, but it won’t leave any scar. If you experiment any headaches, take one of this pills.” 

Cardan nodded. “Thanks, I will. If you see Jude, tell her I say thank you... Please.”

The girl stared at him. Pondering. Her gaze felt like it could pierce his skull. At last, she sighed. “I will.”

She extended her hand to him, he frowned. An awkward hand-shake, considering she hadn’t gave him one when she arrived. Still, he answered back. 

Then he felt it. 

Something folded between her fingers. 

Trying to keep a steady face, he took it, immediately putting it away from curious eyes. She grabbed her bag, ready to leave when Roach appeared next to them. 

“Uh- excuse me miss, I don’t mean to bother but I cut my finger with a glass a moment ago. And I was wondering if you could- you know.” He babbled and raised his hand, a small gash running along his index.

The healer considered him for a moment, then pulled something from her bag and left it next to Cardan’s pills. “Sorry, I cannot stay.” 

She walked away stiffly, soon disappearing behind some doors. Cardan watched her go.

A muffled laugh sounded behind him. He turned to find Locke covering his mouth in order to avoid the cackle that threatened to come out of it. Roach’s face was the embodiment of embarrassment and failure. 

On the table was a little pink band-aid.

“Nailed it man, NAILED IT!” Locke mocked him. “Please tell me you didn’t actually cut your finger on purpose just to talk to her.” 

“Of course I didn’t you ass! But I might have cut myself because… I was looking at her and didn’t pay attention to the damn broken glass.”

Locke and Cardan looked at each other before both erupted with laughter. Roach’s red ears didn’t help much.

Their jokes continued for a couple of minutes before vanishing completely at the sight of Madoc walking towards them. 

“Well gentleman,” He greeted them. “Your work for today has come to an end. Clean everything and meet me in the kitchens.”

It didn’t take much since they were used to clean as they worked. But still paid a little extra attention into leaving everything impeccable. The last thing they wanted was to owe anything to those people. 

Back in the kitchens, Madoc stood at the center. Waiting. Both of his hands behind him.

“I trust,” He started, glaring deeply at them. “That no word about what happened here today will leave your mouths. Am I correct?”

Cardan didn’t need to be a psychic to know that one of the hands Madoc kept unseen held his gun. 

“You needn’t ask.” Locke answered. “When we accepted the job we knew our lips would be sealed about it, and they’ll remain like that.” 

Well that first part wasn’t entirely true. But his friend had a clever mouth, specially when he needed to save his ass.   

Roach and Cardan swore too they wouldn’t say anything. 

“And if I find out that any of you slipped even the tiniest detail about this, you agree that I’ll have to kill all three of you.” Madoc smiled. “Well not that I’m really asking, but you’re aware of it now.” 

The group remained silent, breaths caught in their throats. 

Once that was cleared, he put away his gun and gave each one a small yellow envelope. “As promised. With a little extra since I had no complains for your work, a difficult thing to accomplish here.” He turned to Cardan. “About the incident with Valerian, I know it wasn’t your fault so, don’t worry about it.” 

Inside the envelope was pure cash. Enough to make Roach whistle. They thanked him and put away their envelopes. 

“There are three steady spots available for our bar zone. The last group, well, liked to gossip a bit too much.” Madoc sneered, clearly enjoying their reactions. Cardan was certain he could notice his pulse under his neck. “Same rules apply. One night every one or two weeks. Same payment, in case you’re interested of course.”

“We are.” Roach and Locke turned to him, wide eyed. The steadiness of his voice surprised even himself. “Consider it done.”

“Good. Keep the uniform then. There is a cab for you outside. I’ll let you know when you’re needed.” 

Outside, they found out most of the cars were already gone. Small groups of people gathered around some of the remaining vehicles to smoke and talk. On the opposite corner, a lonely cab waited for them. 

As soon as they crossed the door, his friend bursted into questions. 

““We are”?? Cardan what the hell were you thinking?!!” Roach nearly shouted. “I won’t deny this is well paid but agreeing to this… I don’t know man-”

Locke didn’t say anything, but his frowned brow was enough.

Cardan stopped in front of them. “Do you really think he was asking? After what he said? We were in this since we arrived, and saying ‘no’ Madoc would’ve only gave him another reason to get rid of us. You can’t- just refuse here, not with this kind of people.”  

A kind that, to his misfortune, he knew quite well. He sighed and passed a hand through his hair.

“I get it, I guess I just need to get used to the idea.” Locke mumbled, looking back to the building.

Roach panicked gaze was still on Cardan. “So this means there’s no way out? Not even a-”

“Fuuuck!” Locke suddenly whispered. “Guys isn’t that Garrett? There, next to the white Audi”

They turned to said car, where a small group of young men shared a bottle of whiskey. Cardan narrowed his eyes a bit but indeed, there he was.

