Roman's blood trickled down his neck, soaking into his scarf. It was bad business for his Spiders if all the rotten huntsmen dropped like flies. He alone could give most hunters a run for their money. And with Neo? There should be no one able to stand against them. His partner is in a bloody heap, and he is only supported by the be blade at his throat. Doing his best to calm himself, trusting his other right hand was safe and cared enough to keep the Spiders together.

Cold shivered through him, "When I saw you were one of her soulmates, I was relieved."

Gold eyes rolled, "well as much as I love a partner in massacre, she is no Goddess." The scorpion tail floated close to his emerald green eye. Instinctively, the thief jerked away. Blood flowed more freely, and the vambraces cut the scarf. The manic laughter ceased as the old cloth fluttered to the ground. Snarling, "Torchwick, don't move."

It was an odd image to watch the man with a blade embedded into his neck while operating scroll with the other hand. But, at least Tyrian had the decency to put it on speaker.

"Arthur, how are you with a cut artery?"

"Are you threatening me?"

Bright gold eyes glanced upwards in embarrassment, "No, I cut a guy's throat, and I don't want him to die."

"Why on Remanent would you-"

"His soulmate is a Rose."

"I'll be right there. I just need a minute to hack your scroll."

Roman struggled to stay conscious, "what does a girl who's won some Marksmanship medals hav-" his vision went black and he felt Tyrian slide with him to the ground.

Waking up with a start, his hand scrambled to his neck feeling stitches. Eyes flying around, taking in an ostentatious hotel room. His head felt light, and as badly as he wanted to explore his surroundings, he stayed still.

A calm elegant voice, "fortunate for you that Arthur unlocked your Aura. It saved you." Hovering close was a floating orb that looked more Grimm than a typical con artist's crystal ball. It had tentacles, and Roman gravely regretted reading that particular genre of smut.

Roman swallowed, "I assume you have terms if I want to survive?"

XXX

Roman cursed and cursed again. Then, throwing some things into his suitcase, half aware of the person he now trusted most in the world repacking as he went.

Smoking cigarette, "Boss, going to Vale makes sense. Your soulmate is there." She frowned at the yellowing on her fingers as she took another puff, "This new player is quite strong to coerce you."

Roman paused, handing her a small box, "For you…Lil Miss."

Her brown arched as she opened it, "A cigarette holder, thanks boss."

"It's a quellazaire and you're welcome. Tyrian Callows and Cinder Fall can easily wipe us out single-handed. But, if I cooperate, they'll stop killing our business. I need you to keep the Spiders strong."

Fitting on a fresh cigarette on her quellazaire, "I'll keep your throne warm until you come back."

"No." Flicking open his lighter for her. "Lil Miss, you are the head of our family now."

She smoked in silence, refolding his shirts and packing his toiletries. Finally, she broke the silence, "I order you and Neo to keep each other safe."

Roman, "We cannot trust her anymore."

XXX

Hearing glass shatter and bodies hit the cement, Roman strolled out the door. Leaning on his cane, feeling his soul mark throb and a tender flutter in his chest, seeing his mate for the first time. Her hair askew and she gave him an excited look. The girl knew he could offer a good fight.

Brothers, she was young and he wanted to scold her for being out way past any reasonable curfew. Didn't she know she was in a dangerous neighborhood? She could get mugged!

Wait…he was supposed to be robbing her. Her scythe swung, deflecting the curved blade with ease, "Well Red, it certainly has been an eventful evening. I am afraid this is where we part ways." Shoot off a smoke round, leaving her in a coughing fit. Swinging his grappling hook, he launched himself halfway up a fire escape, climbing the rest of the way. A gunshot resounded and a few flower petals danced off his face. Pulling himself on top of a roof, he saw her standing between him and his escape plan.

Softly, "Persistent." His face split into a grin. Of course his soulmate wouldn't give up easily. Humoring her by dipping under and around her swings, laughing happily, seeing her skillfully evade his own strikes. Finally, the hook of his cane twisted her arms, sending her scythe skittering to the other side of the roof, to the feet of a blonde huntress. Swallowing, knowing he could kill the most famous Huntress in Vale, but that wouldn't endear his soulmate to him.

Red looked up at him in fear as she moved into a defensive crouch. The girl was severely off balance without the weapon that clearly weighed more than he did. Ruffling her hair, with a charming wink, sending her blushing. "End of the night, Red."

Tossing a fire crystal at Glynda and shooting it, he ran off into the plane. Smoking his cigar, watching Cinder take off, and Red grab her oversized gardening tool. He realized he didn't even hear the girl's voice.

Xxx

Ruby felt all abuzz. She was accepted into Beacon. Two years early! She won plenty of sniper medals, not to mention her success in the weapon's design competition. She'd been working hard in getting into advanced classes. She sits in her bed playing some heavy metal music to distract her from hearing only her loud heartbeat. Flopping backward into her sheets, she thought her early application would have been accepted next year, not this year.

All because of Roman Torchwick, he was practically a folk hero in Vale. Since he showed up two years ago, he'd been robbing jewelry stores and banks. Not a single person was injured, and minimal property damage. Always with style and sass.

Remanent help her because he was way way hotter in person. Just seeing him made her palms sweaty and her mouth water.

Her hand found her small breast over her tank top, pinching a delicate nipple before caressing and squeezing them. Sighing and pulling off her top. Scratching the sensitive flesh, sending her wiggling at her own ministrations. Thinking about bright emerald eyes as her other hand slid down slowly over her stomach and under the waistband. Torchwick had been surprisingly playful during their fight. As much as he'd grin and toy with her, he'd been protective enough to pull her away from the roof's edge. Imaging that almost tender look, her hips bucked, feeling her own slickness.

Oh wow, I don't think I've ever been this wet before touching my clit.

Rubbing, caressing, letting fingers play with her labia. Inserting a finger inside, slowly moving in and outpace, increasing along with her wetness. Envisioning a pale cheek pressing against hers and bright orange hair falling over her eyes. Her other hand follows the same path to find her clit rubbing it gently the whole time, letting her mind play through a criminal touching her like this. Whining hearing her juices making a slurping sound as fingers thrust in then out.

Tingling all over, she paused, removing her hands gripping her sheets while she stopped from going over the brink. Because he would absolutely do that. He'd probably chuckle and kiss her while she squirmed. Gripping her breasts and gasping, thinking about him teasing her and making her beg. Not able to delay as her imaginary version of him would, she threw her pillow over her face. Roughly thrusting two fingers into her snatch. Wishing she had something other than her hands and her imagination to fuel her fantasy.

Feeling good yet little Red?

Pushing the pillow over her mouth to muffle her whimpers, hips bucking.

You're doing so well, Red.

She loved that nickname already. Moaning into her pillow, hips rising off the bed to meet her fingers plunging into her. Her body danced with pleasure, a magnificent feeling coiling intensely. Thinking about him groaning into her ear, Red, you're so wet for me. Rubbing her swollen clit, the first waves of sheer pleasure encompass her. Gasping quietly, "Torchwick!" Her walls massaged her fingers. Surprised at how intense it felt and how her silkiness gripped her digits as if it was pulling them inward. Gently rubbing as the sensations slowly receded. Straightening her PJs, she curled into bed humming happily.

Roman scratched his neck, feeling a pleasant warmth emanate from his mark. He had followed her home, making sure she got home safe. On the ferry ride back, he could sense how excited she felt. He knew upon seeing her his mark would tune into her somewhat. And of course, she'd be happy. Her sister and father were probably praising her. She'd been courageously protecting a shop clerk. The way she bounced home was adorable. That little gem was so cute. He just wanted to give her some milk and tuck her into bed.

It made sense his feelings were still platonic. Her mark wouldn't awaken until she was 18. Given that she was still a child, it'd be instinctive to protect her. Suddenly Salem's demand was revolting. Whatever the witch wanted couldn't be in the girl's interest. Still, Tyrian wasn't the only one in Salem's circle that could wreck him, and he couldn't count on Neo anymore either. His best friend seemed willing to sacrifice anything to be with her soulmates.

Something he could relate to now. Taking another drag of his cigar. He could only do what he could do best: lie, cheat and steal.

Hand on his soul mark. Hopefully, that would be enough to make sure he and Ruby Rose survive.