Garrett had worked with them at the bar a couple of years ago, and even though he was a little introverted, Cardan had been good friends with him. Still, he’d left to enter the police academy. At least that’s what Cardan last heard. His normally sandy-coloured hair was dyed black, but that irreverent smirk of his was recognizable anywhere.

“What is he doing here?” He asked, mostly to himself.

The cab driver honked, hurrying them.

Just before closing the door, Cardan glanced back to the group. Garrett stared directly at them, taking a long puff from his cigarette. Then the car started. 

Halfway back to the city, he remembered the paper the healer gave him. With a quick movement, he took it out of his pocket and unfolded it. I was a napkin. With a note. 

I wouldn’t normally offer two for one, but since I didn’t get to say goodbye the way I intended, hopefully this allows me to make up for it some other day.                                                       J.

Under it, a cell phone number. Her cell phone number. 

He grinned and without really thinking about it, he took out his phone and send her a short message. Fuck, would that make him seem desperate? Hopefully not. 

Roach and Locke were talking but he didn’t really paid attention. 

It was until he was folding back Jude’s note that he realized there was something printed on the opposite side of it. Something that made his stomach turned to a knot.

He’d memorice that form since he was a little kid. But the Greenbriar’s shield he’d grown to, had a small “B” at the center in honor to his brother Balekin. 

This one though, had a “D” at that same spot. 

Dain’s.

*************************

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE! 

It took me like forever to reorganize my ideas for this au but IT’S BACK BABY!

Unable to help herself, Lil smiled at her fiancé’s softness, and nodded her head. Maybe one night of trick or treating wouldn’t be so bad. “As long as you know that we will be in the graveyard tonight. I suppose that it might be fun to let loose a little bit, even for some ridiculous reason.” 

“Good, because I already got us tickets for a haunted house. I just had a feeling that you would say yes. And I got us costumes, vampire costumes.” 

“If you suggest that I be a sexy vampire for Halloween, I swear to the gods that I will slit your throat.” 

Van gasped in fake shock. “You underestimate me, my love. I am the sexy vampire… you are my pregnant consort of course, although I would love to have a knife to my neck.”

“You’re starting to sound like Cardan,” Lilliver laughed, referring to her best friend Jude’s husband. Lucky for them, they were currently on vacation in Europe, something about Cardan wanting to “trace his roots.” She wouldn’t be subjected to the tortures of the American Halloween. 

“Mhh.” Van got up from his chair, placing his cereal bowl in the sink before coming around the counter to plant a kiss on Lilliver’s forehead. “I love you, stay safe, and I’ll be home later.”

“I love you, too. And have fun at work. Tell Garrett I said hi.” Van nodded, and left for work, some computer company for the government. Lil said it was the government’s certified stalking company, as much as Van denied it. 

As for herself, Lil did the same thing she did everyday. Cleaned the apartment, had coffee on the terrace with Nicasia and Taryn, the couple who lived next door, and watched her favorite tv shows: Law and Order SVU, and Deadly Woman. Her child would be raised on these shows, and the two would form an unlikely mother-child killing duo. At least, if Lil had her way. Van might disagree with some of these teachings. 

Around three in the afternoon, Van got home, earlier than normal but he had the excuse of Halloween on his side. They were ready in record time, their tickets for the haunted house reading 4:30 pm (for which they were always punctual). After many scares and screams, Lilliver was thrilled to be out of that house. Away from the masks and monsters, and away from her fiancé, who, although he held her hand throughout it all, still laughed at every scream, mocking his “lovely murderess.” Lilliver would show him murderess, alright. 

After a delicious dinner of chili fries and pickles (pregnancy cravings are the best), the couple began their walk through the neighborhoods. They weren’t on the hunt for candy so much, as watching the children run around. Even though Lilliver may hate how untraditional All Hallows Eve had become, she had to admit that when her child was old enough, she would be taking her trick or treating. She would enjoy watching the excitement in her little one’s face as they received their candy, only to run back to their parents and share the bounty. She would enjoy sharing her own traditions with her child, the graveyard and the prayers, helping those spirits cross over and not get stuck on the wrong side of the veil. 

Van smiled as he watched his wife watch the children, knowing that motherhood was going to be good for her. He had started a family tradition, whether he knew it or not. Exempting the haunted house (at least for now), their family would grow on Halloween and All Hallows Eve, in the streets collecting candy and in the graveyard greeting souls. 

I’m just going to use my general TFOTA tag list for this. If you want to be added, just let me know and I will happily oblige.

@charrise @ireallyshouldsleeprn @theoceanfaewriter @snusbandxknifewife

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